Cork to Santander Ferry starting April 2018

Ultimate Seduction

It's only 26 hours like how many meals do you need. 2 breakfasts a dinner and a few snacks. It's fairly annoying that people are expecting a cruise ship.

First Up

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

It's only 26 hours like how many meals do you need. 2 breakfasts a dinner and a few snacks. It's fairly annoying that people are expecting a cruise ship.

Annoying to who? Some crossings are 33 hours. People are entitled to think about how they will spend the time.

Nobody should be expecting a cruise ship. That's the point of this thread.

Mountainsandh

I'd love to read from anyone who may have travelled on this with their pet ?
In our family the humans would have no problem "roughing it" if needs be, but the situation has to be decent for the dog (ie not in car for that length of time !).

First Up

Mountainsandh wrote: »

I'd love to read from anyone who may have travelled on this with their pet ?
In our family the humans would have no problem "roughing it" if needs be, but the situation has to be decent for the dog (ie not in car for that length of time !).

Here's a crazy idea; go to the Brittany Ferries website and look under pets.

Mountainsandh

First Up wrote: »

Here's a crazy idea; go to the Brittany Ferries website and look under pets.

How rude.


I asked the question because last time I checked, they didn't have that information on the website, and regardless, people's experience in these matters is always as/if not more useful than a website write up.

If you look at the pet section you will see that nowhere do they mention the Connemara, it seems to be that they do not have kennels, they only have pet friendly cabins, which is probably why when I looked at the very start of this thread I couldn't find the information.


So...

... for those of you who may have travelled with pets, how was it ? (are the pet friendly cabins same as any other cabins ? are the outdoors pet friendly areas easily accessible ? were there any delays boarding the ship due to having the pet with you ? how did your pet do for the trip length wise ?)

EdgeCase

The issue is many people will expect the Pont Aven level of service or one of Irish Ferries cruise ferries and end up being disappointed.

I'm not sure about this no frills idea on a long crossing. It might make more sense on something like the Irish Sea or a short UK - France crossing.

For me the ferry is partially attractive because it's relaxing and usually pleasant. That's a big part of the holiday atmosphere to me.

I'd hope that if this route has demand, they'd get a bigger and nicer ship on it.

EdgeCase

Based on that video, I don't think I'd be using it.

First Up

EdgeCase wrote: »

The issue is many people will expect the Pont Aven level of service or one of Irish Ferries cruise ferries and end up being disappointed.

I'm not sure about this no frills idea on a long crossing. It might make more sense on something like the Irish Sea or a short UK - France crossing.

For me the ferry is partially attractive because it's relaxing and usually pleasant. That's a big part of the holiday atmosphere to me.

I'd hope that if this route has demand, they'd get a bigger and nicer ship on it.

The website spells it out very clearly that it is a no frills service. They can't do more than that. If people expect something more, its their own fault for not doing the research.

First Up

Mountainsandh wrote: »

How rude.


I asked the question because last time I checked, they didn't have that information on the website, and regardless, people's experience in these matters is always as/if not more useful than a website write up.

If you look at the pet section you will see that nowhere do they mention the Connemara, it seems to be that they do not have kennels, they only have pet friendly cabins, which is probably why when I looked at the very start of this thread I couldn't find the information.


So...

... for those of you who may have travelled with pets, how was it ? (are the pet friendly cabins same as any other cabins ? are the outdoors pet friendly areas easily accessible ? were there any delays boarding the ship due to having the pet with you ? how did your pet do for the trip length wise ?)

Happy to help.

EdgeCase

First Up wrote: »

The website spells it out very clearly that it is a no frills service. They can't do more than that. If people expect something more, its their own fault for not doing the research.

I'm not saying their website doesn't. I'm just saying that on that route, it's a long time to be on a no-frills service and something I wouldn't be willing to do and there is an assumption that car ferries have some level of service.

As long as the ferry's a reasonable price, I would be willing to pay for some frills and the likes of the Post Aven provides just that, at a pretty decent price too.

I'd still suspect this is a low risk, low commitment market test for them.

First Up

EdgeCase wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

The website spells it out very clearly that it is a no frills service. They can't do more than that. If people expect something more, its their own fault for not doing the research.

I'm not saying their website doesn't. I'm just saying that on that route, it's a long time to be on a no-frills service and something I wouldn't be willing to do and there is an assumption that car ferries have some level of service.

As long as the ferry's a reasonable price, I would be willing to pay for some frills and the likes of the Post Aven provides just that, at a pretty decent price too.

I'd still suspect this is a low risk, low commitment market test for them.

