The best thing about Brittany is that they register their ships in France and have properly employed crews. A lot of other ferry lines sub this out to flags of other countries whilst Brittany sticks to it roots. Well done and yes I understand the ships hull is made in China but having travelled on the Salamanca many of the other fittings, important ones, were also European.
I have been sober now for nearly 7 years, but of course, i have bad days. Any time i am feeling down or lonely i put one of your videos on, even if its just on in the background. It always makes me feel like i have a friend. So, if you ever think of giving up or doubt what youre doing, please remember that you, in a very real way, save peoples lives. Keep up the vlogs!!!
Remember to take your wife as SHE TOO needs that calm and more than you as she carried thise six for nine months each and bringing them up with their (time and energy) necessities as a baby
@@roquedsa9125 Thanks for your thoughts , I have total respect for motherhoodit has been my life’s mission to support her role as Anesidora and I take every opportunity to put her and our children’s needs first . For the first time in many years we are in the position again to get small moments of repose both together and alone . Its healthy for a continuum for one to have time alone and meditate upon their own thoughts as it adds gravitas and clarity to those which concern others in daily situations .
I've done this trip before with my late husband and 3 young kids. We all enjoyed the crossing. My kids saw dolphins and a low flying military plane. The sea was a bit rough in places though.
Just to say that I really enjoyed this vid- very informative and well narrated. I’m planning a trip on the ferry to Santander and back up through Spain and France on the motorbike, and this has been perfect for seeing what you get for your money on the Galicia. Thanks again.
Thank you! I have been enjoying "slow travel" for the last couple of years. Getting somewhere fast also often means getting there stressed. Discovered your channel by accident and you've opened my eyes to so many more trips I can try in Europe. Really appreciate the personal, "sensation-free" reviews.
We have used this ferry a number of times. My wife is from Biarritz (South of France) and we visit her parents. Taking our young grandsons. This works out a great deal easier than driving the length of France from Cherbourg. A return ferry journey, with four bed cabin, works out cheaper then a ferry to Cherbourg and driving the length of France (c600 miles) and back. And, I do not have to drive for some nine hours each way.
Oh absolutely, I would certainly take this ferry (or the Bilbao route) saves so much driving and as I always say, is part of the holiday anyway. Cheers for the comment 😊👍
What a fantastic voyage and a great video! Funny because I'm just editing a ferry trip just now as well :) Oh and I totally fell for your fake window at the start. Bravo mate!
Cheers Steve, took me a while to do this one! Really enjoyed the trip though, I’m definitely going to do a few more ferry trips when I can. The window’s a nice touch isn’t it - totally wasn’t expecting that one 😊👍
What a beautiful voyage. I really enjoyed the serenity of this crossing. Thanks for sharing Mark!! And well done on all the views, your comment on the car deck was prescient!
Cheers mate. Yep, I really enjoyed it. I think, unless you’re in a massive rush to get there, why not just relax and enjoy the crossing. I certainly did. And yes maybe I should have kept quiet on the car deck! Never mind 😂
i loved the picured window in the room. psycologiacally its less clautrophobic a cabin without a window. i say brilliant brittany ferries for this touch
A really enjoyable video, Mark, with some stunning scenic shots👏. The cabin looked very spacious and I had to do a double take as that picture was very realistic! £30 very good value for the entry to the food lounge. After a bit of a stressful day, your video was just what we needed, thank you😊
Hi Sheila, thanks very much for the comment and yes, hope this video de-stressed you a bit! I’ve been working all week in my normal job and trying to edit this in the evenings when I’ve got an hour here and there. Glad to see people enjoying it and it definitely makes it worthwhile putting the effort in when I get comments like yours. Hope you have a calmer weekend 😊
Done this crossing a bit. Santander has some beautiful scenery. We travelled on a Royal Enfield motor bike down Santander coast. We were heading to tour Portugal. Motorways were not built then. a fantastic trip & every body we met were great.
Cheers Ste, yes I would definitely recommend it though check on the BF website as I think things have changed a bit since last year. Dinner is not included for example.
We travelled to Santander from Plymouth a few years ago , also with Brittany Ferries . Thank goodness we had a cabin , as about 20 minutes out of port it was really rough for the entire 22 hours ! We just stayed in the cabin, hanging on to the side of the beds so as not to fall out ! However sailing home was lovely, like a mini cruise ! Cantabria and Galicia are so beautiful though !
Confined to the cabin sounds pretty bad Chris. Rather you than me! Personally, I would have a cabin very time now - even a long crossing in the day. Glad the return leg was better!
This has been on my bucket list for a while so great to see you do a video on the sailing. I think it’s partially just for the length of the sailing and also how close the port is to Downtown Santander when you arrive. Glad the Bay of Biscay was behaving itself. Maybe something I will do in the next 3 years after my U.S. cross country trip this month. So many places to see and not enough time to do everything !
Cheers mate, yes I agree, there’s too much to see, not enough time! Tbh, after I’d got down to Santander I had to fly back the same day, otherwise I’d have stayed a couple of nights. Straight out of the port terminal, cross the road, right in he heart of the city. A lovely place with plenty to see but most people drive straight off the ferry and head for the south I’d imagine.
Here’s Paul thanks for the comment. And yes the £30 I thought was pretty good. I reckon some of them in there were drinking significant volumes of alcohol. Much more than me! 😂👍
They are Michael. I’ve used Brittany Ferries a lot over the years. I think this was the only ship I hadn’t been on. They’re always a bit more than just a ferry I think. Great staff and feel to the voyage. Food can be a bit hit and miss sometimes but certainly nothing to complain about on this trip 👍
Cheers Mike, I hope you like it because I had a great time on it - really enjoyed it and I’d recommend it to anyone IF you can get in the C-Club lounge.
