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Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 09:02
by Jug
As the tittle says.. got an over night ferry journey approaching.
It'll be the first time I've done one of those and the thought of being captive on a boat for a whole day isn't appealing to me.

What do you generally do with yourself as you can't just drink for the whole time.. or can you? :)):

I suppose it won't be that bad as it's an afternoon sailing so there's not one long day.

Any tips?

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 11:08
by menzies3032
Hi yes I have done a sailing for 24 hours before on a car ferry from Plymouth to Spain. Hoping that you have got a cabin or booked a chair for sleeping through the night. Personally I get sea sick in a puddle so I struggle with doing lots of food and drink. But I would recommend finding a good seat where you can see the horizon, either on deck or in the forward viewing area. Then would suggest several relaxing activities such as book reading taking a device for watching films / Netflix / YouTube. You normally have some kind of onboard entertainment as well so might find there is a cinema or an evening entertainment area that’s worth a look. Basically it’s time to chill out and relax and do all the things you enjoy doing when you have no where to go, nothing to do and no where to be.

Hope this helps

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 12:10
by Jug
I've got my own room booked and rarely get sea sick so I'm covered on those fronts.

So I'll just make sure I have something to read &/or watch then, for when me & my buddy aren't wondering around the boat, eating or drinking.

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 12:35
by Ming
Which crossing are you doing Rich? Plymouth to Santander is only 18 hours or so and only one night on board. If you're going to Bilbao or from Portsmouth then it's 2 nights on board I think. I've done the shorter one half a dozen times and find, once you're on board, showered and changed, it's time for a beer and some food. Then either a few more beers or a coffee and a movie onboard. Bed or read a book/mag, sleep, breakfast, walk round the decks, another power nap and you'll be off in no time. WiFi on board is rubbish unless you pay. Don't use the phone onboard unless you're in port as the charges are horrific. I can look at paper maps for ages so I take one and plan routes etc.
If you're feeling sociable there will be plenty of fellow bikers on there to chat to. Believe me, it won't be difficult to recognise them πŸ™„

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 13:42
by Jug
Ming wrote: ↑Aug 26th, '22, 12:35 Which crossing are you doing Rich? Plymouth to Santander is only 18 hours or so and only one night on board. If you're going to Bilbao or from Portsmouth then it's 2 nights on board I think. I've done the shorter one half a dozen times and find, once you're on board, showered and changed, it's time for a beer and some food. Then either a few more beers or a coffee and a movie onboard. Bed or read a book/mag, sleep, breakfast, walk round the decks, another power nap and you'll be off in no time. WiFi on board is rubbish unless you pay. Don't use the phone onboard unless you're in port as the charges are horrific. I can look at paper maps for ages so I take one and plan routes etc.
If you're feeling sociable there will be plenty of fellow bikers on there to chat to. Believe me, it won't be difficult to recognise them πŸ™„
It's the Plymouth to Santander crossing so a fair chunk of that crossing is broken up with sleeping, and just one night too which is nice.

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 14:20
by Ming
I find that one isn't too onerous. Magazine or book, plus getting fed and watered takes up the first day, then after brekkie you don't have long to wait to dock. Especially as you don't surface until 10am - you'll be last off 😁

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 14:28
by Jug
:)): :)):
Might get up a bit earlier as I'll be on my holiday. 8)

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 14:46
by ptolemyx
Porn and a few tissues always did it for me :mrgreen:

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 14:46
by ptolemyx
That was while the missus was doing her knitting :mrgreen:

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 19:15
by MellowYellow
Slept on the floor ( or tried to ) Had the thrumming of the engines ruining the sleep.

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 20:56
by Tractorwackyracer
Hi jug what date are you going ? I am doing the Plymouth Santander crossing in a couple of weeks

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 26th, '22, 21:15
by Mervin
MellowYellow wrote: ↑Aug 26th, '22, 19:15 Slept on the floor ( or tried to ) Had the thrumming of the engines ruining the sleep.
If you had crossed the channel on some of the old tubs i have the floor was like an earthquake when turning in the port on arrival and stuff when they used the bow thrusters

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 27th, '22, 07:52
by Jug
Tractorwackyracer wrote: ↑Aug 26th, '22, 20:56 Hi jug what date are you going ? I am doing the Plymouth Santander crossing in a couple of weeks
Going out on the 28th Sept to explore the Picos.

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 27th, '22, 11:58
by Tractorwackyracer
Nice picos is awesome went in 2018 I think
Going on the 4th September 4 days around picos then heading east Pyrenees into France 3 days then up through France to roscoff πŸ˜€

Re: Stuff to do on a 24 hr ferry??

Posted: Aug 27th, '22, 16:04
by Tvrv37
We're on the Plymouth - Santander ferry 11/09.