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.

thank you

Hi. We are travelling from the north of England and thinking about staying ovenight in a hotel before sailing. Do you have any partnerships with local hotels offering discounted prices? How long before a sailing do we need to arrive to make sure we make it onto a particular ferry?
Thanks

Wow, one of the things I love about getting the ferry is that the journey is part of the holiday.

What destinations do you sail to?

sounds lovely, thank you

Its plymouth. And we didnt look because we assumed food would be available on the ferry.

Ignore me. I thought you were responding yo my post.

Are there any routes that tend to be better/worse for avoiding seasickness?

Hi @Meetmeunderthemoonlight My biggest tip would be to think of the crossing as part of your holiday, rather than simply the journey to get there. Arrive in plenty of time, keep anything you'll need during the crossing in a small bag with you, and if you're travelling overnight, I'd recommend booking a cabin so you can arrive feeling refreshed.

Hi @problembottom We usually release our timetable once a year, although the timing can vary. This year, for example, it was released earlier in the spring than usual. Once sailings are on sale, you'll have the widest choice of dates, cabins and fares, particularly if you're planning to travel during school holidays

Hi @janney3 If you don't book a cabin, there are lounges and seating areas on board where you can relax during the crossing. Some overnight sailings also offer reclining seats as an alternative to a cabin, depending on the route and ship.

Hi @TheAnnoyingSatsuma I completely understand why you've asked about this, especially if you've travelled on those routes before. The future of both the Poole-Cherbourg and Portsmouth-Le Havre routes is currently under operational review. In the meantime, we continue to offer a wide choice of sailings between the UK and France, including Portsmouth-Caen, Portsmouth-Cherbourg, Portsmouth-St Malo and Plymouth-Roscoff. Many of these routes provide easy access to the same regions, so there are still plenty of options for families planning a trip to France.

Hi @izzywizzywont Thank you for continuing to travel with us over the years, and for taking the time to share such detailed feedback.

I'm sorry to hear that your recent experiences haven't lived up to your expectations. Food outlets and opening times can vary depending on the ship and sailing, but I appreciate your comments about the catering options and the service you received on board.

Your feedback about the cinema, Duty Free shop and your overall experience is really helpful, and I'll make sure it's shared with the relevant teams. We genuinely value hearing from regular customers, as it's one of the best ways for us to understand where we can improve.

I do hope your upcoming crossing to Roscoff is a much more enjoyable one.

Hi @Martyjake If you're looking for a sit-down meal before you travel, Gunwharf Quays is only a short drive from Portsmouth International Port and has plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from. The terminal also has a café where you can buy food and drinks before boarding, and once you're on board you'll find a range of dining options, depending on your ship and sailing.

Hi @potas If you're travelling from the north of England, an overnight stop before your sailing can make for a much more relaxed start to your holiday. There are plenty of hotels close to our ports to choose from, depending on your route.

Your latest check-in time will be shown on your booking confirmation, as it can vary depending on your booking. As a guide, passengers travelling with a vehicle or on foot should usually check in at least 45 minutes before departure, 90 minutes if travelling with pets, and 60 minutes if you've booked special assistance.

Hi @Amybelle88 We sail to a range of destinations in France and Spain, including Caen, Cherbourg, Roscoff, St Malo, Santander and Bilbao. We also sail to Guernsey, so there are plenty of options whether you're planning a short break or a longer holiday.

Like @TheAnnoyingSatsuma I am upset the Barfleur has been sold. I actually used it yesterday to go from Poole to Cherbourg in a day. Out and return on same day. The staff were very good indeed and the boat spotless. Is there somewhere we can appeal for this service to be retained, albeit with another ferry?

Hi @JaneBrittanyFerries 🙂 can you please tell me if they buffet in le flora on Pont Aven is going to permanently have the reduced range of choice? We used to love this as the first and last nights of our holiday but feeling disappointed this year. I would like to provide more feedback on our recent experiences if there was interest from BF in hearing it? It is for constructive purposes and has no benefit to me, but would benefit BF financially potentially.

Further question - is Club Voyage discount applied to holidays?

I believe the local Poole MP has taken up the fight.

I will write to the MP.

I didnt know the Barfleur had been sold, thats very disappointing. Also, small point but it annoys me. Why do you insist on saying you go Poole or Portsmouth to Caen. Caen is 20 miles from the ferry port which is in Ouistreham. It confused us so much the first time when our French relatives insisted they would collect us from Ouistreham and we kept saying we were going to Caen.

Thanks to everyone who shared a question for Jane - hopefully this has really helped those of you considering a family ferry holiday in future. And thanks to Jane for taking the time to answer so many questions.

Congratulations to @Mama17xx who is the lucky winner of the £750 Brittany Ferries voucher!

Thank you! I am genuinely so excited to use the voucher and travel to France or Spain on Brittany Ferries with my son, you have made my year!

Hi @Rockfrock I completely understand your disappointment, especially having just travelled on Barfleur and had such a lovely experience. I know there's a lot of affection for the ship, particularly amongst our regular Poole-Cherbourg passengers. Thank you for your lovely comments about the crew and how well looked after the ship is too. I'll make sure your comments about the service are passed on to the relevant team.