Cheers Geoff. For me, the holiday starts once I get on the boat so I’m not too bothered how long it takes to get there so long as the sea’s not too rough and there are decent facilities on board.
Remember doing this years and years ago with my parents, loved Santander . I ended up years later working for P & O for three years, going back and forward to Bilbao and a quick trip to Cherbourg every week [ Three weeks on, and two off} From there I hopped over to Princess where our contracts were for six months at a time . Some great ports and some not so great. Great video I certainly enjoyed it much appreciated
Loved this - brought back happy memories as a kid on The Quiberon between Plymouth & Santander. Quite surprised that this was a two night crossing, as Plymouth to Santander was an easier 24 hours 35+ years ago!
You were so lucky with the weather. The bay of Biscay was much rougher when I went in August a few years ago, luckily mostly overnight so I could sleep through it- I’m not a bad traveller but eating and drinking gets physically tricky when everything is rocking and rolling.
I’ve had a few rough(ish) crossings down there in the past so yep, quite lucky this time but maybe it owed me one! I find sleeping harder than eating when it’s rough tbh.
A really nice trip you had there, love sea travel and did quite a lot when I was in my teens.Thanks for taking me along it was most enjoyable, as always stay safe and cheers.
Cheers Simon, yep I really enjoy the ferry trips, I’m going to do more as I think people enjoy watching them too. They won’t all be as long as this one!! I had to edit this down to a third of its original size! Thanks as always for your support 😊
It was a bonus yes (though I had to go and have a lie down afterwards 😂). Great route though if you’re not in a rush and just enjoy the crossing and (hopefully) nice weather 😊👍
It was warmer in Santander MH, I must admit 😂 Enjoyed Portsmouth though, I had a couple of hours round the dockyard before heading out to the ferry terminal and it looked really interesting. Hoping to get back in the summer and try out the hovercraft 👍
We did these ferrys in the 80's into the early 90's when they were real party boats. When that small yacht got hit in the solent and people died it all stopped after that. Very sad about the crash & loss of life, but back in the day these were so much fun. Many a great memory I have of these times. Nice vid' m8.
Same here Ian. If you’re not in a rush, relax and enjoy it, part of the holiday etc. I’ll hopefully be back on the Pont Aven next year so we’ll see how that’s doing too 👍
@LetsMakeaTrip we would like to see the Pont Aven on the Portsmouth Station. When I use the Pont Aven and the Cap Finistare and when they arrived in Spain. I still had to spend a night in a hotel before I set off the next day.
Wife and I did this journey on this ship last year. Took our motorcycles in the hold. Overall a good experience. We did find with the ferry being a two nighter, the bar was busy all of the first day. Liked the selection of films available on the TV in the cabin. Great food. Nicely made vid.
Cheers Banditmanuk, I never really used the bar tbh because, with the lounge access, it was kind of isolating in a way in that I just stayed in there and drank/ate all the free stuff (well it cost me £30 for the access but that was soon forgotten about I can tell you!). I’d do it again but yep, with the lounge access definitely 👍
I have done this twice from Plymouth to Santander and enjoyed it the staff where very friendly and helpfull and the food and entertainment was good and also the bar area
Thanks Raymond. Yep, my experience of BF staff have always been pretty good. Entertainment-wise, I’m assuming you were on the Pont Aven if you sailed from Plymouth which is much better for that type of thing. Cheers 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip I particularly loved the 'Ambulance' taking passengers to the ferry. A sense of humour has kept me sane travelling these past decades. All the best.
Fab video. Certainly a lot calmer than the ferry from the IOM and those sunsets were stunning. As always after watching one of your uploads, I think…”I want to try that.” Brilliant work mate.
We done this trip there and back a few years ago, never again. I was sea sick the whole 3 day trip. Good luck to those that can handle it. It has put me off ever going on any sort of cruise again.
I get that. I’ve had one or two rough trips on the Bay of Biscay but never sick. I think I can just about handle it but yep, not great if you’re suffering constantly.
No probs mate, sorry still behind on the subtitles a bit. Not enough hours in the day tbh! I enjoy making the ferry videos though and there will definitely be more to come! Cheers 😊👍
I never did the Pride of Bilbao - probably the only ship I regret not sailing on when I had the chance. It was good to see a bit of competition on the UK - Spain routes at the time too.
New subscriber, your channel popped up on yt. Glad it did. Very interesting, 👍 looking forward to watching your past videos. Gee ferry's have come a long way since I was on one in the 80s. I live in Australia now. Great content mate. Love it.👍🇦🇺🇬🇧👍
Cheers James, appreciate the support and kind words. There are some pretty good ferries now operating out of the UK yes. Mind you, I still like some of the older, traditional ships like Brittany Ferries ‘Bretagne’. Hope Australia’s working out well, I’d love to get there one day soon myself! Cheers 😊👍
Very much enjoy your videos, looks like a good standard of catering and accommodation on board, sea club sounds a must. Good preparation if you’re planning to enjoy the food of northern Spain
Thanks mate, appreciate the comment. Yep, the C-Club I would say is like an airport-style lounge but it’s basically open all the time so you’re going to be in there whenever you feel like something to eat or drink (I know I was). Great value for money 👍
Cheers Danny, I do know what you mean but the C-Club lounge saved it for me. I reckon I’d have spent a whole load more money on food/drink if I hadn’t been in there 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes that seemed like great value for money especially as, If I'm recalling correctly, it is basically unlimited food and you can enter whenever it's open. The views looked stunning but I get a bit sea sick so that's the negative for me!
