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.

Hi @TweetleBeetlesBattle There are lounges and quieter seating areas away from the busier parts of the ship, so it's usually easy to find somewhere to relax, read a book or even have a nap during the crossing.

Hi @ItsOkItsDarkChocolate At the moment, dogs can't travel as foot passengers on our routes. If you're travelling with a dog, you'll need to bring a vehicle with you and book them onto your sailing as part of your reservation.

Yeah, I thought so.

Shame.

Maybe something to think about. Especially for the ferries good enough to have dog areas. I’d like to not have to need to bring the car.

I've only ever travelled by ferry once and that was about 20 years ago. How have things changed since then?

Is there any advice you'd give to first time travellers?

How does travelling by ferry compare to travelling by air?

Hi Jane, I didn’t realise until recently that overnight sailings were an option (in my defence a childhood close to the Newhaven/Dieppe route meant lots of day trips!)
Which route to Europe would you recommend we take when using our camper-van? I’m keen on having somewhere interesting to spend the first few days within 2-3 hours of port.

What would you advise in terms of budgeting? Like how much for a family of 4?

Do the cabins have kettles for making drinks and porridge tubs for the morning ?

Travelling from Scotland which Ferry crossing would you recommend for Brittany taking into consideration both value for money and convenience on the French side.

For a family of four on a budget, is it usually better value to book a ferry package or arrange accommodation separately?

My son is coeliac- do you have gluten free options available on board?

We always enjoy a trip to your restaurant- the hors d’oeuvres and desserts are marvellous!

When will I be able to start travelling with you again? I refuse to use any of your ferry services as long as you continue to transport young calves from Ireland to France on your ferries. The calves, some just a few weeks old, go unfed for more than 18 hours during the sea crossing, which is a clear breach of EU animal welfare laws. It is unspeakably cruel and totally unnecessary.

https://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/brittany-ferries-campaign-to-stop-calf-trade-escalates

Is there space outside on the boat for the kids to get some fresh air and enjoy the sea views?

we’re a family of 5 - what would be the most budget conscious option?

Could we bring our dog?

Hi @StandardLampski Yes, we do run promotions throughout the year. We are currently running a kids travel free offer for the summer. The best place to keep up to date with the latest offers is the offers section of our website, or you can sign up to our emails to hear about them directly.

Hi @Thumbtwiddler We do occasionally run promotions on our Spain routes, at the moment we have a kids travel offer that might interest you. If you're able to travel outside peak periods and keep an eye on our offers page, you can often find some good savings.

Hi @Rae1000 We offer a range of fare types, and the level of flexibility depends on which one you choose when you book. Passenger names can usually be amended before travel, although the lead passenger name can’t be changed. If flexibility is important to you, it’s always worth checking the fare details at the time of booking or speaking to our team. They’ll be very happy to help you find the right option.

Hi @TheAnnoyingSatsuma Entertainment does vary by route, ship and time of year, but close-up magic and illusion sets are part of our seasonal entertainment programme on selected sailings, along with things like children’s entertainers and live music.

And yes, we do offer short breaks and ferry-inclusive holidays, so you can take your own car and combine your crossing with accommodation if you fancy a few days away.

Hi @IlikebigboatsandIcannotlie Thank you for sharing your experience, and I’m really sorry to hear about the issues you had. I completely understand wanting to feel confident around food allergies.

If your children have specific allergies, it’s best to contact our team before you travel so we can pass your details to the ship. Once on board, it’s a good idea to pop to the Information Desk early, as the team can speak with the kitchen about what’s available.

If you need urgent assistance at any point, including on the car deck, please alert a crew member as soon as possible. For asthma, waiting until the flow of traffic has eased before returning to your vehicle, as you did, can help make things more comfortable. If you’re travelling with medical needs, letting us know in advance also helps us support you as much as possible.

Hi @biscuitcat Border checks are managed by the French and Spanish authorities, so timings can vary depending on how busy the port is and the sailing you’re on. As the newer requirements have bedded in, processes are becoming more familiar and generally running more smoothly, and we’re not seeing reports of significant delays. Travelling outside peak times can help make things a bit quicker too.

Hi @MayCottage If you've forgotten something important, speak to the Information Desk as soon as possible. The vehicle decks are usually closed once the ship is under way, but the crew will do their best to help if they can.

Hi @bungobungobungo There isn’t a general senior discount that applies across all bookings, but we do run offers from time to time. The best place to check is the offers section of our website, or you can sign up to our emails to hear about the latest deals.

Hi @Rockfrock It depends on availability, route and time of year. We do sometimes have late availability and offers, but it isn’t usually a case of “travel tomorrow and save”. If you’re flexible with dates and routes, it’s worth checking the website to see what’s available.