Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Ferry crossings - Portsmouth to Santander

9 replies

AM130674 · 25/01/2023 07:55

We have just booked a holiday to Portugal and due to our daughter being disabled with severe learning difficulties, we have decided to take a two-night ferry crossing and then drive down to Portugal, as our daughter won't tolerate flying and we couldn't subject people to potentially two hours of screaming.

Anyway, this is something we have never done and just wondered if anyone has experienced this crossing and any tips? We are travelling July/August.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
AM130674 · 26/01/2023 20:37

Bumping

OP posts:
elevenplusdilemma · 26/01/2023 20:42

Take travel sickness tablets. The Bay of Biscay can be rough.

Jellybellyjiggle · 26/01/2023 20:55

We did that crossing. Honestly we all felt so sick, my DS (3 at the time) puked all over DHs dinner! Definitely take travel sickness meds if you can. We only felt OK when lying down! It may have been a particularly rough day though as the return crossing didn't seem quite so choppy!

Original poster
AM130674 · 27/01/2023 08:26

Thank you, I'll look at travel sickness meds. With taking her wheelchair, walking frame and stuff she needs, it is easier for us to take the car, so fingers crossed Confused

OP posts:
Creepybookworm · 27/01/2023 08:36

We have done it. Three kids. It was only one night on board though. It was fine. Not rough at all and we saw dolphins which was exciting. Didn't get much sleep.

Original poster
AM130674 · 27/01/2023 08:38

My daughters would love to see dolphins! We are two nights out, one night back. Me and DD in disabled cabin, DH with DS and other DD in another. Certainly something we've never tried before!

OP posts:
threeandmeandthedog · 27/01/2023 08:40

I have done it a few times with three kids in tow. It’s was fine, the sea was calm, dolphins followed the boat. The food on board was £££ and not all that great, so took a picnic and lots of snacks. I did go a bit stir crazy towards the end of each journey.

Skinnyjeansandaloosetop · 27/01/2023 08:42

We did that crossing in 2019 - it was brilliant. Crossing was very smooth (I know it can be rough) and we saw dolphins and a fin whale !

Original poster
AM130674 · 27/01/2023 08:44

Luckily, eldest two are 18 and 14 so old enough to occupy themselves! This is sort of last holiday together before DS goes to uni. Biggest concern is obviously DD who is 8 and relies on her iPad so not sure that's the best thing in a boat? Guess we'll just have to find out Grin

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread