Share your questions about ferry travel with expert Mums - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Are you going on holiday by ferry this summer? Perhaps you’ve never taken your family away by ferry but you’re keen to find out more?

Mums Rachel, Kirsty and Sybil have all just returned from different Brittany Ferries trips with their families and they’re here to help! Whether it’s choosing the destination, what to pack, how to keep kids entertained or what the onboard facilities are like, share your questions on all aspects of the experience for our expert Mums to answer.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below by 29 June will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• Our experts will be back online in a few weeks to answer some of your questions

Here’s what Brittany Ferries has to say:
“Brittany Ferries is an award winning Ferry Travel and holiday company who are experts in Western Europe, and winners of the Best Travel Company for Family Holidays at the 2022 British Travel Awards, voted by consumers. We offer a choice of routes from UK and Ireland to France and Spain that save you miles of driving, avoids airport queues and delays, and offers award winning on board service with space and comfort, ensuring you are on holiday from the moment you drive aboard. ”

About our experts
Family 1 - Rachel
Rachel travelled with her husband and two children (aged 3 and 1) on the Portsmouth to Caen route.

Family 2 – Kirsty
Kirsty travelled with her Mum and two children (aged 3 and 6 months) on the Rosslare to Bilbao route

Family 3 - Sybil
Sybil travelled with her cousin and two children (aged 4 and 1) on the Portsmouth to Santander route.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ
Insight T&Cs apply

Hi @Gazelda Yes all guest cabins are ensuite! We were delighted to have our own shower and WC, offering a wonderful private space that didn't need to be shared with other passengers. The unexpected pleasure of having a shower during our journey was truly delightful!

Rachel

Hi @SnowyMouse Having a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, ensuring their comfort and enjoyment is always a top priority for us. Luckily, the ferry we boarded had a dedicated kids play area equipped with engaging games, soft play areas, and colouring stations. Additionally, there was a cinema onboard, and the screening times were conveniently provided upon boarding. What pleased us the most was witnessing the sheer excitement of our children as they eagerly explored the boat. It felt as though our family trip had started a day early, and the journey didn't feel monotonous or tiresome in any way. Entertainment was never a concern, especially when comparing it to air travel, where they're confined to a single seat for the entire duration. Remarkably, I didn't even need to use the tablet once!

Rachel

Hi @SusannaOh The amenities available in your cabin may vary depending on your budget, ship and cabin type. Nowadays, it's common for additional extras to be offered at a higher price point. However, if your cabin lacks these facilities, fret not, as there are numerous spots where you can indulge in a comforting cup of tea or a well-deserved glass of wine. In our case, since we had the boys with us, we were permitted to bring a glass of wine back to our cabin, allowing us to relax and enjoy our time together. The details of the facilities offered in the different cabin types can be found here.

Rachel

Hi @MumC2141 In comparison to my previous trip to France by air, I discovered that traveling by ferry actually proves to be much more cost-effective. This is primarily due to the savings made on various expenses such as luggage fees, car rental, baby car seat rentals, insurance, airport accommodations, seat reservations on the plane, hotel expenses, and additional charges. When you carefully consider the options, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the overall affordability. As we all know, family travel tends to become more expensive, especially with multiple children, but with savings on seats and luggage, the burden is significantly lightened. Additionally, the experience of being on the ferry itself adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the journey.

Rachel

Hi @Beabeautiful Our accommodations felt incredibly familiar, resembling a home away from home. The travel cot we were provided with was not only already set up, but impeccably clean, with fresh sheets and robust, allowing me to comfortably place my son there for the night without any concerns. I was genuinely thrilled with the convenience of this service, as it not only saved precious space in our car but also alleviated one more worry from our list of concerns.

Rachel

Hi @Montydoo While there were duty-free shops available on the ship, truth be told, I had limited time to explore them due to the abundance of other attractions - which says a lot as usually exploring the shops is a must for me. Additionally, there's a duty-free shop at the port as well. Furthermore, one of our ferries even had a nail bar on board, which greatly impressed me with its amenities.