Great video! Me, my partner and our one year old are booked to travel on board the Galicia in June for our first family holiday abroad. I was a Brittany Ferries obsessive as a kid and we used to travel the Portsmouth-St Malo route on board Bretagne and it was always my favourite part of the holiday. It's been nearly 20 years since my last sailing with them so to say I'm excited is an understatement! I might need some persuading on the Tai Chi though.
Cheers Martin! I was the same as you, loved the BF trips, must’ve been on all their ships more than once and before I started doing this TH-cam thing! Start of the holiday for me. Have a great trip 😊
I thought that looked a really nice way to get to Spain - relaxing, nice scenery, good food and wine, and that fake window in your cabin seemed to add a really good dimension tbh. I imagine it's a different story in high season with loads of kids and queues etc, but I guess with the lounge you can escape them!
Yep, ‘relaxing’ I agree is the key word here and of course it also helped that the sea was calm! I think it would be a different story in the summer yep and any lounge is normally a good place to get away from all that. Thanks for the comment, appreciated 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yep, your lucky you had a calm sea. I made that crossing years ago and was one of the worst experiences of my life. The weather was awful and no kidding i thought we weren't going to make it. People screaming, people throwing up everywhere, it was hell. If i need to go to the north of Spain again i'd rather walk, it was that bad.
We had some fun on thè Plymouth Santander crossing. We hit the tail end of a hurricane. Memorable and in an odd way fun. A twenty-four hr crossing turned into 36hrs. M.V QUIBERON.
Less calm! Yep, it was quite unusual in my experience of that route tbf I was expecting some movement. And yes, the window in the cabin’s great isn’t it. Cheers Peter 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, that fake window is brilliant. Am also convinced your minibus was a converted ambulance 😂 Also amazed at how someone would be stupid enough to try and take a flick knife through security.
@@peterskegness3204 yep, I mean you wouldn’t buy a minibus and make it look like an ambulance would you 😂 The flick knife story, well, what happened was the guy (nice enough couple actually), he handed it over obviously, but wanted it sent back to his home address in Canada! The hold-up was all about that!
Cheers Brian. Some bad news for you though mate: since I made this video, it appears that the inclusion of the 3-course meal has been stopped. Not sure why 🤷♂️
Top quality video, thanks. Good to see the French always proudly fly their tricolour from their ships rather than some flag of convenience to save a few bob. Didn't do P & O ferries much good, even though such ships as the Pride of Bilbao were great fun to travel in, great bars, brilliant shows, etc. In the Summer, specially, it was one long party and, in rough seas, wall to wall vomit...:-). We suspected they turned the stabilisers off to save fuel or something.
Cheers Ernesto. I’ve heard this about the stabilisers before - there must be some truth in it. No comparison between BF and P&O really. One is a class act, the other, well, recent history says it all!
3:20 "Ship". I think the old saying "You can put a boat on a ship, but not a ship on a boat" is a good one. Nice video again though. Haven't done the Santander route for about 45 years. Would love to explore Northern Spain again.
You should Billy. I’ve probably been on them more than the others combined and overall they’re pretty decent. Do have a monopoly on the western routes though tbh.
Great vlog, probably the best BR vlog I’ve watched. I’ve been on the Galicia on an overnight to Cherbourg and thought the ship is good. But those food queues are it’s Achilles heel. I knew it was an issue so we got up early for breakfast and had no trouble but they quickly got extremely long. Indeed these problems have (according to BF) led to them now not including meals with the ticket on the Spain crossings. Only those booked before the change keep them. Thx for posting the vlog
Thanks Alan, yes that does make sense to me about meals. When I emerged from the restaurant honestly there was a massive queue and a lot of people would’ve missed out on the start of the football that was showing on the night in question. So I bet that didn’t go down too well! And tbh, if it hadn’t been included for me, I would’ve just eaten the food in the lounge. Whilst that wouldn’t have been a proper meal, it would’ve been enough for me (and my budget).
My husband and I are planning to go on this route to Santander and then back after a couple of days next year! My mobility is not too good so hopefully the lifts are good! X
Nice video Mark, the best I have found about this route and the new ferries. I wonder if the lounge still offers complimentary alcoholic drinks as the website only mentions soft drinks.
@@LetsMakeaTrip Indeed it has! I just tried to book it for Santander to Portsmouth next weekend and it was £83 each! (I didn't book it!). Also the blurb when I went to book mentioned nothing about booze, just food and soft drinks. I will email BF and ask about the booze, but if they really have canned (bottled?!) that then it's really poor value IMHO...
@@LetsMakeaTrip FYI, I heard back from Brittany Ferries and they do offer a 'wine service at lunch and dinner time' which is potentially ambiguous depending on where in the UK you come from! £83 still a bit on the pricey side so will give it a miss next week. Surprising that they don't mention this in the blurb though.
Hi Fraser, hope you found it worth watching! In my opinion, it’s definitely worth doing and hopefully the price of lounge access will stay reasonable for a while yet. 👍
It’s definitely worth a go Neil in my opinion. I think they’ve changed the compulsory meal thing now so it’s probably worth checking what you get for your money 👍
Nice and relaxing to watch, thanks for the vlog. If you look at it as a ''mini cruise'' prior to continuing on holiday it's not bad value for the price considering the price of hotels and eating out nowadays.
Yep, thought the price (inc 2 night’s accommodation and a 3 course meal at the time) was decent value for money. I flew back for £10 but yes could easily carry on through Spain by car or train 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip The north of Spain is beautiful and there's lots of good food, prices are still pretty reasonable. You shouldn't pay more than 1 Euro 50 for a coffee anywhere in Spain. Also in the north you don't get drunk tourists from UK, Germany etc. like in the med resorts.
