Brittany Ferries, Pont Aven - Portsmouth to Santander

[@gsxlad]

With shipping , you've just ticked all the boxes for my trilogy of favourite forms of travel. Your videos are well edited , interesting all the way through and great music just sets the mood perfectly. A fantastic job each time ! A huge fan , cheers !

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Matt Major Thanks Matt! 👍🏻

[@VictorySpeedway]

I have traveled from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Portsmouth to Caen. Very relaxing. I tried to picture the harbour absolutely filled with ships on 6/5 - 6/6/44. The ferry on which I traveled wasn't nearly as posh as yours. It was more of a "commuter" craft, but very comfortable. When I arrived at Caen, my rental car was waiting for me, and I spent a week exploring battle sites in Normandy. Wonderful trip it was. Many thanks for all your trip reports. They're wonderful.

[@malo66]

I'm very surprised that you did not show us more of the à la carte restaurant. Whilst the food you showed from the self service restaurants looked very nice indeed, I have always been very impressed by Brittany Ferries' gastronomic choice - definitely up with the first class cuisine that features in your usual reports.

[@brainspin7518]

Good work Paul! Nice to see you change things up a bit with this great and thorough Ferry review. Great to see you living the dream. A perfect example of finding a hobby not a job to earn. inspiring... thx!

[@dospalmascb]

My favourite way to travel to Spain. Deluxe or commodore cabins are fabulous.

[@mikiewifnoe360]

You are much more brave then I. Many years ago we took the ferry from ROSSLARE TO FISHGUARD. Half way over we were stuck in a storm for just over four hours unable to move. It was quite an experience with all the kitchen help screaming " we are all going to die" the cars banging in to one another, well you get the drift... Have not been back on a ship, boat or surf board since. I am glad you are a brave soul as your posts are great. Nice even presentation.

[@ArielCruzPizarro]

What a great video, I was just reading that there were ships between Spain and the UK, I started looking for videos on KZbin and the ship impressed me, it is very nice, very good service. Also the narration and music of the video is very nice, congratulations and thank you very much for the report :)

[@spirishabroad]

Thanks, Paul. My family are all from the north of Spain and seeing the rough sea reminded me of many a summer (and many a seasickness episode too, to be frank!)

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Elena Q Thanks Elena! I'm always impressed at how far flung some of my subscribers are!

[@jeangrice5462]

Thanks again for a great video, Paul. I know this was a while ago, but you seem to be testing all the forms of travel we want to go on and this seems a brilliant way to get to Spain. I'm a bit of a nervous flyer so this seems ideal.

[@dazlebluefrogify]

why not try the Eurostar and tgv train all the way to barcelonaor madrid only need to change in paris

[@barvdw]

Loved rewatching this report, Paul. I'm off to Bergen in Norway, next week, leaving Hirtshals on Fjord Line. I'm afraid it's not as big a boat, though, but then, I can keep gazing at the fjords and islands off Norway.

[@taylorcasanova197]

You just inspired me! I've been meaning to visit family in the UK AND I am dying to go back to Spain, what a perfect combination!!

[@LeeRender1980]

Always nice to vary the content; especially for a more leisurely sojourn.

[@jfbrycn8628]

Great to watch, comprehensive look at the whole trip, really nicely put together. Hope to do this some time soon!

[@HoperehabcenterthailandAsia]

looks great - so many cross channel memories came flooding back

[@rachidajebara6000]

GREAT VIDEO , WAS LAUGHING WHEN I REALISED THIS WAS THE SAME CABIN I WAS IN EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AGO ON THE 5TH SEP FROM SANTANDER TO PLYMOUTH

[@mickeyluv74]

Would love to go to Northern Spain this way. Done London to San Sebastian by Eurostar, TGV and local train but this looks better.

[@donl5941]

Well done. I never realized the ferries were so nice. Thank you.

[@RYNT1157]

Was on it in 2014 Roscoff to Cork in one of the Commodore cabins , fabulous ship.

[@jackirichards8789]

I love Brittany Ferries, we have been on them every year, from Portsmouth to St.Malo or Caen, (over night) to stay in a gite also booked through Brittany Ferries! Good value holiday and Ferries are clean and staff very helpful. We haven't been down to Santander yet! Hoping to do that trip when Covid allows!!

[@mxyzptlyk]

We travel on Pont Aven every year for our motorcycle trip to southern Spain (returning on Cap Finisterre). A colleague of my wife was onboard a few years ago when storms and rough seas and high waves blew out the windows, flooding the ship. She said that she thought that they were going to die, it was so bad. Later, a colleague of mine was relocating from England to her home in Spain at about the same time of year. I told her about my wife's colleague's experience so she emailed Britany Ferries to re-assure her family that the crossing would be safe, given the previous event. She was transporting her horses and her small children and needed reassurance. Britany Ferries replied that they had no record of any such incident.

[@MrGarytc]

That Portsmouth to Santander Brittany ferry looks very appealing. The ferry looks fine and the chips nice and brown just as I like them but just cannot believe how rough those seas were.

[@rufusKSMA]

Gary Cronshaw it’s bay of biscay, put don’t worry, Pont Aven is a vêtu seaworthy ship

[@mrshadow7738]

Benji it can get very rough on the bay of biscay. When I went on once it was at a constant 50 degree angle.

[@andersandersen1870]

Very nice videotour of the ship, it is a pretty good bathroom, reminds of caravans. Thanks for the video :)

[@dr.jamesmontgomerymd4469]

Paul you should do a trip report of you on the Russian night train. 🚂

[@comments6482]

Which one?

[@christopherhunter2892]

Brittany Ferries have some very nice ships. The Pont Aven is often used in the winter for the crossing to St Malo. Nice ferry although my favourite is the much older Bretagne which was built to a higher standard. The food shown is not representative of what you can eat. The restaurants on Brittany Ferries have a very good buffet we’re you can eat as much as you want .

[@joesos]

The St. Malo route is good on that to Portsmouth because there are cabins and you can get some rest. If possible, I reccomend booking a cabin near to a stairwell or lift because they are all letter coded and you will be able to find your cabin easier.

[@2bitrasputin793]

Wow. It's a real cruise ship. Destination looks beautiful.

[@samui007]

It's a ferry

[@ddebenedictis]

@@samui007 "ferry" refers to a ship whose primary function is transportation. "Cruise ship" refers to a ship whose primary function is to provide an experience and pleasant environment. This ship is a bit of both in my opinion.

[@codprawn]

The Cap Finistere is my favourite ship across to Spain. She has a sea kindly motion - much better than the Pont Aven which rolls constantly even in calm weather. Also the Cap has nicer cabins. At the stern the Pont Aven vibrates like mad - I suspect out of balance props or shafts. A cabin at the stern would be hell. The Cap is also better for dog lovers - pet friendly cabins instead of being forced to use kennels and much bigger exercise areas. The food is also better and cheaper. The only advantage of the Pont Aven is better viewing areas - you can get up on the heli deck and watch from the bow.

[@englishmadcow7461]

I miss this view from my high-rise. Condor Clipper my favourite ship!

[@charlotteblack7593]

Nice vid. You got real lucky seeing that Dutch Sub in Portsmouth. It arrived yesterday and left today. Only sub I've seen this year in Portsmouth.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Charlotte Black I was wondering what it was doing there. It was next to (I think) a Dutch frigate.

[@charlotteblack7593]

It was indeed a Dutch Frigate - HNLMS VAN-AMSTEL with the lovely HNLMS BRUINVIS

[@raydenkreps3897]

Paul's Trip Reports how are you able to travel so often

[@tonyhall2772]

I am going to be taking the Pont Aven in September. Sooo looking forward to it!

[@thethailandcelt8394]

Different but very worthwhile, thank you.

[@shaneD7378]

Looks amazing i am hoping to try it next year depending on how things are

[@scottvernon9413]

Wow!!! Much fun.. HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.....

[@nigelpugh3409]

We've travelled this route numerous times, with either"out or return" journey being on the Pont Aven, Have to say that the service from Brittany Ferries has always been excellent, The only way to travel in my opinion,

[@malo66]

At 2:20 you go past great waterside pub "The Still and West"!

[@aeroplod]

The 'Practicos' launch is in no way connected with the 'free pratique' granted to a foreign vessel declared free of contagious disease and clearance by Customs. It simply means 'PILOTS'. The compulsory pilot boards the ship and oversees the safe passage in the port and the docking of the ship. Liked the video. Great ship and always a happy voyage. I'll be back.

[@alanlegg9972]

Yes Bay of Biscay can be a bit lumpy, i recently did a Gijon to St Nazzere now that was full on, crawl on the floor because you going to end up there

[@isopath1]

interesting to see this view of Portsmouth as my mother's forebears were Port after whom the place is named. Sir John Port founder of Repton College was also related to them and us

[@geoffreyhansen8543]

Paul you should do more ferry reviews.

[@misanthate4637]

Yo tengo 38 años,desde bien pequeño cuando paseaba con mis padres porla zona maritima, al verel ferri siempre se exclamaba "mira el ferry!" Es un simbolo ya de santander de todala vida y una perfecta union entre inglaterra y españa

[@johnclauder615]

I note that the food is very english for a french ship !!!

[@howtocookthebasics5080]

OMG that was the cabin I was in last year!!

[@mrdProf42]

What a delightful idea!

[@dorbis9024]

i went onto the mont st michel ferry from portsmouth to caen

[@Toast0808]

8:21 Pont-Aven spelled out in maritime flags, but, you were showing it upside down.

[@crissykafer3392]

Loved this Video!!

[@callingdrwoodrue2339]

Love ferry travel. Wondering if your planning to do a review of Irish ferries. Been sailing with them since I was little. My route is normally Pembroke to rosslair

[@stevexrv750]

Great video and some good info - Thanks

[@iamosiris3254]

You obviously enjoyed the journey Paul...

[@paulwhitear4983]

Enjoyable video. Makes a change to see a ferry crossing. Is the bank originally from their

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Paul Whitear Yes it is, hence the name.

[@matthewrobertson95]

Paul's Trip Reports Learnt something new! :)

[@guimarboy]

You should all try to visit it one of the nicest cities in spain, where the Spanish go on their holidays

[@coastbill]

@@guimarboy Too right! Turn left, so to speak at Santander, and see stunning scenery.

[@tommagic100]

the Pont Aven is the best ever Ferry in my opinion I did a 2 night mini cruise on it over to St Malo last march

[@CS_22]

Cool, will you do like the luxury cruises and the ones with water slides and cinema s and stuff

[@CS_22]

Also what is the point of going on a boat just for a bank xD. Just kidding 😂😄😃

[@emihall3181]

You should try the commador cabins!! Soooooo nicr

[@SeanCBL7]

I’m off to Santander on this ship in three weeks. Hoping for better weather 😂

[@derezzedqb]

Love it I was on one of the ferrys to The Bearmont Cheatu! It was a blast- School trip

[@loveshinealight]

Loving your videos as always Paul. Really interested to see this one most of all. Me and my partner use Brittany Ferries all the time to Caen and St Malo from Portsmouth, and we've always been very impressed with their customer service and the product they supply. I must do this journey myself sometime soon :)

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Ciaran Tuttiett Thanks Ciaran. Hopefully your crossing is a little smoother than mine!

[@loveshinealight]

Paul's Trip Reports - Gosh. I hope so! Lol 😜

[@benbielenberg853]

I took the Pont Aven from Cork to Roscoff brilliant ferry!

[@gabrielapaulinho1luv]

Marvelous video!

[@pat_ross55]

I love pont aven

[@Zakooie]

I don’t really like ferries, but when you go France every year? My route is Dover-Calais or Portsmouth-St Malo with P+O ferries

[@barboror]

Those baked Beans. You must have Help blew the ship to its destination Paul. Cant beat a bit of Methane

[@alexmnblyth]

You need to do a trip report on p&o ferries. If you go on spirit of France, you will meet my mum

[@fbagbey]

Nice change of pace from your flight videos. I don't know Spain--what is the commercial significance of Santander that makes this ferry run worthwhile? Thanks for a very good video.

[@Paul_Lucas]

+Francis Bagbey It's a car ferry, so Santander is really a gateway port for people going on driving holidays to Spain and Portugal. They also sail to Bilbao.

[@spirishabroad]

Francis Bagbey Santander used to be a major town

[@spirishabroad]

Francis Bagbey it also is quite a beautiful one and I'd recommend you go if only for the food 😍😍😍

[@goytabr]

Erik, yes, the largest private bank in Spain is headquartered in Santander and takes the city's name (with international subsidiaries that are also among the largest banks in many other countries all over the world). It's a real multinational financial behemoth. The city of Santander is also an important port, industrial and commercial hub for northern Spain, and the Santander region (Cantabria) has a unique culture worth its own autonomous government. Northern Spain is not as warm and sunny as the Mediterranean coast, but it's by no means uninteresting.

