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Original poster

Anyone been on Brittany ferries fast ferry?

14 replies

XshazX · 03/08/2010 16:04

We are travelling to France later this month on the fast ferry Poole to St Malo - only takes 2.5 hours but since I booked I keep hearing horror stories about it is really bumpy and lots of people being sick so am now getting really worried as I have a 5 & 7 year old - anyone else been on this ferry and can let me know what its like please?
Thanks

OP posts:
aquavit · 03/08/2010 16:10

We have - I like it! for some reason I get sick on the big slow ferries with their slow pitching, and not on the faster cats. They do roll much more though.

I didn't see anyone else getting sick apart from my pg friend who had morning sickness anyway, so I don't think they are that bad! Our dd was fine but she was only 10 weeks at the time...
Try going out on deck if you do get sick.

Original poster
XshazX · 03/08/2010 16:22

Thanks for that aquavit - think i'll just dose them up with sea sickness tablets and hope for calm seas! x

OP posts:
Loshad · 03/08/2010 16:26

we have - didn't like it, but not because we were sick - we weren't nor did we see anyone be sick (in contrast remember some v. rough crossings to st malo in the past with only me and a couple of lorry drivers left in the bar with the entire rest of the ship pucking up)
but I do think it feels very cramped in comparison to their normal ferries, and rather boring - you are basically in your seat - ok there is a tiny cafe option and a mini shop but not really space to wander round.

tibni · 03/08/2010 16:29

Went on one a couple of years back. None of us are great sea travellers but it was ok. Ds (ASD and no language at the time) was sick but he is very travel sick even on short journeys in the car. Passengers around were very helpful. Easier than the big ferry I found apart from we usually have a cabin even in the day so ds can have his own space away from stares.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 03/08/2010 18:50

We went a couple of years ago. DD and I felt very queasy , despite not usually feeling seasick. Not helped by the not so subtle smell of sick where someone else had obviously recently been sick. I'd definitely take tablets if there is a next time.

Leslaki · 08/08/2010 22:22

umm... take extra changes for dcs. Wedid it once. Think I was the only person except for satff who wasn't ill. (grown up using Scottish ferries so used to it!!). But it's fast and if the journey turns out to be a nightmare it will be over quickly Grin - hopefully your journey will be fine!!!

ilovestrictly · 09/08/2010 16:58

We had a terrible trip - to me the sea looked calm, but it is the swell that made everyone ill. We took sea sickness tablets which prevented us from being ill, although my son was sick all over me (too young to take the tablets). Wasn't pleasant being covered in sick for the rest of the journey. Best place to sit is as close to the back as possible, ground floor. We were dreading the trip back - I even investigated flying (although my husband still had to bring the car back!), however the journey back was so different, sea was like a mill pond - no problems whatsoever. To summarise, make sure everyone takes sea sickness tablets and sit at the back!

crockydoodle · 09/08/2010 17:07

did brittany ferries last year, Poole- Cherbourg, with 4 kids. No one sick. No problems

rosy71 · 14/08/2010 22:40

We've done Poole-Cherbourg and Portsmouth-Caen on the fast ferry. We only had sickness once - unfortunately ds2 was sick all over me - but other journeys were completely fine.

Soups · 14/08/2010 22:54

I've been on the various fast crossings many times over the years. We've had several perfectly nice ones and a couple where we've all felt ill. I do tend to dose ourselves up with travel sickness tablets before hand these days. Take them before the ferry starts moving, don't wake until you feel ill.

My youngest is getting increasingly travel sick as he gets older. These days I'll always pack him some spare clothes, even if it's only a clean t-shirt and pants. PJ's pack down well! Another tip, if you're worried one of the kids will puke, is to take a small towel or blanket. If they're green and want a cuddle, make them rest their head on it. Saves your own clothes.

webdeb · 16/08/2010 13:33

We did the caen to portsmouth fast ferry and pretty much everyone else on the boat was sick - (including Les Battersby off Corrie Wink). But surprisingly dd's then 3 and 6 were fine they thought it was hilarious that everyone was swaying around and couldn't stand up properley. They also enjoyed a film in the 'cinema' area and it didn't take long at all. It certainly hasn't put us off.

pointydog · 16/08/2010 13:47

We took one last month. It was trickyish to walk about but it didn't affect any of us and dd1 isn't too keen on ferries. It was a very calm sea though.

The cafe food is crap however.

ineedapoo · 19/08/2010 16:37

DH wants to go a fast ferry next year I am resisting

Lizcat · 20/08/2010 14:20

Around (50mins from portsmouth) lots of people have second homes in Normandy and regularly us the 'sick cat' to get to France. They report the best thing to do is grin and bear it.

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