@@LetsMakeaTrip Oh yes I'd forgotten about that, it's amazing. I went on it in Summer 2000 with a group of Spanish friends, we were cheapskates so we were drinking calimocho on the FEVE, that's the cheapest red wine you can get your hands on (Don Simon in 1 litre tetrapacks is the preferred choice) mixed 1:1 with Coca Cola. Fun times.
The best thing about Brittany is that they register their ships in France and have properly employed crews.
A lot of other ferry lines sub this out to flags of other countries whilst Brittany sticks to it roots.
Well done and yes I understand the ships hull is made in China but having travelled on the Salamanca many of the other fittings, important ones, were also European.
Yep, BF do things properly 👍
do you know if engines are european ?
I have been sober now for nearly 7 years, but of course, i have bad days. Any time i am feeling down or lonely i put one of your videos on, even if its just on in the background. It always makes me feel like i have a friend. So, if you ever think of giving up or doubt what youre doing, please remember that you, in a very real way, save peoples lives. Keep up the vlogs!!!
Thanks mate for the lovely comment. Means a lot 😊
Brilliant .I’m a married man of six kids . This looks like the perfect procrastination type trip to make alone and get some calm , quiet and respite .
Oh it certainly is! Get yourself the lounge access and just relax all the way down. Bliss!
@@LetsMakeaTrip I’m in for beginning of May l the post Easter factor appeared to make it cheaper and quieter . I can’t wait .
@@guzgrant enjoy it mate. Hope the sea stays calm 😊👍
Remember to take your wife as SHE TOO needs that calm and more than you as she carried thise six for nine months each and bringing them up with their (time and energy) necessities as a baby
@@roquedsa9125 Thanks for your thoughts , I have total respect for motherhoodit has been my life’s mission to support her role as Anesidora and I take every opportunity to put her and our children’s needs first .
For the first time in many years we are in the position again to get small moments of repose both together and alone . Its healthy for a continuum for one to have time alone and meditate upon their own thoughts as it adds gravitas and clarity to those which concern others in daily situations .
looks good, almost a mini holiday in its self.
Cheers undertaker. Yep, I always think that the minute you step on the boat, the holiday begins. Thanks for the comment 😊👍
Good on you for giving the Thi Chi a try!
I have found that all the staff on Brittany Ferries are really lovely! X
I agree Jack, always very helpful .
Keep these ferry videos coming, yours are by far the most entertaining and educational! :)
Thanks a lot Markus, appreciate the kind words 😊👍
So true, totally agree
I've done this trip before with my late husband and 3 young kids. We all enjoyed the crossing. My kids saw dolphins and a low flying military plane. The sea was a bit rough in places though.
I haven’t seen Dolphins yet Maxine. I reckon I’ve done this trip about 10 times too. I’m very jealous!
Just to say that I really enjoyed this vid- very informative and well narrated. I’m planning a trip on the ferry to Santander and back up through Spain and France on the motorbike, and this has been perfect for seeing what you get for your money on the Galicia. Thanks again.
Cheers Andy and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Much appreciated and I’m glad you found it useful 😊👍
Thank you! I have been enjoying "slow travel" for the last couple of years. Getting somewhere fast also often means getting there stressed. Discovered your channel by accident and you've opened my eyes to so many more trips I can try in Europe. Really appreciate the personal, "sensation-free" reviews.
Thank you so much. Great to hear you enjoy my stuff 😊
We have used this ferry a number of times. My wife is from Biarritz (South of France) and we visit her parents. Taking our young grandsons. This works out a great deal easier than driving the length of France from Cherbourg. A return ferry journey, with four bed cabin, works out cheaper then a ferry to Cherbourg and driving the length of France (c600 miles) and back. And, I do not have to drive for some nine hours each way.
Oh absolutely, I would certainly take this ferry (or the Bilbao route) saves so much driving and as I always say, is part of the holiday anyway. Cheers for the comment 😊👍
Lovely calm weather for December
It was perfect (and makes a change for me on the Bay of Biscay!).
What a fantastic voyage and a great video! Funny because I'm just editing a ferry trip just now as well :) Oh and I totally fell for your fake window at the start. Bravo mate!
Cheers Steve, took me a while to do this one! Really enjoyed the trip though, I’m definitely going to do a few more ferry trips when I can. The window’s a nice touch isn’t it - totally wasn’t expecting that one 😊👍
What a beautiful voyage. I really enjoyed the serenity of this crossing. Thanks for sharing Mark!! And well done on all the views, your comment on the car deck was prescient!
Cheers mate. Yep, I really enjoyed it. I think, unless you’re in a massive rush to get there, why not just relax and enjoy the crossing. I certainly did. And yes maybe I should have kept quiet on the car deck! Never mind 😂
i loved the picured window in the room. psycologiacally its less clautrophobic a cabin without a window. i say brilliant brittany ferries for this touch
I agree Vanessa, just a nice little touch and helps passengers in the inside cabins 😊👍
Claustrophobic?
A really enjoyable video, Mark, with some stunning scenic shots👏. The cabin looked very spacious and I had to do a double take as that picture was very realistic! £30 very good value for the entry to the food lounge. After a bit of a stressful day, your video was just what we needed, thank you😊
Hi Sheila, thanks very much for the comment and yes, hope this video de-stressed you a bit! I’ve been working all week in my normal job and trying to edit this in the evenings when I’ve got an hour here and there. Glad to see people enjoying it and it definitely makes it worthwhile putting the effort in when I get comments like yours. Hope you have a calmer weekend 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip I hope everyone appreciates the hard work you and all the good vloggers do! Thank you for your good wishes👍
The £30 fee has now more than doubled.
I was about to comment on the £30 fee as well as I just saw it on the website at £85pp 👀
Thanks for the blog! Very informative
It's a mini-break in itself, a very pleasant looking wee cruise. Great video, thanks for posting!
