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Subject Topic: Brit Ferries - St Malo, overnight advice
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Personwhiskyforme
01/4/2012 at 10:32am
 Location: Essex
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Roofie Thank you.. where are these 'front row seats' can you remember.

and where are the Sofa (if in the bar aread does the bar stay open all night? - noise and drinkers!)

It is frustrating that they do not reserve seats. (especially as they call it reserve seating) however that is why I asked because I suspected as much.

Thank you for all the tips and tricks. I will try for a cabin as we get on board but I bet there will be a waiting list.

cheers for all the help.


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PersonVic Wildish
01/4/2012 at 4:20pm
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
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Blimey you lot make it sound like a real ordeal and yet it needn't be. We're going on the same ferry in June and for the sake of a bit of forward planning, you're able to get a cabin which is quite comfortable and you arrive in St Malo refreshed and ready for the drive in front of you.

I realise that it isn't always possible for folk to book well ahead but it's a real blessing when you can. When you can't I'm sorry to say that ferries aren't the most comfortable of places.

Vic


Personwhiskyforme
01/4/2012 at 4:58pm
 Location: Essex
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vic you are right. had a cabin been available I would have happily been tucked up in there however... all gone and reclining seats were the only option.

Having never done the journey I am asking for a bit of advice to make the journey more comfortable for the children and the OH. Knowing where to head to first when embarking will save the stress of trying to find somewhere after all the 'good' places are gone...

I would dearly love to be refreshed for the drive in the morning.


PersonVic Wildish
02/4/2012 at 5:27pm
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
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Quote: Originally posted by whiskyforme on 01/4/2012
vic you are right. had a cabin been available I would have happily been tucked up in there however... all gone and reclining seats were the only option.

Having never done the journey I am asking for a bit of advice to make the journey more comfortable for the children and the OH. Knowing where to head to first when embarking will save the stress of trying to find somewhere after all the 'good' places are gone...

I would dearly love to be refreshed for the drive in the morning.

[/QUOT

The ferry departs at around 2030 depending on the state of the tide.

You have reserved seats and these are usually in the lounge which is either just below or above the bridge. It's the one that lets you look straight ahead when the ship's underway. Your tickets will tell the check-in clerk you that you have booked seats and he/she will actually allocate the numbers then. There are several nice eateries on the ferry so you could have a bit of dinner before getting your heads down.

It's usually very quiet here even on the daytime crossings so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting a few hours kip without being disturbed.

I wish you well..........

Vic


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Personbofs
02/4/2012 at 11:48pm
 Location: Cumbria
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Whenever we've booked reclining seats they have been in a reserved lounge, accessed by a key code, and have been numbered (the details have been either on the boarding passes you're given when you check in or on the reservation details), so I would expect that the seats will be together. Occasionally people have been known to sneak into the lounge or sit in the wrong seats but it would not be a problem for you to clain your rightful seats if this were the case. We always found that one of the benefits of reserved seats was that you did not have to rush to stake your claim to a place to sit / sleep during the journey, especially when you are among the last to be loaded onto the ferry! Pillows, blankets etc are a good idea as it can be quite cool through the night in the lounges. 


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Personroofie41
03/4/2012 at 10:05am
 Location: East Yorkshire
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Whiskyforme -the 'front row' seats are in the seating lounge either at the front or rear of the ship as far as I can remember - sorry can't be exact - memory not great!!


Ruth


Personwhiskyforme
04/4/2012 at 4:23pm
 Location: Essex
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Hopefully last question... Power points.
Looking to entertain the children (or at least keep them quiet for the sake of other sleeping passenger)

Do you know if there are powerpoints available to plug into?


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PersonBerriow
04/4/2012 at 4:26pm
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Yes, but continental . The cleaners use them for vacuum cleaning.


Personroofie41
05/4/2012 at 10:35am
 Location: East Yorkshire
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Whiskyforme - everytime I've had lots of children to travel with I had bought each one a new (cheapish) rucksack.
As part of the prep they have chosen toys/ books/ games and drawing materials & coloring books ( some favorites from home and some new specially for the holiday) The children then take responsibility for them ( and look after the youngests) I then get each one a small cushion that I strap to the bag!
Just an idea!!

Ruth


Personwhiskyforme
12/4/2012 at 5:54pm
 Location: Essex
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a bit of feedback...
just returned from my trip.

Reclining seats are a nightmare - everyone slept on the floor. so do take sleeping bags with you.
plenty of charging points (if you are near a wall!)
All seats are reserved but other people do try to sit in empty ones. (a polite request for your seat back is sometimes needed)
Play area - useless do not rely on it.
Food is expensive - but of reasonable quality Kids meals were cheap (ish)
Chocolate croissant in the morning was excellent and reasonable priced

return journey - cinema excellent ideas chewed up lots of time.

Portsmouth arrived 45 min before departure one of the last to be loaded but one of the first to leave the ship.

Saint Malo - arrive 1hr 30 minutes before departure one of the first to be loaded and one of the last to leave the ship. hmmmmmm

Nice and smooth crossing both ways and a positive experience - not sure what it would be like if rough conditions.

thank you everyone for you ideas and suggestions.




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PersonBerriow
12/4/2012 at 6:14pm
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Whiskyforme. glad you had a good time.  And at least the ferry has a floor to sleep on.  Remember families who fly economy to and from New Zealand.


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