Brittany Ferries - Salamanca 9th June sailing Portsmouth to Bilbao

I left Guildford about 430pm, was on the boat by 630pm. Nice new ship, runs on LNG. Takes its time though, very leisurely across the Bay of Biscay so that it doesn't dock in the middle of the night. Arrived early into Bilbao, but not allowed to disembark until 8am.
Then for me it was a nice easy run to Madrid to do some culture and see my pal for dinner. Sunday morning was a long old stretch down to Marbella, and a brush with the law on the way.
#salamanca
#Brittanyferries
#africatwin
#guernica

[@BriKinsella]

Very good Gav!! 🤗👍🏼

[@blackvulcan100]

We were on the ferry the same day.9th June.

[@Oakleaf700]

Calm crossing! like a millpond ..Just as well, imagine domino effect if it was rough. I couldn't spot if they were lashed to the deck? /maybe they were.

[@GavCritchley]

A team of guys come along afterwards and put a cushion over the seat then lash them down TIGHT. I left it to them, that way if they f*ck it up its on their dime. They do this thousands of times and I've never ever heard of a problem. When you are coming into port folks go down and release the ratchets themselves and get their shit together ready to disembark. As in this one people needed to turn their bikes around ready to go up the ramp and get off.

[@rgthomson1]

Im going on that ferry on the 14th, all looks good, did the bikes not get ratchet strapped in place, just a thought

[@GavCritchley]

Yes they always do. Watch some of my other ferry vids. Sometimes they are double strapped. The crew do it.

[@Banditmanuk]

We did Portsmouth to Santander on the Galicia (two night crossing) then Bilboa to Portsmouth back on the Salamanca. They can do the journey in one night. We thought the ships were nice, food was good 👍

[@GavCritchley]

I'm sure they do it for timetable reasons so they arrive at the start of the day shift, after a lot of the drivers have slept off an evening in the bar!

[@susanelliott1]

Did this back in the 90’s. Vowed never again! My bike was knocked over, food poisoning and really rough at the bay. Excellent going back though. You’re not from Great Harwood by any chance?

[@GavCritchley]

The bikes were all strapped down solidly, and the food is french restaurant quality. I know in winter the bay can be very rough but it was millpond like when I went over a couple of weeks ago. South Manchester!

[@ianjonesmusictuition6716]

Great info mate.. Me and the missus are booked on Salamanca in August. Nice to see it from a fellow bikers' perspective. How long did it take through Spanish passport control? From your video it sounds as if it was fairly quick. One more question. What did you make of the cabins? We have booked one with a TV etc.

[@GavCritchley]

I rode up that ramp, which then went straight out of the boat onto the tarmac, and then it went about 1/4 mile straight upto the passport control. No queue at all. Nothing. It took me longer to get my gloves off and get my documents than it did for the chap to look at my passport and stamp it. Cabins were fine. They have USB ports, beds were good. TV has video on Demand, so 10-20 movies that you can watch for free.

[@DrummerboyUK1]

@@GavCritchley Cheers mate. Sorry for the delay replying . Really helpful.

[@neillocke4650]

Hi are there lifts from the car decks?.

[@GavCritchley]

Yes, each set of stairs has lifts. It’s very accessible orientated.

[@mafalda7589]

Stay where you are

[@GavCritchley]

I’ve just got back and again had a lovely time thank you!

[@svgravitrax5553]

Is there a swimming pool being installed by August 2022?

[@GavCritchley]

I didn’t see anything about that. I’m travelling back on it next Saturday.

[@nickytanton107]

OMG you got me excited about a swimming pool now lol, I am going tomorrow. Love this form of travel went earlier on the sister ship in Feb. Said I am never flying again after all the Covid probelms cancelled my airplane with no refund.

[@porter5877]

Question dude once the bikes all strapped up can you go back to it at anytime if you needed something from your panniers?

[@GavCritchley]

No. The decks are all locked up for safety and security.

[@porter5877]

@@GavCritchley thanks for info dude

[@tomwardle94]

What was the accommodation like on board?

[@GavCritchley]

Have a look at this one from last Monday kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGOziamQrbF2jZY

[@mafalda7589]

No Visa no Spain …!

[@GavCritchley]

Oh no what happened ? I didn’t think you needed a Visa to visit Spain. Maybe if you are American perhaps? Don’t know.