Portsmouth Santander Brittany Ferries

[sunny-dave]

I've just booked a trip and am now wondering if I'm actually mad - last time I was on a boat for more than an hour or two I was sick as the proverbial dog for most of the voyage, and this one takes 24 hours ... :-[[[

Tips for nausea reduction strategies welcome - plus any useful hints about this specific route - what's the food like, can a 6ft 3in Dave actually fit in a bunk bed, is it better to pay in euros or sterling on the boat etc etc ?

queasy dave

[Zacs-Master]

Take some Kwells before you go, and with you. A friend swears by them.
https://www.superdrug.com/Kwells/Kwells-Travel-Sickness-Tablets-12-Pack/p/159087

Oh, and sit out on deck with your eyes on the horizon as much as possible. Old Navy trick. Nelson suffered from sea sickness Dave, so you’re in good company.

[Flonska]

Meclizine (Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine) can be effective or your GP may prescribe some medication.

[murraymints]

Used to do that annually...bay of Biscay can be rough...get out of Santander quick as !

[naomi24]

Pepsi Cola.... not Coke .... Pepsi. People I know swear by it to prevent seasickness.

[Tashi]

on my 'phone so hope this works
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation
Kate and myself both use these with good results

[murraymints]

Worth booking the better restaurant as the cattle class always seemed to be full of noisy kids with various emissions ! Use your imagination.... find the cinema...passes a bit of time...

[jourdain2]

I suffer too, S-D, the slightest swell is enough. Old Sea Dog called Mr J2 strolls about casually and eats and drinks things. I get a seat in as near the middle of the ship as I can get, on a low deck, and I stay there as much as possible. Pills make me feel so very ill that it is worse than the seasickness and I wouldn't trust myself to drive for a couple of days after I've taken one.

A standard bunk might be a bit tight - if you go for one bear the aforementioned advice in mind and do not be pushed onto the upper bunk no matter what the whining! My personal advice would be to book a sleeper chair - reclines, is comfy, leg space etc., bring your own travel-rug & pillow if I recall rightly. They turn the lights right down and it is a separate area. I don't sleep well but I do doze (OH, of course, sleeps like the dead). Depends how far you have to travel the next day really.

[snags]

This thread has reminded me of a hideous cross-channel ferry trip experience (school French Exchange). Never seen so much vomit in one area... teachers and pupils.

[Arrods]

Have done this route 4 times now. Perhaps we were lucky - smoothest ever ferry crossings ever. And yes, book the restaurant as soon as you embark.

[sunny-dave]

Thanks everyone - I don't like pills (even with only a very short drive after docking), but I have got some acupressure bands somewhere - thanks for the reminder.

I've booked a cabin with a window - I think last time I was rather better whilst I had view of a horizon.

Thanks for the Restaurant info - but I'm not sure if I'll be up to that - if you book but can't face it when the time comes I presume there's no problem?

[murraymints]

Nope....but do book as it tends to be oversubscribed...on Quiberon there was a nice piano bar...French crew on that one

[whiskeryron]

I have always found Boots Stugeron anti sickness tabs extremely good for countering ALL forms of motion sickness.

[melv16]

A pound of jam just before embarkation works for me. If you spew up, it tastes lovely :-)

[237SJ]

"I don't like pills" Why not? They make you feel better. Why suffer?

[jourdain2]

237SJ I really would only take a seasickness pill or an anti-histamine as a total last resort. I was diagnosed asthmatic a couple of years ago and during a heavy pollen episode I took one Piritin. I spent the rest of the day in bed, feeling very ill indeed. I've had the same experience with the well known brands of seasickness tablets. I honestly would prefer the sickness, the pills make me feel so awful.

[237SJ]

I am sure there are some people with conditions which conflict with Kwells ect. We have been using them at work for decades and they help many people.

[Buenchico]

Some people love crystallised ginger, while others loathe it. If you happen to be in the former group, take a big bag of the stuff with you. It's guaranteed to deal with travel sickness. (I'm a lousy sailor but it's always worked for me).

[sunny-dave]

I love most things ginger - and crystallised is lovely - I might just try that Chris.

I worry about anti-nausea pills because I remember Dramamine making me very dopey for quite a while afterwards - and I will need to cope with Spanish Drivers ...

[Jackdaw33]

Never been to Spain but in the 90s used to take school parties from the south coast to Cherbourg with Brittany ferries. I cannot recall a single incident of travel sickness, kids or adults.

[murraymints]

and be prepared for an interesting drive over the mountains !! EEK !!