Anyone on the new ferry tonight or in the near future? Looking forward to everyone’s views on what they think of it.
New Brittany Ferries Ship-Santona
- Thread starter MikenPauline
- Start date
On Mondays sailing, after driving past yours on Sunday to Winchester 
Bolti
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- Dec 13, 2017
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I sail Wednesday. Will update if it has anything to add to current ferries.
OP
OP
Looks like you have a long journey-Portsmouth very handy for us.On Mondays sailing, after driving past yours on Sunday to Winchester
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Sailed back from Santander on Wednesday, Santona’s maiden voyage. Some issue at check in had vehicles queuing nearly back to the road, but once sorted boarding went well for us and we were on board an hour before sailing time. There seems to be more room on the vehicle decks and the internal ramp is much wider. Went to cabin and the were still being cleaned, very odd because we were the first passengers and it had been in Santander for at least a week before sailing. I think the loading slowed down when cars were loaded on to the lifting decks as we were 30 minutes late leaving.
We had an inside cabin and comes with tv. Cabin for 4, small but the same as Galicia and all the other Brittany ferries we have been on, for that matter. We have no problem with small cabins. We did notice that it was quieter in the cabin on Santona than any other ferry we have travelled on. This could be because of the gas powered engines, newness of the ferry, the smooth crossing or combination of all these. Public areas are good, much the same as Galicia.
The real disappointment was the food. We have always been impressed buy the food on Brittany Ferries but not this time. Main restaurant, nice menu, but food was lukewarm at best. We ate early and the food is served within seconds of ordering and looked like it had been sat around ages.
Also tried the tapas restaurant, not really tapas, very limited menus and again lukewarm.
They offer 2 red wines at the bar, €6.50 French and €3.50 Spanish but funnily enough they had run out of the €3.50, on the first voyage!
Now bear in mind we were travelling home so may not have been in the same frame of mind as those going away,
but we were not the only ones unhappy with the food offering.
Overall a good ferry and we enjoyed the cabin and journey, if they sort the food problems it will be great.
We had an inside cabin and comes with tv. Cabin for 4, small but the same as Galicia and all the other Brittany ferries we have been on, for that matter. We have no problem with small cabins. We did notice that it was quieter in the cabin on Santona than any other ferry we have travelled on. This could be because of the gas powered engines, newness of the ferry, the smooth crossing or combination of all these. Public areas are good, much the same as Galicia.
The real disappointment was the food. We have always been impressed buy the food on Brittany Ferries but not this time. Main restaurant, nice menu, but food was lukewarm at best. We ate early and the food is served within seconds of ordering and looked like it had been sat around ages.
Also tried the tapas restaurant, not really tapas, very limited menus and again lukewarm.
They offer 2 red wines at the bar, €6.50 French and €3.50 Spanish but funnily enough they had run out of the €3.50, on the first voyage!
Now bear in mind we were travelling home so may not have been in the same frame of mind as those going away,
but we were not the only ones unhappy with the food offering.Overall a good ferry and we enjoyed the cabin and journey, if they sort the food problems it will be great.
Thanks for that information Greenway That sounds good, apart from the food. We’ve booked an inside cabin too in case it was a rough crossing, more stable and no rough sees to look out the window at Surprised it has a TV, but there is free video on demand throughout the ship on our own devices in any case and it says 90 minutes free wifi too. Was there access to drinking water readily available or was the cabin tap water palatable. Just finished the packing so we’re ready for the morning. Whatever happens we will not be at home
Surprised it has a TV, but there is free video on demand throughout the ship on our own devices in any case and it says 90 minutes free wifi too. Was there access to drinking water readily available or was the cabin tap water palatable. Just finished the packing so we’re ready for the morning. Whatever happens we will not be at home 
Excellent colour co-ordination throughout including the garage!Thanks for that information Greenway That sounds good, apart from the food. We’ve booked an inside cabin too in case it was a rough crossing, more stable and no rough sees to look out the window at
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That reminds me, the 90 minutes is per device, so we had 2 phones and 2 tablets with us. It also appears to be per day as well, as I got two 90 minutes on my iPad. Unfortunately 90 minutes is from signing on with no pausing, if you purchase WiFi it only counts down then logged in.
Sorry should have read your complete past, we took our own drinking water so can’t really answer that.
The other one is in the left rear window looking out, keeping it in the dark
After a night at Winchester I was just checking the Santona was on its way
We travelled on The Salamanca last September and the food was ghastly , one waitress waiting on was in tears with the amount of complaints .
Thankfully we were also in the posh lounge where the food and drinks were way better .
The meal in the restaurant used to be one of the highlights of the journey , proper good food , sadly no longer .
Thankfully we were also in the posh lounge where the food and drinks were way better .
The meal in the restaurant used to be one of the highlights of the journey , proper good food , sadly no longer .