I agree its a long time; some sailings are twice as long as Stena from Rosslare to Cherbourg and the time drags on that one.

People who base their travel plans on "assumptions" deserve what they get.

I'd say they are testing the market alright but its mostly a freight oriented service and will rise or fall on that.

Mountainsandh

First Up wrote: »

Happy to help.

I wish you the same kind of help with your incredibly similar query of people's experience above.

hometruths

Just booked, mid August, cost €850 return for car 2 adults, 2 kids.

Bit wary of trying to entertain kids with no frills, but figure it is easier to entertain them on a boat than in the car, and this saves us two days each way in the car!

Also hopeful that if Brittany can get a decent level of interest on this route, they'll put a boat with frills on!

Ultimate Seduction

schmittel wrote: »

Just booked, mid August, cost €850 return for car 2 adults, 2 kids.

Bit wary of trying to entertain kids with no frills, but figure it is easier to entertain them on a boat than in the car, and this saves us two days each way in the car!

Also hopeful that if Brittany can get a decent level of interest on this route, they'll put a boat with frills on!

Take off how many hours ye will be sleeping for and its not that long at all. Breakfast, dinner Supper, TV for a while. It'll fly.

Do you get a cabin for that price ?

hometruths

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

Take off how many hours ye will be sleeping for and its not that long at all. Breakfast, dinner Supper, TV for a while. It'll fly.

Do you get a cabin for that price ?

Yep includes cabin on both legs - inside.

the beer revolu

schmittel wrote: »

Just booked, mid August, cost €850 return for car 2 adults, 2 kids.

Bit wary of trying to entertain kids with no frills, but figure it is easier to entertain them on a boat than in the car, and this saves us two days each way in the car!

Also hopeful that if Brittany can get a decent level of interest on this route, they'll put a boat with frills on!

Board games. Try to do things that you wouldn't do normally due to TV, internet, phones etc. Treat it like a camping trip. I'd say the kids will love it.

Optimus Prime

schmittel wrote: »

Just booked, mid August, cost €850 return for car 2 adults, 2 kids.

Bit wary of trying to entertain kids with no frills, but figure it is easier to entertain them on a boat than in the car, and this saves us two days each way in the car!

Also hopeful that if Brittany can get a decent level of interest on this route, they'll put a boat with frills on!

Where abouts are you heading once you get off the boat? ive been looking at this myself and i guess you still need to drive to portugal or the bottom of spain to hit the popular areas people normally go to on holidays? Im trying to figure out where to go!!

Quackster

Optimus Prime wrote: »

Where abouts are you heading once you get off the boat? ive been looking at this myself and i guess you still need to drive to portugal or the bottom of spain to hit the popular areas people normally go to on holidays? Im trying to figure out where to go!!

The Atlantic North of Spain is stunning. Head west from Santander to Asturias and explore the Picos National Park and the cities of Oviedo and Gijon. You won't be disappointed.

You've beach resorts too, like Laredo near Bilbao.

If you're into food, head to San Sebastian, the culinary capital of Spain. And it happens to be quite a pretty city too.

Or head far west to Galicia, with its rugged coastline and the famous city of Santiago de Compostela.

tinner777

any of you booked apartments in north Spain?? any recommendations?

Rhys Essien

schmittel wrote: »

Just booked, mid August, cost €850 return for car 2 adults, 2 kids.

Bit wary of trying to entertain kids with no frills, but figure it is easier to entertain them on a boat than in the car, and this saves us two days each way in the car!

Also hopeful that if Brittany can get a decent level of interest on this route, they'll put a boat with frills on!

That is very good value for mid August.

hometruths

Rhys Essien wrote: »

That is very good value for mid August.

Yes, I was pretty pleased with the price - return is in September which makes a big difference.

Limerick 37.5

I went on this ferry three weeks ago with four children from Cork to Santander and it was super. Although it is advertised as an economy service, there is restaurant on board and also a small bar. The crossing was very calm and the boat was only half full which no doubt helped, but I would recommend it to anyone interested. What surprised me was the food served on board was very good and was reasonably priced. Was apprehensive about the ferry service before booking and could not find any reviews but delighted I took the ferry and would see myself doing it again in the future. No hesitation in recommending this service

roundymac

French food from a chipper would beat an Irish 5 star restaurant any day. Why you are surprised there was a restaurant on board I don't know, it was advertised.

Limerick 37.5

It is advertised as a Self-Service restaurant. I did not know what to expect. What is in offer is good quality.

Juggler101

Great to hear a positive review on the trip. I'm considering doing the Santander route next summer then driving up through France and returning home via the usual French ports.

