Cork to Santander Ferry starting April 2018

Ludo

Dai John wrote: »

Families of 4 occupy some cabins so where is the problem ? Did you fail maths ?

What? Smart arse reply makes no sense...

thomil

First Up wrote: »

You think some of the vehicles are driver-less?

Actually, yes. There'll be a number of trailers on that ferry without any corresponding lorry. They'll be positioned aboard with specialised tractors, secured, and then taken on by a new driver with a new lorry over in Spain.

I witnessed it myself on the ferry from Kiel to Oslo a few years back. You can see one of those tractors, as well as a series of trailers, in the picture below. That's the Colour Line terminal in Kiel, Germany, by the way.

First Up

thomil wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

You think some of the vehicles are driver-less?

Actually, yes. There'll be a number of trailers on that ferry without any corresponding lorry. They'll be positioned aboard with specialised tractors, secured, and then taken on by a new driver with a new lorry over in Spain.

I witnessed it myself on the ferry from Kiel to Oslo a few years back. You can see one of those tractors, as well as a series of trailers, in the picture below. That's the Colour Line terminal in Kiel, Germany, by the way.

I guess if there's 40 or 50 of them per crossing it could work but it still looks like a lot of shared cabins. Fine for freight drivers but not ideal for others.

namloc1980

Dai John wrote: »

Families of 4 occupy some cabins so where is the problem ? Did you fail maths ?

You what? I bet that made way more sense in your head....

Jim Gazebo

First Up wrote: »

I guess if there's 40 or 50 of them per crossing it could work but it still looks like a lot of shared cabins. Fine for freight drivers but not ideal for others.

Explain to me in detail how there is shared cabins? That does not happen, you will not have to share a cabin with anyone if you don't want to. Never seen such a mad comment.

On the ferry itself, it is a rough thing for 26 hours , but anyone used to ferry travel would be quite happy,

First Up

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

I guess if there's 40 or 50 of them per crossing it could work but it still looks like a lot of shared cabins. Fine for freight drivers but not ideal for others.

Explain to me in detail how there is shared cabins? That does not happen, you will not have to share a cabin with anyone if you don't want to. Never seen such a mad comment.

On the ferry itself, it is a rough thing for 26 hours , but anyone used to ferry travel would be quite happy,

Well on the assumption that most vehicles will have at least one occupant (i.e the driver), then 120 cabins for 195 vehicles isn't enough for one cabin per vehicle.

I know there are sleeper seats but 26 hours (or two nights on some crossings) with one of them doesn't sound like much fun.

In those circumstances, sharing a cabin - even with a stranger - might be a better option.

Jim Gazebo

First Up wrote: »

Well on the assumption that most vehicles will have at least one occupant (i.e the driver), then 120 cabins for 195 vehicles isn't enough for one cabin per vehicle.

I know there are sleeper seats but 26 hours (or two nights on some crossings) with one of them doesn't sound like much fun.

In those circumstances, sharing a cabin - even with a stranger - might be a better option.

It will never be allowed happen like that on a crossing like that. You won't have to share with a complete stranger unless you want to. It's just not how it works on ferries.

Tigerandahalf

I wonder do a lot of lorry drivers sleep in their truck thus less need for cabins.

Jim Gazebo

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I wonder do a lot of lorry drivers sleep in their truck thus less need for cabins.

No that is not allowed. But there are trucker cabins separate to that 120 for them. Cheaper too.

First Up

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Well on the assumption that most vehicles will have at least one occupant (i.e the driver), then 120 cabins for 195 vehicles isn't enough for one cabin per vehicle.

I know there are sleeper seats but 26 hours (or two nights on some crossings) with one of them doesn't sound like much fun.

In those circumstances, sharing a cabin - even with a stranger - might be a better option.

It will never be allowed happen like that on a crossing like that. You won't have to share with a complete stranger unless you want to. It's just not how it works on ferries.

It used to be the case back in the day on the old ferries to Liverpool - you could book a berth. But I agree it wouldn't be thing these days.

It still doesn't explain how a minimum of 195 passengers fit into 120 cabins without some cohabitation. The website is stressing its an "economie" service so lets see.

wonski

First Up wrote: »

It used to be the case back in the day on the old ferries to Liverpool - you could book a berth. But I agree it wouldn't be thing these days.

