Posted on 22/04/2022 20:57
Hi,
We are travelling to Spain in May (Portsmouth Bilbao) on Salamanca, anyone sailed on it yet, if so ?
Whats it like,
Is the food good, are meal times well organized
Loading and disembarking times,
Will not take food but do,es Customs search and increase disembarking times,
We have in the past on return to Bilbao Ferry Port parked overnight in the Port but not sure if thats still possible.
Any info would be helpfull.
Posted on 22/04/2022 21:12
You don’t say whether you have a MH or caravan? If the former, I’d recommend a day or so in Bilbao rather than just passing through. Kobetamendi site is a great location for an overnight stop, fantastic views of the city especially at night. Good regular bus service into city from outside the site. Guggenheim Museum is a must see even if you don’t venture inside.
Posted on 23/04/2022 08:56
I haven’t used the new ferry and can only report on reviews which have been written.
Evening dinner is included in the ticket price, but as the main restaurant only seats 140 for a possible 1000 passengers on board you are issued with one of eight time slots when you are to go for your meal. These times range from 1815 to 2115 and are issued at check in. Even so you may be one of the overflow for whom there is no room in the restaurant and will be issued with a different time slot to go for your meal in the snack bar instead. Eat when you are told to eat.
A continental breakfast on the first of the two mornings is also included in the ticket price. There are no time slots for that but shortage of table space predictably leads to long queues.
There has been some criticism from those used to the meal time arrangements on the “Pont Aven” ferry to Santander.
Posted on 22/04/2022 21:12 byWe crossed on the 7th and loved it. We had a Commodore cabin and although our cabin was like a cupboard the perks and the premier lounge with free food and drink through the day was worth it. Disimbarkation was quick and easy and although we we hadn't taken prohibited foods we could have. Nobody checked. Regarding the overnight at the port, last October we had to spend it outside the gates but it wasnt a problem. All in all a first class experience.
taph