Cheers Colin and thanks for the comment 😊👍
That window got me haha! 😂👍🏼 might think about doing this! Great vid bud.
Nice touch isn’t it. Definitely recommend this route if you’re not in a rush. Thanks for the comment 😊👍
The breakfast offerings look fairly respectable ! I hope you took full advantage..😁
Certainly did mate. Love the profile pic btw (I have a Prophet 5 amongst my collection!).
Great tour!! Thank you! Very nice ferry.
Cheers Jack, thanks for watching 😊
Done this crossing a bit. Santander has some beautiful scenery. We travelled on a Royal Enfield motor bike down Santander coast. We were heading to tour Portugal. Motorways were not built then. a fantastic trip & every body we met were great.
Sounds fantastic. I’ve driven off the ship and it’s not long before you’re out into Northern Spain is it and some fantastic scenery. Cheers 😊👍
Oooh looking forward to watching this one. It’s a trip I want to take…
Cheers Ste, yes I would definitely recommend it though check on the BF website as I think things have changed a bit since last year. Dinner is not included for example.
I love the background music for the video. It is soothing and lovely
Cheers Kelly, thanks for noticing 😊👍
We travelled to Santander from Plymouth a few years ago , also with Brittany Ferries . Thank goodness we had a cabin , as about 20 minutes out of port it was really rough for the entire 22 hours ! We just stayed in the cabin, hanging on to the side of the beds so as not to fall out ! However sailing home was lovely, like a mini cruise ! Cantabria and Galicia are so beautiful though !
Confined to the cabin sounds pretty bad Chris. Rather you than me! Personally, I would have a cabin very time now - even a long crossing in the day. Glad the return leg was better!
This has been on my bucket list for a while so great to see you do a video on the sailing. I think it’s partially just for the length of the sailing and also how close the port is to Downtown Santander when you arrive. Glad the Bay of Biscay was behaving itself. Maybe something I will do in the next 3 years after my U.S. cross country trip this month. So many places to see and not enough time to do everything !
Cheers mate, yes I agree, there’s too much to see, not enough time! Tbh, after I’d got down to Santander I had to fly back the same day, otherwise I’d have stayed a couple of nights. Straight out of the port terminal, cross the road, right in he heart of the city. A lovely place with plenty to see but most people drive straight off the ferry and head for the south I’d imagine.
Thanks mark brings back memories for me
Pleasure, cheers John 😊
Thank you lovely video 🎉 I agree £30 for the food looked nice paul from Kent
Here’s Paul thanks for the comment. And yes the £30 I thought was pretty good. I reckon some of them in there were drinking significant volumes of alcohol. Much more than me! 😂👍
Hi. Loved the video on the isle wight ferry. Lovely weather. Very informative video. Hope u are well. Best wishes David and Beverley Norfolk
Cheers both. I’m running on low battery atm tbh 😂 but lots of stuff booked for next week. Hope you’re good, thanks for commenting 😊👍
Look a good quality cabin , very spacious ferry very efficient Brittany ferries look ; a good operation Mark. Very good crossing.👍🏻😎
They are Michael. I’ve used Brittany Ferries a lot over the years. I think this was the only ship I hadn’t been on. They’re always a bit more than just a ferry I think. Great staff and feel to the voyage. Food can be a bit hit and miss sometimes but certainly nothing to complain about on this trip 👍
Thanks for the short film. Good job.
Cheers for watching and I appreciate the comment 😊👍
Great trip, and yeah pleasant journey between UK and Spain. That fake window is mind-blowing
Cheers mate, yep was a pleasant surprise that window 😊👍
Similar experience for me on the sister ship the Salamanca in September to - from Bilbao , great ship and helpful staff. Beats flying any day
Got to love Google I was looking at this last night and now boom here is a video - thanks :)
No worries Pete, hope you enjoyed it 😊👍
It must have been near Christmas, cos they had a tree!
But I've never seen the Bay of Biscay that calm!
Looked like a great trip!And
Me neither and yep, about two weeks before Xmas I think it was 👍
Funny about the bay, I went to sea for 7 years and never saw it rough after many crossings, same with Cape Horn!
The food looked very nice.Thankyou for sharing.
Pleasure Sarah. Thanks for watching 😊
Free Tai Chi. Cool. Interesting
Yes - an unexpected workout!!
Excellent..Friday night saved and a ferry review.:D The socket looked like a network socket for a laptop
Cheers Mike, I hope you like it because I had a great time on it - really enjoyed it and I’d recommend it to anyone IF you can get in the C-Club lounge.
That was very informative. If one has the time to spare then it's a trip well worth making.
Cheers Geoff. For me, the holiday starts once I get on the boat so I’m not too bothered how long it takes to get there so long as the sea’s not too rough and there are decent facilities on board.
Remember doing this years and years ago with my parents, loved Santander . I ended up years later working for P & O for three years, going back and forward to Bilbao and a quick trip to Cherbourg every week [ Three weeks on, and two off} From there I hopped over to Princess where our contracts were for six months at a time . Some great ports and some not so great. Great video I certainly enjoyed it much appreciated
Cheers Lindsay, great to here from someone who’s worked on these ships. I’m presuming that was the Pride of Bilbao?
Loved this - brought back happy memories as a kid on The Quiberon between Plymouth & Santander. Quite surprised that this was a two night crossing, as Plymouth to Santander was an easier 24 hours 35+ years ago!
Yes Plymouth - Santander is quicker on the Pont Aven (a very nice ship).
@@LetsMakeaTrip thanks - didn’t know it still operated, but will take a look
Have watched a couple of your videos, very good. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Dave, appreciate the comment 😊👍
I live in Galicia,Spain so am looking forward to this.
