Cork to Santander Ferry starting April 2018

First Up · 17-07-2018 9:15am

Juggler101 wrote: »

to be fair, I never understood the Irish Ferries crush to get to the car decks either... until this year! This summer we had the caravan on board, and you are the first people off the boat. As soon as they open the lifts/stairwells, you've got to load up kids, bags etc, get caravan and car ready to go and then you're off. If not, you're holding up everyone else on the boat.

What's all the talk about the Stena ramp and 'not for the faint hearted'?? I'm getting a bit freaked out :eek: Are ye actually talking about a Stena ship, or the Brittany Ferries Cork - Santander boat?

I was talking about the ramp on the Stena ship; the Brittany Ferries boat looks a similar design but that would need to be confirmed.

But don't worry; if you have a caravan you won't be asked to go up the ramp!

First Up · 17-07-2018 9:17am

Juggler101 wrote: »

to be fair, I never understood the Irish Ferries crush to get to the car decks either... until this year! This summer we had the caravan on board, and you are the first people off the boat. As soon as they open the lifts/stairwells, you've got to load up kids, bags etc, get caravan and car ready to go and then you're off. If not, you're holding up everyone else on the boat.

What's all the talk about the Stena ramp and 'not for the faint hearted'?? I'm getting a bit freaked out :eek: Are ye actually talking about a Stena ship, or the Brittany Ferries Cork - Santander boat?

Fair enough if you are loading a caravan but there's no need for everyone else to block your way.

I was talking about the ramp on the Stena ship; the Brittany Ferries boat looks a similar design but that would need to be confirmed.

But don't worry; if you have a caravan you won't be asked to go up the ramp!

Watergirl4 · 17-07-2018 9:24am

I have just returned from a holiday on the northern spanish coast near Santander - we flew into Santander and hired a car, but a lot of people staying close to us had taken the ferry. I was just curious as to the benefits of taking the ferry vs flying and hiring a car - we are about the same distance from Dublin Airport as the Cork Ferry Port, but a few holiday makers that we met had driven from Dublin to Cork to get on the ferry.

We love holidaying around the Northern Coast so just looking for some perspectives from those who take ferry over flying. Flights to Santander are fairly reasonable for a family.

Those staying near us were positive about the ferry experience but weren't sure they could justify the length of time on the ferry just to have their own car at the other side.

Thanks

WG

the beer revolu · 17-07-2018 10:20am

Watergirl4 wrote: »

I have just returned from a holiday on the northern spanish coast near Santander - we flew into Santander and hired a car, but a lot of people staying close to us had taken the ferry. I was just curious as to the benefits of taking the ferry vs flying and hiring a car - we are about the same distance from Dublin Airport as the Cork Ferry Port, but a few holiday makers that we met had driven from Dublin to Cork to get on the ferry.

We love holidaying around the Northern Coast so just looking for some perspectives from those who take ferry over flying. Flights to Santander are fairly reasonable for a family.

Those staying near us were positive about the ferry experience but weren't sure they could justify the length of time on the ferry just to have their own car at the other side.

Thanks

WG

I think unlimited luggage is the appeal - especially if you have kids.
Room for all the Barry's tea bags and rashers!

hometruths · 17-07-2018 10:23am

the beer revolu wrote: »

I think unlimited luggage is the appeal - especially if you have kids.

Yep thats it for us. Our kids are still at the age where they have a raft of accompanying paraphernalia, prams etc.

Plus we go for at least 4 weeks so convenience of own car and cost of car hire come into play.

Juggler101 · 17-07-2018 10:26am

Watergirl4 wrote: »

I have just returned from a holiday on the northern spanish coast near Santander - we flew into Santander and hired a car, but a lot of people staying close to us had taken the ferry. I was just curious as to the benefits of taking the ferry vs flying and hiring a car - we are about the same distance from Dublin Airport as the Cork Ferry Port, but a few holiday makers that we met had driven from Dublin to Cork to get on the ferry.

/QUOTE]

For me the benefit is for touring with my car/caravan, as opposed to getting to spain and staying in a resort for 2 weeks. My plan would be to get ferry to spain, then tour from there up to north france, then get the ferry home to Ireland from there.

Water John · 17-07-2018 10:51am

It really is another great option opening up. The more the merrier and the ferry seems to be of a quite adequate standard.
It must be a real boon for the lorry drivers able to drive off and reach a good part of Spain.

