Brittany Ferries Review: Our Family Crossing With Kids
We usually drive to our holidays in France, and Brittany Ferries is our go-to crossing when we want a cabin and a bit of comfort rather than a quick dash on the tunnel. This review is from our crossing in a Commodore Club cabin on the Galicia with a baby in tow. Here’s what to expect, and our honest tips for travelling with kids.
Which Brittany Ferries routes suit a family trip?
Brittany Ferries runs car ferries from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo, plus longer crossings from Portsmouth and Plymouth to northern Spain. Portsmouth to Caen is one of the busiest routes, with up to three sailings a day and a crossing of around 6 hours during the day or 7 to 8 hours overnight, according to Brittany Ferries’ own Portsmouth to Caen crossing page.
If you’re further west, Plymouth to Roscoff is the shorter option into Brittany, running March to November. For Spain, Portsmouth to Bilbao and Santander both run as two-night sailings year round, which suits families happy to treat the ferry itself as part of the holiday rather than just transport.
Booking and boarding with kids
The booking process on the Brittany Ferries website is straightforward: pick your route, choose a cabin or seat type, then add extras like meals or pet travel. For our trip we booked the Commodore cabin, a step up from the basic inside cabins we’d normally use, and it made a noticeable difference with a baby who needed to sleep.
Arriving at the port, everything was well organised. We always get there early, and I’d recommend the same to anyone with kids in the car, since it makes the check-in and boarding queue a lot less stressful. Staff gave us a windscreen hanger with coloured stickers, which the port staff then used to direct us into the right boarding queue.
What cabins does Brittany Ferries offer for families?
Brittany Ferries’ current cabin range, per the operator’s onboard accommodation page, runs from standard inside and outside cabins up to Commodore cabins with a double or twin bed plus a sofa bed, a complimentary continental breakfast and minibar drinks. The newest Saint-Malo ship also has an Admiral suite with a queen bed and a 55 inch TV, and a budget Couchette Plus bunk option with curtained berths rather than a private cabin.
For a family with a baby or toddler, a cot can be booked into most cabins for a charge, and a limited number of bed guards are available for young children sleeping in a full bed, per Brittany Ferries’ own family travel page. Infants aged three and under travel free.
Once on board, we headed straight to our cabin, which was cosy, clean and had a full sea view. It was a good spot to settle the baby, and having a TV, kettle and a cot already set up meant we didn’t have to faff about before our late crossing.
What is there for kids to do on board?
We didn’t get much time to explore with a baby to settle, but I had a quick browse while Mike got the baby to sleep. There were lounges, entertainment areas and onboard shops with a decent range of duty-free, and Brittany Ferries’ own family travel page lists play areas on every cruise ferry, arcades for older kids, cinemas on some ships and a children’s app called Ferrynauts for ages 7 to 13.
If you’re travelling with a toddler who naps on a schedule, book a cabin rather than a lounge seat. I can’t imagine not having one now we have a little one.
Dining options on board
We’ve only ever eaten breakfast on board, so I can’t comment on the other dining options, but breakfast has always been great with a good range of choices.
Travelling with a car and a pet
Travelling with our car is the main reason we take Brittany Ferries rather than flying: being able to bring all our own gear is a big plus. Loading and unloading the car was straightforward, with staff guiding us the whole way, and it’s incredibly convenient to drive straight off the ferry and start the holiday without delays. The one exception is the passport check on arrival in France, which can take a while.
For families travelling with pets, Brittany Ferries offers pet-friendly cabins as well as onboard kennels on most cruise ferries. We weren’t travelling with a pet on this trip, but it was reassuring to see how well catered for they were.
Our Brittany Ferries tips for families
USB, British and European plugs were available throughout the Mont St Michel when we sailed on her, so you can charge devices without a travel adaptor.
Get a cabin if you have young children who need to nap or sleep. We can’t imagine doing an overnight or late crossing without one now we have a baby.
Learn how to turn your car alarm off before you board. You’re advised to switch off the engine, leave it in first gear, lock the car and disable the alarm, since a car alarm going off in a packed car deck is not a fun start to the holiday.
Is Brittany Ferries good for families?
From our own crossings, yes. The combination of comfort, convenience and a cabin to settle a baby or toddler in makes for a relaxing journey, especially compared with a long drive and a quick tunnel crossing. If you’re travelling with a car, a pet, or just want a comfortable way to cross the Channel, we’d recommend Brittany Ferries for starting a France trip on the right foot.
Brittany Ferries with kids: frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a cabin for a daytime Brittany Ferries crossing?
Not always, but we’d still book one if you’re travelling with a baby or toddler who naps. Brittany Ferries’ own advice is to book a cabin on daytime sailings so you have somewhere quiet to settle a young child away from the busier public decks.
Can you take a pushchair on a Brittany Ferries crossing?
Yes, but Brittany Ferries recommends a lightweight, foldable pushchair rather than a bulky travel system, since space is limited in the car deck, the lifts and the cabins themselves.
Do babies travel free on Brittany Ferries?
Infants aged three and under travel free on Brittany Ferries. You can rent a cot for your cabin for an extra charge, or bring your own as long as it fits the cabin’s dimensions.
How long is the Brittany Ferries crossing from Portsmouth to Caen?
The Portsmouth to Caen crossing takes around 6 hours during the day and 7 to 8 hours overnight. There are up to three sailings a day on this route.
Can you take pets on Brittany Ferries?
Yes. Brittany Ferries offers pet-friendly cabins and onboard kennels on most cruise ferries, though these sell out fast so book early if you’re travelling with an animal.