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zac
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A question i have been meaning to ask for ages, why do these new ships take so long to get there now ie Portsmouth to Santander on the Cap Finistere used to take around 24 hours but these new ships take approx 30+ hours?
- Apr 19, 2019
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Thanks for that information Greenway That sounds good, apart from the food. We’ve booked an inside cabin too in case it was a rough crossing, more stable and no rough sees to look out the window at
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The water should be safe to drink. It a mandatory requirement
They always fill the water tanks each time they dock and they regularly test the water
Can't speak for it being Perrier though
Monday 6th, 1720. On Santona, just docking at Portsmouth now. Calm crossing from Santander. The rack of lamb was hardly cooked, couldn't finish it.
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Also just off the Santander-Portsmouth crossing. The ship looked and felt new. We were in a two-berth club cabin which was small but well fitted-out. Minor problems with the toilet flush and the sink plug.
The included “premier” lounge was like Galicia. The food was excellent. Three meals a day and snacks throughout. Wine was dispensed from two sets of pumps (red/white). These were only available for a period around lunch and dinner. We got kicked out of the lounge at 9pm UK time.
Our deal included a free meal in the Azul restaurant. A long queue at the information desk to book a time to dine. Restaurant crowded, and food was not as good as Galicia, but OK. We took wine from the premier lounge into the restaurant so we didn’t need to buy wine in the restaurant
A pleasant surprise was the priority boarding. We had arrived early at the port. We boarded 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The boat finally departed an hour late, so we were sat in the lounge for two and a half hours before the boat set sail. Similarly, priority disembarcation.
As noted elsewhere, and in Camper Contact, we are now in the Solent Marina free parking for an overnight stay. Just 4 miles from the boat.
The included “premier” lounge was like Galicia. The food was excellent. Three meals a day and snacks throughout. Wine was dispensed from two sets of pumps (red/white). These were only available for a period around lunch and dinner. We got kicked out of the lounge at 9pm UK time.
Our deal included a free meal in the Azul restaurant. A long queue at the information desk to book a time to dine. Restaurant crowded, and food was not as good as Galicia, but OK. We took wine from the premier lounge into the restaurant so we didn’t need to buy wine in the restaurant
A pleasant surprise was the priority boarding. We had arrived early at the port. We boarded 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The boat finally departed an hour late, so we were sat in the lounge for two and a half hours before the boat set sail. Similarly, priority disembarcation.
As noted elsewhere, and in Camper Contact, we are now in the Solent Marina free parking for an overnight stay. Just 4 miles from the boat.
Razamataz
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Not soThink they run on LNG Gas so slower
portsmouth to santandre 6 January was supposed to arrive 8am.
we woke at 5.30am for dogs on Poop
deck……….and we were already docked.At 1 AM!! ….driver put his foot down because a Massive Storm was chasing us
So that's what the poop deck is!Not so
portsmouth to santandre 6 January was supposed to arrive 8am.
we woke at 5.30am for dogs on Poop
….driver put his foot down because a Massive Storm was chasing us
Bit like airplanes they can go faster if needed but it starts sucking fuel so then will normally just cruise….Not so
portsmouth to santandre 6 January was supposed to arrive 8am.
we woke at 5.30am for dogs on Poop
….driver put his foot down because a Massive Storm was chasing us
We’re onboard now and have just passed Ushant. We met h1ghway1 in the queue at Portsmouth for a chat and found the boarding slow, a full four hours after arrival and checking in to stepping onto the ship, which sailed 20 minutes late.
We felt the inside 4 berth cabin was excellent and the fake window with a view was a great distraction with a pleasant view.
Lots of Motorhomes on this crossing.
When the first cars, motorcycles and Motorhomes went through to embarkation there were significant numbers stopped and searched. Haven’t a clue what they were looking for but we could see the cars and motorcycles having to open all boots etc. I think the bikers had to empty their panniers. What’s all that about going out I wondered.
We felt the inside 4 berth cabin was excellent and the fake window with a view was a great distraction with a pleasant view.
Lots of Motorhomes on this crossing.
When the first cars, motorcycles and Motorhomes went through to embarkation there were significant numbers stopped and searched. Haven’t a clue what they were looking for but we could see the cars and motorcycles having to open all boots etc. I think the bikers had to empty their panniers. What’s all that about going out I wondered.
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Didn't test it on Pont Aven one day. It came out yellow. Complained to reception who said they could do nothing about it. That and would not offer bottled water. Told us to buy it in the Kiosk
- Apr 19, 2019
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Naughty Naughty
Water Quality | The Association of Port Health Authorities
www.porthealthassociation.co.uk
Ensuring drinking water quality on board
Water safety and quality are fundamental to crew members and passengers onboard. Considering that water storage and distribution systems on
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Nope, no piccy!Here's my 4 berth cabin just for me.. I'm really pleased and will book another on return..nice to bump into fellow funsters
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