Cyclepath · 17-07-2018 11:51am

the beer revolu wrote: »

I think unlimited luggage is the appeal - especially if you have kids.
Room for all the Barry's tea bags and rashers!

And more importantly, room for loads of Wine and Serrano Ham on the way back. I'd be sticking the kids on a Ryanair flight and filling their seats with cases of wine

the beer revolu · 17-07-2018 12:48pm

Cyclepath wrote: »

And more importantly, room for loads of Wine and Serrano Ham on the way back. I'd be sticking the kids on a Ryanair flight and filling their seats with cases of wine

Of course! Forgot about that perk.

Watergirl4 · 17-07-2018 2:07pm

Juggler101 wrote: »

Watergirl4 wrote: »

I have just returned from a holiday on the northern spanish coast near Santander - we flew into Santander and hired a car, but a lot of people staying close to us had taken the ferry. I was just curious as to the benefits of taking the ferry vs flying and hiring a car - we are about the same distance from Dublin Airport as the Cork Ferry Port, but a few holiday makers that we met had driven from Dublin to Cork to get on the ferry.

/QUOTE]

For me the benefit is for touring with my car/caravan, as opposed to getting to spain and staying in a resort for 2 weeks. My plan would be to get ferry to spain, then tour from there up to north france, then get the ferry home to Ireland from there.

I can totally understand that as you are going for 4 weeks and moving around a lot...I was just wondering were we missing some advantage that the people next to us accommodation wise had by having their own car and an 11 day stay like us.

We didn't travel light by plane either (car seats, buggy, loads of bags)so we might think about travelling back through France next year - it was an option we hadn't considered...but we should be buggy free next year and our children are getting older.

judgefoozle · 12-08-2018 8:06pm

Great reading the reviews about this route - thanks to all who posted then.

We're thinking of making a change from our usual France holiday and trying Spain for 2019.

From a quick search online, there's not as many campsites on the Northern Spain coast with decent waterslides/pools? Especially compared to what's all over France.

Any pointers for mobile home campsites - with waterslides - within 2/3 hour drive of Santander port?

Galego · 13-08-2018 12:34pm

I dont know any in the northern coast of Spain. I'd say you will need to go into Santander or a "Parque Aquiatico" for that sort of waterslides. Many (or all) of the camps have pools though. Some will have one (or few) slides.
Camp sites in the northern spain tend to be relatively small and all about the beach where they are closer to and activities with the nature, animals, etc. It is a different type of holiday experience what northern spain offers. You may want to try one year and then be able to compare which one suits you best.
For mega camps with all those fancy waterslides you may need to drive to Costa Brava.
All the best in your research,

Watergirl4 · 13-08-2018 12:48pm

Hi

I would agree with Galego. We have only stayed on a campsite once and that was this year - we have been to Costa Verde before. I noticed from looking on the Euroc%mp website that the site in Noja didn't have the slides etc but for me the access to the beach and the natural resources were more what we were looking for.

There were 3 pools in Playa Joyel - we went to them for about 1-2 hours 4 times over our 11 day stay - I much prefer the beach. There were loads of beach activities - kayaking and surf lessons - some of my children are a little young for surf lessons but love playing on the beach.

Play Joyel is on a nature reserve and has its own animal park which can be visited a few times per week but the big plus is the beach. I think if you value the waterslides, you may need to travel to another part of Spain or perhaps up the French coast from Santander.

I don't have experience of the waterslides to compare it to so advice from someone who has been to both is probably what you really need.

hometruths · 15-08-2018 10:10pm

Reporting live from the Connemara! I have to say it is pretty good. Certainly the cabins are much better than those in the Irish ferries to roscoff and Brittany ferries ex Portsmouth that I have taken before.

The rest of the ship is pretty basic but functional. It is no frills but certainly not down at heel.

So far, so good.

First Up · 16-08-2018 9:44am

schmittel wrote: »

Reporting live from the Connemara! I have to say it is pretty good. Certainly the cabins are much better than those in the Irish ferries to roscoff and Brittany ferries ex Portsmouth that I have taken before.

The rest of the ship is pretty basic but functional. It is no frills but certainly not down at heel.

So far, so good.

