This month, Brittany Ferries is pushing the significant benefits to be had from a ‘ski-drive’ holiday. The operator offers a wide variety of crossings to various ports in France, from where travellers can simply drive to one of many ski resorts in France, or even further afield in Europe.

Taking a ferry can offer an opportunity to sidestep much of the hassle often involved with ski holidays when flying to your destination. Ferry travel with your car takes vehicle and equipment hire completely out of the equation, allowing holidaymakers to get to their resort of choice and concentrate on hitting the slopes.

Mike Bevens, group passenger commercial director of Brittany Ferries, was understandably keen to outline the advantages of ferry travel for ski enthusiasts. “Ski-drive makes sense. You simply pack your car – as much as you can fit inside – and go. Not only do you avoid all the hassle and expense of the airport, as well as car and equipment hire, you’ll also enjoy much more freedom to drive around when you get to the mountains.”

Brittany Ferries offers crossings from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo all year round.

Popularity: 1%

Brittany Ferries has taken yet another unique approach to ferry services this summer. Making use of all of the science that surrounds the seas, the operator has taken the chance to host a series of marine biology workshops, designed specifically at educating children. In association with research organisation Marinexus, the operator will run workshops designed to educate, entertain and provoke thought in those between 8 to 12 years old.

Youngsters will have the opportunity to learn a great deal about marine biology, from the nature of the seas and the tides, to the sea life that silently lives under the ferries that cut through the ocean every day. The workshops should allow parents to get some peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that their children are happily occupied, in a productive manner, on crossings from Plymouth to the French commune of Roscoff.

In addition, Brittany Ferries is also placing greater emphasis on the environmental impact of its ferries. One of the operator’s flagship vessels, the Armorique, has been equipped with high tech equipment that can measure sea temperature, levels of plankton and water quality. Brittany Ferries is thus taking commendable steps in an attempt to educate the young and inform the scientific community this summer.

Popularity: 1%

Users of all forms of transport will suffer from an element of boredom at some point during their journey. A car may have a radio, a plane may offer an old film, but this summer, Brittany Ferries has plumped for pantomime entertainment on one of its most used cruise liners, the Bretagne.

The show Dick Whittington will be performed on the Portsmouth to St Malo crossing, a popular crossing for UK holidaymakers venturing south for some warm weather. Passengers wishing to take advantage of this unique opportunity would be well advised to travel soon as the dramatic production is being shown absolutely free of charge until September 2nd.

John Harrison, manager of entertainment for Brittany Ferries, is excited by the new entertainment. “Pantomime is usually considered a Christmas treat, but we think it makes a perfect end to the family holiday in France too. We first tried the idea of a panto last summer when we staged Cinderella. It was so well received that we just had to put on another show this year – it’s becoming something of a tradition.”

The diversity and limitless nature of entertainment on vessels provides yet another incentive for UK holidaymakers to head for the port over the airport this summer.

Popularity: 1%

Ferry operators are constantly searching for ways to keep their passengers entertained on long sea crossings. Recently, Brittany Ferries have taken a different and unique approach to this issue by entering the art world. The flagship of Brittany Ferries, the Pont Aven, is set for 200 original works of art to be showcased in a special display aboard the ship. Audio guides are being offered so passengers can be aware of the background of the art they are looking at and perhaps gain a wider insight into the world of art itself. MP3 players can be hired to give an individual description, in either English or French, of each separate work of art, particularly exploring the significance of each piece with regards to the ship.

However, this is not a surprise move from Brittany Ferries, considering their history. In the past, the operator has commissioned art from well over 50 artists and own a total of 1300 works of art. Many of these are proudly displayed on their other passenger liners, for travellers to view at their leisure.

Brittany Ferries depart from Plymouth, Portsmouth and Poole, offering some fantastic deals to a number of destinations in France and Spain.

Popularity: 2%

Customers wishing to sail from the United Kingdom to Santander, which is located on the coast of ‘Green Spain’, have an excellent choice of crossings with Brittany Ferries.

Brittany Ferries offer return sailings to Santander four times a week; three times a week from Portsmouth and once from Plymouth.

The ferry port in Portsmouth is easily accessible from the M27 motorway, making it ideal for anyone travelling from London or the north of England. Plymouth is also very convenient for customers travelling from the West Country, the Midlands and Wales.

Two Brittany Ferries vessels sail to Santander: the Brittany Ferries flagship, Pont Aven and the Cap Finistere.

The Pont Aven is a state-of-the-art ferry with the capacity for 2,400 passengers. This luxurious ferry sails once a week from Portsmouth to Santander (Wednesdays, 21.5 hours crossing time) and once a week from Plymouth to Santander (Saturdays, 24 hours crossing time).

Your holiday begins the moment you step on board the Pont Aven. Facilities include a swimming pool, leisure area, two cinemas, children’s playroom and a full entertainment program in the summer months.

If you choose to travel on the Pont Aven, you also have the option to take your dog. The vessel has modern kennels and an outdoor exercise area for pets.

Cap Finistere: This ferry sails every Tuesday and Friday from Portsmouth to Santander with a 24 hour crossing time. Smaller than the Pont Aven, the Cap Finistere has space for 790 passengers and 500 cars. Facilities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, choice of dining areas and games rooms.

Popularity: 2%

Brittany Ferries have announced that they are withdrawing the mv Barfleur from the Poole to Cherbourg route in the spring. The news will come as a blow to many of its regular passengers, who enjoy the relaxed crossing to Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries blamed the move on declining passenger numbers, and said they had been losing money on the route for several years.

The Barfleur will be withdrawn in February 2010 having operated on the route for 17 years. From February, the Armorique will take over until March 8th 2010, when the service will withdrawn.

It’s not all bad news though, the Poole to Cherbourg route will still be operated by Brittany Ferries high speed ferry, the Normandie Vitesse running from May to September. The crossing on the high speed ferry takes just over two hours.

We will of course update AnyFerry.com with the changes when the time comes.

Popularity: 15%

Brittany Ferries operate both cruise ferries and high speed ferries sailing from Portsmouth, Poole, and Plymouth to Cherbourg, Caen, Roscoff, St Malo, and Santander. With excellent levels of service and well-equipped ships, they are the ideal way to sail to Spain or France.

Routes Operated by Brittany Ferries

• Portsmouth to Caen
• Portsmouth to St Malo
• Portsmouth to Cherbourg
• Poole to Cherbourg
• Plymouth to Roscoff
• Cork to Roscoff
• Portsmouth to Santander
• Plymouth to Santander

Alternative Ferry Operators and Routes

• Ferries to Spain
• Ferries to St Malo
• Ferries to Cherbourg

Brittany Ferries Fleet

• mv Pont Aven
• mv Armorique
• mv Barfleur
• mv Bretagne
• mv Mont St Michel
• mv Normandie
• Normandie Express (fast ferry)
• Normandie Vitesse (fast ferry)

Brittany Ferries Ports

• Portsmouth Port
• Poole Port
• Plymouth Port
• Cork Port
• Caen Port
• St Malo Port
• Cherbourg Port
• Roscoff Port
• Santander Port

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