Hints and Tips for the Ferry.

[OldCodger]

We are heading down to Portugal later this month on Brittany Ferries. We’re on the Galicia from Portsmouth to Santander. This will be our first ferry trip with Betsy - but we are seasoned channel tunnel users and have driven a lot in France.

Are there any hints and tips folks can give ?

What are the newbie errors to avoid ? E.g. How do you keep the fridge cool ? Or do we forget any idea of taking fresh food and buy it all there?

Any tips gratefully received!

 

[solaris]

Fridge has to be turned off. But you could use freezer packs to prolong cold. Shouldn’t be taking dairy or meat anyway. If you’ve traveled France you’ll be used to their supermarkets, they’re the same in Iberia. Just enjoy Portugal. By the way it’s on the same time as us rather than France and Spain. So you could find yourself getting up at some unearthly hour, not that it’s happened to us of course

 

[Jenben]

Freeze bottles of water at home and stick them in the fridge . Enjoy your trip !

 

[Itsmcb]

Freeze bottles of water at home and stick them in the fridge . Enjoy your trip !

Plastic bottles

 

[OldCodger]

Out of interest how much checking is there at Santander on arrival ?

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[bladerunner]

Passport only

 

[Sue and Rick]

Loosen your belt.

 

[Spriddler]

Freeze bottles of water at home and stick them in the fridge . Enjoy your trip !

I put a bottle or two of frozen milk in the fridge door to maximise use of the space taken up. Still largely frozen 24 hours later in an unpowered and unopened fridge.

 

[Badknee]

Out of interest how much checking is there at Santander on arrival ?

None for us. Take an extra pillow if you need two. Travel kettle with adaptor, tea coffee milk, we take snacks. Load your iPad/puter up with films, turn your phone off.

 

[OldCodger]

None for us. Take an extra pillow if you need two. Travel kettle with adaptor, tea coffee milk, we take snacks. Load your iPad/puter up with films, turn your phone off.

Thanks Badknee is there much to do on the boat ?

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[Otter Spotter]

I take it the advice re switching fridge off is for 3 way fridges and not using gas?

mine is 12v compressor obviously working off the leisure battery will it be safe switched on for my 12 hour ferry trip? The intention this year is to take frozen prepared meals, will they stay frozen?

 

[OldCodger]

I take it the advice re switching fridge off is for 3 way fridges and not using gas?

mine is 12v compressor obviously working off the leisure battery will it be safe switched on for my 12 hour ferry trip? The intention this year is to take frozen prepared meals, will they stay frozen?

This is closer to 36 hours. How big are your batteries?

 

[Bailey 15]

12hrs
It’s 18hrs plymouth to Santander,
Something to think about

 

[Otter Spotter]

This is closer to 36 hours. How big are your batteries?

180ah lead

 

[DBK]

is there much to do on the boat ?

I've only done the trip in the Pont Aven which has a nice restaurant you have to book for evening meals. I'm not sure the Galicia has one but there will be a self-service place.

There might be ”entertainment” of the singing variety if that appeals. But I suggest taking binoculars and a warm jacket and join in the whale watching. We saw a sperm whale once and you might see a fin whale, the second largest after the blue whale but dolphins should be a certainty and pods of pilot whales are not uncommon. If it's the same as the Pont Aven listen out for the announcement about any talk from the ORCA representatives on the ship or speak to reception. Folk spend thousands on whale watching trips but you get it for free on this route. The prime time is in the Bay of Biscay and particularly as it nears Santander. Hopefully this will be in daylight!

For the cabin make sure you have a continental two pin adaptor with a hole for the French earth pin as you won't be able to recharge anything without one.

Sick bags are free of charge if it turns rough.

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[OldCodger]

For the cabin make sure you have a continental two pin adaptor with a hole for the French earth pin as you won't be able to recharge anything without one.

Thanks. Having worked in France for a few years I can pack a couple of those!!

 

[OldCodger]

Sick bags are free of charge if it turns rough.

Err. Thanks.

 

[Verteuil Man]

If you have been on any of the other BF ferries the Galicia and Salamanca are a disappointment. The included breakfast is continental and if you have a full English it's extra. Switch off your mobile data on your phone. They have a mobile connection on board which charges an arm and a leg for 1mb. People were making a short call and it cost them £60.00. The restaurants are small and they had (on the Xmas crossings) different sittings to fit everyone in. Crossing Biscay can be Russian roulette. Hopefully is a smooth crossing. There were lots of roadworks at the port of Santander.

 

[beas]

Pont-Aven restaurant is very good.

Booking ahead depends on the cabin you have, with some you can pre-book and some give you priority booking on board.

If you’re not able to book ahead you can queue outside the restaurant before it opens to book.

Ask at check-in what time booking starts and get there 30-40 mins earlier than that.

Well worth it and if you get some vino on board you’ll sleep through the Bay of Biscay which can be choppy

Breakfast also good.

Enjoy!

 

[Badknee]

Thanks Badknee is there much to do on the boat ?

There’s bars, children’s crèche (suit you that). A cinema I believe.
If the sea is calm enough there’s water skiing behind it



I may have lied about that bit

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[WESTY66]

The only tip I can offer you is…..

Get on one as often as you can and leave the return date as long as you can!

 

[OldCodger]

children’s crèche (suit you that).

 

[10tenmen]

The Galicia have English sockets, evening meals are included in the price.

 

[autorouter]

Sick bags are free of charge if it turns rough.

Apparently they don't sell travel sickness pills, or any pharmaceuticals, in the onboard shop, so make sure you've got some with you if you think you might need them.

 

[OldCodger]

The only tip I can offer you is…..

Get on one as often as you can and leave the return date as long as you can!

We’re giving serious thought to relocating there. We may be taking that advice?

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[Simon Meadwell]

Not a lot to do on Galicia but restaurant food was very good. We returned on the older Cap Finistere much better in our opinion. We saw dolphins and enjoyed in the main but a long crossing.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Pont Aven for us until it goes.

Loved the Cap Finistere but that’s gone.

Now there are two Chinese vessels on the routes but don’t like them at all.

 

[Spriddler]

I'm not really concerned about the ferry as long as the cabin's clean and it doesn't sink.
As a lifelong yachtsman I just enjoy being at sea, whatever the weather.

 

[csd4t]

There’s bars, children’s crèche (suit you that). A cinema I believe.
If the sea is calm enough there’s water skiing behind it



I may have lied about that bit

Bit disappointed with the snooker tables though

 

[Pusscat]

Stugeron travel sickness tabs about half an hour before you set sail just incase! A good sun cream if you’re out on deck as the salt / wind / sun combination can really catch you out, especially the face…if Pont Aven, treat yourself in the restaurant. if the ship cabins have temp and air control, turn off all heat!

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