Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Ferry to Spain

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> Touring & Exploration
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

HORNETRIDER
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 25 Jan 2017
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:58 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Ferry to Spain Reply with quote

Hi

I am planning a trip to Spain via the Ferry.

To keep the costs down I am thinking of booking a reclining chair over a shared cabin.

I cant imagine getting much sleep either way, does anyone have any experience or advice on the Ferry and costs pls
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

raesewell
Traffic Copper



Joined: 22 Oct 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:07 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think you may find that you can only book with a cabin. It's a 24 hour crossing so for us a cabin is a godsend.
____________________
Yamaha FJR 1300 Normanton West Yorkshire
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

yen_powell
World Chat Champion



Joined: 22 Jun 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:56 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Re: Ferry to Spain Reply with quote

HORNETRIDER wrote:
Hi

I am planning a trip to Spain via the Ferry.

To keep the costs down I am thinking of booking a reclining chair over a shared cabin.

I cant imagine getting much sleep either way, does anyone have any experience or advice on the Ferry and costs pls
Take sandwiches, I seem to remember the on board food is a bit steep. Also don't forget to take them off the bike plus anything else you will want as the vehicle decks are sealed as soon as you set off. I had to buy sea sickness tablets despite having them carefully packed in my bike luggage.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

raesewell
Traffic Copper



Joined: 22 Oct 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 14:57 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why is everyone obsessed with doing things on the cheap, after you've paid a few hundred quid for the return crossing the price of a meal pales into insignificance. Very Happy
____________________
Yamaha FJR 1300 Normanton West Yorkshire
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Dave V4
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 19:36 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm pretty sure the food and drink was quite reasonable, we seemed to demolish a fair bit of it anyway. When we booked for this year we had to book a cabin aswell though. This was with brittany ferries, last time we went there were recliners and it's the same boat, maybe the option has been dropped? There were a few asleep in the bar area last time to lol, curled with their bags.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Scythe
Crazy Courier



Joined: 24 Jul 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:06 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

raesewell wrote:
I think you may find that you can only book with a cabin. It's a 24 hour crossing so for us a cabin is a godsend.


+1

I did this in July and you have to have a cabin. To be honest, you want a cabin to get away from any noise, and if you get seasick (I did on the way back), lying down in the cabin helped and I slept for 9 hours. You will definitely want a cabin.
____________________
2009 Yamaha YBR125 -> 2000 SV650S -> 2005 Kawasaki ZX6R 636
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:13 - 25 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferries are two nights.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

HORNETRIDER
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 25 Jan 2017
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:35 - 26 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scythe wrote:
raesewell wrote:
I think you may find that you can only book with a cabin. It's a 24 hour crossing so for us a cabin is a godsend.


+1

I did this in July and you have to have a cabin. To be honest, you want a cabin to get away from any noise, and if you get seasick (I did on the way back), lying down in the cabin helped and I slept for 9 hours. You will definitely want a cabin.


I think it works out an extra £35 for a shared cabin so probably worth it then.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Peirre oBollox
Could Be A Chat Bot



Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:11 - 29 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

raesewell wrote:
Why is everyone obsessed with doing things on the cheap, after you've paid a few hundred quid for the return crossing the price of a meal pales into insignificance. Very Happy

peoples obsession with saving money amuses me, what next? pushing the bike to save fuel? its a holiday not an endurance test. Rolling Eyes
____________________
I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Billy Balthorpe
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 01:11 - 18 Feb 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always booked a cabin on overnight ferries, but one time, my brother and me, decided to do it on the cheap and book a recliner. We were sat in the bar having a few pints and I decided to go and have a look at our "Accommodation", they looked like airplane seats and didn't really recline that far. We spent the night on the floor of the bar, at least you could lie flat. The only down side was that they didn't turn the lights off and they played music all bloody night.
____________________
M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Polarbear
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 02:19 - 18 Feb 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ste wrote:
Some of the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferries are two nights.


Just the ferry that departs on Sunday is a 2 nighter. Used to be all the P&O ferries but they closed a while ago. Only Brittany ferries now.

I liked getting the P&O 2 night ferry, it was a fun start to any trip. Tacky on board entertainment, a casino, lots of bars. A good way to start a holiday Laughing
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Billy Balthorpe
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 03:20 - 18 Feb 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Polarbear wrote:
Ste wrote:
Some of the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferries are two nights.


Just the ferry that departs on Sunday is a 2 nighter. Used to be all the P&O ferries but they closed a while ago. Only Brittany ferries now.

I liked getting the P&O 2 night ferry, it was a fun start to any trip. Tacky on board entertainment, a casino, lots of bars. A good way to start a holiday Laughing


Had some good times on that boat, 2 for one pints of lager all day, 48 cans of Stella in the cabin for when it wasn't happy hour. Lying around in the sun across the Bay of Biscay getting "panda eyes" from the sunglasses. Watching Dolphins playing. Hangovers. Smoking dodgy roll ups down wind. Being the last ones off the boat by 20 minutes. Good times!
____________________
M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:53 - 19 Feb 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've done both. 20 years ago in a recliner but once and once only - saw a 'sleep drunk' get up and piss in the aisles - pretty sure he didn't know where the heck he was. After that (due to no sleep rather than piss incident)I chose a cabin, really it's worth it and I'm quite mean. Also the Brittany ferries grub is excellent even the tourist class restaurant is/was top notch - French you see. There'd be a riot if they had to eat the P&O swill.

