Dogs on Portsmouth to Santander Ferry
We are taking our two dogs on the Portsmouth to Santamder Ferry for the first time. We are booked in a pet friendly cabin.Has anybody who has used this service any advice or comments.
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you dont say when you are going, dog friendly cabins are good and there is a good dog excercising area provided the weather is ok. The kennels that they provide can be a bit traumatic, have stopped using that crossing which takes 24 hrs, to a much better for dog, 5 hrs Poole - Cherbourg or Portsmouth _ Caern, good luck,
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Ron, there are four or five different ships on that route throughout the year, with different timings and different levels on facilities on board. Some are fairly spartan and may take 32 hours, with little to do on board but sit in your cabin with your dogs. Others go more quickly and offer a higher level of service if you feel your dogs can be left alone while you go to the restaurant or to watch a film or the live entertainment.
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i thought there was only 1 Brittany Ferries vessel that had dog friendly cabins on that route, Cape Finistere, but not checked so could be wrong. It is one of the older vessels but facilities are acceptable and if you are going direct Portsmouth - Santander I believe it is only 24 hours, have done it twice.. concern for me would be time of travel, this week the weather is horrendous and many ferries cxld or delayed.
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Three of the slower Economy ships - Baie de Seine, Connemara and Etretat - are listed on the Portsmouth /Santander timetable, with one replacing another at different times during the year and all those three have dog cabins as well as the full fat, full price, fast speed Cap Finistere.
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good to know, but 32 hrs ughhh!!, would only take that route again if i could book lastminute.com when i was sure of the weather conditions, have experience of the Bay of Biscay dating back to 1964, memorable.
but dont let me put you off Ron, my last trip was perfect, blue skies calm seas, out early March returned mid June, now doing some touring in France on return leg hence Cherbourg and this year Caen.0 -
It's certainly 32 hours on Cap Finistere on the Sunday night departure from Portsmouth to Bilbao - because that includes a stopover at Roscoff for a change of crew. So that sailing means spending a full day and two nights on board the ship.
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Hi, Ron,
Here’s a link to Brittany Ferries enthusiasts webpage regarding dogs on the Cap Finistere ferry. It’s a bit out of date, but will give you an idea of what it’s like.
We no longer have a dog, but I always chat with dogs and their owners when waiting for the ferry and have heard no complaints.
BF enthusiasts website is always worth a glance, some really diverse topics on there. Everything from the paintwork on funnels to the shape of the bread rolls in the self service. I jest not!
https://bfenthusiasts.com/bfe/topic/5844-dogs-amp-pet-friendly-cabins-on-cap-finistere/0 -
We have used this service many times, be it to Santander or Bilbao. We have taken the Cap Finistere on most crossings. As the previous posting says, the dog cabins on the Cap F are on Deck 9 and the dog exercise deck is one level up. The floors in the cabin are vinyl so no problems in the case of accidents. It is easy to get to the exercise area - just a trot down the corridor.
We prefer this crossing - as having driven from Yorkshire it allows us to refresh and if your dogs are not so good at being left, the cafeteria on Deck 10 allows you to take a tray to your cabin though have to say that the quality of the food is not michelin star quality. The alternative is a two or three day hike down through France and all those motorway tolls!
Last year we were late in booking and so had to go Portsmouth - Caen on the way out. This was a night crossing but by the time you have got yourself settled and off to sleep, you only get about 5 hours and then it is time to get up. However the access to the cabins on that boat (? Normandy) was a good deal easier than with the CF who ask the driver and passengers to first leave their vehicles and go to the cabin and then they ask you to return to the vehicle to collect your dog (s). The check in staff wanted to see the dog muzzle on checking in - if you don't have one it gets complicated. We did not put it on our spaniel on one trip and were well and truly told off by a crew member.
The dogs enjoy meeting their four legged friends on the dog exercise deck - and yes I recommend that you do take a good book with you into the cabin as there is not a lot to do when on board. We take a laptop and a couple of films to pass away the time - the plugs are all European so don't forget your two to three pin converter!
The Cap Finistere was, I imagine, acquired from a Greek shipping company as most of the notices are in English and Greek as well as French. But we have never had reason to complain except when the crew expected you to make some difficult parking moves which with a 7.5 metre caravan swinging off the back can be a little daunting. But they have always been there to help and guide you.
As for the comments about the Bay of Biscay - well you pays your money and takes your chance! Out of the last 4 crossings we have made on that route - three saw us spending at least 70% of our time on our bunks as the sea state was bad and winds very strong - all pretty bad. But the Cap F is a pretty big boat and there was not too much rolling. If though you are a bad sailor and are unwell in a slight swell then I would recommend you reconsider.
Apologies if I have gone on a little but I hope I have helped - if you have any specific additional questions, don't be afraid to ask.
Happy sailing!!
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Hi like you we are also travelling to Santander from Portsmouth with our dog using a Pet friendly cabin next week. Not having used the Port before I had a look at the entrance. I wonder if anyone could clarify where exactly the entrance for the Santander ferry is. It does not appear to be sign posted.
Many Thanks
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Barry, when you arrive at the ferry port, just follow the Brittany Ferry signs. Then look out for the correct check in lanes for Santander. You can’t go wrong, honest!
Ron, our crossing is just a few days after yours, so please keep the sea nice and flat for us!
Happy travels, all of you 🙂
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Little tip for those travelling with dogs. Like humans, they can and do suffer from motion sickness, (sincerely hope you all have good crossings), but I have heard that ginger can help both humans and dogs, as it has anti sickness properties.......suggest good quality Ginger Biscuits for the doggy chums. Ringtons do superb ones!
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was on the gosport ferry yesterday crossing Portsmouth harbour
all our coast roads were closed, but glad to report that although it is nearly as black as night and raining the wind has dropped and my crossing this morning was OK
and all the IOW ferries are running to schedule.0 -
Barry
As you get into Portsmouth, just follow the signs to car ferries / channel crossing or similar, I cannot remember the exact words but I remember the first time we did it, was not complicated.
When you get to the port - the various crossings and operators will be signposted so you will not face a problem.
Enjoy your crossing. OE
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When you get to Portsmouth, just follow the signs for the car ferries and you will arrive at the "main entrance" to the port. You then just look for Brittany Ferries and the LED "Santander" display sign and join the queue.
I am sure you will have a great crossing!
Oxfordeagle
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