Ferry crossing. Portsmouth to Bilbao

I've done the Santander/Portsmouth crossing. It was a mistake, because I'm not a good sailor!

Going out was fine, the weather was good, so you just sit around, inside or outside, eat and drink, take in the view, read.

However, the weather was really rough on the way back. The infamous Bay of Biscay. Up and down, side to side, up and down, for 12 hours. I was sick as a dog. I have NEVER been so glad to get off a boat in my life! Never again for me, but if you don't suffer from sea sickness, go for it. On the plus side, it cuts out all the driving through France and you've got your own car when you land in the UK.

Hi

Thank you for replying.  What month did you travel?

When I did the crossing it was in October (Bilbao to Plymouth) and took over 20 hours, the sea was quite calm but it still took about 4 or 5 days to get my land legs back and I am ok on boats etc.

Not something I enjoyed, the double cabin was very cramped and there was not much to do on board unless you like boozing and eating while listening to the entertainment.

I think it was October.

Hi Carole

Done this many times usually March to Spain return June, then back to Spain September returning November, except for last year due to covid and frequent cancellations by Britanny Ferries our journeys were all over the place. First, as members please feel free to use our friends and family code to get you 10% off your fares, (but not cabin price). Our code is S0267G, (0 is zero) surname Savage. Use it anytime. If you are booked on the Galicia (we are due to sail on it next month ourselves for first time) the 2 berth is reasonable with 2 side by side beds, but on all other ships the 2 berth are 2 bunk beds and at 70+ not ideal also a lot less room, both parties constantly sitting on bottom bunk. Check your cabin description as we had to change on one trip to a 4 berth when we first saw it. My mistake didn't read the description so cost further €15. We take a 2pin plug adaptor with a short 4way extension as we can charge our phones, run kettle and we take a sandwich toaster too. We find the food too expensive and take our own and we don't drink so don't much stay around the bars, but as members do enjoy our free breakfast. It's breezy on deck even in summer but enjoy a good natter with other people and btw the WiFi is rubbish. Their free service constantly drops and you have to be sitting close to reception desk to get best signal. The swaying in bad weather doesn't bother either of us, stomach wise but hubby has a hard job going for a smoke on deck as he,s not so good on his legs now, usually end of November when we return can be mighty choppy.! We enjoy the whole experience and good to have our own vehicle over there. Loading up and unloading with Covid was lengthy last year, hope its a bit quicker this time but after Brexit, not so sure. Any questions you have feel free to pm me

Regards 

Pauline. 

Hi Pauline.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.  We have already booked so cant take advantage of your very kind offer of using your discount code.

We are travelling on Cap Finistere.  How long should we allow to embark?  I.e. how long before sailing should we arrive in Portsmouth?  Is it well signposted?

I am not a good sea traveller so would you recommend anti sickness tablets?  Also, on the return journey, how far in advance of sailing would you arrive in Bilbao?

We are going to stay in a hotel on the Way to Pilar de la Horadada and also on the way back to Bilbao.  Have you done this?

Thank you.  Carole

Hi Carole

We allow at least 2hours to get to embarkation point then relaaaax. Portsmouth, Santander both well signposted but we, ve had difficulty twice in Bilbao literally wasted an hour going round in circles and arrived 10mins after sailing time, it was a nightmare but the ferry was late in leaving thankfully but we were last on. 2nd time I think we were extra anxious from previous ordeal and went wrong somewhere. We liked arriving in both Santander or Bibao but still wary of leaving at Bilbao. 

If you are a poor traveler yes get tablets to take with you. Still can get bad weather all year round but be prepared. 

Did you check your boats description of 2 berth? We are on Galicia, first thing we did was check description of cabins. 

We don't stop anywhere, drive down from north of Newcastle upon Tyne and same in Spain, we just change over drivers halfway, and we,re 70kms north of Alicante so takes whole day, sometimes arriving after midnight in pitch black campo. Lol. This year we can only do 1 x90 day visit so can't wait to return. 

Regards 

Pauline 

We did this trip in the October. We were doing a tour of Spain on our cruiser motorbike. 

Loved the sailing over as it was so relaxing. Walk around the decks, eat, drink and sleep!!

We arrived about 3 hours early and was towards the front of the queue. We chatted to other people in the queue and time flew by.

On the way back we booked into a cheap hotel in Bilbao so we were close by for getting to the port on time to catch the ferry.

Excellent service and a good experience. 

Steve 

Thanks Steve.  Reply appreciated.