France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

17togo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123630642#Comment_123630642

Ah great, ye were one of the ones we were cursing in rosslare then! 😁 😂 We were in there nice and early and ended up sitting in the yard for about an hour and a half while every other lane was loaded, even the ones that arrived half an hour before departure! We got on at around half 11.40! 🙄 I think we were the second last lane to go on.

Really smooth crossing alright. The sun deck is great for the sunset and some dolphin spotting!

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123631241#Comment_123631241

It was a lovely crossing. It helped that the weather was so nice because it can be an awful experience in winter but the day flew by and in terms of time spent, if prefer it to heading to Cherbourg and then having a 6-8hr drive ahead of me.

Currently sitting on the balcony of our aparthotel in San Sebastian having a beer and we're here until Wednesday, then heading to Sylvamar.

wassie

Is 'speedy exit' worth booking? Going on WB Yeats and from what Ive read the cars are loaded into a dedicated lane on deck 5 or 7.

Appreciate operationally those lanes may be delayed, but is it possible to miss out on an allocation assuming you have done the right things? I expect there is a no refunds policy in any case

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123631740#Comment_123631740

We've used it in the past and I do believe it's well worth it. So long as you have speedy exit, you're loaded up in a certain section of the ship and get off ahead of everyone else, including the trucks. Passport control can be quite slow at Cherbourg so it means you're hitting the road about 30mins after the boat docks which can make a big difference if you have a 6hr drive ahead of you. You can be on the road up to an hour quicker.

Toots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123629756#Comment_123629756

We sailed on it 2 or 3 years ago from Rosslare to France and as soon as we got on the boat I sent my husband to the restaurant to make a reservation while I brought the kids and bags up to the cabin. There were already about 20 people ahead of him queuing to do the same thing! I wouldn’t have thought to do it at all only my daughter has Autism and doesn’t do queues so I wanted to have a booking so we wouldn’t have to wait for a table. I reckon if we hadn’t made the booking we wouldn’t have gotten a table at all!

I liked the Salamanca but found the public areas were very noisy, which my daughter couldn’t cope with at all, so we ended up just sitting in the cabin, which was a bit cramped. I went to buy access to the Commodore lounge, which was quieter, but it closed at 10pm and it was 8pm when I enquired about it. I was about to go for it anyway, out of desperation, but the staff member on the information desk all but refused to sell me the passes because it was €90 per person and I’d have only had access for 2 hours. The Salamanca only has 2 berth commodore cabins, which wouldn’t work for us, so the following year we did the Pont Aven out of Cork so we had access to the lounge.

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123631740#Comment_123631740

yes. We were put one the ferry first and were sisitting In clubclass an hour and half before departure while everyone else was being loaded on. Then first out on the other

wassie

Duplicate

wassie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123632563#Comment_123632563

Was that included as part of Clubclass purchase?

I ask as the website states that for Clubclass "Priority vehicle boarding on our Irish Sea routes"

i.e. I assume on Dublin and Cherbourg on WB Yeats that you need to purchase Speedy Exit.

Nemanrio

Hi all,

Partner, 1 year old & I are going on our 1st ferry as a family on the Rosslare sailing to Bilbao & have a few questions.

We haven't been to france/Spain camping before.

My partners cousin lives in the Carcassonne/Beziers region, so we are heading to Camping Sandaya Domaine de la Dragonnière. .

Has anyone been? What did ye think?

In general, what the best way to book, i.e., is it cheaper over the phone, through their website, or through a broker like eurocamps?

TIA!

rex_turner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123632811#Comment_123632811

I haven't stayed in that particular campsite so can't give advice on that but I always book directly with the campsite online. You can enter your dates and see what types of accomodation is available. If you are traveling outside of high season it can be a better deal booking premium accomodation as it may include sheets, towels, end of stay cleaning, free high chair, travel cot etc where as these are all extras in the more basic options.