Also I once wanted to book foot passengers only (wife & self) only to discover it's cheaper to book bike rider and pillion - very odd.
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Itchy
Super Spammer



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:55 - 19 Feb 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Last time I took the Plymouth Santander ferry I was rudely awoken by a man who kicked me in the head because he wanted his seat.

In theory the recliner seats should be great.

In reality the seats have very strong springs so they always try and sit you up. So most people sleep on the floor.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

ocatoro
World Chat Champion



Joined: 06 Sep 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:25 - 10 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

people's obsession with saving money is just due to the ferry being one of, if not the largest expense of the trip. you could do the dunkirk ferry crossing, and ride down over a couple of days including a couple of hotels along the way, and still save about half the cost of the ferry. that only works if you have an extra couple of days at each end of the trip though, obviously.

how much are people paying? it's something i'm interested in, but whenever I've tried to price it, the cheapest the ferry to spain was costing was the best part of £400...
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None Sad but shed project H100 (first bike Smile )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Itchy
Super Spammer



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 21:27 - 10 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

ocatoro wrote:


how much are people paying? it's something i'm interested in, but whenever I've tried to price it, the cheapest the ferry to spain was costing was the best part of £400...


Meh when I was a boy it was £120 on the ferry out and £95 on the way back.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

ocatoro
World Chat Champion



Joined: 06 Sep 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:22 - 10 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Itchy wrote:


Meh when I was a boy it was £120 on the ferry out and £95 on the way back.


that's not terrible. i've done the dunkirk ferry in the car loads of times for £28 return though, so I find it hard to justify the extra in my head
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None Sad but shed project H100 (first bike Smile )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Scythe
Crazy Courier



Joined: 24 Jul 2010
Karma :

PostPosted: 22:41 - 10 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

HORNETRIDER wrote:
Scythe wrote:


+1

I did this in July and you have to have a cabin. To be honest, you want a cabin to get away from any noise, and if you get seasick (I did on the way back), lying down in the cabin helped and I slept for 9 hours. You will definitely want a cabin.


I think it works out an extra £35 for a shared cabin so probably worth it then.


Yes it wasn't a lot, I shared with a friend. Plus at least you have a locked room to store all of your bike stuff and luggage.
____________________
2009 Yamaha YBR125 -> 2000 SV650S -> 2005 Kawasaki ZX6R 636
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Itchy
Super Spammer



Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Karma :

PostPosted: 23:39 - 10 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

ocatoro wrote:


that's not terrible. i've done the dunkirk ferry in the car loads of times for £28 return though, so I find it hard to justify the extra in my head


I was a boy 10 years ago Very Happy wait...... Sad
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Dave V4
Nitrous Nuisance



Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:59 - 11 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

paid £370 each with 2 bikes and a cabin this year for the Santander-Plymouth crossing(return) it works a little cheaper than riding down once you take in fuel and hotels but at least your fresh when you get there and you haven't got the long boring slog to get home either.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
Karma :

PostPosted: 10:06 - 11 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Billy Balthorpe wrote:
Had some good times on that boat, 2 for one pints of lager all day, 48 cans of Stella in the cabin for when it wasn't happy hour. Lying around in the sun across the Bay of Biscay getting "panda eyes" from the sunglasses. Watching Dolphins playing. Hangovers. Smoking dodgy roll ups down wind. Being the last ones off the boat by 20 minutes. Good times!

Sounds very similar to what we did although we took some massive pizza hut pizzas to avoid expensive ferry food. Razz

Although we were much less subtle with the stinky roll ups.

It was great apart from the ferry ending up leaving late, something about essential steel works or something along those lines which was a bit errr wtf I hope we do make it to Spain. Laughing
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Alpineandy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Mar 2015
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:52 - 11 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Peirre oBollox wrote:
raesewell wrote:
Why is everyone obsessed with doing things on the cheap, after you've paid a few hundred quid for the return crossing the price of a meal pales into insignificance. Very Happy

peoples obsession with saving money amuses me, what next? pushing the bike to save fuel? its a holiday not an endurance test. Rolling Eyes

Different people have different budgets...
____________________
The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

ocatoro
World Chat Champion



Joined: 06 Sep 2012
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:22 - 13 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Itchy wrote:
ocatoro wrote:


that's not terrible. i've done the dunkirk ferry in the car loads of times for £28 return though, so I find it hard to justify the extra in my head


I was a boy 10 years ago Very Happy wait...... Sad


i'm talking 2015 and 2016...
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None Sad but shed project H100 (first bike Smile )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 6 years, 351 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> Touring & Exploration All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.17 Sec - Server Load: 0.51 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 129.49 Kb