When we planned our motorhome tour to Europe, our only fixed points were a Ferry from Portsmouth to St-Malo in France and a return Ferry a few weeks later from Bilbao in Spain.
We travelled with P&O on the old Pride of Bilbao and this particular ship and route was withdrawn by P&O in September 2010.
Boarding for P&O's ferry departure went smoothly- as usual with Ferry crossings- no luggage to worry about weighing, no queues for security, just check the paperwork and get in line.
Sailing with The Pride of Bilbao, it was a 36 hour crossing over the Bay of Biscay - a tricky stretch of sea with variable weather, although the newer ferries now cross in around 24 hours.
On the day we sailed in early October, after the thunderous rain we had experienced for 18 hours or so in San Sebastian, the weather in Bilbao was sunny and calm - this was not to last, however, as we met the poor weather system in the Bay of Biscay, making our transit even slower and longer.
P&O used to market the Pride of Bilbao crossing for passengers as a 3 day "mini-cruise" - when we boarded you could see many an inebriated soul either taking air or sitting in the bar ready for the next round of drinks out of port! This is not necessarily the atmosphere you are looking for if you are traveling with a young family.
However, after a difficult outward sailing to Spain, the return was to prove no easier for these hardy souls and few passengers at all were to be seen in the restaurant, bars or walking around ship once we were in the middle of the storm.
Compared to our experience with Brittany Ferries across the Channel to St Malo, it was very different, the ship was old, dated in its cabins and facilities and showing signs of wear and tear.
However, we did enjoy one screen of the cinema, watching the film "Mamma Mia" for the first time, once I had got used to the screen rising up and down with the sea waves as we headed into the storm.
The ship also had a Jacuzzi and swimming pool, though these were not available on this occasion and a number of restaurants including an a la carte, bars including an Irish bar and a range of cabins to suit the pocket.
If you are looking to cross a similar route between the UK and Spain now, then Brittany Ferries comes to the rescue from Santander or Bilbao to Portsmouth with a time of around 24 hours on board the beautiful Cap Finistere, their newest addition to the fleet so enjoy!
We travelled with P&O on the old Pride of Bilbao and this particular ship and route was withdrawn by P&O in September 2010.
Boarding for P&O's ferry departure went smoothly- as usual with Ferry crossings- no luggage to worry about weighing, no queues for security, just check the paperwork and get in line.
Sailing with The Pride of Bilbao, it was a 36 hour crossing over the Bay of Biscay - a tricky stretch of sea with variable weather, although the newer ferries now cross in around 24 hours.
On the day we sailed in early October, after the thunderous rain we had experienced for 18 hours or so in San Sebastian, the weather in Bilbao was sunny and calm - this was not to last, however, as we met the poor weather system in the Bay of Biscay, making our transit even slower and longer.
P&O used to market the Pride of Bilbao crossing for passengers as a 3 day "mini-cruise" - when we boarded you could see many an inebriated soul either taking air or sitting in the bar ready for the next round of drinks out of port! This is not necessarily the atmosphere you are looking for if you are traveling with a young family.
However, after a difficult outward sailing to Spain, the return was to prove no easier for these hardy souls and few passengers at all were to be seen in the restaurant, bars or walking around ship once we were in the middle of the storm.
Compared to our experience with Brittany Ferries across the Channel to St Malo, it was very different, the ship was old, dated in its cabins and facilities and showing signs of wear and tear.
However, we did enjoy one screen of the cinema, watching the film "Mamma Mia" for the first time, once I had got used to the screen rising up and down with the sea waves as we headed into the storm.
The ship also had a Jacuzzi and swimming pool, though these were not available on this occasion and a number of restaurants including an a la carte, bars including an Irish bar and a range of cabins to suit the pocket.
If you are looking to cross a similar route between the UK and Spain now, then Brittany Ferries comes to the rescue from Santander or Bilbao to Portsmouth with a time of around 24 hours on board the beautiful Cap Finistere, their newest addition to the fleet so enjoy!
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