Bay of Biscay - Ferry to Northern Spain
Discussion
I've been over a few times and it's never been particularly rough. (I've had far worse crossing the channel, when the whole ship reeked of vomit.) Last time across to Santander a few years ago I woke up to sunshine, a millpond sea and whales cavorting off the port side. It's a very civilised way of getting to Spain.
Only done it once, last summer, and next time I’d ride down. We didn’t have it too choppy, but there’s sod-all to do on the ‘new’ boats, and with this LPG fuel malarkey they break down way too often. I’d googled that before I went and assumed teething problems would be fixed by the time we went, but we also got some engine fault on the way back so bobbing about at 6 knots or whatever, and a really late arrival. They pitch
It as a mini cruise, but there’s absolutely nothing to do except drink…oh, and a pub quiz.
But apparently it does get very rough. That might at least have added some excitement.
It as a mini cruise, but there’s absolutely nothing to do except drink…oh, and a pub quiz.
But apparently it does get very rough. That might at least have added some excitement.
tog said:
LunarOne said:
I'm driving down to the Algarve in July/Aug, taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander. I hope it's not going to be too choppy. And it's two nights and a day on the boat!
The Plymouth crossing is much quicker, and cheaper I think. Worth the run down the M5.Do wiegh up the other options, as I retiree I find that Newhaven/Dieppe and a steady three day drive through France/Spain is a very enjoyable trip, once clear of northern France the roads are quiet except for areas close to large cities, central Spain and the Autopista de Platoux is a great experience!
We sailed from Plymouth to Santander many years ago.
Going it was like a mill pond, sunbathing on deck, restaurants full, good nights sleep.
Coming back three days later it was very very different, the complete opposite. My wife just shut herself up in our cabin, going green and throwing up. The restaurants were empty. I had great difficulty walking around, I had to hold onto my pint or it would have flown off the table. I’ve never experienced rough seas as bad as that, it was very uncomfortable.
Overall it was an excellent three day break in Santander with Brittany Ferries, but my wife would never take a chance again.
Going it was like a mill pond, sunbathing on deck, restaurants full, good nights sleep.
Coming back three days later it was very very different, the complete opposite. My wife just shut herself up in our cabin, going green and throwing up. The restaurants were empty. I had great difficulty walking around, I had to hold onto my pint or it would have flown off the table. I’ve never experienced rough seas as bad as that, it was very uncomfortable.
Overall it was an excellent three day break in Santander with Brittany Ferries, but my wife would never take a chance again.
Did it about 15 years ago and the crossing over was fine, the better half said this wasn't normal. On the way back i was throwing up for 20 hours, burst blood vessels in my eyelids it was that bad. Took nearly a decade for me to ever set foot on a boat again. Never never again would I do that route, I would rather drive it.
tog said:
LunarOne said:
I'm driving down to the Algarve in July/Aug, taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander. I hope it's not going to be too choppy. And it's two nights and a day on the boat!
The Plymouth crossing is much quicker, and cheaper I think. Worth the run down the M5.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff