Well Im 22 and came across this site and thought what a great way to express my feelings on a subjec...
Well Im 22 and came across this site and thought what a great way to express my feelings on a subject, read others and get paid to do it.
Result as far as i am concerned!! If you see a few written in one day please do not see me as a churner but someo...
Member since:15.05.2001
Reviews:15
Members who trust:4
In February of this year some friends and me decided that we needed a cheap break away. I looked around the Internet and came across a site called www.firedup.com. This site has since closed down but at the time they were offering a mini cruise to Spain for £35.
The ship was called the Pride of Bilbao and leaves from Portsmouth on the Saturday and arrives in Spain on Monday and then you have little time off the boat and then back to Portsmouth by Tuesday evening.
As a large group this was ideal the boat was described as luxurious with bar, disco, pool, Jacuzzi and two restaurants so we booked the trip. We arrived by 8 on the Saturday and set sail by about 9pm.
My first impression of the ship was clean and well presented. We went to put all our stuff in the
cabins and to be honest this was the bit that horrified me the most. I am claustrophobic and was worried they would be to small but to my suprise they were about "10,7ft. The beds were in bunks with a dresser next to the bed and then en suite bathroom with shower and sink. The rooms were basic but what can you expect for £35!
We made our way to the galaxy bar, which was where it was all, suppose to be happening. Drinks were cheap about £2.50 for double vodka and about £1.40 pint once at sea.
We sat down in this bar which was more like a lounge area and had a few drinks. After about in an hour in journey the entertainment people came on stage and to be honest they were actually good entertainers and we had a lot of fun. The night became a bit messy and we all decided to go back to our cabins.
Nothing prepared me from that point on, I awoke to falling out of my bed and bashing my head then the engine vibrating under me and just feeling ghastly. My friend mentioned that we should eat something so we proceeded to the restaurant. While choosing breakfast there were people falling everywhere plates smashing it was a awful!
The breakfast was just so expensive. The most annoying thing was the fact the boat was rocking that much I did not get to eat it! Instead I had to run to the top deck throw up and get some air and remained here for the rest of the day! The top deck was full of people much like myself it was horrendous. Then to top it off we entered the Bay of Biscay and a rubber band in the engine broke and we rocking so much from side to side the waves were at ear level and people were beginning to freak out!
I stayed calm but could not believe I was stuck on this ship for another 2.5 days. The boat was fixed but I remained on deck. Evening came I had taken that many travel pills I fell asleep all night! Praise the lord is all I can say!
Next day was exactly the same, I thought maybe a Jacuzzi would help but it was closed off. It was located at the bottom of the boat and we were not allowed to go down there due to the weather!
The following day was the same and the winds were about gale force 9 I remained on the top deck with my sea bands and pills and got a little community going of all the spewers that had been sitting there for the same reasons.
We arrived in Spain Monday morning and I kissed the ground when we got there. I went to the tourist office to see how much flight home would be and where the airport was but we were talking bustrain and coach distance. So after 4 hours on land we left Bilbao and headed for Home. I nearly cried when I walked on that ship.
The weather was just the same but this time we had the wind on our side. I spoke to the staff on the boat who by the way were lovely and helpful and they told me the bay of Biscay has current from three directions and this is why the waves are an odd shape and it was rough. Also the liner itself has a flat bottom built for English waters and icebergs. People always said to me you do not know you are on those cruise liners well the were wrong! This boat did not glide through waves it hit them face on and then rocked from side to side!
To top It off we were an hour late home and for five days afterwards due to the extent of the rocking I had vertigo and was on tablets for a week after!
I am sure there were some people who enjoyed themselves but out of the 10 of us that went we were all ill at some point!
Maybe if the weather had been better it could have been a little more enjoyable but according to the workers the Bay was notorious for bad sea! (Change the route I say!).
In all fairnes the ship was kept clean and then staff could not be more freindly and sympathetic!
Great for cheapness if you have a good stomach and love a drink, awful if you tend to feel a little sick in gale force 9 winds and do not like rocking so you are level with the sea!
If I was offered a ticket for free to go back on that route
Not the best time of year to go on a ship across a notorously choppy sea, Sue
chris1956 02.04.2006 20:20
sorry you had a bad time ,we all had a fantastic time , so much so we've been again and again and we took a couple of 17 year olds , and they ejoyed it as well. we're all going again in mid april
orlandojo 15.10.2004 11:25
Really sorry you had a bad time BUT if you're prone to sea-sickness, you really should have done a teensy-weensy bit of research. The Bay of Biscay is a notorious stretch of water and it's probably wise to bank on it being rough.
Glad you had positive comments on staff, cleanliness, etc. I've travelled in similar circumstances and commend the crew for keeping up the cleanliness in most unpleasant circumstances.
I have to agree with you that the food, whilst of reasonable quality, ain't cheap but I suppose, at £35 a throw, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Perhaps your heading should read "Bay of Biscay NOT for ME" - and, no, I don't work for P & O!
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Advantages: A real value for money holiday of a lifetime in which you will be completely pampered Disadvantages: Perfectly calm crossings cannot be guaranteed
Marchant 21.11.2001 (18.03.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of P & O
Advantages: Relaxing travel, good price, If you want a cruising taster a good option Disadvantages: Expensive onboard food, innacurate cabin, transfer bus confusion.
likka75 22.08.2008 (22.08.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of P&O Ferries
May 28th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