Good to hear.
As a matter of interest, which class of cabin on the Oscar Wilde are you comparing it with?

Harika · 16-08-2018 9:46am

And how full is it?

hometruths · 16-08-2018 6:09pm

First Up wrote: »

Good to hear.
As a matter of interest, which class of cabin on the Oscar Wilde are you comparing it with?

Inside 4 berth - same as I always book.

hometruths · 16-08-2018 6:11pm

Harika wrote: »

And how full is it?

It was worryingly quiet. Worrying from the point of view that I hope they keep the route, but of course the fact it was not jammers probably made the crossing more pleasant.

hometruths · 16-08-2018 6:22pm

Only getting back to this thread now because the onboard free wifi was rubbish! But having done the whole journey that would be my only complaint.

It was brilliant. From the point of view of a family travelling to southern Spain it is a game changer and I hope it is very successful.

I think the whole no frills thing has been over egged by the company themselves. They advertise it with warnings as if it is a cattle ship, and before booking you have to accept a disclaimer that you are accepting steerage class. It is nothing of the sort.

The reality is if you are viewing the ferry trip as a necessary part of the journey as an alternative to driving through France this route wins hands down on every consideration.

There may be some less easily convinced because they view the ferry trip as part of the holiday itself and need clowns for the kids etc but for us this ferry is a godsend.

blackbird 49 · 16-08-2018 6:35pm

schmittel wrote: »

Only getting back to this thread now because the onboard free wifi was rubbish! But having done the whole journey that would be my only complaint.

It was brilliant. From the point of view of a family travelling to southern Spain it is a game changer and I hope it is very successful.

I think the whole no frills thing has been over egged by the company themselves. They advertise it with warnings as if it is a cattle ship, and before booking you have to accept a disclaimer that you are accepting steerage class. It is nothing of the sort.

The reality is if you are viewing the ferry trip as a necessary part of the journey as an alternative to driving through France this route wins hands down on every consideration.

There may be some less easily convinced because they view the ferry trip as part of the holiday itself and need clowns for the kids etc but for us this ferry is a godsend.

Just wondering is there a bar or cafe or coffee machine aboard, hopefully might get going next year, and will know what supplies to bring, thanks

Tigerandahalf · 16-08-2018 7:39pm

A journey down to the south of Spain or Portugal would be about 12 hours. That is a lot of time to add onto the ferry journey.
You would want to be going for at least 3 weeks.

Just checked google maps. About 9.5 hrs without stop to the Algarve or Malaga.
I guess you could take an hour break. I think you would probably need a 2nd driver. Not ideal for your back but if you really need the car/fear of flying/kids with special needs it is an option.

It could be a good option for people who spend the winter in the sun, though the car insurance might be an issue.

hometruths · 16-08-2018 8:12pm

blackbird 49 wrote: »

Just wondering is there a bar or cafe or coffee machine aboard, hopefully might get going next year, and will know what supplies to bring, thanks

Yep full bar open all day. Restaurant/cafe open meal times. Coffee is a lot better from the bar than the restaurant!

Tigerandahalf · 16-08-2018 9:31pm

schmittel wrote: »

Yep full bar open all day. Restaurant/cafe open meal times. Coffee is a lot better from the bar than the restaurant!

How are people putting down the time on the ferry? Reading, walking about, watching tablets?

Water John · 16-08-2018 10:00pm

I think Tiger you're addressing concerns of people who wont be using it re: Algarve and Malaga.

hometruths · 16-08-2018 10:06pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

How are people putting down the time on the ferry? Reading, walking about, watching tablets?

Old fashioned board games believe it or not. I have never seen so many parents playing games with their kids.

A lot of books with real pages as well. Relics of a bygone era!

And people were talking to each other as well!

It was quite refreshing to see a group of people without their heads buried in a phone/tablet.

54and56 · 21-08-2018 2:54pm

We typically do the Dublin -> Rosslare drive then ferry to Roscoff/Cherbourg and then drive 760km down through Rennes -> Nantes -> Niort -> Bordeaux to our destination near Mimizan. From leaving the ferry to unpacking with one lunch break and one coffee stop it takes between 9 and 10 hours plus a full tank of diesel (€120 or so) and about €50 in toll charges which I know can be avoided if you don't value the time saving/ease of motorway driving.