[@richardparis8869]

That’s a great video.

[@englishmadcow7461]

Why didn't we have flat bottom clouds 40+ years ago?

[@scottvernon9413]

Ship may be painfully 90's, but, it sure looks well kept and clean....some ferries in Asia you need to pack your own life saving equipment...

[@ddebenedictis]

It did look good. Personally I don't think 25 years old is that old for a ship anyway, probably it could benefit just from some minor redecorating.

[@elliotrose8836]

Hey Paul, I get quite bad sea sickness but have never been on a boat of this size before. When the sea gets quite choppy what is the movement like on the ship? Friends of mine have just said "well the boat is so big that you can't feel the waves" but at times in the video I thought I could see the boat rocking a bit?

[@keithalexander3386]

The ship is fitted with stabilisers so the roll is reduced, but it still happens. I find it comfortable. Out of season is not the best time to cross the Bay of Biscay.

[@aubsta1]

That was great!

[@Whenitraveltheworld]

Definately a different style of trip report ! Still nice to watch though.

[@fbagbey]

Thanks, Paul

[@zedgie68]

Hi Paul, looked relaxing. Did you stay over or travel back later that day?. Would it be possible to do that?

[@keithalexander3386]

The ferry returns 3 hours later.

[@ivanildagomes7314]

Gostei do passeio! Muito obrigada!

[@kgrimes4934]

Been looking at your videos all week. They are great. Also, Any smart person in management would have given you an upgrade.

[@tinasilver2281]

Try train from Aswan to Cairo. No glass in the windows, no aircon, no food on board but for £12 what do you expect?

[@donn7261]

Anyone notice that "Pont Aven" is upside down? (8:20)

[@ddebenedictis]

A few of us, yes. The letter "N" is the giveaway.

[@chriscarter7148]

Great way to travel

[@jamieukulele]

Was the crossing smooth? I suffer with seasickness, so was wondering if the ship is well stabalised.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Did you even watch the video 😂

[@Camelboy68]

As others have said, great pacing to the vid. No wonder you got an upgrade, there's no one on board..... I think your maritime flags are upside down.....

[@ddebenedictis]

Yes the flag shot is upside down. It took me a moment to sense that, since mostly the flags are vertically symetric.

[@dianasmith1212]

Are you sure this is a ferry and not a cruise ship? 😃

[@BluePhoenix1973]

Ha! Dude, You want to see Toblerone bars, especially GIANT ones come to Canada especially at Christman time...

[@aristv5588]

Paul please flight to santander,great video

[@genesis1765]

Lucky git got a upgrade 😂 i enjoyed this trip myself.

[@Philip02K]

Stake looks good

[@steveprice638]

We want to take our dog - any info on where they are allowed on board?

[@themoodiestsmoothie]

You made the voyage sound bad in rough seas. What you failed to mention is that there are spare sea sick bags dotted around the ship.

[@ddebenedictis]

That's comforting. 😆

[@theastrobanana1236]

My local international port It is really good.

[@pritamkoli]

Splendid

[@N145PM]

Cool .. but I miss your narrative .. and seeing you in the vid

[@samui007]

Its 2016

[@ghaz52]

Thx for the vidéo

[@rajeshjani6287]

Cool.😁

[@intunewithcars9484]

lol reminds me of a 1970s week at pontins onboard

[@ireland1953]

What was your before and after upgrade?

[@ddebenedictis]

Bigger room (2 berths to 4)

[@SuperFabulousMeat]

7:03 ayyy~~ look at dat cake~~ ooh my my~

[@allan4787]

Paul why have you gone to subtitles, rather than commentary?

[@Paul_Lucas]

I haven’t. Check the date on the video.

[@allan4787]

Lucas oops. Thanks keep them coming you're doing a great job 👍👍👍👍

[@travelsam4]

Paul!!!!! Great vid BUT I miss the usually very informative narrative. Otherwise well done in the style of fellow KZbinr “M S Diesel Marine.”

[@wilfredocisneros]

loved this video , in a world out of fear or masks , or pcr test .

[@InfiniteHorizons]

I would have got seasick in waves like that

[@elliotchen7706]

Are ferries a cheap way to travel?

[@ddebenedictis]

Not compared to swimming

[@jucano]

How long takes the trip ?

[@ddebenedictis]

About 800 kilometers

[@palimpalim5291]

How many people here had to google Santander?