There seems to be sailings from Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao.
Is there any difference between the services? I am puzzled why they go to both ports as they are relatively close. Am I missing something obvious and you will all go "Duh!" ?
I am sure there will be Brittany Ferries - Spain old handers who can help a relative virgin please!
Latecamper
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I haven't used either ferry service, but I'm guessing that much of their freight goes to the industrial city of Bilbao, and that most of their tourist traffic is heading to the more attractive port and resort of Santander.
Of the two routes the timings of the Sunday afternoon service from Plymouth to Santander - which is on the best of the three ships - always looks the most tempting to me. Dinner in the smart restaurant on board then a good cabin, a late lie in, a leisurely breakfast, and you are there. But it's dear.
One of the Portsmouth sailings requires two nights on board and a whole tedious day to while away in between. Not so good.
We used both, the two ships seem to alternate on which does which crossing (3-4 years back so current might be different).
When we sailed to Santander from Portmsouth - think it sailed around lunchtime, we arrived in Santander mid afternoon the following day.
Next time we took the Portsmouth to Bilbao, biggest difference was we were on for two nights, again timings I remember were we sailed late evening on the Saturday, arrived Bilbao fairly early morning (around 7am) on the Monday - this ship stops off for less than an hour to unload / load at Roscoff.
Would say roughly similar amounts of motorhomes / caravans on both ships. From memory price wasn't too different. Lots of people told us the Bilbao is popular due to the arrival time - but its a bit mad that you have to spend an extra night onboard to get that - might as well use an aire in Santander.
Portsmouth/Bilboa was originally run by P&O until they pulled out, and Brittany took over the route. Traditionally Brittany did Plymouth/Santander. Brittany then got the berths at Portsmouth, and they got the Portsmouth/Le Havre route as a bonus. Brittany run 2 cruise ferries, Pont Aven, and Cap Finistere, which do the run usually in 24 hrs, and 18 hrs depending on whether it is from Portsmouth or Plymouth, and 2 Economie ferries, Etratat, and Baie de Somme, which take quite a lot longer. Just to confuse things still further, certain crossings are used to exchange crews at Roscoff, which is a stop but you cannot get off or on, and it extends the crossing time. So confusing?
My tactic is to use the Brittany web site which is very fast, to decide crossing timetable, which boat is on service, and which suits me best, then once times are established, to use these on Caravan club to see if they offer the best price.
In the main, Pont Aven and Cap Finistere, are similar in their facilities, the Economie boats are definitley economiy, cabins are good, but food/bars are iffy, and little else is available for the extended crossing.
You just have to do your homework over the long winter nights.
used both including out on one route and back on another. I've always picked the crossing based on timing of the sailings and where I'm going/coming from at the Spain end. Cost is usually similar so not much of a differential.
The better and bigger boat the Pont Aven does the Plymouth to Santander route, we will be on this on the 25 Oct.
The Cap Finistre does the Portsmouth to Bilbao run.
There is also the cheapest one called the economy route with another boat but you have to take your turn with the oars on that one.
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Brilliant replies!! Thank you all. Will spend a few hours studying the Brittany Ferries website. My first reaction though is that I would not welcome 2 nights on board, not in February!
We usually do the Portsmouth to Bilboa wednesday crossing on Cap Fin and then the saturday crossing Santander to portsmouth. Gives us 2 extra days holiday.
------------- Joanne
May - Peak District
June - MG Live Silverstone
August/Sept - Salou
Quote: Originally posted by MGJo on 06/10/2015
We usually do the Portsmouth to Bilboa wednesday crossing on Cap Fin and then the saturday crossing Santander to portsmouth. Gives us 2 extra days holiday.
Thank you Joanne, I will check those times specifically.
We have used both Portsmouth to Santander and Plymouth to Santander, Plymouth is the shorter crossing. We are sailing on November 1st from Plymouth for our winter trip.
If anyone would like to use a discount code please e-mail me paulathomas1 at live.co.uk
Regards Paula
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We have done Plymouth to Santander
Porsmouth to Santander both ways
Bilbao to Portsmouth
Our choice has depended on which times are the most convenient. The Pont Aven is the largest and has a greater range of cabin types. I still like the Cap Finistère though, it's a bit more informal. After some not great food experiences on the Pont Aven I actually preferred being able to buy a ready meal and chuck nuke it, or go to the top deck and get take out pizza.
I think it looks a bit better if you have dogs or very young kids. The top deck has a conservatory style covering with little toddler play area. Then sizable dog walking, saw a few families gathering with their pets.
I don't have dogs or very young children so others may disagree with me
Not done one of the economie crossings on the Spainish route yet. I would have not probs with no children but I would be concerned about the lack of space to potter and sit. Not for the kids, my teenager would happily stay in the cabin watching movies on his tablet, no for me to escape them ☺
Done a late night economie crosing to France and that was fine.
Pont Aven is in the dockyard for servicing from mid December 2015 to late March 2016 . From Plymouth there are just three sailings to Spain in November 2015, two in March 2016, and nothing in between , so all in all not so much choice over this coming winter.
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Topic: Brittany Ferries Santander / Bilbao Route
