Bike luggage on the Ferry

Hi, Im new on here so hope I'm right in doing this.

I'm planning on a bike trip to Europe this year. I have a top box and will use a soft luggage tied onto the pillion seat with bungees and was wondering how safe is it to leave it on the bike while on the ferry down in the parking area. There will only be clothing in the bag no valuables. Has anyone ever had their luggage tampered with while travelling by ferry.

[dyzio]

Originally Posted by Rhosyn

Has anyone ever had their luggage tampered with while travelling by ferry.

Only done 3 or 4 overnight crossings but all was fine, there's no access to the car decks during the crossing (for passengers at least).

Originally Posted by dyzio

Only done 3 or 4 overnight crossings but all was fine, there's no access to the car decks during the crossing (for passengers at least).

Ok thanks for that, I was thinking about how honest the crew members were. But at least you've had no problems so that's good.

[Luckypants]

I've never had any problems with my stuff being tampered with on the car deck in many crossings. If I'm camping my bike looks like this



It's an old photo but gives the idea. The tank bag comes off and with me into the passenger areas as it contains my valuables.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I've never had any problems with my stuff being tampered with on the car deck in many crossings. If I'm camping my bike looks like this



It's an old photo but gives the idea. The tank bag comes off and with me into the passenger areas as it contains my valuables.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Rhosyn

Has anyone ever had their luggage tampered with while travelling by ferry

Yes, Plymouth to Santander this summer. Nothing missing, but nothing worth stealing in the top tail pack and panniers. Somebody had opened it and had a rummage around though. All my tools were in the bottom tailpack, but it didn't look like they wanted to go to the hassle of removing the top one, or disturb things to the extent where they couldn't just walk away whistling if they were disturbed. On the way back I put a tie wrap through each zip, and took a picture, just enough that a potential thief knew I could prove tampering with the ferry company if I got back to the bike and the tie wraps were cut or gone.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Yes, Plymouth to Santander this summer. Nothing missing, but nothing worth stealing in the top tail pack and panniers. Somebody had opened it and had a rummage around though. All my tools were in the bottom tailpack, but it didn't look like they wanted to go to the hassle of removing the top one, or disturb things to the extent where they couldn't just walk away whistling if they were disturbed. On the way back I put a tie wrap through each zip, and took a picture, just enough that a potential thief knew I could prove tampering with the ferry company if I got back to the bike and the tie wraps were cut or gone.

Dam.....That's the one Im planning on going on in May. I will have a waterproof cover over the bag and then the bungees so hopefully they wont be able to rumage through my smalls That bag will only contain my clothes so there will be nothing worth nicking. But they should have security cameras down there and sack who ever tampers with other peoples belongings.

Thanks for your reply

Yep, as Luckypants says, take a tank bag on board with all your valuables.

Do you have a cabin? If not a couple of tips:

On the Pont Aven the reclining seats lounge is at the top of the main staircase on the top deck, next to the swimming pool (don't take swimming stuff unless you want to be the only adult in a tiny pool packed full of excited kids). Go straight up there when you board and at the back of the room is a rack containing duvet's pillows, etc, go commandeer what you want before anybody else gets there. I made myself a bed on the floor at the front of the room with one of the duvets then dumped all my towel and bike gear on top of it.

At night when sleeping I wrapped my tankbag in the towel and used it as a pillow. Nobody was getting my wallet, camera and phone without waking me up and getting a punch in the face.

There is a shower and small changing area in the toilets right next to the swimming pool for the morning.

Anything else you want to ask about the ferry or the journey, fire away.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Yep, as Luckypants says, take a tank bag on board with all your valuables.

Do you have a cabin? If not a couple of tips:

On the Pont Aven the reclining seats lounge is at the top of the main staircase on the top deck, next to the swimming pool (don't take swimming stuff unless you want to be the only adult in a tiny pool packed full of excited kids). Go straight up there when you board and at the back of the room is a rack containing duvet's pillows, etc, go commandeer what you want before anybody else gets there. I made myself a bed on the floor at the front of the room with one of the duvets then dumped all my towel and bike gear on top of it.

At night when sleeping I wrapped my tankbag in the towel and used it as a pillow. Nobody was getting my wallet, camera and phone without waking me up and getting a punch in the face.

There is a shower and small changing area in the toilets right next to the swimming pool for the morning.

Anything else you want to ask about the ferry or the journey, fire away.

I've gone for the reclining seat, thanks for that advice, very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by Rhosyn

I've gone for the reclining seat, thanks for that advice, very much appreciated.

How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking? Have you just booked recently?