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Original poster

Portsmouth to Caen daytime - cabin or not?

30 replies

Taswama · 27/01/2023 22:00

Booking trip to France for the summer, thanks to those who recommended Portsmouth to Caen route.

Is it worth getting a cabin for the nearly 6 hour journey? Afternoon on way out, morning on way back.
It is £50 each way vs £20 for reserved seats. We are travelling with our 16 and 13 year old boys.

OP posts:
FettleOfKish · 27/01/2023 22:03

I've done 4 hours Jersey to Poole and back daytime numerous times on a boat without cabins and honestly with something to read / a mindless phone game /pack of cards / maybe a handheld console for teens it passes so quickly.

At least you can get up and stroll round, go outside for air which breaks it up more than a flight. And the seats are typically comfier!

Dahlia444 · 27/01/2023 22:03

Reserved seats definitely. Have done this often with our boys. Try and get seats in the lounge at the very front of the boat. Lovely. We always took valuables with us when going around boat/ food etc but left books, games etc. Never had a problem. Love that route.

Hollyhead · 27/01/2023 22:05

I like a cabin to dump all the stuff in/have a nap/use a private loo etc. If you risk it and wait until the day sometimes they’re cheaper - we got an interior cabin for £19 once. Didn’t use it the whole journey but it was nice as a base.

DuckonaBike · 27/01/2023 22:07

Do you get seasick? If so it’s definitely worth getting a cabin as it means you can lie down flat, which completely cures it.
If not, it’s not essential but I still prefer it - it’s nice to have somewhere to leave your stuff, and to chill out and maybe have a nap.

Original poster
Taswama · 27/01/2023 22:11

I have been seasick in the past, no idea about the boys!
Will add travel sick pills to my list anyway.

How big is the boat? Am thinking should be ok for 16 year old to go for a wander, not so sure about 13 year old (who is autistic).

OP posts:
Xmasbaby11 · 27/01/2023 22:12

We did this route twice last summer and didn’t get a cabin, just reserved seats. It was fine, we were round the ferry a bit so probably spent less than half the time in the seats. Pretty comfy so you can nap. Our luggage was in the car so we didn’t have loads of stuff on board. For daytime I wouldn’t bother.

LawksaMercyMissus · 27/01/2023 22:14

Don't even bother with reserved seats during the day!

Xmasbaby11 · 27/01/2023 22:15

My dc were 8 and 10, the 10yo is autistic. She walked between the cafe and our seats a few times but I wouldn’t have been happy for her to wander freely.

Landlubber2019 · 27/01/2023 22:15

Hmmm we always get a cabin, always felt it was a little luxury but last time we took a ferry we decided to escape the cabin and have a wonder, loads of people were being sea sick and we all felt really queasy so returned to the cabin where we hadn't noticed the amount of ship movement!

OdeToBarney · 27/01/2023 22:16

I personally like a cabin, even during the daytime. It's nice to have a base. Especially if you're unexpectedly unwell like I was on our last Caen - Portsmouth crossing 🤢

ThePoshUns · 27/01/2023 22:16

Not for children that age. There are seats and restaurants on board to move around and if it's nice you can sit on deck. Cabins are really poky. Would be worth it for overnight or if you had a baby on a day crossing but wouldn't contemplate it in your situation

FettleOfKish · 27/01/2023 22:16

Based on further comments, I didn't consider 'stuff' as we always have the car on the boat, but if you're foot passengers then a cabin may be handy to leave your bags safely.

The Brittany Ferry boats look quite big, lots bigger than the Channel Islands ones. Plenty of space to stretch legs.

headstone · 27/01/2023 22:17

I really liked the cabin. It was small but had a shower and toilet and a tv. It meant the driver can get some rest. This was Brittany ferries. Nice to lie down on along journey.

crackofdoom · 27/01/2023 22:22

Yeah, you can just bagsy some free seats!

I accidentally booked a cabin on the way back from Roscoff in the daytime and then never got round to cancelling it, and I can't deny it was pleasant to have somewhere to leave our stuff and have a nap. But I think it falls in the category of "nice to have" rather than "essential".