As we go for 3 weeks I'm thinking of trying out the Santander ferry. We used the LD ferry a few years ago and apart from it being a serious bargain (something like €200 one way for a 4X4 and a 4 person outside cabin) it meant we had a relatively short journey from the ferry and arrived much fresher having avoided the big drive down through France.

Has anyone here used the Santander ferry and then driven back up towards Bordeaux as their holiday destination? Google maps is telling me the drive from Santander to Mimizan would be about 360km and 4 hours if done in a single stint which would be doable although a quick coffee/toilet break might be needed.

When we do our usual Rosslare -> Roscoff journey we can leave Dublin @ 11am Friday morning, get to Rosslare in time for a nice relaxing lunch, depart @ 16:00 or so and arrive Mimizan Saturday evening around 20:30 after the big drive.

The Friday night Cork -> Santander ferry wouldn't get us into Santander until 8am Sunday morning and we'd arrive at our holiday destination circa 13:00 all going well with diembarcation, border crossing (is it seamless a la northern Ireland?) and coffee stops etc

I'd have no problem with the "no frills" ferry as I believe it is similar to the Epsilion and the LD Lines ferry both of which had IMHO much more comfortable beds than the Oscar Wilde and we don't have young kids (17 and 13) so we've outgrown the face painting etc but much as I'd prefer a 5 hour drive to a 10 drive I'm not sure it's worth an extra night on a ferry and one less day (more or less) at the start and end of the holiday.

Any thoughts from someone who has tried similar? Was the trade off worth it? I'm veering towards "No".

Carawaystick · 27-08-2018 9:48pm

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

The Friday night Cork -> Santander ferry wouldn't get us into Santander until 8am Sunday morning and we'd arrive at our holiday destination circa 13:00 all going well with diembarcation, border crossing (is it seamless a la northern Ireland?) and coffee stops etc

The border is pretty much seamless, except there's a toll station very shortly over the french side.

Stab*City · 05-09-2018 11:31am

Just back. Ferry is totally fine. Clean. Staff were nice. Would do it again. Also had the dog with us.

ellee · 16-09-2018 10:12pm

Does anyone know if this route is running again in 2019? It’s not available on their website beyond November 2018 atm.

Juggler101 · 17-09-2018 7:30am

ellee wrote: »

Does anyone know if this route is running again in 2019? It’s not available on their website beyond November 2018 atm.

I was on to them a few months ago and they said 2019 dates would be up in September. No sign of them yet though!

roundymac · 18-09-2018 11:03am

Juggler101 wrote: »

I was on to them a few months ago and they said 2019 dates would be up in September. No sign of them yet though!

Waiting for Mrs May to make up her mind.:D

manshay · 20-09-2018 8:16pm

Dates, times and fares for 2019 now available online.

Dublin Mum · 24-09-2018 1:24pm

We've just booked our ferry for summer 2019 now- €1,591 return for 2 adults, 3 children, cabin, large Motorhome sailing out in July returning August. Delighted with that price as it was coming in dearer when we priced it for this year (had already booked France).

We've done the Rosslare to Cherbourg crossing with Stena Line (and previously Celtic Link) for the last 8 years and find the ferry very relaxing, it's the start of our holiday. I'm sure we'll have no problem with the additional 10 hours on this one.

First Up · 24-09-2018 1:48pm

Dublin Mum wrote:

We've done the Rosslare to Cherbourg crossing with Stena Line (and previously Celtic Link) for the last 8 years and find the ferry very relaxing, it's the start of our holiday. I'm sure we'll have no problem with the additional 10 hours on this one.

I assume you confirmed you booked the 26 hour sailing and not the 33.

Dublin Mum · 24-09-2018 1:51pm

First Up wrote: »

I assume you confirmed you booked the 26 hour sailing and not the 33.

Yes of course!!

Rhys Essien · 01-10-2018 2:50pm

Very positive blog here from a woman and her family who travelled return on it.

https://pamelacahill.com/2018/09/17/brittany-ferries-cork-santander/

Water John · 01-10-2018 3:37pm

She's a nice writer. I'd say she'd be positive about getting up in the morning. Great attitude to have.

Juggler101 · 01-10-2018 3:54pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Very positive blog here from a woman and her family who travelled return on it.

https://pamelacahill.com/2018/09/17/brittany-ferries-cork-santander/

Great to know there's happy customers out there! Thanks for sharing

Dublin Mum · 01-10-2018 6:18pm

The blog embodies exactly what ferry travel is all about. Relaxing and enjoying it. It's the start and end of the holiday. So different from flying.

snotboogie · 10-12-2018 12:36pm

New winter ferry between Cork and Spain will allow hauliers bypass UK over Brexit fears

The Connemara vessel will now depart Cork on Mondays and Fridays at 11.30pm, arriving in Santander at 8am on Wednesday and Sunday mornings respectively.

Freight figures since the introduction of the new Cork to Santander route have been encouraging with nearly 2,600 freight units carried to date with demand rising significantly in the last month.

First Up · 10-12-2018 12:48pm

snotboogie wrote: »

New winter ferry between Cork and Spain will allow hauliers bypass UK over Brexit fears

The Connemara vessel will now depart Cork on Mondays and Fridays at 11.30pm, arriving in Santander at 8am on Wednesday and Sunday mornings respectively.

Freight figures since the introduction of the new Cork to Santander route have been encouraging with nearly 2,600 freight units carried to date with demand rising significantly in the last month.

Sounds good. The commercial traffic is the main business; private cars/passengers will be a minor part of it.

roundymac · 10-12-2018 12:49pm

That was the whole idea of introducing it. Great that it is continuing but bad from another point of view,,,Brexit is now a reality.

gbob · 10-12-2018 12:54pm

First Up wrote: »

Sounds good. The commercial traffic is the main business; private cars/passengers will be a minor part of it.

Whilst that is very true, the facilities on what is described as an economy sailing are top notch, a small restaurant, a bar, an ensuite cabin, the internet access is the only real area I'd wish to improve, but it's kinda nice being out of touch for two days. I crossed on what was supposed to be the last sailing of the season and I really couldn't find fault with the whole experience. Long may it continue.

First Up · 10-12-2018 1:26pm

gbob wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Sounds good. The commercial traffic is the main business; private cars/passengers will be a minor part of it.

Whilst that is very true, the facilities on what is described as an economy sailing are top notch, a small restaurant, a bar, an ensuite cabin, the internet access is the only real area I'd wish to improve, but it's kinda nice being out of touch for two days. I crossed on what was supposed to be the last sailing of the season and I really couldn't find fault with the whole experience. Long may it continue.

Very similar to the Stena ship that does Rosslare-Cherbourg I think, but 7/8 hours longer. That one is OK but nicer when not too busy.

Do they park the cars on the open upper deck on the Santander ferry?

gbob · 10-12-2018 1:33pm

First Up wrote: »

Very similar to the Stena ship that does Rosslare-Cherbourg I think, but 7/8 hours longer. That one is OK but nicer when not too busy.

Do they park the cars on the open upper deck on the Santander ferry?

They do, not much space for upper deck parking, and my car was so heavily loaded it wouldn't have made it up.

First Up · 10-12-2018 6:44pm

gbob wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

Very similar to the Stena ship that does Rosslare-Cherbourg I think, but 7/8 hours longer. That one is OK but nicer when not too busy.

Do they park the cars on the open upper deck on the Santander ferry?

They do, not much space for upper deck parking, and my car was so heavily loaded it wouldn't have made it up.

I assume they let you stay on the lower level?

Widdensushi · 10-12-2018 7:33pm

I presume it is advisable to wash your car after that journey,can you buy a ticket to keep your car inside.

gbob · 10-12-2018 9:39pm

First Up wrote: »

I assume they let you stay on the lower level?

I think you've to park where directed, although it seems the bigger heavier vehicles aren't shoved up to the top deck.

gbob · 10-12-2018 9:42pm

Widdensushi wrote: »

I presume it is advisable to wash your car after that journey,can you buy a ticket to keep your car inside.

It would probably be a good idea to wash that salt air off alright. I'm pretty sure it's not possible to select a preference when booking, I don't recall seeing it when booking.

Dublin Mum · 11-12-2018 10:57am

Larger vehicles are parked lower down. We have a motorhome and have never been put on the top deck. We're always parked with trucks, large vans, motorhomes, campervans and caravans. There is no option to select where you park. Your parking allocation is based on the size of your vehicle (which you confirm when booking). Car wash when you get off the ferry is usually advised.

Cork to Santander Ferry starting April 2018

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