Cork to Santander Ferry starting April 2018

Ultimate Seduction

kub wrote: »

To me it is a typical truck ferry, to be fair to Brittany Ferries, they only ever called this basic.
I hope it works out for them, there must be plenty of Irish trucks transiting across UK and France to get to Spain especially those operating from the ports in West Cork.
As a non trucker, it would not bother me, perhaps my expectations are not great or maybe I am old fashioned.

People are hoping for it to be some kind of cruise. It has beds a bar and a resteraunt, what more would you need? The trip wouldn't be too long if you can spend 9 or 10 hours of it asleep,

Rhys Essien

The Connemara is leaving tonight at 10pm for Roscoff.Will be back on Wednesday and Friday for Santander.Apparently there will be a lot of Leinster fans heading over on Wednesday for the rugby final in Bilbao on Saturday.

I hope this route works out for them.We need the Spanish wanting to come here as well for it to work.No doubt plenty Irish people will make use of it.With the Roscoff route it’s always fairly busy as the people are from all over mainland Europe.

kub

Ultimate Seduction wrote:

People are hoping for it to be some kind of cruise. It has beds a bar and a resteraunt, what more would you need? The trip wouldn't be too long if you can spend 9 or 10 hours of it asleep,

What more would you need is right but the way some posters on this thread have portrayed its a cruise liner they would only be satisfied with.

kub

Rhys Essien wrote:

The Connemara is leaving tonight at 10pm for Roscoff.Will be back on Wednesday and Friday for Santander.Apparently there will be a lot of Leinster fans heading over on Wednesday for the rugby final in Bilbao on Saturday.

So it came all the way here from Santander and is off to Roscoff in 30 minutes.
Anyone know why?

Widdensushi

kub wrote: »

So it came all the way here from Santander and is off to Roscoff in 30 minutes.
Anyone know why?

Post 299

First Up

kub wrote: »

Ultimate Seduction wrote:

People are hoping for it to be some kind of cruise. It has beds a bar and a resteraunt, what more would you need? The trip wouldn't be too long if you can spend 9 or 10 hours of it asleep,

What more would you need is right but the way some posters on this thread have portrayed its a cruise liner they would only be satisfied with.

That they would prefer.

First Up

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

kub wrote: »

To me it is a typical truck ferry, to be fair to Brittany Ferries, they only ever called this basic.
I hope it works out for them, there must be plenty of Irish trucks transiting across UK and France to get to Spain especially those operating from the ports in West Cork.
As a non trucker, it would not bother me, perhaps my expectations are not great or maybe I am old fashioned.

People are hoping for it to be some kind of cruise. It has beds a bar and a resteraunt, what more would you need? The trip wouldn't be too long if you can spend 9 or 10 hours of it asleep,

It will get you there fed and rested and for many of us that will be enough. For families with children to entertain it will be tougher and the social spaces are going to get crowded and might be a bit claustrophobic.

I've used the similar vessel operated by Stena on the shorter crossing from Cherbourg a few times and time does drag (and I had no kids in tow.)

So probably grand (or at least tolerable) for solo adults, couples or a bunch of mates.

Less attractive for families.

Ultimate Seduction

First Up wrote: »

It will get you there fed and rested and for many of us that will be enough. For families with children to entertain it will be tougher and the social spaces are going to get crowded and might be a bit claustrophobic.

I've used the similar vessel operated by Stena on the shorter crossing from Cherbourg a few times and time does drag (and I had no kids in tow.)

So probably grand (or at least tolerable) for solo adults, couples or a bunch of mates.

Less attractive for families.

I've 2 small ones myself. They spend as long on the couch watching TV and tablet during dirty winter days.

First Up

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

I've 2 small ones myself. They spend as long on the couch watching TV and tablet during dirty winter days.

33 hours?

Ultimate Seduction

First Up wrote: »

33 hours?

26 I thought? Be asleep for 9 or 10 so really 15 or 16 hours to entertain them.

First Up

Two sailings a week. One is 26 hours; the other 33. Better check which is which!

Harika

Two smallies and having access to a ton of toys and not dragging stroller, toys, changing bag and so on through security makes it far more appealing. Depends also on the weather and if you can use a sun deck.

