Brittany Ferries

[Sranso]

Hi all,

It’s that time of year again when the thermometer says -3 and the TV is full of adverts for holidays in warmer climes. DD1 is set to start school in September, and so we were thinking of trying to get one last cheap holiday in before being confined by term-times. Only restriction is that DD2 is due in a couple of weeks so even by June will still be pretty tiny.

We’re leaning towards a Brittany Ferries/chalet camping kind of affair, but I wanted to get some general advice before we book. Has anyone done one of these with a 4-5 month old? Would you recommend the day or overnight crossings? What’s a reasonable travel time the other side – lots of advice seems to suggest baby shouldn’t be in a car seat for more than 2 hours.

We’ve done a Eurocamp with DD1 before – last summer, via Dover - but obviously this is a slightly bugger undertaking.
TIA

I think they're sufficiently portable at 4-5 months that, from a dealing with the baby point of view, it doesn't really matter whether you go during the day or at night. Although even if you go on a day crossing, do get a cabin.

I think I'd aim to do what would be least disruptive to your 4 (?) year old, and really to think about going somewhere with plenty of entertainment for her, so that you don't have to expend to much energy on that. Pretty much everywhere in Brittany is within two hours of either St Malo or Roscoff (both probably mean night-time crossings) , so as long as you choose somewhere in Brittany, a long drive shouldn't be an issue.

Day-time crossings would be to Cherbourg or Caen and maybe Honfleur, and to avoid a longer drive, you'd be in Normandy. Personally, I'd go with night-time crossing and Breton destination.

Thanks, that's really helpful advice. Are the overnight crossings generally fairly settled? What are the cabins like, are they air conditioned? My 4yo is a bad sleeper at the best of times, so if we're going to be sat awake anyway, I'd rather it was day time!

Cabins are air-conditioned. They can be noisy depending on where they are on the ship though with engine noise and the like. You can check on a plan of the ship on the website where the cabin you've been allocated is and phone them up and change it, if it's no good. Aim for a higher deck rather than one that's down in the depths. Also no windows there and who wouldn't want a port-hole?!

There are various types of cabins and the cost varies depending on whether it has a window or is inside, whether it has a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a basket of fruit and a box of macarons, breakfast in bed, and your own fridge full of soft drinks (there used to be alcohol, but no more sadly...)

Thanks!

They do seem really reasonable if you book accommodation through them too! Got to be worth a go.

YY to getting a cabin day or night. We've only ever gone overnight because we live so far from the port, so I would look to see what sailing times would suit you as a family better. I generally prefer the St Malo boat over as the times are better (earlier on, later on) so you get a bit of sleep. With Caen you get chucked off at 6:30 (5:30 UK time) and whilst that's good for getting on the road it's a short night.

Check what's in your cabin- kettle etc if you need it for bottles/drinks, or take your own travel kettle (plus adapter plugs). We also take the car dvd players up to the cabin, and a little cool box/bag for a cabin picnic- lots of 'dry' foods, plus a bottle of water.