Limerick 37.5 wrote: »

I went on this ferry three weeks ago with four children from Cork to Santander and it was super. Although it is advertised as an economy service, there is restaurant on board and also a small bar. The crossing was very calm and the boat was only half full which no doubt helped, but I would recommend it to anyone interested. What surprised me was the food served on board was very good and was reasonably priced. Was apprehensive about the ferry service before booking and could not find any reviews but delighted I took the ferry and would see myself doing it again in the future. No hesitation in recommending this service

Limerick 37.5

Juggler101 wrote: »

Great to hear a positive review on the trip. I'm considering doing the Santander route next summer then driving up through France and returning home via the usual French ports.

That is what we did, returned through Roscoff, but i would have no hesitation in returning through Santander if I was to do the trip again.

Water John

Good review, thanks. Roundy, that's a glib comment. you need to get out more.
Suggest you go to Kc's in Douglas. No need to go five star.

Their is even a whole 7 year long thread of nice places to eat in Cork.
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056189950

First Up

Limerick 37.5 wrote: »

I went on this ferry three weeks ago with four children from Cork to Santander and it was super. Although it is advertised as an economy service, there is restaurant on board and also a small bar. The crossing was very calm and the boat was only half full which no doubt helped, but I would recommend it to anyone interested. What surprised me was the food served on board was very good and was reasonably priced. Was apprehensive about the ferry service before booking and could not find any reviews but delighted I took the ferry and would see myself doing it again in the future. No hesitation in recommending this service

Good to hear. A half full boat is always going to be more comfortable than one that is packed to the gills but nice to know you found it OK.

You seem to have had low expectations overall, judging from some of your comments. How would you compare the Cork-Santander service with the return from Roscoff?

Limerick 37.5

My expectations were as a result of the information I had. The boat is advertised as an economy boat, when I rang to book it, the person at the other end of the phone reiterated the fact that it was an economy boat, there were no review of the service online, so realistically what would you think? And to be honest I would take the Cork - Santander ferry again before the Roscoff Roslare service. I was very happy with the service, many others may not be in the future, but all I can say is that it worked for me.

First Up

Limerick 37.5 wrote: »

My expectations were as a result of the information I had. The boat is advertised as an economy boat, when I rang to book it, the person at the other end of the phone reiterated the fact that it was an economy boat, there were no review of the service online, so realistically what would you think? And to be honest I would take the Cork - Santander ferry again before the Roscoff Roslare service. I was very happy with the service, many others may not be in the future, but all I can say is that it worked for me.

I assume Roscoff to Rosslare was with Irish Ferries on the Oscar Wilde?

roundymac

Water John wrote: »

Good review, thanks. Roundy, that's a glib comment. you need to get out more.
Suggest you go to Kc's in Douglas. No need to go five star.

Their is even a whole 7 year long thread of nice places to eat in Cork.
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056189950

Would'nt eat in that **** hole, I'll leave people like you to support it.

Stab*City

Using this route in August kids, dog, bikes, roofbox driving to the Costa Brava then. Always used the other routes through France. Drive to Spain was always the killer for me as im the only driver. This sounds great.

I know the boat aint nothing special but sher we went on the LD Lines boat to Saint Nazzaire few years back and that was very very basic.

Herb Powell

roundymac wrote: »

French food from a chipper would beat an Irish 5 star restaurant any day. Why you are surprised there was a restaurant on board I don't know, it was advertised.

lol'ing at how wrong this is

the beer revolu

Herb Powell wrote: »

lol'ing at how wrong this is

Me too.
Some of the worst food I've ever had had been in France. I've also had lots and lots of really good food in France but when it's badly done, it's a special kind of bad.

Nonoperational

Herb Powell wrote: »

lol'ing at how wrong this is

the beer revolu wrote: »

Me too.
Some of the worst food I've ever had had been in France. I've also had lots and lots of really good food in France but when it's badly done, it's a special kind of bad.

Massive chip on the shoulder. Wouldn't take any notice...

Oasis1974

I'm betting that food was muck no offense to your discernible palette. Cant see the beer belly truckers wanting anything but egg and chips. Just because its a French ferry wont mean Michelin star quality foods being served? :rolleyes:

wonski

Oasis1974 wrote: »

I'm betting that food was muck no offense to your discernible palette. Cant see the beer belly truckers wanting anything but egg and chips. Just because its a French ferry wont mean Michelin star quality foods being served? :rolleyes:

Have you been on the ferry?

He said good quality food. Nothing else.

No need to bash entire truckers community and the poster and the ferry kitchen in one post.

