Getting to Morocco
 

Just looking at ferry prices for next month.

I was assuming we'd get the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander/Bilbao but have just made a few calls and it is more expensive than I'd hoped (even given very flexible dates). We're looking at c. £750 - £850 for 2 pax and a 4WD.

I seem to be able to get ferries from Sete to Nador for a bit less (c.£700) but of course this gets you all the way to Morocco so you save the cost of the Algeciras to Ceuta ferry. You have to cross the english channel but that is fairly cheap. The driving distance through France is about the same as that through Spain (1000 km).

So my question is is there a reason why you don't hear of many people going this way? Any problems docking in Nador eg getting 3rd party insurance? I'm wondering if everyone else knows something I don't!

I did it once. It ended up disembarking at Tangier.
Takes a day and a half and the food was unusually terrible.
At least the Biscay ships are floating shopping centres.

Also, aren't many Spanish autoroutes - or roads that are as fast as autoroutes - free. France yon have to pick a smart route to do that. Spain in a day is doable if time is tight. Not sure I could do the same to Sete. And isn't Spanish fuel cheaper?

And yes, buying insurance has been a problem in Nador port (Beni Enzar) last 2 times I've been there. Possible to solve in the actual town maybe, but as I arrived late I sorted it out later.

Ch

Check the Poole to Santander ferry price with LD Lines.

I returned after my Christmas trip via Le Havre to Portsmouth because the ferries from Northern Spain kept getting cancelled due to the weather and I could not wait any longer.

Driving across France was hassle free except the confusing toll booths but expensive maybe around 100 Euros.

Driving across Spain is really easy, quiet dual carriageways nearly the whole way and only one toll road at ~ 8 Euro if you go from Santander via Salamanca, Seville to Algeciras and can be done in one long day if you're inclined.

I think when you work it all out, UK to Spain is the best option and even more so in a 25 ish mpg 4x4.

Be aware if planning to sail from Sete the port is often closed due to industrial action. January 2012 it was closed, after waiting 10 days I drove to Algeciras.
I also recall it was blocked spring 2007.
I wouldn't reccommend buying a ticket unless you're actually there, ready to go

I think I also recall problems; it left Sete a day after what my ticket showed.

Ch

The sailings to Bilbao are stopping for a month from 10 February to 13 March whilst the Pont Aven and then the Cap Finistere undergo annual maintenance. If you have a choice of boats the Pont Aven is definitely the best.

You can see full timetables here
Portsmouth to Santander Timetable - Brittany Ferries
Portsmouth to Bilbao Timetable - Brittany Ferries

Some of the ferries leave late at night with two nights on board (no more expensive) and you then arrive early in the morning on the second day. Examples include the Portsmouth to Santander sailings on 16 and 23 February. If you take these you can get through Spain in one day and you save the cost of an overnight hotel.

Some information on routes through France, Spain and ferries to Morocco.

I've sent a PM with details of a 10% discount for Brittany.

Thanks all for your advice and Tim for his offer of the discount. I have ended up booking Poole to Gijon with LD Lines. It's a new route starting this month. It was significantly cheaper than the Brittany sailings (£536 v. £708). Gijon is 100 miles west of Santander and a slightly shorter/ quicker drive to Algeciras according to Google. I'll let you know how it was on our return!

Viva Gijon
 

Good tip with LD's new route to Gijon.
Been using LD Lines' Portsmouth-Le Havre overnighter for years to get a full day in across France.

I just got a bike price to Gijon for late March / mid-April and it came it at £160 with an inside cabin. Rechecked and still £160.
LD Santander by comparison was £220.
And cheapest Brittany [similar everything] came in at £373.

For that price I assume it won't be a floating Las Vegas, but it gets you right on the Salamanca road which I found an easy and free way, top to bottom.

Ch

It doesn't look too bad! This is the ship.

Welcome on board Norman Asturias | Cross Channel Ferry | LD Lines

Hi,

Yes nice enough ship, the Norman Asturias looks similar to the Norman Voyager (Portsmouth - Le Havre), I came back from France on her on Friday, nice enough for a short crossing, not sure about spending a day on her though.

As above I do like Pont Aven.
Cheers Mark

Even more so if they don't allow access to the outside, which is likely in the Bay, saying that I can put up with a lot for a couple of hundred quid savings :Beach:






EDIT Just hatching a plan for another trip away, so checked prices.

4x4 (over height) + 2 people

LD Lines
Same leaving date, Poole to Gijon returning Santander to Poole but a day later that Brittany Ferries. Cabin both ways. = £558

Brittany Ferries
Portsmouth to Santander return = £773 even with the Club Voyage guest discount It's £715

New crossing - old boat
 

Well, looky, looky, Brittany Ferries budget offer:-

Brittany Ferries �conomie - Brittany Ferries

Interestingly the boat is DFDS’s Norman Voyager with a new paint job.

I got this from BF:-
"Although this service will be “no frills” when compared to the rest of our fleet, on board your customers can expect our normal standard of service with a French crew and good quality French catering, but with a limited choice. The cabins, priced at the same level as on our cruise ferries, will all have en-suite facilities, but without carpets, and there will be a lounge where seats can be reserved on overnight crossings. Pet owners will welcome the 12 pet-friendly cabins and there will be two specially equipped cabins for disabled passengers. Entertainment will be restricted to a movie lounge."

It'll be interesting to see how prices compare.

Happy trails,

Peter

I see it's only got one lifeboat.

Arrived in Gijon this morning on the LD Lines Poole to Gijon. Boy was it a rough crossing! Tables and chairs sliding everywhere. As a result of the weather the ship was delayed both leaving and on the crossing. However we did get free meals by way of apology. No complaints re the boat/facilities.

The price for a standard car and 2 people in a cabin was £399. We were over the specified height and so paid £536. However, I'm not sure anyone cared. We boarded with all the other (standard-sized) cars. Vehicles were all strapped down which was probably just as well!

Been hanging about south Spain waiting for break in the weather further north but have now booked LD lines gijon to Poole friday14 Feb .£80 1 bike 1 person cabin accomodation.Travelled down December Poole Santander same price.
Iain