First Up

Harika wrote: »

Two smallies and having access to a ton of toys and not dragging stroller, toys, changing bag and so on through security makes it far more appealing. Depends also on the weather and if you can use a sun deck.

I'm with you on the appeal of car travel versus flying but I'm pretty sure there isn't a sun deck on the Connemara.

Harika

First Up wrote: »

I'm with you on the appeal of car travel versus flying but I'm pretty sure there isn't a sun deck on the Connemara.

Too bad, maybe enough space to run around and not being afraid that they drop of the boat.

First Up

Harika wrote: »

Too bad, maybe enough space to run around and not being afraid that they drop of the boat.

All indoors I think.

hometruths

We're waiting to see what the firsthand reports are before booking but are very tempted by this route.

We travel to Southern Spain every year by car to visit wife's family, and whichever way you do it is a tough journey with two young kids. Flying is not really an option as we are generally there for 4 weeks+ and need a mountain of clobber for the kids.

Currently we prefer to go Dublin-Holyhead then Portsmouth-Bilbao but its an expensive option, and the drive through England is a pain. We've also done Rosslare-Cherbourg but the drive through France is a killer.

The ferries on the above routes are like mini cruise ships, and time passes quite pleasantly but the driving is hateful.

So for us the question is being stuck in a ropey ferry for 26 hours better than an extra two days driving. Personally I think I'd prefer the ferry.

First Up

schmittel wrote: »

We're waiting to see what the firsthand reports are before booking but are very tempted by this route.

We travel to Southern Spain every year by car to visit wife's family, and whichever way you do it is a tough journey with two young kids. Flying is not really an option as we are generally there for 4 weeks+ and need a mountain of clobber for the kids.

Currently we prefer to go Dublin-Holyhead then Portsmouth-Bilbao but its an expensive option, and the drive through England is a pain. We've also done Rosslare-Cherbourg but the drive through France is a killer.

The ferries on the above routes are like mini cruise ships, and time passes quite pleasantly but the driving is hateful.

So for us the question is being stuck in a ropey ferry for 26 hours better than an extra two days driving. Personally I think I'd prefer the ferry.

I think you should definitely try it. Cutting out the drives through France and UK (which I think is the worst) has to be tempting.

embraer170

Shame if the ship has no passenger acesesible outdoor space at all.

I’m not looking for a cruise ship experience but a place to sit outside for a while.

Ultimate Seduction

embraer170 wrote: »

Shame if the ship has no passenger acesesible outdoor space at all.

I’m not looking for a cruise ship experience but a place to sit outside for a while.

It has an outside balcony type thing I think. Basically a small smoking area no seats

roundymac

First Up wrote: »

All indoors I think.

There is an outside deck, never very large but it is there all the same. Why is the same type of ship successful for Stena (ex Rosslare) and Epsilon (ex Dublin) but will not work out of Cork? If you don't like it go take the 120km drive to Rosslare, I in the meantime will take the 5 minute drive to Ringaskiddy.:p

LLewellen Farquarson

roundymac wrote: »

There is an outside deck, never very large but it is there all the same. Why is the same type of ship successful for Stena (ex Rosslare) and Epsilon (ex Dublin) but will not work out of Cork? If you don't like it go take the 120km drive to Rosslare, I in the meantime will take the 5 minute drive to Ringaskiddy.:p

It's not the port, but to answer your question (for me anyway).

Dublin to France is 20 hours, i.e. one night sleeping.
Cork to Bilbao is 36 hours , ie. two nights and one whole day. (almost twice the time). It is also going through the Bay of Biscay -which can be pretty hairy.

To draw an analogy, I am prepared to drive from Cork to Dublin in a 09 Yaris, but going from Kenmare to Belfast would not be as much fun.

I'm not saying it will not work, of course it will work, it's more a question of how much discomfort I am prepared to put up with.

loyatemu

we were on the Oscar Wilde a couple years ago when it was delayed in Cherbourg because of a technical fault, so it didn't depart until 4am and we ended up spending the whole day on the damn thing. Seriously tedious, and that's despite it being a nice day on a boat with a sun deck and lots of facilities. There's only so much you can read (and I couldn't ever get drunk as I had to drive off it in the evening).

Rhys Essien

LLewellen Farquarson wrote: »

It's not the port, but to answer your question (for me anyway).

