Bay of Biscay

[CandD]

Hi!
Long time listener, first time caller...

We've done France plenty of times, and will continue to do so, be our next trip will be Northern Spain.

We're looking to catch up with my Girlfriends Sister who'll be tackling the Camino Way in September.
I'm keen to save a bit of time, on what will unfortunately be a very brief trip, so that we can maximise our time in the area.

Portsmouth-Santander looks to be the best bet for us, but I've had various people tell me that cancellation rates are high due to the conditions...

Can I ask your experiences, please?
Cancellations?
Times of year?
Went ahead, but very rough?

Thanks for any advice,
Chris & Denise

 

[David and Sally]

Just done it both ways and flat calm. May.
But. I think the winter can get rough.
Maybe BF can advise what their cancellation rates?

 

[Verteuil Man]

Hello and welcome.

The only experience I have had is January and February. Quite a few postponed because of gales etc. Biscay can be either calm or making the boat jump up and down. But that happens then. No info on end of the year but you can look at storm trends over winter to get an idea.

 

[BooBooKing]

We came back from Santander last November. We were emailed by BF the day before to say it was going to be extremely rough and we could cancel for full refund but it was still sailing. It took 2 nights instead of one, and crawled slowly up the side of France. It was very rough, you could feel big drops over waves, and they asked people to stay in cabins if possible. We had our little dog so had to go out on deck regularly-they kept threatening to lock the door to the deck but didn't. We took some travel sickness tablets and slept like logs. I'd be far less nervous of doing it again now. Go for it.

 

[CandD]

Thanks for the responses.
Mixed, but thankfully seem seasonal, which is I guess the best we could hope for.

What are peoples thoughts on Club Voyage?
Is it worth it? Can anyone confirm what the actual discounts are?
I see there are different ones for Spain & France. If I'm more likely to be going to France in the future, would I be better off getting that despite reduced savings?

Sorry for so many questions.
Never done such a far away trip in the Van, let alone via a giant Boat!!!

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[Verteuil Man]

Thanks for the responses.
Mixed, but thankfully seem seasonal, which is I guess the best we could hope for.

What are peoples thoughts on Club Voyage?
Is it worth it? Can anyone confirm what the actual discounts are?
I see there are different ones for Spain & France. If I'm more likely to be going to France in the future, would I be better off getting that despite reduced savings?

Sorry for so many questions.
Never done such a far away trip in the Van, let alone via a giant Boat!!!

Club Voyage comes included with the "Commodore" cabins which are not comparable with the cross channel ferries. If you do not have one of those cabins it was £35 a head. You have access to a lounge at the front of the boat and have all day access to hot and cold drinks, beers but not spirits (they are extra). The food is a sort of buffet with nothing really substantial but as much as you want.

 

[Two Rivers]

On a return sailing this January we were cancelled just a day before sailing, Sailed the next day but it was rough, and I mean rough, people being sick, we managed to hold our dinner down despite people leaving the restaurant to be sick, I guess the thought of bringing up an expensive meal helped us hold it down, there are advantages to being tight.

 

[Rapido925M]

2009:
January - virtually flat calm (UK -Spain)
April - slight swell but enough to stay in bed
May - virtually flat calm (UK -Spain)
July - virtually flat calm

2018:
March - virtually flat calm (Uk -Spain)
April - slightly choppy

P&O Pride of Bilbao had some wonderful photos of waves crashing down on the deck and spraying up to Floor 7. They also carried stories of getting to Bilbao but being unable to dock so having to head back to sea.

Gordon

 

[ShiftZZ]

Couple of days ago, Bay of Biscay

 

[Lagotto]

Hi!
Long time listener, first time caller...

We've done France plenty of times, and will continue to do so, be our next trip will be Northern Spain.

We're looking to catch up with my Girlfriends Sister who'll be tackling the Camino Way in September.
I'm keen to save a bit of time, on what will unfortunately be a very brief trip, so that we can maximise our time in the area.

Portsmouth-Santander looks to be the best bet for us, but I've had various people tell me that cancellation rates are high due to the conditions...

Can I ask your experiences, please?
Cancellations?
Times of year?
Went ahead, but very rough?

Thanks for any advice,
Chris & Denise

Just done a Portsmouth/Santander return over three days, beautiful weather both directions (Santona)

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[h1ghway1]

I had the same calm crossings in March out and June back.

 

[royandsharont]

I would buy the access to the club lounge every time outbound for certain & probably too for the return shorter sailing.

 

[Barryh]

Bay of Biscay yesterday

 

[DT]

Crossed the bay many many times only once had rough seas and the bonus was the restaurant was empty. I am lucky I do not suffer from sea sickness my wife does but takes a tablet way before the event.

 

[AJM2]

Did it last July. Calm has a millpond but boring as hell. Back to driving down this year

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[The Happy Hooker]

We left here on 5th April & returned last Thursday, both crossings were flat calm. We went from Plymouth as I did not want to risk 2 nights of feeling unwell, but all was fine.