9 replies to this topic

[Sallybongo]

We are sailing from Portsmouth - Bilbao on the new Brittany Ferries Crossing in August, on the MV Cap Finistere. It is not a ro-ro vessel by the look of it. Has anyone been over to Bilbao on this vessel, with a touring caravan? Can anyone tell me how the loading is done? Will it involve driving on and then having to 'back up' with the caravan, or do we drive on and turn around a 'horseshoe'? Just wondering - we've got a fairly big 'van!! Would appreciate any comments. Also - what are the cabins like? We've been on Brittany Ferries overnighters to Caen many times on their various 'Normandie' vessels, but as yet, not used the overnighter to Spain - looking forward to it, but would like to hear from anyone who has taken their tourer on this trip.....

[neil & lena]

Sallybongo, on 12 June 2011 - 02:55 PM, said:

We are sailing from Portsmouth - Bilbao on the new Brittany Ferries Crossing in August, on the MV Cap Finistere. It is not a ro-ro vessel by the look of it. Has anyone been over to Bilbao on this vessel, with a touring caravan? Can anyone tell me how the loading is done? Will it involve driving on and then having to 'back up' with the caravan, or do we drive on and turn around a 'horseshoe'? Just wondering - we've got a fairly big 'van!! Would appreciate any comments. Also - what are the cabins like? We've been on Brittany Ferries overnighters to Caen many times on their various 'Normandie' vessels, but as yet, not used the overnighter to Spain - looking forward to it, but would like to hear from anyone who has taken their tourer on this trip.....

Nothing to worry about with the MV Cap Finistere  we travelled back on it from Bibao this year and the cabins are good ( well the one we had  was ) and if they load you on the top deck its no problem as you drive up the ramp and they turn you in the horseshoe and then you facing the correct way for disembarking .
There were two twin axles behind us on the top deck and they had no issues during embarkation or disembarking the only vehicles that had any problems were some Motorhomes towing small cars who couldn't get round the in one go because of there poor steering lock .

[Sallybongo]

neil & lena, on 12 June 2011 - 06:32 PM, said:

Nothing to worry about with the MV Cap Finistere  we travelled back on it from Bibao this year and the cabins are good ( well the one we had  was ) and if they load you on the top deck its no problem as you drive up the ramp and they turn you in the horseshoe and then you facing the correct way for disembarking .
There were two twin axles behind us on the top deck and they had no issues during embarkation or disembarking the only vehicles that had any problems were some Motorhomes towing small cars who couldn't get round the in one go because of there poor steering lock .

Many thanks for that swift response! We will look forward to the trip even more now!! Thanks again.

[Maurice]

We just got back of the boat on Sunday -- the ship is clean and the cabins "cosy" we would have liked a little more room - but they were good enough. Was delayed on sailing from Spain by 2 hours was was late arriving in Portsmouth -- didn't affect us as we only had a couple of hours to travel .. but for those living further North it was a bit late for them to get in [9.30 pm]

The food and service in the restaurant was excellent and prices quite reasonable.
There was a separate small take away section where you could get salads - drinks - etc.
The shop was small - with very little choice but they do take it down to the car for you.
Although they did have 2 x 1 litre of Jameson for £30 on offer.

We were returning without the caravan and we were on the top -top - car deck - up three ramps [Deck 7]. There was no turning to get off and we had to reverse down the ramp. The bloke behind us had left his car with the lights on and a video game switched on !! battery flat!!!  
They had to push the car to the side so that the others on the deck could reverse around him down the ramp, a bit hairy.
It took over 1 hour from docking to finally get off the boat. but then it was all OK.

In Bilbao they have built a new terminal about 1500 m along the dock from the old P&O terminal -But well sign posted  a couple of the turns there were very tight - some of the arctics were seemed even tighter!
You can put the GPS location [from the ferry web site]in to the Sat Nav and it will get you there.

Over all Cap Finistere is a nice ship, and we had a comfortable crossing.

We are hoping to use it on the outward trip in August which I believe takes one day longer -- so they can stop and change the crew.

[Sallybongo]

Maurice, on 13 June 2011 - 11:53 AM, said:

We just got back of the boat on Sunday -- the ship is clean and the cabins "cosy" we would have liked a little more room - but they were good enough. Was delayed on sailing from Spain by 2 hours was was late arriving in Portsmouth -- didn't affect us as we only had a couple of hours to travel .. but for those living further North it was a bit late for them to get in [9.30 pm]

The food and service in the restaurant was excellent and prices quite reasonable.
There was a separate small take away section where you could get salads - drinks - etc.
The shop was small - with very little choice but they do take it down to the car for you.
Although they did have 2 x 1 litre of Jameson for £30 on offer.

We were returning without the caravan and we were on the top -top - car deck - up three ramps [Deck 7]. There was no turning to get off and we had to reverse down the ramp. The bloke behind us had left his car with the lights on and a video game switched on !! battery flat!!!  
They had to push the car to the side so that the others on the deck could reverse around him down the ramp, a bit hairy.
It took over 1 hour from docking to finally get off the boat. but then it was all OK.