Dublin to France is 20 hours, i.e. one night sleeping.
Cork to Bilbao is 36 hours , ie. two nights and one whole day. (almost twice the time). It is also going through the Bay of Biscay -which can be pretty hairy.

To draw an analogy, I am prepared to drive from Cork to Dublin in a 09 Yaris, but going from Kenmare to Belfast would not be as much fun.

I'm not saying it will not work, of course it will work, it's more a question of how much discomfort I am prepared to put up with.

What the hell are you on about.Its a 26 hour journey and one overnight.

LLewellen Farquarson

Rhys Essien wrote: »

What the hell are you on about.Its a 26 hour journey and one overnight.

I'd suggest you read the thread, or better yet, have a look at Brittany ferries website (that's what the hell I'm on about)
(I've just checked it again and in fairness , Friday's is a two nighter, but Wednesdays is one night.)

roundymac

loyatemu wrote: »

we were on the Oscar Wilde a couple years ago when it was delayed in Cherbourg because of a technical fault, so it didn't depart until 4am and we ended up spending the whole day on the damn thing. Seriously tedious, and that's despite it being a nice day on a boat with a sun deck and lots of facilities. There's only so much you can read (and I couldn't ever get drunk as I had to drive off it in the evening).

I suggest you fly so,

Widdensushi

LLewellen Farquarson wrote: »

It's not the port, but to answer your question (for me anyway).

Dublin to France is 20 hours, i.e. one night sleeping.
Cork to Bilbao is 36 hours , ie. two nights and one whole day. (almost twice the time). It is also going through the Bay of Biscay -which can be pretty hairy.

To draw an analogy, I am prepared to drive from Cork to Dublin in a 09 Yaris, but going from Kenmare to Belfast would not be as much fun.

I'm not saying it will not work, of course it will work, it's more a question of how much discomfort I am prepared to put up with.

It depends on your destination though, it's at least a days drive from north France down to Spain, if arriving in Spain in the morning means that you are at your destination that evening /afternoon then you are there faster and could have driven 1500 kilometres less

loyatemu

roundymac wrote: »

I suggest you fly so,

I'm not planning on getting this boat, I'm just providing my experience - the ferry to France is fine, but largely because you're asleep for half the journey. Longer journey, more daytime sailing, (much) smaller boat - worth bearing in mind for anyone considering it.

GavRedKing

I think anyone considering this option knows the pitfalls and pretty much all the trappings of such a journey.

I cant imagine anybody booking this blind thinking its going to be a cruise ship style crossing.

It will certainly suit a small amount of peoples needs more than it will suit the majority of peoples needs.

I hope it is a success, anything that offers extra links to the continent, especially Spain, without going through Britain, should be lauded.

Rhys Essien

It’s due in to Santander around 3pm today so we might see a review tonight by someone.Weather conditions were fairly rough when they were leaving port yesterday.

who_me

From today's Echo.

Ultimate Seduction

Great news. Early than expected, wonder how long it took. I'm almost certain I'll be booking this for September now.

Rhys Essien

Great video here on Spanish news of its arrival today.

https://twitter.com/dmontanes/status/994653300447371264?s=21

Loire

Very interested in this for next year as will hopefully be going camping for 3 weeks down south (S France, N Spain)

The Friday sailing looks great. At first, 2 nights seems a long time, but in reality, the difference in "waking hours" compared to the Cork/Roscoff sailing is really only the Sat morning. The late sailing on the Fri night (22:30) means there's probably time for a pint or two then off to bed. Granted all day Sat is a long time on a basic boat but it's doable. Our lot are happy to read and play board games. You arrive then rested at 8am in Santandar, as opposed to arriving only 1 hour earlier in Roscoff with a day or two's driving ahead of you. Ditto on the way home. If driving we would be leaving Thur morning with 2 day's driving to get the Fri evening ferry. This way leave on the Thur but after lunch and are home Fri night rather that Sat morning, again with no driving.