It still doesn't explain how a minimum of 195 passengers fit into 120 cabins without some cohabitation. The website is stressing its an "economie" service so lets see.

195 vehicles, not passengers, into 120 cabins.

I guess that is a maximum capacity which will be reduced with every truck or trailer taking up 2 or 3 spaces, reducing the amount of vehicles on board.

Pretty sure it is designed fit for purpose and statistically no strangers will share a cabin.

ted1

First Up wrote: »

Dai John wrote: »

Families of 4 occupy some cabins so where is the problem ? Did you fail maths ?

You think some of the vehicles are driver-less?

Some are they just load the back of the truck and then an Irish cab picks it up

First Up

wonski wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

It used to be the case back in the day on the old ferries to Liverpool - you could book a berth. But I agree it wouldn't be thing these days.

It still doesn't explain how a minimum of 195 passengers fit into 120 cabins without some cohabitation. The website is stressing its an "economie" service so lets see.

195 vehicles, not passengers, into 120 cabins.

I guess that is a maximum capacity which will be reduced with every truck or trailer taking up 2 or 3 spaces, reducing the amount of vehicles on board.

Pretty sure it is designed fit for purpose and statistically no strangers will share a cabin.

Yes, but each vehicle has a driver, apart from trailers being picked up at the other end and I doubt there will be a large number of those.

Lets see; I'm delighted at this service and I'm well inclined to use it. But I don't fancy 26-33 hours in primitive conditions.

Jim Gazebo

First Up wrote: »

It used to be the case back in the day on the old ferries to Liverpool - you could book a berth. But I agree it wouldn't be thing these days.

It still doesn't explain how a minimum of 195 passengers fit into 120 cabins without some cohabitation. The website is stressing its an "economie" service so lets see.

Irish ferries and stena run similar ferries without sharing although I don't know or care to look up their capacities. They are also 'economy'. Have been on both in recent times. Lot of passengers do use Pullman seats:eek::eek::eek:

Water John

Why would a freight co, have a tractor unit + a driver on board? A number of extra costs there. Much more feasible to buggy trailer onto and off ship.
The longer the crossing, the less sense it makes.

wonski

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

Irish ferries and stena run similar ferries without sharing although I don't know or care to look up their capacities. They are also 'economy'. Have been on both in recent times. Lot of passengers do use Pullman seats:eek::eek::eek:

These are probably foot passengers on short distance ferries.

I did Eurolines bus trip from Liverpool to Dublin. No cabin, lot of foot passengers on board.

The way it works for this route the ferry will be considered fully booked as soon as all cabins are taken.

Pretty simple, don't overthink it, you won't be left without a cabin on 26 hours journey.

First Up

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

It used to be the case back in the day on the old ferries to Liverpool - you could book a berth. But I agree it wouldn't be thing these days.

It still doesn't explain how a minimum of 195 passengers fit into 120 cabins without some cohabitation. The website is stressing its an "economie" service so lets see.

Irish ferries and stena run similar ferries without sharing although I don't know or care to look up their capacities. They are also 'economy'. Have been on both in recent times. Lot of passengers do use Pullman seats:eek::eek::eek:

As have I but a 26 or 33 hour (2 night) crossing to Spain is a different matter to the run to Roscoff or Cherbourg.

Let's see; I'm keen to get the reports and I'll be delighted if they say its tolerable (and I'd settle for that.)

I'm

Jim Gazebo

On the 26 hour crossing it's an extra 8 hours. Nothing special tbh.

First Up

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

On the 26 hour crossing it's an extra 8 hours. Nothing special tbh.

People can make up their own minds about that.

contrary_devil

First Up wrote: »

I guess if there's 40 or 50 of them per crossing it could work but it still looks like a lot of shared cabins. Fine for freight drivers but not ideal for others.

Why pray tell is it fine for freight drivers to share cabins and not for others to share? Are freight drivers a lower class?

contrary_devil

Water John wrote: »

Why would a freight co, have a tractor unit + a driver on board? A number of extra costs there. Much more feasible to buggy trailer onto and off ship.
The longer the crossing, the less sense it makes.