A lovely part of the world!
that sea looked super flat earthy lol
Unusual for the Bay of Biscay I agree!
Thanks, Mark, My type of trip I loved to see the water flowing past the ferry.
Hi Alli and cheers for the comment. I’m glad you managed to squeeze the word ‘flowing’ into it too 😉
You were so lucky with the weather. The bay of Biscay was much rougher when I went in August a few years ago, luckily mostly overnight so I could sleep through it- I’m not a bad traveller but eating and drinking gets physically tricky when everything is rocking and rolling.
I’ve had a few rough(ish) crossings down there in the past so yep, quite lucky this time but maybe it owed me one! I find sleeping harder than eating when it’s rough tbh.
A really nice trip you had there, love sea travel and did quite a lot when I was in my teens.Thanks for taking me along it was most enjoyable, as always stay safe and cheers.
Cheers Simon, yep I really enjoy the ferry trips, I’m going to do more as I think people enjoy watching them too. They won’t all be as long as this one!! I had to edit this down to a third of its original size! Thanks as always for your support 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip I would certainly like to see more ferry trips, all the best.
Really enjoyed the video . Keep up the great work 👍
Cheers Steve 😊👍
Brilliant video, and really nicely shot. Your delivery style is so warm and friendly, 😊
Cheers Andy, thanks for the nice words. Really enjoyed this trip btw, hopefully I’ll do some more ferry videos over the next few months 👍
I think this would be very enjoyable, and it beats flying by a mile, IMHO!
I agree. Not the cheapest way to Spain but if you treat it as part of the holiday…
cheers mate , first class video.
Thanks Robert, appreciate the comment 😊
Awesome. On the wishlist for after traveling the Riviera Express to Cornwall. Thai Chi at sunset is a bonus.
It was a bonus yes (though I had to go and have a lie down afterwards 😂). Great route though if you’re not in a rush and just enjoy the crossing and (hopefully) nice weather 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Overnight, saves on hotels. I traveled to London via Hoek van Holland -> Harwich overnight ferry for 2.5 years every 3 weeks.
Good to see you in my home city ( Portsmouth , not Santander !) all the best Mark
It was warmer in Santander MH, I must admit 😂 Enjoyed Portsmouth though, I had a couple of hours round the dockyard before heading out to the ferry terminal and it looked really interesting. Hoping to get back in the summer and try out the hovercraft 👍
We did these ferrys in the 80's into the early 90's when they were real party boats. When that small yacht got hit in the solent and people died it all stopped after that. Very sad about the crash & loss of life, but back in the day these were so much fun. Many a great memory I have of these times. Nice vid' m8.
Cheers Didderly, I remember a few booze cruises down that way. Well half-remember them anyway!
I use this route a couple of times . I had booked to go again next May. I very much favour this route to Spain
Same here Ian. If you’re not in a rush, relax and enjoy it, part of the holiday etc. I’ll hopefully be back on the Pont Aven next year so we’ll see how that’s doing too 👍
@LetsMakeaTrip we would like to see the Pont Aven on the Portsmouth Station. When I use the Pont Aven and the Cap Finistare and when they arrived in Spain. I still had to spend a night in a hotel before I set off the next day.
Wife and I did this journey on this ship last year. Took our motorcycles in the hold. Overall a good experience. We did find with the ferry being a two nighter, the bar was busy all of the first day. Liked the selection of films available on the TV in the cabin. Great food.
Nicely made vid.
Cheers Banditmanuk, I never really used the bar tbh because, with the lounge access, it was kind of isolating in a way in that I just stayed in there and drank/ate all the free stuff (well it cost me £30 for the access but that was soon forgotten about I can tell you!). I’d do it again but yep, with the lounge access definitely 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip We would try the lounge next time.
I have done this twice from Plymouth to Santander and enjoyed it the staff where very friendly and helpfull and the food and entertainment was good and also the bar area
Thanks Raymond. Yep, my experience of BF staff have always been pretty good. Entertainment-wise, I’m assuming you were on the Pont Aven if you sailed from Plymouth which is much better for that type of thing. Cheers 😊👍
Great trip. Very informative. Thanks for posting 👍
Thanks Nicholas, appreciate the comment 😊👍
We went Plymouth to Santander on Ponte Averne. Lovely ship. Great food.
Pont Aven & Bretagne are both lovely ships I hope to get round to reviewing myself at some point 😊👍
Hello Mark. Another highly entertaining video. Great fun.
Hi David, thanks for the comment and the kind words mate, really appreciate the support 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip I particularly loved the 'Ambulance' taking passengers to the ferry. A sense of humour has kept me sane travelling these past decades. All the best.
Fab video. Certainly a lot calmer than the ferry from the IOM and those sunsets were stunning. As always after watching one of your uploads, I think…”I want to try that.” Brilliant work mate.
Cheers Tim, you should do it mate. I did it over a long weekend and just flew back. Great trip 😊👍
An exceptionally good video - start, middle,end & well structured- enjoyable throughout !
Cheers John, thanks for the kind words - really appreciated 😊
took my bike over to santander by ferry.could not wait for the voyage to end
Rough crossing Pete?
We done this trip there and back a few years ago, never again. I was sea sick the whole 3 day trip. Good luck to those that can handle it. It has put me off ever going on any sort of cruise again.
I get that. I’ve had one or two rough trips on the Bay of Biscay but never sick. I think I can just about handle it but yep, not great if you’re suffering constantly.
