Ferry to Santander

Mrscake

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We went full time in January. Spent lockdown on the side of the road. Needless to say we're EXTREMELY HAPPY to finally get to Spain.
Anyone else done this crossing? I thought it would be like a cruise, but was a bit Rocky!

YouTube below if you're interested

 
Fun video, thanks for sharing. Yes, done this crossing numerous times over the years. Sometimes calm and occasionally it's so blinkin' rough we swear we'll never do it again. Memorable occasions were, when the ferry broke down in the middle of the night in the Bay of Biscay.. imagine a silent ghost ship adrift with no power and the waves slapping the side.. scary 😐And being restricted to the cabin last year due to covid.. boring 😐
Still, we're booked to return to Spain again in September until the end of the year, so maybe see you on the road somewhere.
Safe travels
 
Oh wow. That sounds pretty terrifying. Think we will get the Eurostar back!
There were a lot of covid rules. I bet it's fun when you can sit out and eat and drink freely.
 
We did Santander once and once only, fortunately we arrived with a slight dizzy head but otherwise okay. However on the return journey the sailing was delayed for about eight hours due to bad weather. Both of us experienced rocking sensations for the next fortnight when putting our heads on the pillow. Santander never again, longest night ever. Ouistreham is our new destination from Portsmouth just because we live in Hampshire.
 
We’ve done three crossings by way of the Santander and Bilbao route, loved every minute of them. Last one we spent way more time around the north west of Spain down as far as Portugal, it’s not like the typical Spain.
 
You know it’s been a rough trip on a boat if the day after you come ashore you have a shower, close your eyes and fall over……. The Santander trip can be lumpy but it’s a big boat, our most memorable was Rosslare to Pembroke in a small weather window between gales. You didn’t need to book for the restaurant……
 
When we did Rosslare -Pembroke it was so glassy didnt realise we had left port :) and at the other end Dover Calais rolling so much you could stand in middle of deck and lose the horizon at top and bottom of side windows :( :ROFLMAO:
 
Pompey Ouistreham.
Is a lovely option.. 5 hours crossing, cheap and a leisurely drive south.
But if you're in a hurry, the long ferry works better.
Having spent the extra money, spend a little more and book an outside cabin..
It turns an ordeal into a cruise.
 
Pauljenny said:
Pompey Ouistreham.
Is a lovely option.. 5 hours crossing, cheap and a leisurely drive south.
But if you're in a hurry, the long ferry works better.
Having spent the extra money, spend a little more and book an outside cabin..
It turns an ordeal into a cruise.
Click to expand...
Lost count of the number of times I've tried to book a pet friendly cabin . So have to drive through France which I do enjoy , not so much in winter
 
alcam said:
Lost count of the number of times I've tried to book a pet friendly cabin . So have to drive through France which I do enjoy , not so much in winter
Click to expand...
A tip regarding pet friendly cabins.

Brittany allow you to provisionally book a crossing before the sailing schedule is published. Make sure you specify that you want a pet friendly cabin and then you stand a very good chance of getting one.

Because the precise sailing dates are not confirmed you need to be flexible on your sailing date. Just specify the approximate date required.

Most people book after the schedule is published and it's then luck of the draw.
 
Great video. What requirements did you need to get into Spain?
How far down south do you plan to travel?
Thanks for posting.
 
**** said:
We’ve done three crossings by way of the Santander and Bilbao route, loved every minute of them. Last one we spent way more time around the north west of Spain down as far as Portugal, it’s not like the typical Spain.
Click to expand...
It's not is it! In my head spain was dry, brownish and hot. The Europa mountains were none of these things.
 
Traveller said:
We did Santander once and once only, fortunately we arrived with a slight dizzy head but otherwise okay. However on the return journey the sailing was delayed for about eight hours due to bad weather. Both of us experienced rocking sensations for the next fortnight when putting our heads on the pillow. Santander never again, longest night ever. Ouistreham is our new destination from Portsmouth just because we live in Hampshire.
Click to expand...
Eep. Doesn't sound fun. I'll have to look up Ouistreham.
 
tidewatcher said:
You know it’s been a rough trip on a boat if the day after you come ashore you have a shower, close your eyes and fall over……. The Santander trip can be lumpy but it’s a big boat, our most memorable was Rosslare to Pembroke in a small weather window between gales. You didn’t need to book for the restaurant……
Click to expand...
Ah great thank you. Will check that out at some point.
 
Pauljenny said:
Pompey Ouistreham.
Is a lovely option.. 5 hours crossing, cheap and a leisurely drive south.
But if you're in a hurry, the long ferry works better.
Having spent the extra money, spend a little more and book an outside cabin..
It turns an ordeal into a cruise.
Click to expand...
Good idea!
 
Geraldine said:
Great video. What requirements did you need to get into Spain?
How far down south do you plan to travel?
Thanks for posting.
Click to expand...
It said we needed a passenger locator form so we did 2 but no one checked. We got in before you needed a pcr test.
 
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