This is not a view about a particular bad crossing or a good one, but some general advice about P&O Ferries as a whole.
Having worked on the 'Pride of Portsmouth' and 'Pride of Le Havre' on the Portsmouth to Le Havre run for over a year I'ld like to offer an impartial view of the whole operation, services offered and general quality.
For those of you reading this who are thinking about going on a crossing and are a little apprehensive about the whole thing, don't be. These two ships are two of the largest and most comfortable ferries afloat. They are both equipped with computer controlled stabilisers that reduce any rolling movement and ensure a good nights sleep - or drinking what ever you prefer!!
The food on board in the restaurent is good and reasonably priced - in my opinion the best place to eat. Otherwise you also have a self service style buffet 'cafe' which is cheap and of a much lower standard - just like you would expect to find in Asda etc, fish and chips, chicken and chips etc..
There are 2 bars on board, one often having some sort of lame cabaret act, terrible!
There is also a small casino on board run by 3 x very pleasant Philippeno girls who remain on the ship for 10 complete months before returning home! A 1 screen cinema also plays one of the new releases on a crossing.
Should you feel tempted, there's a small, and I mean small (sheep dip?) swimming pool down in the bowels of the ship. It's only suitable for kids really, but there are also 2 x Saunas for the adults.
Some tips for the crossing:-
If on a night crossing book a cabin. It makes the whole thing much more enjoyable and for the sake of just £25 is well worth it.
If on a very tight budget there is a sort of dormatry type area on deck 1, the 'couchetes', where you can crash out in your own bed (single) for free. It's amazing how many people don't know about these and crash out all over the alleyways!!! They don't have any pillows or duvets thought, and it's basically just a mattress.
Ask the reception girls for a bridge visit (not allowed at night) this gives a good insight into the running of the ship and lets you have a chat with the navigational officers and see all the bridge equipment. Plus of course from the bridge you get all the best views!!!
If you book a cabin on decks 1 or 2, which are very claustrophobic, listen out for an announcement shortly after sailing as, if there are cabins available on upper decks, they will be offered to you for the same price. If this doesn't happen tell the reception girl - supervisor better - and say the lower decks are too hot, or it's claustrophbic, make up something like that and you are likely to be offered a better cabin on a higher deck for the same price.
These ships sail with empty cabins 90% of the time, because they are so huge, so there will almost always be a better cabin available.
If you want the very best cabin - still not cruise ship standard however - then book a club class cabin which is situated on the upper deck, deck 11. Here you'll get a double bed, TV and breakfast delivered to your cabin in the morning which is included in the price. Around £40 I believe.
If you are driving onto the ferry and need a speedy get away at the other end ask for the main deck as these are the first vehicles to disembark. I can't guarantee the deck officer will let you but it's worth a try.
If you're on a motorbike, don't panic!! The bikes are lashed well and only in very rough weather did I see one fall over. In this case P&O are held fully accountable and will reimburse you in full for the damages.
The Postmouth to Le Havre crossing takes around 6 hours during the day and 8 hours during the night.
Hope that helped, and have a good trip!!!
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