Thanks a great video this one is on my lists of trips 😊
Cheers mate, thanks for watching I definitely recommend trying this one 😊👍
Thank you for doing a another video like this
No probs mate, sorry still behind on the subtitles a bit. Not enough hours in the day tbh! I enjoy making the ferry videos though and there will definitely be more to come! Cheers 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip thanks and no worries
Reminds me of the old P&O mini-cruises I used to take on the MV Pride of Bilbao...the Biscay was very unforgiving on many trips though.
I never did the Pride of Bilbao - probably the only ship I regret not sailing on when I had the chance. It was good to see a bit of competition on the UK - Spain routes at the time too.
That ship was good for a laugh, if nothing else!
Hello from Australia 🇦🇺 so enjoy your videos
Thank you Carine, glad you enjoy them 😊👍
Definitely a crossing I would enjoy and thank you
Cheers Paul, I definitely recommend it😊👍
When I saw the title first thought you were going to the Santander bank lol.. looks lovely 👍
Haha, thanks Sarah. I prefer the city in Spain tbh 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip 👍😃
One of the best meals I ever had was on Brittany Portsmouth to St Malo
I’ve had some decent meals with BF Jonathan and I must say I’ve had some bad ones too! Can be a bit hit and miss in my experience 👍
The restaurant on the bretagne is nothing short of fantastic for a ferry (the self service is pretty good too!)
New subscriber, your channel popped up on yt. Glad it did. Very interesting, 👍 looking forward to watching your past videos. Gee ferry's have come a long way since I was on one in the 80s. I live in Australia now. Great content mate. Love it.👍🇦🇺🇬🇧👍
Cheers James, appreciate the support and kind words. There are some pretty good ferries now operating out of the UK yes. Mind you, I still like some of the older, traditional ships like Brittany Ferries ‘Bretagne’. Hope Australia’s working out well, I’d love to get there one day soon myself! Cheers 😊👍
Very much enjoy your videos, looks like a good standard of catering and accommodation on board, sea club sounds a must. Good preparation if you’re planning to enjoy the food of northern Spain
Thanks mate, appreciate the comment. Yep, the C-Club I would say is like an airport-style lounge but it’s basically open all the time so you’re going to be in there whenever you feel like something to eat or drink (I know I was). Great value for money 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip This is now 83 per person so don't know if that is now a good value for money, what you think?
Love your video 👍👍
Cheers James, thanks for the kind words 😊👍
Really good video, first one of yours I’ve seen and will be checking out the others.
Cheers Tony, appreciate the support mate 😊👍
Really fun and interesting
Thanks Patricia 😊
Can't say I would ever spend 2 days on a ferry although for the money it doesn't seem too bad! Great video as always!
Cheers Danny, I do know what you mean but the C-Club lounge saved it for me. I reckon I’d have spent a whole load more money on food/drink if I hadn’t been in there 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes that seemed like great value for money especially as, If I'm recalling correctly, it is basically unlimited food and you can enter whenever it's open. The views looked stunning but I get a bit sea sick so that's the negative for me!
If you count the ferry as part of the holiday I think that is reasonable
@@Danny-mv9qj yep, it’s basically like an airport lounge but one you can spend all day in with great views, food, drink, everything you need 👍
@@andrewwilson6240 yep and I always think the holiday starts when you get on the boat.
Great video! Me, my partner and our one year old are booked to travel on board the Galicia in June for our first family holiday abroad. I was a Brittany Ferries obsessive as a kid and we used to travel the Portsmouth-St Malo route on board Bretagne and it was always my favourite part of the holiday. It's been nearly 20 years since my last sailing with them so to say I'm excited is an understatement! I might need some persuading on the Tai Chi though.
Cheers Martin! I was the same as you, loved the BF trips, must’ve been on all their ships more than once and before I started doing this TH-cam thing! Start of the holiday for me. Have a great trip 😊
I thought that looked a really nice way to get to Spain - relaxing, nice scenery, good food and wine, and that fake window in your cabin seemed to add a really good dimension tbh. I imagine it's a different story in high season with loads of kids and queues etc, but I guess with the lounge you can escape them!
Yep, ‘relaxing’ I agree is the key word here and of course it also helped that the sea was calm! I think it would be a different story in the summer yep and any lounge is normally a good place to get away from all that. Thanks for the comment, appreciated 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yep, your lucky you had a calm sea. I made that crossing years ago and was one of the worst experiences of my life. The weather was awful and no kidding i thought we weren't going to make it. People screaming, people throwing up everywhere, it was hell. If i need to go to the north of Spain again i'd rather walk, it was that bad.
@@tilerman yes I’ve had a lot worse than that myself. Felt wobbly for days afterwards!
We had some fun on thè Plymouth Santander crossing. We hit the tail end of a hurricane. Memorable and in an odd way fun. A twenty-four hr crossing turned into 36hrs. M.V QUIBERON.
Great video. The window in the cabin fooled me at first 😂 Looks a great journey. Would love to do it but would hope for a less calm sea 😁
Less calm! Yep, it was quite unusual in my experience of that route tbf I was expecting some movement. And yes, the window in the cabin’s great isn’t it. Cheers Peter 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes, that fake window is brilliant. Am also convinced your minibus was a converted ambulance 😂 Also amazed at how someone would be stupid enough to try and take a flick knife through security.
@@peterskegness3204 yep, I mean you wouldn’t buy a minibus and make it look like an ambulance would you 😂 The flick knife story, well, what happened was the guy (nice enough couple actually), he handed it over obviously, but wanted it sent back to his home address in Canada! The hold-up was all about that!
Great vid. Cheers from Australia.
