Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry

It’s 7pm in early March and we’re arriving for the Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry a little early. We’re about to embark on the long crossing on board Brittany Ferries Salamanca to Northern Spain. Departing at 23.30, we’ll have a bit of a wait until we’re able to drive onto the ship.

For now, we’re passing time eating, reading and drinking mugs of coffee. Then, after about an hour we’re moving on towards the boarding area for the ferry.

We’re in the front of the boarding area, one of the first in line which suits us well. The port so far has been really easy with everything going well.

An empty vehicle deck – Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry

After the long wait in the boarding area, we’re suddenly ready to move onto the ferry. Thankfully, we’re first on board, driving easily onto deck 5 with directions from numerous crew in reflective jackets.

It seems strange being the only vehicle driving through the empty vehicle deck. The crew guide us to our parking place, inching us forward until the hand signal for stop appears.

We gather our belongings ready for the overnight crossing – a mini cruise if you like, or at least this is how we’re thinking of it.

Taking a few pictures of the campervan before leaving is always something we do, incase of any damage when we next see it.

Then it’s time to take the stairs up to deck number 8 and the bar area.

Waiting for the cabin – Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry

Once again, we’re on our own, an empty bar area with a few staff preparing for guests. Following the signs for the cabins is simple enough, but unfortunately the cleaners are still busy preparing cabins for guests.

We have our cabin keys, which are cards with bar codes, given at check in, so know which room to head for.

The corridors have vacuum cleaners and cleaning trolleys, doors wedged open as staff are busy trying to finish their work.

We can’t walk into the cabin corridors, beyond a cordon, so retreat back to the bar. Soon, there’s a tannoy announcement, apologising for delays but we wait patiently. By now the public areas are filling up, people and luggage waiting for rooms to be ready.

Eventually, after a wait of about 30 minutes, we can access our cabin and we’re shattered.

An Inside Cabin – Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry

Our cabin is number 889, an inside 4-berth room. Inside we find 4 beds, 2 are bunks above the lower single beds with a small bedside table between.

The en-suite shower room has fresh towels, soap and a clean, airy feel. There’s a sink unit, toilet and the shower which has a curtain.

It turns out the shower is powerful with plenty of hot water, it’s nice to have a long shower to freshen up.

Other facilities in the cabin include a TV with various channels (although we struggle to get some working), USB sockets, power points, a small hanging rail and dressing table with chair.

We don’t have a window, instead, a portrait of a view hangs where an outside cabin window would be.

A slight sway

There’s a slight sway as the ferry begins to move out of port, so we opt for a sea sickness tablet to prevent any unwelcome queasy spells.

We’re unsure if it’s the tablet or the motion of the ship, but we’re fast asleep in no time and don’t see light of day until 9.30am.

Flasks of water and fresh air

We’re trying to be frugal, economising on refreshments, by bringing flasks of hot water, pots of porridge, croissants, tea and coffee and milk.

With breakfast in the cabin from our supplies, we’re ready to stretch the legs with a walk on deck.

From our cabin we find a door leading to the outside deck areas. We’re just in time to catch a glimpse of the coast of Brittany, which the ship is following giving great views. The outside decks have gym equipment, seating and plenty places to take in the sea air.

It’s blustery and chilly and very salty up on deck. After a circular walk up and down outside staircases to various levels, we retreat back indoors.

On board facilities

Checking out the on board facilities brings us to a shop and tapas restaurant which is also the breakfast area.

For those wanting an A l’Carte menu, there’s a separate restaurant where you can reserve a table for dining.

The main public areas have a bar, lots of seating and a small children’s play room. There’s also a payable club lounge and a room for those who have reserved seats instead of a cabin.

Staff are really friendly and accommodating. We ask several times for hot water in our flask which they kindly oblige, so we can make tea and coffee ourselves.

Wi-fi

Brittany Ferries give one and a half hours complimentary wi-fi but it doesn’t work very well we find. There are options to buy more wi-fi but we’re ok without.

Night 2 on the Salamanca

So far the day has flown by. After watching the Elvis movie back in the cabin, walking around and generally passing time, it’s gone surprisingly quickly.

As evening approaches, it’s time for some hot food in the Tapas restaurant. There’s a small queue, giving us time to choose from the hot food counter.

We decide on curry and a glass of wine, taking a seat in the window just in time to watch the sun disappear off the horizon.

Although there’s no great choice of food, we think it’s adequate for this type of crossing so have no complaints.

Then it’s back to the cabin for our second night on board the Salamanca. Tomorrow we’ll be arriving in Bilbao and the beginning of our travels in Spain.

Tannoy announcement

Our alarm sounds at 6.45am, but the faint sound of music on the tannoy system is already playing. This is the Brittany Ferries wake up call, getting passengers prepared for arrival at 8am in Bilbao.

We’re up and ready in no time, choosing to go for a quick walk out on deck after a breakfast snack in the cabin.

Outside, we have our first glimpse of Bilbao. We’re much closer to port than we realised, with the ferry about to dock.

Then comes an announcement asking guests to vacate their cabins and make their way to the public areas.

A slight error occurs, as the tannoy staff announce we’re arriving at ‘Santander’! For a moment we think we’re on the wrong ship. Another announcement comes swiftly, correcting the port to Bilbao.

Immigration and passports

We make our way back to the campervan on deck 5 and after about 20 minutes we’re driving off into Bilbao port.

We’re one of the first vehicles to disembark, so it’s been a really quick process for us.

Joining the lanes for immigration and passports is the next step. Here an immigration officer approaches the campervan whilst we wait. He asks a few questions, such as ‘where are you going’ before moving on to the next vehicle in the queue.

It’s now our turn at the immigration kiosk, our passports are stamped and we’re able to drive on.

Another official stops us further along, asking if we have any pets, which we don’t, so we can drive on again.

This is where we leave the port of Bilbao behind. Looking back at the Brittany Ferries Salamanca ship, while passengers are waiting to board for their return to Portsmouth.

Now our drive takes us south. Heading along the mountain motorway, passing beautiful scenery to the capital of Spain, Madrid where we explore this very cold but fabulous city.

Fact file

• We booked our ferry crossing direct with Brittany Ferries.
• Cost depends on offers available, vehicle size, time of year, cabin type, number of passenger etc.
• Our booking was made about 6 weeks before travel, many dates and cabin choices were fully booked.
• We don’t have a dog, but we did notice people with dogs prior to boarding.
• Our crossing was departing 23.30 with 2 nights on board, arriving around 33 1/2 hours later at 8.00am.
• There wasn’t a kettle in our cabin type.
• Our crossing sailing early March returning May 2024 cost around £1000.
• When equating to cross channel ferries and taking into account fuel, tolls and distance driving through France to reach Spain, especially taking into account off-season weather, the cost of our ferry was roughly the same as driving.

Would we use the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry again, the answer has to be yes.

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