I'm in the UK and my friends reckon I don't need to get a passport to go to FRANCEon a Booze Cruise,is it true?

Definitely not true. You'll need a passport to pass through customs and also to ensure that you're given protection while in France. If you're arrested, injured or have to go to the police there, the consulate won't be able to help you much if you don't have a passport. Some ferries might give you walk on ID permission to use your driving licence, but you'll still need to be registered with a passport to prove your citizenship of the UK.