Thanks Jim 😊👍
Very informative , booked on this ferry with the food drink package , didn’t realise the evening meal was included which is great , thankyou
Cheers Brian. Some bad news for you though mate: since I made this video, it appears that the inclusion of the 3-course meal has been stopped. Not sure why 🤷♂️
@@LetsMakeaTrip oh well , shame
Sold!! Also, Astaurius, Leon and Galicia are some of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
Yes it’s a lovely part of the world Alison! Thanks for the comment 😊
Top quality video, thanks. Good to see the French always proudly fly their tricolour from their ships rather than some flag of convenience to save a few bob.
Didn't do P & O ferries much good, even though such ships as the Pride of Bilbao were great fun to travel in, great bars, brilliant shows, etc. In the Summer, specially, it was one long party and, in rough seas, wall to wall vomit...:-). We suspected they turned the stabilisers off to save fuel or something.
Cheers Ernesto. I’ve heard this about the stabilisers before - there must be some truth in it. No comparison between BF and P&O really. One is a class act, the other, well, recent history says it all!
If the sea was too rough with the bilbao they wouldn't use them as they would be coming out of the water!
3:20 "Ship". I think the old saying "You can put a boat on a ship, but not a ship on a boat" is a good one. Nice video again though. Haven't done the Santander route for about 45 years. Would love to explore Northern Spain again.
Excellent video very entertaining 👍 thanks
Cheers James, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
Similar to Steve Marsh's travel blogs a different angle on travel so I subbed,
Thank you Raymond and I appreciate the support, cheers 😊
Have always wanted to try Brittany Ferries
You should Billy. I’ve probably been on them more than the others combined and overall they’re pretty decent. Do have a monopoly on the western routes though tbh.
Great vlog, probably the best BR vlog I’ve watched. I’ve been on the Galicia on an overnight to Cherbourg and thought the ship is good. But those food queues are it’s Achilles heel. I knew it was an issue so we got up early for breakfast and had no trouble but they quickly got extremely long. Indeed these problems have (according to BF) led to them now not including meals with the ticket on the Spain crossings. Only those booked before the change keep them. Thx for posting the vlog
Thanks Alan, yes that does make sense to me about meals. When I emerged from the restaurant honestly there was a massive queue and a lot of people would’ve missed out on the start of the football that was showing on the night in question. So I bet that didn’t go down too well! And tbh, if it hadn’t been included for me, I would’ve just eaten the food in the lounge. Whilst that wouldn’t have been a proper meal, it would’ve been enough for me (and my budget).
Great video!! Hope all is well, take care
Cheers Peter, yep good ta, hope you are too 👍
Did a similar trip twice before, but to bilbao. Great time on board but short time in bilbao, but it was great value for money.
I have been to Bilbao a couple of times before but not spent any time in the city itself. Must do that next time 😊
My husband and I are planning to go on this route to Santander and then back after a couple of days next year! My mobility is not too good so hopefully the lifts are good! X
Oh I’m sure there are plenty of suitable lifts all the way from the car decks if required. Cheers Jacki.
Nice video Mark, the best I have found about this route and the new ferries. I wonder if the lounge still offers complimentary alcoholic drinks as the website only mentions soft drinks.
I hope so. Price for access does seem to have increased quite a bit since I used it.
@@LetsMakeaTrip Indeed it has! I just tried to book it for Santander to Portsmouth next weekend and it was £83 each! (I didn't book it!). Also the blurb when I went to book mentioned nothing about booze, just food and soft drinks. I will email BF and ask about the booze, but if they really have canned (bottled?!) that then it's really poor value IMHO...
@@LetsMakeaTrip FYI, I heard back from Brittany Ferries and they do offer a 'wine service at lunch and dinner time' which is potentially ambiguous depending on where in the UK you come from! £83 still a bit on the pricey side so will give it a miss next week. Surprising that they don't mention this in the blurb though.
Another great video, full of information and good advice. Keep them coming Mark. 👏👍
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
Ah, thanks for posting this - I've been SO interested in doing this route - always sounds excellent!
Hi Fraser, hope you found it worth watching! In my opinion, it’s definitely worth doing and hopefully the price of lounge access will stay reasonable for a while yet. 👍
Another really good video Mark. Im tempted to give it a shot myself next year.
It’s definitely worth a go Neil in my opinion. I think they’ve changed the compulsory meal thing now so it’s probably worth checking what you get for your money 👍
Hi thank you great information very helpful 👏🤙🏻
No problem Jean, thanks for the comment 😊
Nice and relaxing to watch, thanks for the vlog. If you look at it as a ''mini cruise'' prior to continuing on holiday it's not bad value for the price considering the price of hotels and eating out nowadays.
Yep, thought the price (inc 2 night’s accommodation and a 3 course meal at the time) was decent value for money. I flew back for £10 but yes could easily carry on through Spain by car or train 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip The north of Spain is beautiful and there's lots of good food, prices are still pretty reasonable. You shouldn't pay more than 1 Euro 50 for a coffee anywhere in Spain. Also in the north you don't get drunk tourists from UK, Germany etc. like in the med resorts.
@@simonh6371 I must try the FEVE properly next time 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Oh yes I'd forgotten about that, it's amazing. I went on it in Summer 2000 with a group of Spanish friends, we were cheapskates so we were drinking calimocho on the FEVE, that's the cheapest red wine you can get your hands on (Don Simon in 1 litre tetrapacks is the preferred choice) mixed 1:1 with Coca Cola. Fun times.
Great video!
Thanks mate 😊👍
Last time I went on a ferry was in the early 80's to Jersey lol no no no, I can still smell it & people with sea sickness....
Same for me - in the 70’s with Sealink. That was a rough crossing too!
Enjoyed 👍👍👍🍾🍾🍾🍷🍷🍷🥂🥂🥂🥂👌👌👌👌😃😃😃😃
Thanks Derisley, always appreciate your comments mate 😊😊😊😊⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴⛴🍺🍺👏👏👏