This thread turned into some kind of French food review. Who cares? It's not like you are stuck in there for a week. Pretty sure their offer will suffice for a meal or two to not to die of starvation before getting to France.

Looking forward for more reviews as it is a trip I was considering.

Widdensushi

Oasis1974 wrote: »

I'm betting that food was muck no offense to your discernible palette. Cant see the beer belly truckers wanting anything but egg and chips. Just because its a French ferry wont mean Michelin star quality foods being served? :rolleyes:

Aw are you having a bad day pet,did a lorry not pull in off the road to let you pass?

beer enigma

Can't comment from personal experience yet, but my neighbour & his family are just back and he was delighted with the service.

Said the ship was exactly as described, nothing special but very clean, staff were lovely. Cabins were bright and the food was good - bearing in mind he's a chef, I'd take that as positive. Restaurant was self service but there was a good range of hot and cold food. Apparently the truckers tended to eat when they first got onto the ferry & fairly early lunchtime for the rest of the trip, so recommended waiting till after they had finished & therefore no real queues.

Bar was reasonable and plenty of room to stretch the legs.

His last comment was that it was "exactly as it says on the tin".

Ultimate Seduction

Great to see some positive feedback from people who've actually used it. Was a lot of scaremongering for some reason

First Up

beer enigma wrote: »

Can't comment from personal experience yet, but my neighbour & his family are just back and he was delighted with the service.

Said the ship was exactly as described, nothing special but very clean, staff were lovely. Cabins were bright and the food was good - bearing in mind he's a chef, I'd take that as positive. Restaurant was self service but there was a good range of hot and cold food. Apparently the truckers tended to eat when they first got onto the ferry & fairly early lunchtime for the rest of the trip, so recommended waiting till after they had finished & therefore no real queues.

Bar was reasonable and plenty of room to stretch the legs.

His last comment was that it was "exactly as it says on the tin".

Sounds great. The only issue really is the length of the trip. It might be a challenge for families trying to keep kids amused but I think I'd be happy to try that as an alternative to driving the length of France (and doubly so if it avoided driving across the UK too.)

Cyclepath

First Up wrote: »

Sounds great. The only issue really is the length of the trip. It might be a challenge for families trying to keep kids amused but I think I'd be happy to try that as an alternative to driving the length of France (and doubly so if it avoided driving across the UK too.)

I've just returned from a trip and went Cork>Santander>Roscoff>Cork

The trip over was actually fine - didn't have kids with us so a Kindle and a laptop with some downloaded Netflix episodes were enough entertainment.

You get on late on Friday eve and spend Saturday on the boat, then you're in port when you wake up Sunday morning. I didn't see too many young kids on the boat tbh. It's a 'no frills' service so there's no cinema, kids area, face painting etc that you'd get on Irish ferries.

Overall, it was fine and I'd do it again - it certainly beats driving the length of France - we drove back because we stopped in a few places as part of the holiday so it broke up the driving.

Overall, I'd say it's easier to entertain your kids on a boat than it is to keep them happy while you drive over a 1000km...

First Up

Cyclepath wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Sounds great. The only issue really is the length of the trip. It might be a challenge for families trying to keep kids amused but I think I'd be happy to try that as an alternative to driving the length of France (and doubly so if it avoided driving across the UK too.)

I've just returned from a trip and went Cork>Santander>Roscoff>Cork

The trip over was actually fine - didn't have kids with us so a Kindle and a laptop with some downloaded Netflix episodes were enough entertainment.

You get on late on Friday eve and spend Saturday on the boat, then you're in port when you wake up Sunday morning. I didn't see too many young kids on the boat tbh. It's a 'no frills' service so there's no cinema, kids area, face painting etc that you'd get on Irish ferries.

Overall, it was fine and I'd do it again - it certainly beats driving the length of France - we drove back because we stopped in a few places as part of the holiday so it broke up the driving.

Overall, I'd say it's easier to entertain your kids on a boat than it is to keep them happy while you drive over a 1000km...

Sounds good. Was the boat busy?

Cyclepath

First Up wrote: »

Sounds good. Was the boat busy?

No actually, it was a lot less busy than the Stena service from Rosslare to Roscoff/Cherbourg which uses the same type of ship. Even on the return leg from Roscoff, the ship wasn't as busy as Stena.

Getting to the car deck is a lot less stressful than the bigger Irish ferries ships...

Makgyver

We made the sailing from Cork, with my wife and two children.

We brought with us a load of DVDs, books and games but they were left pretty much untouched as our children were too busy playing with the other children onboard, there was at least 30, with a small play park beside the bar.