In Bilbao they have built a new terminal about 1500 m along the dock from the old P&O terminal -But well sign posted  a couple of the turns there were very tight - some of the arctics were seemed even tighter!
You can put the GPS location [from the ferry web site]in to the Sat Nav and it will get you there.

Over all Cap Finistere is a nice ship, and we had a comfortable crossing.

We are hoping to use it on the outward trip in August which I believe takes one day longer -- so they can stop and change the crew.

Brilliant - we are sailing on the Friday night so only 24 hours trip. I think the Sunday sailing is the trip which takes longer, arriving in Bilbao on the Tuesday morning. Have a good trip in August!!

[Sallybongo]

Maurice, on 13 June 2011 - 11:53 AM, said:

We just got back of the boat on Sunday -- the ship is clean and the cabins "cosy" we would have liked a little more room - but they were good enough. Was delayed on sailing from Spain by 2 hours was was late arriving in Portsmouth -- didn't affect us as we only had a couple of hours to travel .. but for those living further North it was a bit late for them to get in [9.30 pm]

The food and service in the restaurant was excellent and prices quite reasonable.
There was a separate small take away section where you could get salads - drinks - etc.
The shop was small - with very little choice but they do take it down to the car for you.
Although they did have 2 x 1 litre of Jameson for £30 on offer.

We were returning without the caravan and we were on the top -top - car deck - up three ramps [Deck 7]. There was no turning to get off and we had to reverse down the ramp. The bloke behind us had left his car with the lights on and a video game switched on !! battery flat!!!  
They had to push the car to the side so that the others on the deck could reverse around him down the ramp, a bit hairy.
It took over 1 hour from docking to finally get off the boat. but then it was all OK.

In Bilbao they have built a new terminal about 1500 m along the dock from the old P&O terminal -But well sign posted  a couple of the turns there were very tight - some of the arctics were seemed even tighter!
You can put the GPS location [from the ferry web site]in to the Sat Nav and it will get you there.

Over all Cap Finistere is a nice ship, and we had a comfortable crossing.

We are hoping to use it on the outward trip in August which I believe takes one day longer -- so they can stop and change the crew.

Brilliant - we are sailing on the Friday night so only 24 hours trip. I think the Sunday sailing is the trip which takes longer, arriving in Bilbao on the Tuesday morning. Have a good trip in August!!

[mikenali]

What is the differance in costs for a 1 way trip on said ferry vis driving thru france to north Portugal. Is it just time, (which we have plenty off), or cost.

[Maurice]

mikenali, on 18 June 2011 - 02:26 PM, said:

What is the difference in costs for a 1 way trip on said ferry vis driving thru France to north Portugal. Is it just time, (which we have plenty off), or cost.

We can only comment on what WE have done and found. For you it may be different..

We have done the costings regarding travelling say -- from Calais to the Pyrenees..  with the caravan.. and without the caravan.

With the caravan we would travel approx 1000 km  and say over night on two sites - so the cost of fuel [cheaper in France] plus the toll charges and a couple of over night stops.

We worked out was MORE than taking the car down to the South of France and returning via Bilbao - or returning..... but we would be without our van now as we store it in the Pyrenees. !!!
Now we have decided to travel down to the South from the channel - which ever crossing. and the travel back via Spain Bilbao or Santander.
Even comming home via the chanle would require a couple of overnights [for us any way] in a motel or such like at about €78 per night. Less fuel of course and lower toll charges.

For us us works out cheaper Calais out -- Bilbao home..

But -- others might find different ant you should do your research etc -- easy on line.

All the bast

Maurice & Mary

[mikenali]

M & M  Thanks but did you read my post before answering?

one way either Pomper-Bilbao    by ferry      OR   Calais to Bilbao driving .  Both with a car and 'van.

[Maurice]

Hi Mike -- the only thing I can do is myOWN costs -- yours will be different - these can only be a guide -

We have just booked to go out on the Cap Finistere - again in August - with the car only -- as our caravan is based in the Pyrenees.

The boat cost for the car only Vehicle and passengers is £319 -- then you add on your own accommodations -- which can be from a reclining seat to a state room.[£56 -- £250 -- for us a two berth outside cabin is £100]
The caravan adds another £80 - 100 on the ticket price depending on size.

We are travelling back from the Pyrenees to Calais in September
-- and intend taking 4 nights. Staying in Campaniles -- a motel chain - at an average cost for the room and breakfast about €60 x 4 €240 or £208
-- then you have your 800 miles of fuel which for us would be about 23 gallons - ~105 L at €1.25 -- €132 or £114. so the trip cost to Calais would be ~~£325
-- but that includes breakfasts - which you have to buy on the boat any way.

The only way to do it is work out YOUR own costs -- and what you want etc.. and add them all up.
So for us the costs are roughly comparable - depending on the accommodations you select on the boat.
Also we love going at least one way on the boat as it is so relaxing..

Maurice & Mary