Cheap little excursion to spain (Brittany Ferries)

Member Name: orchid1988

Product:	Brittany Ferries
Date:	05/08/07 (330 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good price for a short trip with friends, relaxation

Disadvantages: the atmosphere is cheap, too short

I have just returned from Brittany Ferries three day mini cruise to Spain and all in all found it quite superb. Years ago (when I was a little girl) whilst visiting family friends in France, I travelled via Brittany Ferries to Roscoff, it was not a particularly pleasant experience: several people were seasick and our cabin was adjacent to what appeared to be a noisy engine room. Therefore I went on the mini cruise expecting fairly little but I was to be pleasantly surprised.

With a price tag of under £100.00 per person, the mini cruise/ mini cruise plus includes a small cabin with bunk beds which are far from uncomfortable (although one might ask for extra pillows), the room also includes a small but adequate ensuite bathroom, with the mini cruise plus meals are also included, there is decent onboard entertainment in the bars, kids entertainment during the day and to top it off a hot circa 4-5 hours midday in Santander.

Obviously if it is Santander you wish to see and not a cruise ship than you are better off flying, 4-5 hours in a port is quite pitiful and there is little which can be done other than a spot of shopping. However it is ideal for bringing back some cheap alcohol and enjoying yourself with other English passengers on the ship (something I personally usually detest but it can be fun).

The crew of the boat are French and are generally very hard working and helpful, indeed I am not sure they get much of a break to sleep, the same staff served breakfast that served lunch and dinner all afternoon and evening. The food was excellent and came in large quantities for all tastes, there are three main places to eat and I used the self service restaurant which was cheap and tasty, I was able to get a large slab of lamb and chips for under 6 pounds and cake for under 2 pounds which was simply delicious. In the morning I went to another small restaurant bar at which I was able to get a pain au chocolat for around 2 pounds but a full fry up is also available for £3.30. There was a more classy restaurant which looked fabulous, the prices were good but enough to scare off a poor student so I did not venture there.

There were three bars I believe, the main one ‘Le Grande Pavois’ had stereotyped pub style entertainment till the early hours of the morning and the piano bar contained a student pianist playing popular melodies of the thirties giving the bar both a dated and pleasant feel (quite continental). The final bar was the swimming pool bar, which surprise surprise contained a swimming pool in the centre which is great for kids and for adults who lack inhibition. There is kiddies entertainment in this area all day which the adults can watch from afar with a drink in hand, most interestingly this includes French lessons.

On the upper level the sun decks are accessible which are pleasant on sunny days, there are many chairs and benches for sitting on with books and this was possibly my favourite place on the ship, where I sat curled fairly undisturbed with a Malibu & coke in one hand and Hemingway in the other.

The duty free shop sells classic cheap trash along with the usual cheap alcohol and tobacco, it is not great for picking up presents unless you want a model of Brittany Ferries but is good for contraband goods.

I did enjoy this trip, although it is not my usual cup of tea as I prefer to spend money on seeing a place rather than the journey. However it is great if money is limited or if you’d rather relax and party with people of your own language.

Summary: Good minibreak but not good for seeing Spain