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123632642#Comment_123632642

we purchased the speedy exit as an add-on

airy fairy

Currently in France, getting the pont aven last week, commodore cabin.

Usually we get pastries for breakfast as part of the price. This year asked if we wanted buffet instead.

We resisted, thinking the time limit and crowds would be too much, despite the staff trying their best to persuade us to go buffet instead of room service. .but can anyone tell me what was on offer?

Toots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123633710#Comment_123633710

That happened us too, only we weren’t offered the pastries at all. Cabin steward was just like “your ticket includes buffet breakfast in the restaurant” and off he went. I checked the website and it specifically mentioned drinks/pastries brought to the cabin. Wouldn’t have been too big a deal on the way home but on the way out, the coffee/pastries in the cabin are great for the early start. I rang the concierge thing and just asked could I have the breakfast in the cabin. I didn’t mention anything about the cabin steward saying we had to go for the buffet.

On the way back we were offered a choice, as had been the norm in previous years. Interesting to hear they were pushing the buffet to you. I was wondering was our cabin steward new or something and didn’t realise we were supposed to have a choice.

airy fairy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123633770#Comment_123633770

No, staff definitely pushing the buffet. Saying you've paid for it, it in your ticket price. Now, we've travelled Pont Avon with 25 years, about 18 years getting Commodore, and never ever had we had buffet included in our ticket price. Pastries and drinks have been scaled back since covid too.

I'm convinced they will stop the pastries and deliveries to the cabins and pushing buffets. Their staff has been reduced dramatically since covid too.

Evil_g

Hi folks. We're trying to decide whether to go to Puy du Fou with a five year old and a three year old over the next few days.

I think they'd like the shows, but neither of them would have any patience for queuing of any kind.

Has anyone gone with kids that young? We're happy to skip the more popular attractions if we have to, so with the French kids still at school is it perhaps possible to just mosey into some of the lower bill events? (It looks like the skip the line pass isn't on sale, perhaps because it's not busy enough yet?)

mr_edge_to_you

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123635139#Comment_123635139

The queueing in PdF is mental. Not sure if it would be worth it with kids that young. It's a very intense day. We did it last year, ours were 12 and 9. Our 9 yr old has zero patience and it was a scalding hot day.

Have you looked at or visited Planete Sauvage. That's a great trip and a lot more comfortable.

TrailerBob

We did it this year with our 3 kids, 5, 3 and 9months. It was very busy as it was a public holiday weekend in France, but they really enjoyed it. We just made the best use of the queuing time. For instance we had lunch together while waiting in line for the Vikings show. For me it all depends on your kids and you know them best, but it's definitely do-able if you set yourself up.

I would say though, don't plan on getting to everything, it won't happen.

Nemanrio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123633069#Comment_123633069

Thanks Rex, will do that. Will give them a ring.

tobdom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123626153#Comment_123626153

In Aug 2024, we booked our ferry for early Jun 2025 (cost ~€1100), saving about €300 compared to what we paid for our 2024 trip. Checking dates for 2026 today, with the exact same booking details/cabins etc., it's €250+ more than our 2025 trip (and hundreds more expensive going later into June 2026)…

So it doesn't necessarily pay to book super early. We will wait it out a while and see if they come down a bit in the coming weeks.

Toots

Has anyone stayed at Carnac or Le Grand Dague? I was looking at them for next year but not really sure as I’m not familiar with the areas.

We had thought about Chateau Marais, we stayed a couple of days this year and enjoyed it, but the heat was crazy. The mobile/cabin had air con so that was ok but outside was insane. If there’s another heatwave next year I thought Carnac might not be a bad shout seeing as it’s near the coast. Husband is concerned we might not be “guaranteed” the good weather though. Going on 30th of May for 2 weeks.

Had heard good things about the Dordogne region, so have added Grand Dague to the list.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123638123#Comment_123638123

Rule of thumb is you need to go further south to get the good weather, particularly that early in the summer.

