Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

The newsletter said "announced in August" but not when so you will have to register with the website and then you should get an email when that happens. That way you will get first choice of accommodation and passage. This especially true if you want a dog friendly cabin or even a kennel up on deck 9.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Thanks for info. Have already registered and no dog just golf clubs!

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

John you have done this trip so many times. Have any top tips on the best time of year with regard to a smooth crossing. What might late January be like?

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

We have done this trip early January in the past and it was like a mill pond!
However I never take to the sea without seasick tablets and the best I have found are definitely 'Kwells'.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Thanks for that 'Top Tip' I know it does depend on the weather. Just wondered what January will be like. I have never been quick enough to get a dog friendly cabin. We are tempted. The drive through France is not that great at this time of year.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Another tip is to ask for a cabin mid ship not the bow where any movement is exaggerated.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

I mailed Brittany Ferries about next years timetable, we want to rent a van and drive some stuff over in February. The timetable will be released the last week of July according to customer services.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Using my "O" level physics the logic is that low down along the centre line of the ship about mid ship is the best place to be in a rough sea. That's where the lorry drivers are allocated accommodation however Kath who is a poor sailor wants a window so we are high up and on the outside of the ship. We have had some horrendous crossings but the worst were on the old P&O Pride of Bilbao. We think that the most stable of the current fleet is the Cap better than the Pont since its stabilisers were improved.

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Were the bad ones in the winter? and is it just crossing Biscay say 10 hours or so? 24 hours being sea sick must be horrendous. We did the LD crossing in September last year and would not have liked it to be any rougher than it was. I asked a crew member when we went down to the lorry deck to see our dog if that was a rough crossing? his reply was 'medium' we had an outside cabin and would take an inside one next time because there is nothing to see, its a night crossing to Gijon.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

July news letter just arrived and it includes:-

"As our 2014 schedules are about to go on sale early next month, I suggest that those of you intending to use one of our Spanish routes book early because this year we have experienced very high demand for both the Santander and Bibao routes. You can after all secure your booking with a deposit of just £25 per booking".

This is especially true if you want a dog friendly cabin or a kennel on the top deck.

Instructions for a discounted booking are contained in post 2 on this thread.

The opening date seems to be creeping forward a little and has been suggested that it may be as early as July 24th. :thumbsup:

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Not winter the worst one was in September but nearly as bad when we returned in December on the old PO Pride of Bilbao.

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Thanks for the info John. Will keep look out for release date. Have already registered.:)

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There doesn't sem to be a pattern to the rougness of the crossing. We have been in mid summer and had it bad, and in November and January and, as has been said, it was like a millpond. Last weekend we were almost becalmed sailig to the Channel Isles (not on BF I hasten to add but a 37 footer).

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Thank you Esuri John! Just booked our winter sailing Portsmouth to Santander on January 3rd 2014, used your details as suggested and got the discount. Very much appreciated.

Re: CHEAPER LONG FERRY CROSSINGS
 

Our August newsletter arrived yesterday. See:-

http://mxm.mxmfb.com/rsps/wlnk/c/748/r/907375/e/4844

Some interesting bits. 3 more pet friendly cabins on the Cap. Not much but an increase of 25% so should improve availability. Prices maintained at about this years level.

The last bit certainly seems true we checked out September 2014 for the Cap our preferred boat Porstmouth/Santander outside 2 berth cabin and it was available at not much more than we paid 2 years ago. So we booked why not just £25 deposit secures our choice.

See post 19 of this thread for details on how to book to get the 10% discount (better than the Saga offer for the long crossings).