Brittany Ferries - The Gateway to West France (Brittany Ferries)

Member Name: stephen2001

Product:	Brittany Ferries
Date:	21/06/01 (254 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly staff, Lots of facilities

Disadvantages: Long crossing times, Expensive shops and restaurants

If you are wanting to visit Western France or you don't fancy the hustle and bustle of the Kentish ports, then Brittany Ferries is your only real option.

Sailings from Cork, Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth, go to either Caen, Cherbourg, Santander and Roscoff depending on departure port.

I have travelled Portsmouth to Caen and Portsmouth to St. Malo. On both routes, the staff were extremely courteous and helpful and the boats are clean tidy, uncluttered and easy to find your way around on deck. Another nice feature that they have is a map which shows the route which lights up as you cross the Channel so you know exactly where you are in relation to land features.

If you are taking an over-night sailing, you either have to book a reclining seat (£5 each) or a cabin where prices vary between routes. Whichever option you choose, you will be comfortable. If on a day-time sailing don't book a reclining seat as they are open to anyone. On the boats I have been on, the reclining seat rooms both have a couple of TVs complete with Sky TV that you can control. People tend to group around a TV that is showing something that interests them so no 2 tellys are likely to be showing the same thing therefore, there should be something on that will interest you.

Each boat has a selection of resaurants and bars which are on the expensive side. There is a wide selection of shops which again are a bit on the expensive side. On many sailings, a selection of films are played at a very reasonable price which is very useful for wasting some of the long sailing times.

For those wishing to visit Brittany, Normandy and the Loire Valley, this is the best way to cross the Channel and driving times can be kept to a minimum as well.

Summary: