I was stuck in a queue to exit a TGV station. Luckily I was there. The person blocked kept putting his ticket in the machine which just spat it out and barrier remained closed. I got out of my car walked to the barrier and manually pushed it open.
Everyone got out safely and in good humour.
Stupid system. Busy places need traffic control and these days it’s machines. Often what’s needed is a resonable person with common sense, would save do much anguish.
The problem with boats is noone speaks a language I understand. 
If taking your car you have to allow 4 hours to pass through customs and passport control. Sure airports are at least 2 hours. Take your pick. Mine is to not travel if it can be avoided.
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It probably depends on the boat. I tend to allow a good time because I have been caught up in traffic before and got there at the last minute (they close check in 45 minutes before sailing, so realistically you need to be there at least an hour before).
The worst mess I’ve seen at a port was Holyhead last week when we sailed from Dublin. There were no passport or customs checks. It was just a mess. Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Newcastle and Hull all seem to be fairly well organised.
Generally, we get boats via the Netherlands and they will typically speak English, Dutch and German so it isn’t a problem.
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Tends to be Calais and Dover for me. A real mess every holiday.
Even non holiday times I almost missed the ferry due to passport control. I only had 4 cars Infront of me when I arrived over an hour in advance. I have no idea what they were doing. It was in April and not Easter FFS.
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I’ve noticed that Room 101 is now back on Radio 4:
Unfortunately, not available outside the UK (there is one episode on the Radio 4 Spotify channel at the moment).