Rachel

Hi @itme Despite my husband's susceptibility to car sickness, we surprisingly didn't experience any sea sickness during our trip. To provide some reassurance, it might be wise to pack travel bands or anti-sickness tablets. We chose to travel in June when the weather conditions were favourable, and I'm unsure if the time of year has any impact on this. Additionally, it's worth noting that the boat we travelled on was quite large, making it more stable compared to smaller day ferries.

Rachel

Hi @pushchairprincess We opted for a commodore cabin during our journey, and I must say, the experience was absolutely incredible. If you have a special occasion or the opportunity to upgrade, it's truly worth it. Notably, you even receive a delightful continental breakfast delivered straight to your cabin. This amenity was greatly appreciated, especially when juggling two kids and a husband! The cabin itself felt just like a hotel room, situated in a prime location on the ferry. On our return trip, we had a smaller yet clean and cosy outdoor 4-berth cabin with bunk beds. Honestly, I believe that any space where you can enjoy a comfortable nap or sleep with the kids is worth its weight in gold, regardless of size.

Rachel

Hi @DinkyDaffodil We opted for the main restaurant for both our meals during the journey, and I was truly impressed by the high quality of the food. As a vegetarian, I would have preferred to see a few more options tailored to my dietary preferences. However, considering that limited selections are common when traveling outside the UK, I maintained a grateful mindset for having at least one vegetarian dish on the menu. Additionally, the self-serve salad bar more than compensated for the limited options. The dessert selection was also outstanding.

For those seeking a quicker dining experience without table service, there is a self-serve restaurant available. Some ferries also feature a café that serves snacks. Moreover, one advantage of traveling by car is the ability to bring your own snacks for the kids, providing a sense of reassurance.

Rachel

Hi @Beabeautiful Entering France was an astonishingly swift process as we drove straight through, passing passport control in less than 15 minutes. The return journey to the UK, however, took a bit longer, likely due to it being late at night and our occasional lack of efficiency in such matters. There were numerous unnecessary checks being conducted at the time.

Rachel

Hi @Cdloanio Having experienced the exact age difference between my two boys during a flight to France last year, as well as traveling by ferry, I have come to prefer ferry travel for several reasons that air travel cannot provide. Here are some of the advantages of ferry travel:

Convenience: With ferry travel, you can bring your own car, eliminating the need for car hire, airport parking fees, and additional insurances.
Luggage: Unlike air travel, you can bring as much luggage as you like on a ferry without incurring extra charges.
Avoiding airport wait times: While air travel requires you to arrive at the airport in advance, with ferry travel, once you arrive, you're already there. There's no anxiety about missing a flight or rushing around with bags and children to catch the boarding gate.
Passport control: Passing through passport control is much quicker on a ferry, and you don't even have to leave your car.
Comfort: Unlike airplanes where you're confined to one seat, on a ferry, you have the freedom to move around. You don't have to worry about your baby or child causing a disturbance in front of fellow passengers. You can simply retreat to your cabin or find a quiet spot on the ferry.
Privacy and sleep: Opting for a cabin on the ferry gives you a personal space to relax and even enjoy a shower.
Time gained: Travelling by ferry can make you feel like you're gaining time rather than losing it, as if you're adding an extra night's stay instead of spending time on a nighttime flight.
Beautiful views and moments: Ferry travel offers the opportunity to witness passing ships and enjoy scenic coastlines along the journey.
Entertainment: Ferries often provide amenities such as bars, live music, cinemas, shops, and sometimes even unexpected surprises like a nail bar.
Cost: When comparing the expenses, I found that the package with Brittany Ferries, including accommodation, was half the price of my air travel experience to France. I believe this settles the argument in favour of ferry travel.

Given all these reasons, it's clear why I prefer ferry travel over air travel.

Rachel

Hi @SomeInternetUser Among the array of choices available, opting for a 4-berth cabin would grant you the delight of bunk beds that can be pulled down - a feature that would surely captivate any teenager. Personally, I find this feature incredibly appealing, and my two boys shared the same sentiment with the playful sleeping arrangements.

Rachel

Hi @HobNobAddict As parents, we opted for the night crossing, which proved to be much easier for us. With fewer demands for entertainment and significantly fewer "are we there yet's," we all woke up feeling remarkably well-rested and content.

