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Original poster

Is ferry to France safe in bad weather?

38 replies

Curlewwoohoo · 21/08/2024 20:36

Just seen there is a coastal event warning in place for the channel on Friday night when we go. It looks to be about coastal flooding. No suprise at it looks like it'll chuck it down all night. Wind is described as moderate. Still, it sounds a little scary?!

OP posts:
Igotjelly · 21/08/2024 20:41

They’ll simply not sail if it’s not safe. If they do sail it might be a bit uncomfortable if it’s rough so things like sea sickness might be an issue.

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 21/08/2024 20:42

Ds has photos of him with numerous full sick bags from his childhood trips to France.

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 21/08/2024 20:42

My husband gets horribly sea sick and the kids are untested but have been car sick before.

OP posts:
Greenbike · 21/08/2024 20:43

If the issue is just flooding I’d have thought a big boat is literally the safest place to be?

Igotjelly · 21/08/2024 20:44

Curlewwoohoo · 21/08/2024 20:42

My husband gets horribly sea sick and the kids are untested but have been car sick before.

I’d be looking out the sickness bands! I’ve previously had some success with antihistamines too.

Singleandproud · 21/08/2024 20:45

I'd make sure I had sea sickness tablets and maybe some bags just incase. In terms of safety they just won't sail if it's not safe. I don't think I've ever heard of there being an accident on a channel ferry due to weather

SouthgatesWaistcoat · 21/08/2024 21:31

Travel sickness tablets for everyone before the trip.

Don't mess about with acupressure bands, ginger, homeopathy etc. sea sickness needs proper medication or it's miserable for everyone.

Kwells works for us and they do a junior version as well.

Ellerby83 · 21/08/2024 21:35

We sailed from Caen to Portsmouth during storm Antoni last August. We took kwells and it was fine. Mainly stayed in the cabin. Was a bit rough but every irish sea crossing I've been on has been worse.

BCBird · 21/08/2024 21:37

If it's not safe they won't sail. Get and take some tablets. Wear anti sickness bands too

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 21/08/2024 21:40

We've got the bands. Will get some kwells.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 21/08/2024 21:45

SouthgatesWaistcoat · 21/08/2024 21:31

Travel sickness tablets for everyone before the trip.

Don't mess about with acupressure bands, ginger, homeopathy etc. sea sickness needs proper medication or it's miserable for everyone.

Kwells works for us and they do a junior version as well.

Yes to this.

I had a really rough crossing from Liverpool to Dublin once. I was sick as a newt. Lying horizontally helped a lot. The sea spray and the rain felt very soothing after a while.

But yes, they sailed.

Get actual, proper meds.

Jeannie88 · 21/08/2024 22:00

It's not a long journey, they won't do it if too bad. People swim the channel, staff do it every day. If seasick, lots of toilets or pills!

Jeannie88 · 21/08/2024 22:01

mathanxiety · 21/08/2024 21:45

Yes to this.

I had a really rough crossing from Liverpool to Dublin once. I was sick as a newt. Lying horizontally helped a lot. The sea spray and the rain felt very soothing after a while.

But yes, they sailed.

Get actual, proper meds.

Show quote history

Hard to get kwells now but they are the best, especially for a nap! X

wishIwasonholiday10 · 21/08/2024 22:03

I find Sturgeron is the most effective meds after trying most of them at some point. OK for over 5 years too.

MigGril · 21/08/2024 22:06

They won't Sail if the weather is to bad. The worst crossing I did in the 90's with school. We where the last boat to sail that day as they decided it was to bad for any more to travel. They locked all the outdoor areas and you couldn't walk down the ship in a straight line as it was listing from one side to the other. There where quite a few sick students, somehow I slept through a lot of it 😴.

PlumpCatIsBestCat · 21/08/2024 22:20

My toddler is prone to car sickness but it was me green on the ferry to France. I couldn't walk straight and went straight (err wobbly) to bed, and he had a grand time.

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/08/2024 22:30

I've sailed Calais to Dover in a bad storm. We spent an extra hour and a half going round in circles just outside the port of Dover because the port authorities were only letting one ship in or out at a time.

Kernow54 · 21/08/2024 22:30

Another vote for Sturgeron. Take them 2 hours before you sail. Absolutely brilliant. Wouldn't sail without them now. Our most recent trip had quite a heavy swell - France to UK crossing - and there were numerous people being sick, or feeling unwell.

I normally suffer with travel sickness, but with these tablets was absolutely fine. What a difference.

Have previously tried the bands, but they didn't work for me.

TheBirdintheCave · 22/08/2024 00:02

I went on a ferry to France aged about seven. It was incredibly rough seas and I remember enjoying running down the corridor as it tilted from side to side!

My brother was four and got sea sick. It left him with a fear of boats and he refuses to go on any.

TheBirdintheCave · 22/08/2024 00:03

Kernow54 · 21/08/2024 22:30

Another vote for Sturgeron. Take them 2 hours before you sail. Absolutely brilliant. Wouldn't sail without them now. Our most recent trip had quite a heavy swell - France to UK crossing - and there were numerous people being sick, or feeling unwell.

I normally suffer with travel sickness, but with these tablets was absolutely fine. What a difference.

Have previously tried the bands, but they didn't work for me.

Husband gets travel sick and we also swear by Stugeron. It's brilliant stuff.

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 22/08/2024 07:37

It's so windy, but this is described as moderate wind, so assume this is what the channel will be like tomorrow night!!! Bricking it.

OP posts:
PrincessRhaenys · 22/08/2024 07:46

I Iong ago decided that I would resist the Channel ferry if at all possible after hearing of choppy crossings. Then I got the ferry to Shetland (12hrs), and it was rough... The horror of it (which I've largely blanked out) did me a favour in a way because it has released me from any hand wringing about it - I know that I will never get an open sea ferry again whatever the inconvenience or cost, which is liberating 😄

Not everyone is as dramatic as me though op. They won't sail if it's not safe. What are your options here, can you postpone/travel a different route? If that's really not possible then heed the advice of pps and I'm sure you'll all be fine, and if a little queasy then at least it's a short crossing and a means to an end. x

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 22/08/2024 07:50

It's all night 😆

OP posts:
PrincessRhaenys · 22/08/2024 07:58

All night?! You starting in Shetland yourself?!😆
I was imagining a 2hr paddle across, obviously my perception of this endeavour is a bit off!

patsy999 · 22/08/2024 07:59

My worst crossing for sea sickness, was to zebrugge, when i was about ten. Literally spent the whole crossing in the toilet being sick as the ferry was listing from side to side.
In the good old hovercraft days dad, booked one to Jersey where we were all so sick, we flew back.
Only had one rough crossing from calais to dover.
You should be fine OP.

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