I am afraid you are wrong as i wrote to them and received a full explanation, including the expectation that i should be grateful that brittainy ferries are saving the planet
Brittany Ferries Bilbao, Navigation Times Curiosity
- Thread starter er-minio
- Start date
Still, the new eco ferry takes you back to the UK on a shorter ride (one night at sea) compared to the way south.
Again: exact same boat.
Then, they might be a tad slower than the older ferries as a whole, that I don't know and I do not remember the duration of the previous journeys.
But they can do the trip in less than 36 hours because that is what happens on the way back.
That's what I was asking/curious about, why is there a difference between the two trips with the same boat.
Any piss boiling because they switched to a different type of ferry, allegedly less polluting, it's not the point here.
Again: exact same boat.
Then, they might be a tad slower than the older ferries as a whole, that I don't know and I do not remember the duration of the previous journeys.
But they can do the trip in less than 36 hours because that is what happens on the way back.
That's what I was asking/curious about, why is there a difference between the two trips with the same boat.
Any piss boiling because they switched to a different type of ferry, allegedly less polluting, it's not the point here.
Old ferries were 24 hours
Yes, the new one takes two or three ours more on the way back, just a tad slower. ~27 hours.
This is Bilbao to Portsmouth.
The outbound sailing, Portsmouth to Bilbao, on the same boat, is about 32/33 hours.
This is Bilbao to Portsmouth.
The outbound sailing, Portsmouth to Bilbao, on the same boat, is about 32/33 hours.
I'm sure they are slowing some boats down so to arrive at a decent hour.
Who wants to debunk at 03:00 am
Who wants to debunk at 03:00 am
Probably that's the case, agree.
I have memories of being thrown off the bed at 6am by some crew members punching violently the cabin doors when crossing to Corsica from Genova overnight
Crossing from Civitavecchia is more gentle (and shorter).
I have memories of being thrown off the bed at 6am by some crew members punching violently the cabin doors when crossing to Corsica from Genova overnight
Crossing from Civitavecchia is more gentle (and shorter).
They are slower. Look at the specs.
indeed, the old ship on the route MV Cap Finisterre ran at 28 knots
MV Pont Aven from Plymouth can hit 28 on a good day when all of the engines are actually running.
The new E flexers can manage a heady 22 knots but MV Salamanca is currently doing 17.6kts towards Spain
SALAMANCA, Passenger/Ro-Ro Cargo Ship - Details and current position - IMO 9867592 - VesselFinder
Vessel SALAMANCA (IMO 9867592, MMSI 228408900) is a Passenger/Ro-Ro Cargo Ship built in 2021 and currently sailing under the flag of France.
Yep. 3 hours extra on a 24 our crossing. Not considering weather too.
Again, I was interested in the time difference between the two sailings on the very same boat.
I think dommiek’s explanation might be the most realistic reason.
I get the new boats are overall a bit slower, I don’t mind.
I get some people do not like the ferries being replaced with (again, allegedly) cleaner ones, but that wasn’t the main point
Again, I was interested in the time difference between the two sailings on the very same boat.
I think dommiek’s explanation might be the most realistic reason.
I get the new boats are overall a bit slower, I don’t mind.
I get some people do not like the ferries being replaced with (again, allegedly) cleaner ones, but that wasn’t the main point
Last edited:
It's all relative but the grub on board is reasonably priced. In particular, the three course buffet dinner at (IIRC) 20 Euros is great value as the portions are large. I take large bottles of mineral water on board but otherwise, I buy what's there. It could be a lot worse TBH.
It was interesting to learn that the Pont Aven generally runs on only one of its engines
If you look at the Portsmouth crossings to the northern French ports, they all tend to dock at a similar time in the morning irrespective of the length of the route, so I am sure you are correct.
That's not correct. The return journey from Spain to Portsmouth is still only 26 hours.
We've been on a Portsmouth departure that stopped at Roscoff, and others that didn't stop. Both arrived in Spain at the same time - 08:00 arrival. The once-a-week stoppage is to change crew.
We asked about the slow journey to Spain on one crossing and were told it's because of port availability time. Personally, I don;t mind the longer outward crossing. Taking the Plymouth service, as we did one year, gets you off the boat at 6pm, so there's not really much time to get anywhere that day. I'd rather have an extra night on the boat (saving a night's accommodation in Spain) and arrive in the morning with a whole day on the road ahead.
the Pont Aven sailings from Plymouth leave at 1545 or 1645 and arrive the following day at 1300 or 1400. As you aren't getting dinner before 8pm you can ride quite far e.g. Pamplona or Leon are an easy ride.
Unless you is Doc who gets up at 0300 , has dinner at 1100 and t’tea at 1600 and is in t’bed by 2100.
He’s going to love t’Picos
Don't worry about me I'll be fine. And 10pmUnless you is Doc who gets up at 0300 , has dinner at 1100 and t’tea at 1600 and is in t’bed by 2100.
He’s going to love t’Picos
Agreed, I rode down to Salamanca on my 350 ADV, and got there before 8pm in September 2023.
Similar threads
