Portsmouth to Santander Ferry – Our Experience with Kids

Portsmouth to Santander Ferry. In Feburary half term th boys and I caught the ferry service to Spain from Portsmouth docks. Sailing on the Galicia with Brittany Ferries I did wonder what we had let ourselves in for. On the basis, some of the reviews on TripAdvisor and elsewhere were not great. Partly because the ferry routes go through the Bay of Biscay which is notoriously bad for seasickness. But I had already committed £1000 for our return trip to Northern Spain including a four-berth cabin. With the only ferry company running at the time. So we going regardless.

The crossing time was 32 hours on the way out. Leaving at Portsmouth at 10.15 pm and arrived into the port of Santander at 8 am two days later. The return crossing left Santander at 3 pm and arrived on the South Coast of England at 8 pm the following day. Which meant it was a shorter journey time. The Bilbao ferry route duration of the crossing is slightly less. But this was not running over half term. Was I crazy doing the Santander ferry route? Possibly But it turns out my experience with the boys was actually not too bad at all. Especially when the captain had to navigate storm Eunice on th way out. 

 

Portsmouth Port to Santander Ferry

Arriving at Portsmouth Ferry Terminal

We arrived with plenty of time to spar at Portsmouth harbour for our 10.15 pm ferry crossing. Only to find that the ferry had been delayed by an hour because of the bad weather. Passport control was quite straightforward. Checking all the additional paperwork we now need due to the pandemic. During this process, you are given your Santander ferry tickets for the boat. these have a barcode on them which allow you in to your cabin and also specify a letter for the dinner sitting. 

There is a passenger ferry terminal that has a bar and small cafe upstairs selling snacks and drinks. This is where the number of foot passengers were waiting to board for their ferry trip. There are also loos in the block and a small shop. Where you can stock up on the necessary bits for your cars such as UK stickers, headlight adapters and breathalyser tests. 

Our Cabin – Portsmouth to Santander Ferry

Cabins are located on floors seven, eight and nine. You can not specify a floor when booking. Some have windows and some don’t. Both of our cabins did not have a window. I am advised the cost is the same with or without a window. It was purely down to availability when we booked. They do offer superior cabins as well. But the difference between these and a standard one I am unclear on. Our cabin had four beds all of which can be folded up part from the bottom right side. It cost £399 each way. I think you get great deals if you book in advance. We were quite late with making our booking. And it is a popular destination.

The top bunks have a small rail designed to stop you from falling out. There is also a ladder behind the mirror which can be used to climb up. Although Charlie managed to do this without a ladder. There is also a small shelf in between the beds. A slim wardrobe and seat with desk. Each comes with a flat-screen TV that is on a bracket so you can pull it out. The TV shows a variety of UK channels as well as French ones. The beds were surprisingly comfortable. And we all slept well on both nights. 

There is also an ensuite which includes a loo, basin and shower. It is more like a wet room and has a raised step up into it. Having used the shower and flooded out the bathroom I can now understand why. A lot depends on which way the boat is leaning. Towels are also provided. Although the cabin was compact we didn’t feel too hemmed in. I also think they must be well soundproofed. On the way back we were only a couple of cabins down from the main bar. A bar that was playing the six nations and was full of ferry passengers watching it. Yet we didn’t hear them when we went to bed. 

Information point

There is an information point on deck seven that can provide all sorts of useful information. Including available options for mealtimes, replacement tickets and other information about Brittany ferries services

Food & Drink

One dinner and one breakfast are included in your ticket price. As mentioned you are given a letter that corresponds with a time at check-in. I think these are given on a first-come-first-served basis. Having the boys we were lucky to get meals relatively early into the evening. 

There is the main restaurant on deck 7 which serves an al la carte menu. And also has a kid’s menu. You can choose any of the three courses as part of your ticket. But you do have to pay extra for the drinks including water and soft drinks. 

On deck 8 there is a Tapas restaurant that is open for most of your time abroad. They sell tapas sharing boards and can also act as an overflow for the main restaurant. We tried a couple of their boards on the way home and they were very nice. They also serve small one disk tapas. both cold and hot. On the same level, there is a large bar which also sells individual tapas dishes for 2.50€.

Breakfast is served in the Tapas restaurant and for the most part, is a self-service restaurant. You are not given a time slot for this so we found a large queue on our trip out. Despite arriving early. The breakfast on offer is continental. Including pastries, bread rolls, cereals, fruit, yoghurts, juice and tea or coffee. If you are happy to pay extra there is also the option for a cooked breakfast.

