Ferry expensive!
 

On enquiring about the cost of a ferry from Marseille to Algiers I was surprised to learn that a single is dearer than a return ticket! And I was and even more surprised to learn that the cheapest ticket I could get for one person and a motorbike, with no cabin or any other frills from any part of France to North Africa was £350 in the low season. Now I know it's not a short journey, but still for a basic low season crossing, that struck me as a rip off. Is this the norm?

Sounds about right. Get a cabin; for the small cost it's worth the extra.
Get a return and cash in the unused part (valid up to a year).
Spain to Oran may be cheaper.

Ch

Right you are Chris. Alicante to Oran is indeed cheaper (didn't think of that!). £280 return with seat or £315 with cabin.

Thanks.

Just found Ali to Oran single with seat for £180 - that's a bit more me!

italian ways
 

You can try italian ports - Genova or Civitavecchia. I found Grimaldi's line from Civitavecchia to Tunis as best.

Regards

Tytus

Thanks, I'll look into that.

This surprised me too, tickets for 4x4 plus 3 passengers from Ali to Oran is £450 one-way, the same 4x4 +3 crossing to Morocco is only £150.