Ferries between England and Spain - followup

Check out the Man in Seat 61's site https://www.seat61.com/ferry-to-spain.htm

I've not traveled by ferry to Spain, but I did a day time ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg on Brittany Ferries https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/

Sailings to Spain are overnight and will require booking a cabin.

I haven’t done it but I know a couple of people who have, taking their car on board. Apparently the ferries are really nice and it’s a good experience. I’m not sure it will be worthwhile as a foot passenger from a financial point of view. The advantage of driving is you have your own car and you can take a lot of luggage if you want to camp or do outdoor activities.

We have used the Portsmouth/Bilbao route with our own car a number of times. It can be done on foot, I believe there are bus transfers between ship and terminal. That route takes between 24 and 36 hours. The ships are more like basic cruise ships than ferries and you can book comfortable ensuite cabins. The cheaper alternative are reclining seats in a quiet zone.
As a foot passenger, I don't know that I would do it just for the different epxerience.

Lin C, I'm contemplating that very crossing with my disabled wife (and car). We don't need a disabled cabin but need to watch for trip hazards. Do you know if there are steps within the cabins, such as into the bathroom and into the shower? We have used the Stena Harwich - Hook of Holland crossings many times and the steps into the bathroom have caught her out many times.

We have done both ferry routes, into Bilbao and Santander, but trips were some time ago now. I have therefore no idea about steps in the cabins Nigel.

We did thoroughly enjoy the trips. My recollection was that there was a very good bistro on one of the trips, but that could easily have gone or changed by now.

You have some chance of seeing dolphins across the Bay of Biscay. But you do have the risk that the bay can be very rough, although it was a mill pond when we did it.

Nigel, There are lifts from the car deck to the cabin decks.
We booked a superior cabin, which gave access to the Club lounge. This is good on a long crossing, as it has comfy seating, is at the front of the ship for views and has free food and drink (incl wine).
As I recall, there was a sill to the bathroom about 6 inches, and a similar step up to the shower.
However, there are accessible cabins, for wheelchair users.
The Brittany Ferries website has quite a lot of information. Their customer service is also very good.

I've done both Santander and Bilbao- Bilbao rather more frequently (because it is a mini cruise in terms of the length of crossing).

At Santander you arrive right in the heart of the city- which is great if taking bus or train (main line or the Coastal narrow gauge) onwards, or to explore a city which I like a lot.
In my experience you are more likely to get wildlife sightings on the Bilbao route. But you arrive in an industrial port somewhat north of the city, there is a not very convenient hourly bus into the city, but it's overall a lot worse location than when they docked in Santurtzi. At least from Santurtzi there was the metro train into the city.
If driving then at Bilbao I think you are straight out onto the motorway network.

So very much swings and roundabouts.

I'm a great fan of the French atmosphere and service on all Brittany Ferries ships.

In terms of the ships think of the Baltic sea routes (such as Sweden to Finland) in terms of quality- almost cruise ship standard. For quality/experience I don't think North America has anything like them- not even BC Ferries. I've not been on any of the long routes in the Maritimes, so can't compare those.

Plymouth Millbay Docks to me is a bit of a basic or functional port, especially for foot passengers.

Portsmouth is way more convenient to its city (even National Express buses stop there) and a very nice port building, more a sense of occasion. It replaced a more basic period piece terminal- that was good in its way but the new one is far better. All ferries and cruises at Portsmouth use shuttle buses ship to/from terminal building.

Regarding the step into the bathroom and shower I'm pretty sure that you have that, I believe (possibly erroneously) that it is maritime law, to guard against flooding of the main part of the cabin in rough weather.

As a foot passenger I therefore prefer the Santander route. If the Bilbao port was closer in it would be a very tight contest, too tight to call.

thanks to both all three

one of my favourite quotes, said by Ratty, "There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats"

says it all for me, I'm afraid

I think we'll do it, just not quite sure when

follow up: I see the cabins with windows are pricier than those without, so I wonder, is it worth it? I know to avoid or temper seasickness, it’s good to see the horizon, so a window sounds nice, but given I would be in the cabin mostly at night, would it matter? Also, how far ahead should one book a cabin? Thank you.

It's a personal choice, right? I'm Looking at Brittany Ferries (not knowing where you're looking) and with sailings at 34-37 hours in length it would be well worth it to me. An inside windowless cabin is a hard no. I'd miss the soft cues that prevent temporal blindness and I don't want to lose that grounding. I also like to be able to take a break from being around people and a cabin is a refuge beyond just being there at night.