Meal times & snacking

We took some snacks with us onto the boat. Especially for our return journey. On the way out it is not too bad. As you board late and so with kids likely to go straight to sleep. Then you have breakfast and dinner. So it’s only lunch you really have to cover as you arrive in Santander early the following morning. Meaning there is not really any time for breakfast. You can buy sandwiches and crisps from duty-free shop. 

On the way back it is harder. As we left at 3 pm. And having been in a queue for a minimum of two hours before lunch has been missed. Dinner is served that evening. But then the following day you need to have something for lunch and dinner since you do not dock until 8 pm. The main restaurant is open at certain times of the day. Normally when that is closed the tapas restaurant is normally open. So you can always get something but it does add up price-wise. I also brought an electric kettle with us to make tea and hot chocolate. 

There is a C class lounge which you have to buy a pass for when you purchase the cabin. Unfortunately, there were no tickets left when I booked. However, in the lounge, there are free snacks throughout the day and free drinks. I would definitely try to book this if we take this trip again. 

Portsmouth to Santander Ferry – Entertainment on Board

In the main bar, there are several flat screen TVs which were showing the sport for most of our trip back. From a kiddie perspective, you can download the Ferrynauts app. This takes the children around the boat looking for numbered circles. When you hold the app over the circle something happens. We tried a few but they soon got bored. 

There is also a play area which has some interactive screens to play games on which they enjoyed. There is also a small sit-in boat for little ones. The play area is designed for children aged 3-12. In one of the eating areas, there are also flat-screen TVs which have games on them. Turned out that this was the best thing to keep the boys entertained.

They spent a long time playing one game in particular. Which involved spinning a wheel to get a number of miles to get the boat back home. If they managed to spin enough they were awarded a prize wheel. The prize wheel would give them a code and that could be exchanged in the shop for a prize. The boys ended up winning some DVDs.There is also a couple of other flat screens around the ship which have other games. Such as spot the difference or one about history.

Wifi onboard

Wifi is available. You can sign up to get free 45 minutes. Although it is a bit temperamental. Or you can pay for wifi which starts at £3 for an hour up to £17 for 6 hours. I did find that the 6 hours lasted longer than that.  I also took on some craft kits for the boys, card games and colouring for Harry. There is plenty of space in th bar areas, or lounges to make something or play a game. 

Bay of Biscay & Sea Sickness – Portsmouth to Santander Ferry

Everything I had read said beware the Bay of Biscay. An area which is known for rough seas. I was really worried about how I would deal with two sick kids on my own. Especially as my own sea legs are not great. So I brought sickness patches for Charlie and me. Opting for medical-grade ones from the pharmacy rather than cheap ones off of Amazon. We also all had wrists bands and I brought some kids sea sickness pills.

On the way out overnight, it was a bit up and down thanks to the storm. But none of us were affected by it. If anything I think it helped us to sleep! Harry looked a bit green in the morning, refusing to eat his breakfast but perked up after having one pill. The Capitan purposefully delayed entering the Bay of Biscay until the worst of the storm had passed. At one point when the glasses went sideways at the bar, we were asked to return to our cabins. But that was relatively short-lived and we all got dinner still. 

On the way back home the bay was pretty calm. Although at points you felt like you couldn’t walk in a straight line! yet somehow we managed to escape any kind of sickness. I have no idea if that is because of the patches or the bands. Or just a placebo? But I would definitely get the patches again for a long journey such as this.

Return sailing from Santander to the United Kingdom

The Santander ferry port is relatively easy to find. All you need to do is follow the big fluorescent signs. We arrived about two and a half hours and there was already a long queue. Because there is very little communication we did not get out of the car, even to try and find a loo.

Brittany ferries allow you to park leave your car in their car park from 9.30m. Even though the sailing is not until 3 pm. You do have to come back to your car 2 hours before the sailing. But it gives you a chance to explore the city’s lovely beaches and have a leisurely stroll alongside the Cantabrian sea. Or just enjoy the modern Spanish city of Santander. We did not do this instead choosing to stock up on some wine in the local supermarket. Our journey back was very smooth and we even managed to catch the sunset which was very beautiful from the boat. 

Have you travelled from Portsmouth Santander? How was your journey? 

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