Dai John

To all you brave travellers; just back from Spain, drove from Cherbourg to Alicante ( done it many times by car and truck), however I should warn you that the cheapest petrol in France was 1.50 a litre and as high as 1.70. Spain was on average 1.14 a litre. But beware in France as you need a vignette to enter most cities (they don't really want tourists). Called in at Mont St. Michel on the way down to show it to a fellow traveller, place was cold but still packed but put off by a lot of armed soldiers, sad it has come to this.

dbs103

Dai John wrote: »

To all you brave travellers; just back from Spain, drove from Cherbourg to Alicante ( done it many times by car and truck), however I should warn you that the cheapest petrol in France was 1.50 a litre and as high as 1.70. Spain was on average 1.14 a litre. But beware in France as you need a vignette to enter most cities (they don't really want tourists). Called in at Mont St. Michel on the way down to show it to a fellow traveller, place was cold but still packed but put off by a lot of armed soldiers, sad it has come to this.

A bit off topic but in case anyone is taking the drive through France.

Applied, via the official website, for the new(ish) vignette Crit'Air. Took a few minutes to fill out the online form. Was only about a €4 fee. Got a confirmation email 2 days later with a print out for proof of the vignette. Still waiting for the actual window sticker. Apparently the printout will do though.

For the little hassle and small fee it's well worth it as apparently the fines are quite big if you don't have it.

hometruths

So has anybody been on this ferry yet?

ANXIOUS

schmittel wrote: »

So has anybody been on this ferry yet?

Colm Parkinson was on twitter crying about how bad it was.

Rhys Essien

This was the review from a guy on the very first sailing to Santander.He seemed happy enough.

https://twitter.com/chriswinningws/status/994886515334541312?s=21

Harika

Friends of mine went with two kids and they were happy enough, but they are also people happy in general and not offended off that the bar didn't stock a 1976 Merlot.

First Up

Harika wrote: »

Friends of mine went with two kids and they were happy enough, but they are also people happy in general and not offended off that the bar didn't stock a 1976 Merlot.

I don't think the wine list is high on anyone's list of priorities. Had they anything useful to say about it?

Harika

First Up wrote: »

I don't think the wine list is high on anyone's list of priorities. Had they anything useful to say about it?

Anything in particular you are interested in? I can go back and check with them.

Ultimate Seduction

First Up wrote: »

I don't think the wine list is high on anyone's list of priorities. Had they anything useful to say about it?

On a 26 hour trip I'd definitely be looking for a glass of wine, as I'm sure many others would.


Great to hear you can sit out on the deck.
How rough was the trip? Weather isn't great around Bilboa last few weeks

munchkin_utd

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Colm Parkinson was on twitter crying about how bad it was.

did he delete the comments, I cant find them now.

Anyhow, this is the same as the crying from other people when they take the sister ships Stena Horizon from Rosslare to Cherbourg or the irish ferries Epsilon which does runs from Dublin to Cherbourg.
People complain that its a "small ferry" even though its longer and carries more vehicles than say the Oscar Wilde.

The problem is that theres not enough plush carpet and the decor is like a large open plan italian ice cream parlour. Which, considering the ship(s) is(are) built in Italy on the adriatic is sortof understandable.

The cabins though are ok and so long as you treat the journey as more of a night train on the sea (i.e. its not a cruise ship with fancy cinemas, shows or a spa) where you spend most of your time in the cabin, then you'll be grand.

tinner777

Wifi??

loyatemu

tinner777 wrote: »

Wifi??

the WiFi on the OW is nearly unusable.

First Up

Harika wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

I don't think the wine list is high on anyone's list of priorities. Had they anything useful to say about it?

Anything in particular you are interested in? I can go back and check with them.

Public area seating, kids (or adult) entertainment, food options, cabins, TV, wifi. That sortbof thing.

ANXIOUS

munchkin_utd wrote: »

did he delete the comments, I cant find them now.

It's under his tweets and replies, he says the ship is small, same food for lunch and dinner and vending machines broke.

Water John

Does he mean, one menu, or do actually have to eat the same thing???

First Up

loyatemu wrote: »

tinner777 wrote: »

Wifi??

the WiFi on the OW is nearly unusable.

Yeah, if there's a few coach loads of Irish or French schoolkids you can forget it. They are all online all the time.

First Up

Water John wrote: »

Does he mean, one menu, or do actually have to eat the same thing???

That style of ship has a self service restaurant so there is a range of foods to choose from. I'm guessing that the comment referred to it being the same choice for all meals (except breakfast).