We were in Carnac in July in 22 and it was in the 30s, we went back the following year and it was low 20s, cloud and a fair bit of rain for a few days.

You're usually guaranteed the great weather in the Dordogne or if you head further over near the Mediterranean coast of France.

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123638123#Comment_123638123

I'm heading to Saint Avit Loisirs in the Dordogne at the end of August for two weeks. I'll let you know how I get on. Just the wife and myself so I won't be able to comment on kids clubs etc or kids entertainment.

Toots

Thanks guys! I’m not as fussed about the weather, mid 20s would suit me just fine 🤣 I’m happy to sightsee and TBH cooler weather is better for that, but my husband does enjoy the heat. We did 10 days in Cypsela on the Costa Brava this summer, and then 2 nights in Chateau Marais in Loire Valley on the way back.

We were thinking for 2026 we might just do one place and stay there the full fortnight. I’d happily do Cypsela for the full trip, but we do ferry and car, and it’s a very long drive. Way down is grand because everyone is buzzed for the holiday (although my youngest did start getting ratty for the last hour or so) but it would be a long drive to get from there back to Roscoff in one go on the way home.

peter4918

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123639081#Comment_123639081

Bilbao to Cypsela is 8 hour drive, add a stop in between. We stopped and stayed in Zaragoza a few years back and it a smashing place to visit.

Nemanrio

Has anyone a link to getting an emergency kit/triangle etc.? Don't want to get fleeced.

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123639241#Comment_123639241

About €10 in Mick's Garage.

I dont know

Just back from 10 nights in La Grande Métairie, Carnac, Brittany, France

2x Adults & 3 Kids (7, 5, & 4)

Went on 4th July & home yesterday 15th July

This was just our 2nd EuroCamp holiday, having went to Domaine des Ormes for 7 nights last year.

We sailed Rosslare – Cherbourg on the Stena Vision

I mentioned previously on this thread, the ferry cost us just €955, compared to €1,900+ with Irish Ferries when I booked in April (although this came down to ~€1,300 closer to the time of sailing)

The boat over was very very quiet, maybe that’s just a Thursday? The kids area is much better than the W.B Yeats & the buffet breakfast was pretty good value at around €40 for the 5 of us (4 year old wasn’t charged)

We had a rough sailing home, an issue with my van on the Carnac – Cherbourg trip & spent an absolute age on the M50 yesterday. At the minute, my wife is saying “Never again”

I’m just thinking not that route again as the times of arrival of 14:30 leave you wasting most of a day, whereas the Irish Ferries route has you in before 10am. Also Dublin is much handier to us in Tyrone than Rosslare.

That said, we had a fantastic holiday.

The pools etc were great, the weather was a little too warm for our kids to be honest hitting 33 a few days, which left us only doing a couple of days out to Branféré Zoo (about 50 mins away) and Parc du P'tit Délire which is only about 10 mins away – great forest park/amusements & 2 waterslides & splashpark. The famous Carnac stones are just opposite the campsite & the main tourist beach just a short drive. We did the high wires at the campsite, and also those at the Parc du P'tit Délire. There was also a fantastic trampoline park in the trees at the end of the Zoo.
Kids club & entertainment was all in French, but the kids still seemed to enjoy it. We had a Premium Azure & they were on top of each other compared to what we had last year. There wasn't enough room for my van to fit beside the caravan, so Ihad to park quite a bit away but no big deal.

Heroditas

Just landed in Sylvamar after getting the Bilbao ferry on Friday and a few nights in San Sebastian. The campsite is enormous!!!

wassie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123641746#Comment_123641746

Thanks for the report.

We are off to Domaine des Ormes in August for 8 nights. Any recommendations/tips?

Jerry Atrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123635139#Comment_123635139

You can buy the fast pass 'emotion' ticket to skip worst of queues. We did it this year (no fast pass) and got to all the big outdoor shows. Was a brilliant if tiring day out!