Heading to France seems to becoming an annual trip, not surprising really as that's where family live. This is the second time I think we've used Brittany Ferries as our go to providers and were delighted to find on board entertainment in the form of Pierre Le Bear and friends all scheduled during our trip to France.
Setting Sail
As we set sail for France the waters were fairly calm and the journey went fairly quickly that day thanks to all the entertainment provided on board. From a small children's playground/soft play and a film (Happy Feet) to entertainment on stage with a magician and Pierre Le Bear mascot. Brittany Ferries certainly do go all out to look after our little ones. In fact that day I didn't need to resort to my activity bag.
The Magician
It wasn't long before the magician took to the stage and gathered the children to club together to watch him and his helpers from the audience perform. My daughters are a little too young at present to understand what's going on around them but baby tried to reach the stage to him replying 'return of the babies' and eldest was reminded to sit down so the others could see. He asked some of the children who their parents were as they came to stand by his side and my daughter made me laugh by pointing us out to him. After the fun provided by the magician, balloon creations were provided and my girls received a flower and a parrot. These were fantastic creations but when one balloon popped in the car accidentally we thought we were being shot at!
Brittany Ferries Mascot
The boat mascot Pierre Le Bear also put in an appearance during the journey delighting many children except mine who weren't sure what to make of a human sized teddy bear! Poor Pierre didn't know what to do.
Other Activities
There are also a number of other activities aboard the boat including a cinema with all the latest films, a virtual reality experience, treasure hunt and cooking but my little ones are a little too young for those activities at present. To find out more about these activities it is best to consult the free on board magazine.Return Journey
Sadly the return journey was less fun with many of the people on board feeling rather sick from the waves we encountered. One of the fellow sailing boats had been canceled due to the sailing conditions so a number of families had jumped ship. There was also nothing on for the children and they refused to put on the tv in the soft play area. There was also nothing to colour in but sick bags and one of the toilet doors was unable to be locked and kept on constantly opening and shutting. Please consider us families traveling while school is on too Brittany Ferries.Have you used Brittany Ferries before? What was your experience?
We've never used Brittany Ferries before but sounds like the return journey disappointed, especially for families with young kids. #HumpDayLinky
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love this, I've never thought of taking them on the ferry before, we usually fly. Its such a shame about the return journey though. #fortheloveofblog
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have entertainment for the children on a ferry crossing, I have travelled this way a few times, but my children were a lot older so we just had a wonder around during the crossing, #blogginggoodtime@_karendennis
ReplyDeleteThis was really interesting to read as I have been toying with the idea of going over to France using Britanny Ferries sounds like the outward journey was a lot better than the homeward bound one when probably more distractions were needed! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame they only offered entertainment in one direction! Especially when the crossing was so rough on the return, I bet everyone needed distracting! #ablogginggoodtime
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your return journey was not so successful. We haven't used Brittany ferrys before. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
ReplyDeleteI don't remember which ferry company we travelled with to St Malo years ago. It was also a rough journey - 10 hours. Luckily my mum had a cabin for us so we could sleep. They didn't do activites when we went. #sharingthebloglove
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Pieere Le Bear yet on my crossings - I wish we could have some years ago when my children were younger. I'm sorry that the two crossings didn't turn out quite like you planned. The weather can get nasty. I remember one trip when in the middle of the night I planned my family's escape route should we need rescuing - the ship was really rolling around. Anyhow, that was just my imagination and lack of sleep getting the better of me. Great post Helena... Annette
ReplyDeleteHaving tried the ferry a couple of times, we gladly pay extra for the Eurotunnel. The softplay is great if it is not too crowded but the one we used was full of bigger kids and it looked a little worse for wear..plus.. no bear! Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
ReplyDeleteUsually I avoid boats (I get SO seasick), but I was actually looking at taking a ferry from England to France this week. I had no idea there was entertainment and cute bears! Maybe I should try it sometime!
ReplyDeleteWe love Brittany Ferries. They are our local one and perfect for us heading out to France. For 8 of us and a bus is is certainly the most affordable way to travel abroad and they do make the journey fun with all the on board facilities.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't used Brittany Ferries before - we live fairly close to Ashford and Dover so always use P&O or the chunnel these days. What a shame about the return crossing as the outward bound leg sounded so good! #fortheloveofBLOG
ReplyDeleteWe used to use the ferry a lot when I was little - we always loved it, something so exciting about it! They certainly never had all those activities when I was little though, how lovely! Although very disappointing about the return journey, especially when it's a rough crossing and you probably need them more! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
ReplyDeleteWe just got back from sailing to Santander with Brittany Ferries. We enjoyed the boat more than our holiday; it was fabulous. That's a bit rubbish that they didn't have anything on for the children on the return journey. I'd have been quite cross about that if that happened to us.
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As a child most of our holiday involved a ferry and I got terrible sea sick, I never really enjoyed it. There is definitely lots more to do now than when I was younger, shame they didn't both journeys Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about the return journey that's really annoying for you. So glas the trip out worked well though. Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
ReplyDeleteFun! Pierre and friends must definitely help littles keep entertained on the journey! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles
ReplyDeleteI never do well on boats and often feel like I am on one for about 2 days after! I love that they had entertainment though because even the ferry over to the Isle of Wight can seem forever to a little one. #RVHT
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame about the return journey, the way out sounded pretty good for kids! Have you tweeted them at all? It's a bit rubbish that there was nothing for the kids on the way back!
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oh no thats such a shame a rough crossing can be awful! But its great if you can get a smooth one as there seems like so much to do for kiddies thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes x
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