Considering a family ferry holiday? Ask Brittany Ferries’ travel expert for advice - £750 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Increased travel costs and ongoing uncertainty are prompting many families to rethink their holiday plans this year. With no fuel surcharges, reliable sailings and ABTA-protected holiday packages available, ferry travel could be a smart and stress-free option for a summer getaway.

That’s why we’ve invited Brittany Ferries’ travel expert Jane Elgar to answer your questions about family ferry holidays. Whether you’re looking for destination inspiration, tips for travelling with children or advice on making the journey easier, Jane is here to help.

About Jane
Jane is a ferry travel specialist at Brittany Ferries, with a strong background in customer engagement and family travel. As a mum herself, she loves holidaying in France and Spain and understands the practical realities of planning family trips. With extensive experience helping families travel by ferry, Jane has a strong understanding of common questions around routes, onboard facilities and travelling with children. She’s passionate about helping families feel confident and well prepared, so their holiday can begin the moment they step on board.

Everyone who posts a question on this thread by 14 July will be entered into a prize draw to win a £750 Brittany Ferries sailing travel voucher (T&Cs)

Planning a family holiday to France or Spain? Children travel free on Brittany Ferries sailings this summer. Book by 6 July. Find out more and T&Cs here.

Hello everyone, thank you for having me. I'm looking forward to answering your questions over the next few weeks, whether you're planning your first ferry holiday or you're already a seasoned traveller. Feel free to ask me anything about routes, destinations, travelling with children, pets, accessibility or life on board. I'll do my best to help. Jane

Hi @DancinOnTheCeiling Yes. If you or someone you're travelling with has mobility issues, let us know when you book and we'll do our best to make things as straightforward as possible. Our ships have lifts between passenger decks and accessible cabins that can be booked in advance. We can also arrange for you to be parked near to lift.

Hi @purpleicedbun The biggest thing is that you're not stuck in one seat for the whole journey, which makes a big difference. Many of our ships have play areas and games rooms, and some have cinemas. During the schoool holidays, we tailor our onboard entertainment for children so there are usually activities going on that they can join in with. Children also love being able to explore the ship, spend time on deck and watch the ferry arrive and depart. I'd still bring a few favourites like books, colouring or a tablet, but many parents are pleasantly surprised by how little they need them.

Hi @Ineffable23 There's plenty to keep you occupied on our longer sailings. Depending on the ship, you might enjoy live music, magicians, DJs, cinemas, games rooms and plenty of places to relax with a book or enjoy the sea views. On selected sailings, our partners at ORCA are on board too, helping passengers spot and identify marine wildlife. The daily entertainment programme is available onboard, so it's easy to see what's happening during your sailing.

Hi @sharond101 Yes — there are always places to eat on board, usually including self-service restaurants and cafés with a mix of family-friendly options and lighter meals. It can vary slightly by route, but there’s generally something for everyone.

Hi @maidai78 There are plenty of food and drink options available on board, from a quick coffee and pastry to a sit-down meal. If you'd like to plan ahead, you can also buy a Food Pass before you travel. It can be used in our restaurants and cafés onboard and you can save up to 15%

Hi @Kentishbirdlife That's a good question. It can be a more considered option than flying for some journeys, particularly if you're travelling as a family in one car. We've also invested in newer ships to help reduce emissions across our fleet. That said, it does depend on the route and how you're travelling, so it's not always a straightforward comparison with flying or rail.

Hi @MyM8Marmite I can understand the concern, but I wouldn't let that put you off. While some of our ships have a small amount of open garage deck space, most vehicles are parked within the enclosed garage decks during the sailing and we try to avoid parking cars on the open deck space.

Are there any discounts for seniors - we are a couple in our 70s. Thank you.

How dynamic is your booking service to offer ‘gaps’ at short notice? For instance travel tomorrow and save x%?

Which is the easiest French terminal to navigate as a first-timer with limited language skills?

Hi @completelyfedupagain If you're travelling from the north, I'd definitely look at an overnight sailing if it fits your plans. You can have dinner on board, get some sleep in a cabin and wake up ready to continue your journey. Both Brittany and Normandy are great options because you're not facing a long drive once you arrive.

Hi @prettypeace There are usually gluten-free options available on board, although it can vary a bit by ship and route. If you have specific requirements, it’s worth checking ahead or asking on board so staff can guide you through what’s available.

Hi @Fumnudge If you let us know about the mobility issues when booking, we'll make sure the right support is available. Our ships have lifts between passenger decks, so there's no need to tackle lots of stairs.

If you arrive early or late, we'll always do our best to help, but travelling on a different sailing is subject to availability and any fare difference that may apply. Enjoy your trip!

The Spain crossings can be fantastic for wildlife spotting. Dolphins are regularly seen and, if you're lucky, you might even spot whales. There's also plenty of seabird activity, so it's worth spending some time out on deck. We also work with ORCA, a marine conservation charity, which runs wildlife programmes on selected sailings and helps passengers identify the marine wildlife they see along the way.

Hi @Katisha If you think you're going to miss your sailing, contact us as soon as you can. We'll always try to help, but, moving to another sailing will depend on availability and there may be additional charges.

Hi @KweenCnut Our onboard shops usually stock travel sickness remedies, although availability can vary from sailing to sailing. If you have a travel sickness remedy that works well for you, I'd recommend bringing it along so you have it to hand if needed.

Hi @lapuf Cabins can book up quite early, especially for peak travel like school holidays, so it’s worth booking as soon as you know your dates.

Hi @JacCharlton For good value and fewer crowds, I'd look at Normandy, Brittany or the Vendée coast in France. In Spain, Cantabria and Asturias are lovely options with beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions and a slightly more relaxed feel than some of the larger resort areas.

Hi @girlwhowearsglasses Check-in times depend on how you're travelling. As a guide, it's 45 minutes before departure if you're travelling with a vehicle or as a foot passenger, 90 minutes if you're travelling with pets, and 60 minutes if you've booked special assistance. Your exact check-in time will be shown on your ticket, so it's always worth checking that before you travel. If you’re travelling early, staying overnight nearby can make things much more relaxed, there are plenty of hotel options around Portsmouth.

Hi @ItalianChineseIndianMexican Our current timetable is available up until November 2027!

Hi @Reab8 For a first caravan trip, Portsmouth to Caen is a great choice. Once you're off the ferry, there are plenty of well-equipped campsites within easy reach. My biggest tip would be not to try and cover too much ground on your first trip. Take your time and enjoy the freedom that touring gives you.

Advice for very young children. Is there space for them to move around/play? Do ships have clean crawl friendly spaces? How are ships equipped for baby changing and are ships breastfeeding friendly spaces?

Hi @1dayatatime There's usually plenty to keep children occupied on board. Some of our ships have outdoor play areas, and depending on the ship and route there may also be seasonal activities during busier periods. Lots of families enjoy spending time on deck too, whether that's watching the ferry leave port, spotting wildlife or simply enjoying the sea air. On selected sailings, our partners at ORCA are onboard to help passengers spot and identify marine wildlife, which children often love getting involved in.

Hi @joyfulohjoy We do offer gluten-free options on board and regularly welcome passengers with coeliac disease. Please get in touch with our team before travelling and let the team on board know and they'll be able to help with suitable options