It might be cheaper than doing landbridge via UK or taking the ferry to France then driving down to Spain.
Tachograph regulations require a weekly rest break which the time on the ferry would cover.
Those are only two reasons why trucks would be on that service, each company will decide whether to use it dependent on the circumstances.
If freight don't use the service then I doubt it will last long or it will only be run for the tourist season. I'm sure Brittany Ferries have done their marketing homework to ensure it was viable to operate the service.

Tigerandahalf

contrary_devil wrote: »

It might be cheaper than doing landbridge via UK or taking the ferry to France then driving down to Spain.
Tachograph regulations require a weekly rest break which the time on the ferry would cover.
Those are only two reasons why trucks would be on that service, each company will decide whether to use it dependent on the circumstances.
If freight don't use the service then I doubt it will last long or it will only be run for the tourist season. I'm sure Brittany Ferries have done their marketing homework to ensure it was viable to operate the service.

It could become very important if a hard brexit kicks in. Dublin Port are already meant to be making preparations for truck inspection areas.

First Up

contrary_devil wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

I guess if there's 40 or 50 of them per crossing it could work but it still looks like a lot of shared cabins. Fine for freight drivers but not ideal for others.

Why pray tell is it fine for freight drivers to share cabins and not for others to share? Are freight drivers a lower class?

No, just less fussy and they aren't travelling with their families.

Widdensushi

contrary_devil wrote: »

It might be cheaper than doing landbridge via UK or taking the ferry to France then driving down to Spain.
Tachograph regulations require a weekly rest break which the time on the ferry would cover.
Those are only two reasons why trucks would be on that service, each company will decide whether to use it dependent on the circumstances.
If freight don't use the service then I doubt it will last long or it will only be run for the tourist season. I'm sure Brittany Ferries have done their marketing homework to ensure it was viable to operate the service.

This is right, the taco rest is massively important and presumably the research has been done and a service aimed at lorries is seen to be the best way forward.

Peatys

contrary_devil wrote: »

Why is it fine for freight drivers to share cabins?

More likely to be traveling alone.

First Up

Peatys wrote: »

contrary_devil wrote: »

Why is it fine for freight drivers to share cabins?

More likely to be traveling alone.

Ship is said to carry 70 more vehicles than it has cabins (195 - 120). If you need to get your truck on, you will have to take what you can get.

Jim Gazebo

First Up wrote: »

Ship is said to carry 70 more vehicles than it has cabins (195 - 120). If you need to get your truck on, you will have to take what you can get.

Do you not listen? There are truckers cabins set aside, on all ships. If passenger cabins are full, and you come on board as a trucker, you should still be able to get a cabin. That is the point of the truckers cabin, as they need the rest.

corks finest

embraer170 wrote: »

I am not sure I understand why people are so worried about 25-30 hours on a reasonably modern ferry. This is not a five week crossing on a famine ship.

You have laptops, tablets, kindles, and good old traditional books. If all that doesn't work, you can also sit inside (or outside) and watch the ocean pass by. And yes, I have a family and happily have them do the same.

I have done the Ireland-France crossing a few times (in the 1990s on the old St Patrick and whatever Brittany Ferries were running from Cork in the day) and found the time just flew by. More recently, I have done a few cruises and it is really not the food/entertainment/pools that I enjoyed the most.

Agree,and all part of the adventure

Jim Gazebo

Little bit of research, Connemara capacities below. No indication of how many beds to cabins but I would imagine they will not sail full and that is how they plan on it. As the Epsilon which does Dublin - Cherbourg is below also. This ship does not have shared cabins on any crossings. So they must have a system that works. They are virtually the same ship, so they will limit car numbers as they need to.

Connemara capacity summary
Passengers
500
Cars
195
Cabins
120
Reserved Lounge Seats* (available on sailings to and from France only)
36

Epsilon
Pax 400
Beds 274
Cars 70

Jim Gazebo

corks finest wrote: »

Agree,and all part of the adventure

Absolutely, we went with Celtic Link to Cherbourg when I was younger, it was a glorified cargo ship! About 6 cars, rest was trucks. All food and coffee was free and they had a lounge on the top deck. Spent hours watching other ships, reading, playing board games. It was great