tips for Bilbao crossing please? Forums

chrisgog

We are going out Poole Cherbourg in July but will be returning from Bilbao end of August.

As we have never done the Spanish crossing please can I have some advice from you seasoned travellers as to what to take on board with you and what the boat is like? (P and 0)

Also, what are the best treatments for sea sicknesss as I want to be prepared just in case.

Thanks Chris

Rapide561

Hi

The Pride of Bilbao is a fully stabilised vessel and can hold her own in most conditions.

Personally speaking, I found the food on board disgusting. I complained and was given free vouchers for the A la Carte restaurant and this was no better. It is a few years since I have been on there, so things may have improved. The P&O North Sea by comparison is fit for a king.

Take your binoculars as you may well see some dolphins in the Bay of Biscay.

Russell

Leaky

Thought the best solution for sea sickness would be the humble bucket....no m/homer should be without one! Very Happy

pippin

Also, what are the best treatments for sea sicknesss as I want to be prepared just in case.

Chris, if you expect to be sick then you will be sick!!

lucy2

stick with brittany ferries either santander to plymouth 18hrs crossing or new route that starts next year santander to portsmouth about 24 hrs I think also the plymouth crossing has EHU on board , food brilliant.

camperian

Went out last year and returned in the Spring of this. Best restaurant IMHO is the carvery which is value for money. Langhams, pricey!

2 cinemas cost extra

Several bars. The smoking bar adjoins the auditorium for the cabaret (free) and the casino. The seating for the cabaret is 2/3rds ns and 1/3rd smoking.

Take a good book to read as besides looking out for sea life, there is very little else to do that does not require spending money.

Duty free (VAT) shop, bureau de change (make sure you have UK currency with you) as the boat charges for cash transactions in euros.

Cabins are basic but clean and the showers are big and good.

Just pray that there are not a lot of mini booze cruisers on board as all they do is drink until the bar closes and can be quite noisy returning to their own cabins late at night.

The first landfall you see is the Dorset coastline followed by the Isle of Wight. It seems to take for ever to get to the docks as the boat sails right round the island and enters very close to the Spinnaker Tower.

Don't know what your sailing time is but you can park at the docks overnight. Very safe with police patrols cruising quietly round the perimeter all night.

Ian

chrisgog

Pippin, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT. I have never been seasick until the time we were on the Roscoff or Cherbourg crossing and we were in an enclosed room by the bar and it was hot and rough. I was all set for the a la carte restauraunt and then it hit me and the kids like a bolt. Sick as a parrot we were and I was more sick as I had to miss my lovely meal. I couldnt believe that I had been seasick so I am just preparing for it incase as all our meals are paid for in advance (with our tesco vouchers Laughing

)

As it is our first time on this route I have booked a campsite about 37 miles from the port. Think we are sailing around 12.30ish?

What about taking a mini kettle on board? Are there any plugs in the cabins and what type are they?Chris

billym

There are 3 pin plugs. We always take whatever we can but definately tea
bags and milk, wine and food . What else could you need.

We always have an expensive breakfast and put as much in a doggy bag as
possible.

Sea sickness ? Stay on the higher decks in the middle. There is no cure !!

charlieivan

We did this crossing a couple of years ago and it was a bit choppy(force 10).Went for evening meal in buffet resraunt and after small bit of salad starter my wife was not feeling too good so she abandonned meal and took to her bed in our cabin.I stayed on and had a really enjoyable meal with a full bottle of wine to myself(shame to waste it)I told the waiter about my wife feeling ill so he kindly altered our bill to just one meal.I have to confess I did spend over 24 years in the Navy so I did have a little sea-time experience,mostly in submarines but that is another story.We used to have a saying for anyone who felt seasick,when you are feeling sick you feel as if you are dying and when you are really bad you wish you were dead!!!Also the only real cure for it is to go and sit under a very big tree!!!!

Seriously though don't worry about the trip,I'm sure you will enjoy it as I have been through the Bay of Biscay many times and it has more often than not been like the proverbial mill pond.
I can't remember what time the boat left Bilbao but we stayed overnight on the dock and walked into the local town for a look round and to pass the time.It is only a 5 minute walk over a railway footbridge.
Hope you have a very enjoyable trip both ways and enjoy your stay.