Food in the restaurant was average, the menu changed very little between lunch and dinner. It onky served certain hours but there was a microwave and toaster available to passengers.
The bar had a good selection of drinks and stayed open till 11pm.
There was a small shop, duty free style, not much selection and didn't open very long.
The lounge area was just big enough and had a good atmosphere.

Live entertainment is provided by the passengers themselves!

Cabins were small but grand, clean. The ship was medium sized, about 10yrs old, easy to get around and the crew quite friendly.

We thought that the voyage would be very long, ~26hrs, but we hardly even noticed the time passing; it seemed surreal to just drive on in Cork, have a few beers, some grub and a nap then drive off in Spain. It's so much more enjoyable than flying and beats the merde of having to drive down through France!

First Up

Cyclepath wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Sounds good. Was the boat busy?

No actually, it was a lot less busy than the Stena service from Rosslare to Roscoff/Cherbourg which uses the same type of ship. Even on the return leg from Roscoff, the ship wasn't as busy as Stena.

Getting to the car deck is a lot less stressful than the bigger Irish ferries ships...

Having that bit of extra space will have helped.

There's a lift you can use to get to the car decks on the Oscar Wilde. Takes all the stress out of it.

The Stena ship is smaller for sure but the ramp up to the open car deck is not for the faint-hearted!

tinner777

Makgyver wrote: »

We made the sailing from Cork, with my wife and two children.

We brought with us a load of DVDs, books and games but they were left pretty much untouched as our children were too busy playing with the other children onboard, there was at least 30, with a small play park beside the bar.

Food in the restaurant was average, the menu changed very little between lunch and dinner. It onky served certain hours but there was a microwave and toaster available to passengers.
The bar had a good selection of drinks and stayed open till 11pm.
There was a small shop, duty free style, not much selection and didn't open very long.
The lounge area was just big enough and had a good atmosphere.

Live entertainment is provided by the passengers themselves!

Cabins were small but grand, clean. The ship was medium sized, about 10yrs old, easy to get around and the crew quite friendly.

We thought that the voyage would be very long, ~26hrs, but we hardly even noticed the time passing; it seemed surreal to just drive on in Cork, have a few beers, some grub and a nap then drive off in Spain. It's so much more enjoyable than flying and beats the merde of having to drive down through France!

Did you stay in Spain??

Cyclepath

First Up wrote: »

Having that bit of extra space will have helped.

There's a lift you can use to get to the car decks on the Oscar Wilde. Takes all the stress out of it.

The Stena ship is smaller for sure but the ramp up to the open car deck is not for the faint-hearted!

There's an escalator on the Brittany/Stena ship that brings you down to the main car deck and a lift that brings truckers down the lower decks.

When I mentioned stress funnily enough it wasn't about stairs/lifts but the mad queues for the doors/lifts on the Irish ferries ship. Brittany ferries seem to organise it a bit better with folk waiting in the bar area and the much lower volume of people means everyone is down to their car and off the ship far more quickly.

I've done the ramp to the open deck and yes, it's an experience! Though driving a high up diesel crew cab van makes it a bit less daunting!

First Up

Cyclepath wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Having that bit of extra space will have helped.

There's a lift you can use to get to the car decks on the Oscar Wilde. Takes all the stress out of it.

The Stena ship is smaller for sure but the ramp up to the open car deck is not for the faint-hearted!

There's an escalator on the Brittany/Stena ship that brings you down to the main car deck and a lift that brings truckers down the lower decks.

When I mentioned stress funnily enough it wasn't about stairs/lifts but the mad queues for the doors/lifts on the Irish ferries ship. Brittany ferries seem to organise it a bit better with folk waiting in the bar area and the much lower volume of people means everyone is down to their car and off the ship far more quickly.

I've done the ramp to the open deck and yes, it's an experience! Though driving a high up diesel crew cab van makes it a bit less daunting!

I never understood the scramble to the car decks. The call is in loads of time, yet people insist on going early and then block corridors and stairs with luggage and impatient children. They then spend a half hour in the car waiting for the doors to open!

A bit of extra time to re-load the car is fine but otherwise, sit in your cabin and read a book!

Juggler101

to be fair, I never understood the Irish Ferries crush to get to the car decks either... until this year! This summer we had the caravan on board, and you are the first people off the boat. As soon as they open the lifts/stairwells, you've got to load up kids, bags etc, get caravan and car ready to go and then you're off. If not, you're holding up everyone else on the boat.

What's all the talk about the Stena ramp and 'not for the faint hearted'?? I'm getting a bit freaked out :eek: Are ye actually talking about a Stena ship, or the Brittany Ferries Cork - Santander boat?