Stranded holidaymakers urged to head for ferries

British holidaymakers stranded in Europe should continue to try to get onto ferries leaving from the major ports as it will be some time before airlines get their short-haul schedules back to normal.

With British Airways focusing on getting its long-haul flights running first and budget airlines' services still subject to cancellations, passengers stuck on the Continent could still be waiting for days to get on a flight home.

Ferry operators say they still have capacity to bring passengers back to the UK from ports in France including Boulogne, Calais, Caen, Dieppe, Dunkirk and Le Havre. Holidaymakers stuck in Spain are less fortunate: Brittany Ferries says its ferries from Santander to the UK are full until April 29.

Holidaymakers who can't get a ferry or a flight for a few days could try to find accommodation through Facebook or Twitter. There are dozens of Facebook groups offering help, including 'When Volcanoes Erupt..' and 'I Need to Get Home'.

On Twitter, the 'getmehome' and 'stranded' hashtags have tweets from holidaymakers organising car pools and contains hundreds of offers of accommodation. If you're just looking for a bed for the night, try the hashtag 'putmeup'.

Holidaymakers stranded in Florida are being offered free admission to Seaworld Orlando, Aquatic waterpark and Busch Gardens Tampa. Stranded tourists must go to the parks' front gate Guest Services window with a valid flight ticket plus valid ID to qualify for a free one-day pass. One ticket will be offered for each return flight for each park.

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