Did a Brittany Ferry crossing in 2002 where even the staff and ship's doctor had collapsed with seasickness (my companion was a dialysis patient and I could find no help for them). Staggered round the ship with my baby in my arms, it looked like there had been a gun spree because passengers were lying barely conscious all over the floors and steps. Waves of vomit flowed in and out the toilets. A groaning toddler in a buggy rolled up and down the cafeteria untended while parents lay on the floor, arms reaching out but they couldnt move. I couldnt help. I was having to hold everything together for my own baby and my son. The only people 'standing' were an unbothered lorry driver, me and a family in a circle outside on the deck singing "kumbaya". It was mad. My companion refused to leave their cabin and I could not do anything more to help them. I spent 4 hrs trying to find help. They were stable but being stubborn. I wanted them in the middle of the ship on deck where I had found a safe place. I went back to the middle of the ship with baby and son and sat on the deck by the lifeboats. I had to get my young children to safety (ship's hull making loud cracks that resonated through the ship). The sea looked like Beaufort 9/10, looking back. I was secretly terrified, outwardly calm for the children. I am surprised we could go out on deck. The sea and sky were the same colour, air was full of sea, ferry pitching and rolling through deep hollows and high waves, felt like a rollercoaster, white spray everywhere, sea crashing over front of ship. Looking back I prob shouldnt have sat out on deck with young children but the inside of ship was covered in vomit and frightening for children. 10 hours of this. I wasn't sick once because I was holding a baby. When we reached England, a few hours later, I passed out and had to go to hospital with severe dehydration. It was because I was breastfeeding but my stomach had kind of 'locked' to stop me being sick and I had been unable to eat or drink until the following day. Never been on a boat since! If anyone can remember this 2002 crossing or similar I'd be curious to hear about it. We were travelling from France to England, probably Normany to Portsmouth perhaps. We passed the Isle of Wight to the left. It would have been summer because my baby was in her 6 mnths clothes. (My companion was ok. They didnt believe me that the ship looked like a shooting scene but I got them out the cabin as soon as I could walk again and they looked round at people lying on the stairs and floor, HUNDREDS of people and said "bloody hell, you are right".) I am v proud of how I held it together for my children and companion. I was terrified and suffering but got my kids to the gentlest place, advocated my companion, kept myself alert and able and wasn't sick once (even if it did land me in hospital for a day)
Just done Santander to Portsmouth it was force 8 to 9 gales absolutely terrifying and it's like that for about 20 hours. I've got sea legs as well dread to think someone who hasn't got the stomach for it.
Think I Was on it that day what a ride scary tables flying everywhere people puking 🤮 sick bags all over the place electrical cupboards flying open they were not sure if they were going to sail or not was a wild ride nope my mistake it was 2017 28th June it was bad
John I have done this crossing many times. A few weeks ago we travelled in the Pont Aven down to Santander. Caught the tail end of storm Alex. Force 10 to 11. The Bay of Biscay is pretty deep water so the waves aren't that big - plus these ships are huge so it isn't a problem. The Irish Sea is far worse in a Force 10 as the water is relatively shallow and the waves build far more.
when i went on the pont aven, it was waving, like really gently. sometimes i felt like i was insome wiered restraunt-hotel building, and not A FCKING PIECE OF METAL MAGICALLY FLOATING IN SALTY WATER.
Did a Brittany Ferry crossing in 2002 where even the staff and ship's doctor had collapsed with seasickness (my companion was a dialysis patient and I could find no help for them). Staggered round the ship with my baby in my arms, it looked like there had been a gun spree because passengers were lying barely conscious all over the floors and steps. Waves of vomit flowed in and out the toilets. A groaning toddler in a buggy rolled up and down the cafeteria untended while parents lay on the floor, arms reaching out but they couldnt move. I couldnt help. I was having to hold everything together for my own baby and my son.
The only people 'standing' were an unbothered lorry driver, me and a family in a circle outside on the deck singing "kumbaya". It was mad.
My companion refused to leave their cabin and I could not do anything more to help them. I spent 4 hrs trying to find help. They were stable but being stubborn. I wanted them in the middle of the ship on deck where I had found a safe place. I went back to the middle of the ship with baby and son and sat on the deck by the lifeboats. I had to get my young children to safety (ship's hull making loud cracks that resonated through the ship).
The sea looked like Beaufort 9/10, looking back. I was secretly terrified, outwardly calm for the children. I am surprised we could go out on deck. The sea and sky were the same colour, air was full of sea, ferry pitching and rolling through deep hollows and high waves, felt like a rollercoaster, white spray everywhere, sea crashing over front of ship.
Looking back I prob shouldnt have sat out on deck with young children but the inside of ship was covered in vomit and frightening for children.
10 hours of this. I wasn't sick once because I was holding a baby. When we reached England, a few hours later, I passed out and had to go to hospital with severe dehydration. It was because I was breastfeeding but my stomach had kind of 'locked' to stop me being sick and I had been unable to eat or drink until the following day.
Never been on a boat since!
If anyone can remember this 2002 crossing or similar I'd be curious to hear about it. We were travelling from France to England, probably Normany to Portsmouth perhaps. We passed the Isle of Wight to the left. It would have been summer because my baby was in her 6 mnths clothes.
(My companion was ok. They didnt believe me that the ship looked like a shooting scene but I got them out the cabin as soon as I could walk again and they looked round at people lying on the stairs and floor, HUNDREDS of people and said "bloody hell, you are right".)
I am v proud of how I held it together for my children and companion. I was terrified and suffering but got my kids to the gentlest place, advocated my companion, kept myself alert and able and wasn't sick once (even if it did land me in hospital for a day)
We LOL with your description- sorry to hear the experience.
Just done Santander to Portsmouth it was force 8 to 9 gales absolutely terrifying and it's like that for about 20 hours. I've got sea legs as well dread to think someone who hasn't got the stomach for it.
when i did this route from portsmouth in july 2015, it was rocky but no where near as bad as this on pont aven
They never show this on the ferry website blurb 😁
My parents have been on worse than that but that is pretty damn scary
i went on the mont st michel over night crossing and it was awful. Couldn’t sleep. Every outside deck was closed as it was really rough
I went on the mont st michel back in 2007 was a smooth crossing that day
Recently did the crossing in super calm seas, not sure I would be hanging onto my lunch in that!
Think I Was on it that day what a ride scary tables flying everywhere people puking 🤮 sick bags all over the place electrical cupboards flying open they were not sure if they were going to sail or not was a wild ride nope my mistake it was 2017 28th June it was bad
Sorry. Not Force 10.
John
I have done this crossing many times. A few weeks ago we travelled in the Pont Aven down to Santander. Caught the tail end of storm Alex. Force 10 to 11. The Bay of Biscay is pretty deep water so the waves aren't that big - plus these ships are huge so it isn't a problem. The Irish Sea is far worse in a Force 10 as the water is relatively shallow and the waves build far more.
when i went on the pont aven, it was waving, like really gently. sometimes i felt like i was insome wiered restraunt-hotel building, and not A FCKING PIECE OF METAL MAGICALLY FLOATING IN SALTY WATER.
this reads like you're a rocker haha
omg , i would freak out and think i was gonna a die or something is that happened to me , hope you were safe tho
When I went through the bay of biscay from santender to Plymouth a week ago on Britanny ferries I was shitting my pants
every time we have gone on it the crossing was great both on Pont Aven and Cap Finistere really smooth and calm