Brittany Ferries to Spain with kids: Cabins or Seats?

Amouar

Hi,

I'm considering going to Spain this December and I'm thinking about taking the car in a ferry for the first time. We're a 2 adults 2 kids family, and when looking at the prices of the cabins, they cost 134 euros each way compared to 48 euros for the seats.

For those of you who did this trip in the past, would you say that cabins are a must with kids, or are the seats comfortable enough to sleep? The crossing will be done via the Salamanca ship which appears to be a new ship and has reclining seats.

Thanks

HorseSea

What ages are the kids and how many? If they are old enough seats might be ok but I think a cabin would be more comfortable for you all. No experience of this trip, just my suggestion.

Amouar

Kids are 9 and 5 years old. Thanks

AMKC

I have never done this trip but did travel Roslare to Cherbourg in France and that was a 20 hour journey and I can tell you I was glad to have a cabin for security of your property on you as well its worth it.

kindalen

Get the cabin. Totally worth it.

mondeoman72

Get the cabin. I did the old Rosslare to St Nazarre when it was running. Being able to close the door and have a little space was superb.

rustynutz

I'm assuming this is around 30 - 35 hours as you are travelling to Spain? I would definitely go with the cabin, even without kids. Its great to have somewhere to keep your belonging safe and also for a good night's sleep

suilegorma

Without a doubt get the cabins. We did this trip in the summer & it would have been awful without the cabin. Even just for one night sleeping on chairs would be impossible for kids that age I think.

Borzoi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119748979#Comment_119748979

get the cabin. it will be hard enough to get them to sleep with the novelty of the boat. you wont have a chance in sleeper seats. the €100 difference is a small price to pay to avoid a day of complete misery all round

Bicyclette

Advantages of the cabin:

You will have bed linen and pillows and privacy

You can control the lighting

Your own TV

No sharing the bathrooms and you can have a shower

You can save the price of the cabin by bringing a travel kettle and your own food and having breakfast in your cabin

If the boat is any way rough, you will need the space as well.

ASOT

I drove my car to Spain back in April on he economy ship, 27 hours to Bilbao and had a cabin. I'd go with the cabin without a doubt.

I was my first time ever on a boat and it was decent, got to watch the UFC and the premiership.

Amouar

Looks like the cabin is a must then. Thanks everyone!

John_Rambo

I've done the Dublin to France trip with kids a good few times and I wouldn't consider not having a cabin even if I was on my own.

ted1

Cabin all the way. You’ll sleep well, you won’t sleep well in a seat. And yourself and the kids will be turned for a few days.

beggars_bush

Go with seats and let us know how it goes!

_ptashek_

I've done the Ireland/France route many times, which is shorter than the Ireland/Spain route by a good amount.

Took the recliner option only once, and travelling on my own. Came off completely chewed out in France.

Get the cabin if cost is not an issue.

fdevine

+1 for cabin having had a similar, or worse, experience to posters above. Overnight endurance test on the France route after deciding seats would be grand. Seats were not grand. Our smaller child at the time wasn't able to recline the seat on their own. There were students and backpackers on every available square inch of floor so had to dodge them to move anywhere and some manky ba5tatd stuck his shoeless smelly feet on the armrest from behind us. Never again.

endofrainbow

It would be beyond cruel not to get a cabin.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058267623/brittany-ferries-to-spain-with-kids-cabins-or-seats

I would say that under no circumstances to go with seats. It’s 28 or 33 hours depending on whether it’s Weds or Fri. Next to impossible, I would expect, to do that with 2 kids. Also, I thought the Salamanca had been pushed back to early next year and that the Connemara is still doing that route? I took Connemara in June, it’s definitely basic. The seats were all in one small room and I cannot imagine having been in it for more than a few hours.

Poochie05

Salamanca is on the route today

beggars_bush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119822417#Comment_119822417

??

gaillimh

Is the Salamanca a decent ship?

Poochie05

Yes the Salamanca is one of their cruise ferries, replacing the Connemara on the Rosslare Bilbao route.

I was replying to the poster above mine who was wondering if the Salamanca had been pushed back to early next year and if the Connemara is still doing that route.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/1102/1332739-brittany-ferries-lg-ship/

gabbo is coming

Hi, can anyone recommend a big campsite near Bilbao? Used to Les Ormes scale!

Feidhlim

Nobody mentioning the fact that you will be driving in a foreign country the next day, absolutely wrecked, if you book a seat only.

Cabins are not only a must, when I went with Irish Ferries I actually had a better night sleep than I would at home. Class.