Rachel

Hi @Asuwere While there are ample seats available, Brittany Ferries also do offer ‘reserved seating’ which guests can buy to have a dedicated space. If you are sailing overnight and you don’t select a cabin you must purchase a ‘reserved seat’, these are comfy seats that recline. However, I would strongly encourage families to book a cabin so all the family have a comfortable, dedicated space together. If you're traveling during the day, the seats would be perfectly suitable.

Rachel

Hi @Mazatapec and @TheGirlWithGlassFeet Yes Brittany Ferries do allow dogs on board! You can see more info here. Unfortunately, due to my dog's advanced age of nearly 14, we decided it would be best not to bring him along on our travels. However, had he been a bit younger, I would have gladly brought him along, particularly if finding suitable dog care posed a challenge. It was noteworthy that there were numerous well behaved dogs accompanying their owners on board.

Rachel

Hi @Alloveragain3 Luckily I did not have to find out while onboard, but yes there are first aid trained crew on all ships, and a doctor onboard on longer routes.

I went to Dieppe last weekend, returned on Sunday - my ribs are still sore from the vomting!! It wasn't even a rough crossing,

Great, thank you for the replies

@mnhq- who has won the voucher please?

Hi @HobNobAddict Yes, there are microwaves in the restaurants. The staff were very accommodating and helped me with warming up my baby's milk.

Sybil

Hi @sparkleice I would recommend speaking to your doctor before your trip and see what they suggest. However, as someone who doesn't like the sea (fear) I was at ease when we boarded and we were moving but i couldn't really feel it. I expected the ship to be rocking as we travelled but it was pretty much smooth sailing. At times when I was Idle and thought about the fact i'm out at sea, I practised calming mechanisms with my breathing and also distracting myself, being very occupied with active kids. I was in awe of the travel and we will plan another ferry trip hopefully next year.

Sybil

Hi @Orchidflower1 We had the ensuite, 4 berth with window which was amazing to see the sea as we crossed, the kids sat for ages watching through the window. They provided a travel cot ready to use with a proper matress, bed sheets etc all on which saves a lot of hassle. it was 2 adults and 2 toddlers for us so we only used the 2 bottom beds. my daughter slept with me, there was enough space for us to share as i didn't feel comfortable with her sleeping above. The ensuite was stocked with towels, tissue and soap which i was happy with because i didn't pack any of those things haha! everything was tidy, clean and well maintained, there was no stains or anything which i was really impressed with, so clean! I know its only a short travel but i felt the cabin was tight with the travel cot in. If the rooms were a bit bigger, would be 10/10.

Sybil

Hi @Adropofink My little ones are usually a little restless in new places to start so i was really surprised at how well they settled. We boarded after their usual bedtime but i had them in their pjs prior and had given them dinner so it was just milk and a cuddle for my littlest and my daughter went to sleep afterwards and actually they both slept in. When you are laying very still, you'll notice ever so slightly that you're moving. I thought i'll be feeling the boat rocking etc as a first timer on a ferry but it was so peaceful, quiet and still overnight.

Sybil

hi @Lambhenry A little bag with everything you'd need for your child overnight. whether you're on a day crossing or staying overnight, you can never be too prepared. I packed all littles toiletry essentials, change of clothes, snacks, toys, water bottles, nappies. I put all our bits into one hand luggage bag to reduce the amount of luggage we took on the ferry so it was very easy both ways just taking the one suitcase out which contained everything we needed overnight.

Sybil

Hi @SnowyMouse My children are 1 & 4, they had the best time!! There was so much to do, we couldn't keep up! Our ferry had 3 kids play areas, a cinema, lots of outdoor space, they did story time, meet and greet the mascot. The entertainment staff also hold games throughout the day so you can join in whenever suitable for you. The entertainment for the day is displayed on screens around the ferry so i took a picture and we went along in between nap times. The soft plays are open all day which was so useful as it kept them entertained for ages. I also brough a few activities and snacks for them so they used the kids area as a chill out area too. We really enjoyed it. Seeing my children's faces so happy and excited was everything!

Sybil