Portsmouth/Bilboa ferry

[Gavinskii]

I've been looking into this in the last few days with regards to the HISS events.

I've done this crossing 3 times before on the big cruise ship and whilst not being a huge lover of boats, found the experience fairly relaxing with a decent cabin, cinema, bars etc.

The economy crossing dates worked better for me, but the crossing seems to be around 6+ hours longer and the price saving to me didn't warrant the more basic, smaller ship. However I totally get why it will suit some.

[gspod]

Hi Dermot,I've been on most of the boats sailing the route,
The economy boat is quite a bit smaller than the cruse ships so it is affected a fair bit more by rough seas.
I wouldn't worry at all about the foreign truckers as they know how to behave,it's the pissed up British drivers that can put a spoiler on things
Strangely though the cabins on the economy boat are roomier (thumbs)[/quote

Roomier cabin, that and the money saved may swing it - cheers Mike (thumbs)

[iceclimber]

I've just booked for next September & I could have chosen the economy on the route out, it would have saved £50. But I've done the Spain route before & it is long crossing and a bit boring, so the thought of another 3 hrs on the boat was good reason No1 for me to choose the 'big ferry' & ...... reason No2 was 'big ferry' means lots of space & good long walks !! & reason No.3 was 'big ferry' got in at 17.00 (the economy was 20.00) so with just a few hours in the saddle we can be in the Pico's for our 1st night.

Have done the economy on short 4 hrs crossings to France ....... no issues at all ..... all good.

[-Ralph-]

The economy boat was bad enough when it was doing Portsmouth to Caen, I'd not fancy being on it for 24 hours, but then I've never booked a cabin, I just take my thermarest on board and find a quiet corner, and that wee ferry isn't big enough to have a quiet corner.

But then I seem to be weird anyway as I prefer to ride down through France.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

Wouldn't catch me dead on the economie thingies. Sitting in Cherbourg on the Oscar Wilde [about same size as the Pont Aven which I also use on Cork to Roscoff] the little economie was down there way below us, short as anything. A case of pass the binoculars to see it.

Having sailed the Bay of Biscay under sail no bloody way would I be there on those little economie ones unless I knew in advance good weather was in the offing. It actually sits better [?] in the water fully laden, empty it bobs about more even though I guess [hope] it does take some ballast on board. If I have to save the $/£/€ I prefer the bigger ferry and get one of the Pullman seats with a sleeping bag. Travel with mates we can share a 4 man cabin for much the same price as a seat.

[-Ralph-]

On the bigger ferries there's plenty quiet corners to go bed down for a kip. The kiddies soft play area is very comfortable and deserted after 8pm.

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[Peirre]

On the bigger ferries there's plenty quiet corners to go bed down for a kip. The kiddies soft play area is very comfortable and deserted after 8pm.

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I one got kicked out of the reading room on the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry for snoring loudly

[-Ralph-]

On the bigger ferries there's plenty quiet corners to go bed down for a kip. The kiddies soft play area is very comfortable and deserted after 8pm.

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I one got kicked out of the reading room on the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry for snoring loudly

Brilliant!

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[Redmurty]

plenty of spaces to sling an hammock on the upper deck (thumbs)

cheers Spud

[sven]

....do get a cabin i was bored shitless on the cruise ferry after walking round the bars a few times...sleep the journey away if you can

I concur (thumbs) I used the Sunday afternoon Plymouth-Santander ferry in 2013 and 23 hours on board was just about tolerable after a late and long breakfast in the restaurant and disembarking at lunchtime.

The return from Bilbao-Portsmouth was mind numbing as we didn't disembark until 4pm and it's not as if you can enjoy a drink. The posh cabin I booked was well worth the extra money as a comfortable sanctuary from the tedium