Trying to remember which ferry is on the Portsmouth- Caen route- the Normandie, I think...? There's a (paying) cinema, a bar, a self service restaurant (decent food, good value- you can tell it's a French company!), an amusement arcade, a miniscule child brig soft play area, and they have "entertainments", including a quiz. So, the time will pass quite nicely with a couple of teens.

crackofdoom · 27/01/2023 22:29

Re the "going for a wander"- DS2 decided to do just that when he was 4. On the delayed Plymouth ferry, when we had to bob around off the Eddystone Lighthouse for about 3 hours on the day before all the schools went back, and we were supposed to dock at 8.00pm, and instead got in at 11.00, and everyone on board was really quite fraught. He disappeared for an hour. So yes, it's a bloody big boat!! 😬

Original poster
Taswama · 27/01/2023 22:32

Not foot passengers so will just have day bags with us.
It will be in August so wasn't sure how busy it will be.

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 27/01/2023 22:33

Also: the views as you leave Portsmouth are great. Spinnaker Tower, all the ships in the Historic Dockyard, the Solent Forts, the Isle of Wight....then you can go downstairs and watch your teens discover how shit the WiFi is 😆

crackofdoom · 27/01/2023 22:36

It'll be pretty busy. But there are always enough free seats.

Original poster
Taswama · 27/01/2023 22:56

Thanks everyone, have booked without a cabin. Can always get one on the way back if needed.

OP posts:
guzzywuzzy · 28/01/2023 07:17

100% yes if it is within your budget. We did this route last summer and I think it was less than £50 for the cabin. Worth every penny as it meant DH and I could rest after an early start and with a long drive ahead. Kids spent some time in the cabin and some exploring the ferry. Have done reserved seats in the past too but would always choose a cabin and my own loo if possible!

Florin · 28/01/2023 08:20

We have done this journey, for me and ds 9 we didn’t need a cabin. The view leaving Portsmouth was lovely then went for breakfast, explored the boat, went to the shop, arcade and then joined in with the entertainment. It’s a bit like a really cheap Butlins which isn’t normally our thing at all but throw yourself into it and it passes the time. DH however felt really sea sick so a cabin would have been useful for him. We had lunch and before we knew it we were getting off. Oh yes your kids the wifi is awful, well worth them downloading stuff off Netflix/music off Spotify to keep them amused.

be prepared it took forever to get through customs on the French side.

we stayed in Caen the first night which was a lovely place to stay and meant we didn’t have far to go once we got off the ferry. Nice churches to walk around and found a lovely bar by the water for food and drink and an early night after a long first day.

ThePoshUns · 28/01/2023 08:29

Taswama · 27/01/2023 22:56

Thanks everyone, have booked without a cabin. Can always get one on the way back if needed.

In day crossings there are normally plenty of cabins available that you can book on board

Original poster
Taswama · 28/01/2023 08:32

We are getting the 2.45pm sailing on the way out so no driving at the other end.

OP posts:
Trinitystar · 10/01/2024 11:28

@Florin we're doing this route in the summer. Ferry arrives late so looking to stay in Caen also. Where did you stay please? Thanks

Florin · 10/01/2024 12:16

@Trinitystar we stayed at hotel Chateau in Caen. Pretty basic but right in the centre so perfect for looking around the town as soon as we got there, ask for a room looking over the square. Lovely old churches to wander in to and to look around, not normally our thing but we loved it as so pretty and our ds really liked them too. We then wandered down to the river and found a bar that did the most fabulous cheese and charcuterie plates for an early evening drink. https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/du-chateau-caen.en-gb.html?aid=311076&label=du-chateau-caen-I9fJlIFjFLxl5Mc0O90FVgSM466277043765%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-11561494780%3Alp9045125%3Ali%3Adem%3Adm%3Appccp%3DUmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YX-SVbABBf1_TwNC0YE2R9c&sid=44d3ded33836fc3bb662352273c4fd46&dest_id=-1416098;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;hpos=1;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;srepoch=1704888734;srpvid=679155cdeff90138;type=total;ucfs=1&

Help! Which property is best?

I found these great hotels on Booking.com and love them all. Help me decide which one to book!

https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/du-chateau-caen.en-gb.html?aid=311076&label=du-chateau-caen-I9fJlIFjFLxl5Mc0O90FVgSM466277043765%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-11561494780%3Alp9045125%3Ali%3Adem%3Adm%3Appccp%3DUmFuZG9tSVYkc2RlIyh9YX-SVbABBf1_TwNC0YE2R9c&sid=44d3ded33836fc3bb662352273c4fd46&dest_id=-1416098;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;hpos=1;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;srepoch=1704888734;srpvid=679155cdeff90138;type=total;ucfs=1&