Brittany Ferries new economy service will offer weekend crossings, between Portsmouth and Santander.
During the week they will be carrying freight only.
Passengers will be offered a limited catering service, and basic en suite cabins will be available.
One way fares this Spring will start at £79 to France and £169 to Spain which includes two reclining seats.
To check and for further info. see their web site.

Ritaratbag wrote on Feb 11^th, 2014 at 8:25am:

Brittany Ferries new economy service will offer weekend crossings, between Portsmouth and Santander. During the week they will be carrying freight only. Passengers will be offered a limited catering service, and basic en suite cabins will be available. One way fares this Spring will start at £79 to France and £169 to Spain which includes two reclining seats. To check and for further info. see their web site.

That looks interesting, we have either driven through France or Flown and rented a car, how long is does it take Portsmouth to Santander?

Hey Mottslot,
Use this link.

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ferry-routes/timetables

Ld lines are cheaper

Thanks Ebrorob, useful information, we will be travelling soon to leave this hideous weather behind, we'll see which works out the best for us and report back :D

Ritaratbag wrote on Feb 11^th, 2014 at 8:25am:

Brittany Ferries new economy service will offer weekend crossings, between Portsmouth and Santander. During the week they will be carrying freight only. Passengers will be offered a limited catering service, and basic en suite cabins will be available. One way fares this Spring will start at £79 to France and £169 to Spain which includes two reclining seats. To check and for further info. see their web site.

I've been to their website and I can't see anything near that cheap between Portsmouth and Santander.  The cheapest they are offering on their website from Portsmouth to Santander is £229 for two people with a car and sleeping in reclining seats. Do you have a link to this offer?

cactus jack wrote on Feb 12^th, 2014 at 11:59am:

Ld lines are cheaper

I just checked and it looks like a good deal.  Have you used them already cj?

wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2014 at 3:47pm:

Ritaratbag wrote on Feb 11th, 2014 at 8:25am: Brittany Ferries new economy service will offer weekend crossings, between Portsmouth and Santander. During the week they will be carrying freight only. Passengers will be offered a limited catering service, and basic en suite cabins will be available. One way fares this Spring will start at £79 to France and £169 to Spain which includes two reclining seats. To check and for further info. see their web site. I've been to their website and I can't see anything near that cheap between Portsmouth and Santander.  The cheapest they are offering on their website from Portsmouth to Santander is £229 for two people with a car and sleeping in reclining seats. Do you have a link to this offer?

That'll be a 'no' then.

Yes I've used ld lines loads of times, but I did drive to Santander on Sunday to travel to Poole only to find that after I had boarded the ship it was cancelled. So I had to drive all the way back again. 1300 kilometre drive for nothing. Hoping to get fuel costs back.....already got ferry cost promised within 10 days. Next time I'll drive through France

I think Brittany Ferries are leasing an LD lines ship to run their Economie service....fares & online booking available from Monday (according to the BF help desk). Hope it is a competitive price!

Found it, thank you rayo :)  It was the 'economie' bit that helped.

http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/economie

"We open for sale shortly. The first sailing will be on Tuesday 25th March from Portsmouth to Le Havre.

Join our mailing list to be amongst the first to know when we go on sale."

It looks like the crossings will take longer than they do at present and I really would recommend having a cabin for the crossing.  More than 24 hours with just a reclining seat will leave you cream crackered before you even contemplate the onward drive.

PS I have asked them to clarify the Santander to Portsmouth sailing times as it looks like it leaves at quarter past two on a Sunday afternoon but doesn't arrive until eight thirty on the following Tuesday as it goes via Le Havre.

Hi Pondgirl. I was reading it that it gets back to Portsmouth on Monday afternoon...and I guess then goes off to Let Havre later that afternoon as a 'freight only' run.
I'm hoping to book to Santander asap so will add details when I get them as I'm on the mailing list. Joining BF's Club Voyage will also get 30% discount off Economie fare!

Yep, you're right rayo.  Was having a bit of a blonde moment. ::)

Thanks for the help.