Brittany Ferries

[pretzel]

Have travelled with Brittany from Pompey to St. Malo Wednesday night mostly for the last decade and a bit (except last year, late night P & O and won't be doing that again), returning either from Caen or Cherbourg on the Monday after the race.

Although Brittany are comparatively expensive it's the best trip for our travel needs, coming from the West (well, Wales actually...).

The Pompey to St Malo crossing always used to be on the Bretagne, and we have always found the atmosphere on board in the bar to be convivial and lively. This year they have changed the boat (more like a cruise liner really) to the Val de Loire. This is even larger than the Bretagne. The on board atmosphere seemed strangely subdued in comparison to previous years - maybe due to the very different layout. The 'entertainment' was very much standard Brittany fare, with a magic/illusionist act followed by a band. I don't really think that the audience took the p*ss enough out of the cabaret….. A sure sign of the difference in atmosphere.

Was also disappointed not to see any entertainment on the return crossing. I too have fond memories of the fella with the organ (oo er missus) and the accompanying harpist(e?) – what a bizarre combination. But to their credit they were always ready to enter into the spirit with the returning Le Mans crowd.

Agree with Andy Z that the fare in the self service is, and always has been, quite inedible, accompanied by very surly service. Next year we are planning a bit of a slap up meal in the ‘Restaurant’ by way of a change and to improve our chances of keeping it down for more than a couple of hours. It has always looked pretty reasonable (apart from the prices) – anyone care to comment on the quality of the A La Carte?

Have never had any problems with embarking etc. but have always travelled in a car, with no trailer/van or other appendage. Sorry to hear about your problems Rick.

[Lorry]

The 'entertainment' was very much standard Brittany fare, with a magic/illusionist act followed by a band. I don't really think that the audience took the p*ss enough out of the cabaret…..

All we had on the Caen boat (Normandie?)was a disco for 9 year olds.  Mr T and JPC sat next to it, I thought they were going to join in, but then everything shut.

[Perdu]

We used Speedferries too this year and have slightly mixed feelings about it.

The damned thing sailed in choppy sea type stuff on Wednesday morning but due to mechanical problems actually left early afternoon with only three engines working.

Due to the choppy water and no number4 engine it was a wobbly ride I thought, after the P&O from Portsmouth 2003 and the Seafrance boat last year Dover Calais. I was a little wobble kneed. (Just recovering from a knee op, see) But after the outward delay I was sort of expecting more delays coming home (did I really write that? Feel more at home in France these days...) but it was a breeze short queue and all engines working as well.

The crossing seemed 1/4 hour shorter and so in a spirit of enquiry I asked one of the crew about the duty free shop's famous long term closure. He said it will be open in July, and agreed it had been closed for a very long time.

So maybe next time we can get cheapish booze aboard, but at just over3/4 hour at sea  there isn't gonna be time to do much eating aboard.

If I could I would still rather do Portsmouth -Le Havre on Pride of Portsmouth any time though... Bloody P and O!

 

Time some enterprising Mick dug a Portsmouth Caen tunnel methinks....

[Black Granny]

No, not one of our mob. Unless someone has a second income that they don't want to divulge - you never know, Black Granny might be watching!!!!!!

I can turn a blind eye sometimes- depends on the number of beers offered!

[Robbo]

Due to late bookings, we booked with Norfolkline. £59 return Dover-Dunkerque, bit extra driving, left on time both ways, quick loading/unloading, hot (ish) food. Would use them again.

[monkey]

In response to Pretzels question on the main restaurant. I have used Brittany for as long as I can remember and always use the main restaurant on the way out, Portsmouth to St Malo being my favourite rout. The menu has hardly changed, the formats have not changed at all. A La Carte or buffet are the options.

A couple of tips. Always select the buffet. You get exactly the same food, plus a bigger choice and because it is a buffet, you can have as much as you like and it is cheaper. They serve the main course, so the only 'have to get it yourself' bit is starter and pud.

Always send one of the party equipped with mobile phone straight to the restaurant as soon as you board, they usually only do one sitting and I have in the past seen people turned away even before leaving Portsmouth!

The quality of the food and the choice is really good and the wine/beer is not a rip off so in terms of value for money I mark it 10 out of 10.

Bon apatite. Monkey

[neilsie]

dudes.. whats all the cabin nosense

Brit ferry do a Cat service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg.  2hr 45mins - and a bar open the whole way!

we got the 8pm ferry (only realised after an hr, we were sat next to Johhny Herbert and one of the audi winners doh!)...  was home for midnight.

a very good crossing.  and a plus is the drive to Cherbourg is top twistie fun!  

N.

[RichUK]

(only realised after an hr, we were sat next to Johhny Herbert and one of the audi winners doh!)...  

Some of us pointed this out almost immediately, must have been the Kronenbourg affecting your sight again?

[nice_person1]

We did Newhaven to Dieppe via Hoverspeed in 2004 and it was good.  When that went belly up (anyone know why ?) this year we swapped to Brittany Portsmouth to Cherbourg.  Couldn't complain with a 2.5 hour crossing and a 4 hour drive at the other side.  Only complaint was the family with the kids who ran around, banged into things, cried, stopped crying, then ran around again, only to crash into stuff and cry again.  2.5 hours of that was more than enough  

Someone mentioned that the drive down is part of it.  Personally I want to get there, get the tent/gazebo/posts/border tape  up and then relax with a beer/wine/tipple   and my mates I haven't seen for a while.

[Ferrari Spider]

Can't understand all this hate Brittany Ferries, I've used them for a considerable number years and i can honestly say that i have never had a bad experience.

They always have been very helpful in getting the Ferrari on and off the ship and we always rather go with BF than P & O and have had a lot of grief with them.

Anyway thats my twopence.

[Barry]

Can't understand all this hate Brittany Ferries, I've used them for a considerable number years and i can honestly say that i have never had a bad experience.

They always have been very helpful in getting the Ferrari on and off the ship and we always rather go with BF than P & O and have had a lot of grief with them.

Anyway thats my twopence.

Would agree with Peter on this one, and they always look after the bikes properly.

[Nordic]

We did Newhaven to Dieppe via Hoverspeed in 2004 and it was good.  When that went belly up (anyone know why ?)

Hoverspeed where trying to sell the rights to the route to TransManche who get a grant from the Gov, Hoverspeed say this makes the route unviable for them.

The deal fell thru and hoverspeed pulled the plug. Tranmanche are reportly trying to expand the route for next year.

[neilsie]

Would agree with Peter on this one, and they always look after the bikes properly.

Well not strictly so - with the Spanish crossings they just point to a pile of rope ans say help yerself - or something similarly gutterable!  At least P&O do tie the bikes down for you using proper straps.

[Pastis - team JPC]

An alternative....................

The MOD are going to be auctioning off a load of RE bridging kit, landing craft etc.

How about if each team going to Le Mans buy one bit of kit each then run down to to a convenient beach and park end to end until we reach France?

We'll just have to pick the 'convenient beach' according to how many teams take part?

Alternatively; 'we' buy up all the LCT's  (that's Landing Craft Tank to the uninitiated) - we can probably get a dozen cars and trailers on each.  Then (assuming a shortage of Dept of Transport approved Sea Skippers amongst us) we disembark off a Jetty and just 'loiter about' till a ferry leaves, and follow it to France!

I've just read this back to myself; I'm either thinking about Le Mans too much or Tropicoma has some after effects that the makers don't tell you about!!