Normal Ferry or Fastcraft re: sea sickness your experiences please
10 May 2003, 09:25 AM
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Booking a driving holiday to France this weekend sailing Poole to Cherbourg. We have two options with regards to the ferry crossing.
1. Normal ferry journey time 4.5 hours
2. Fastcraft ferry journey time 2.5 hours
The Fastcraft strangely is faster
but I've heard that it's nicknamed the "chuck bucket". Bearing in mind I'm travelling with my wife and 2 young children (3&5) what are your experiences. I appreciate it depends on the sea conditions on the day but does the Fastcraft really deserve this nickname.
TIA
Mike
1. Normal ferry journey time 4.5 hours
2. Fastcraft ferry journey time 2.5 hours
The Fastcraft strangely is faster
but I've heard that it's nicknamed the "chuck bucket". Bearing in mind I'm travelling with my wife and 2 young children (3&5) what are your experiences. I appreciate it depends on the sea conditions on the day but does the Fastcraft really deserve this nickname.TIA
Mike
10 May 2003, 09:30 AM
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Can't comment on the Fast thingy but i got well sick a lot of years ago on a Ferry when the sea was a bit choppy.
If you decide on the Ferry and someone feels a bit green, get as near a possible to the middle of it.
If you decide on the Ferry and someone feels a bit green, get as near a possible to the middle of it.
10 May 2003, 03:37 PM
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Not sure if the Fastcraft is the same as the Portsmouth SeaCat, but that is nicknamed the SickCat by a lot of people as its often pretty pukey!
I suppose being faster at least you're not chucking for as long....
I suppose being faster at least you're not chucking for as long....
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10 May 2003, 03:42 PM
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We did the SeaCat when we went to Guernsey last summer. It was superb. 
However, not everyone thought that - it was a bit 'choppy' and there were a very large number of people throwing up left right and centre. The poor b*ggers who work on the 'Cat were left with the unenviable job of clearing it up.
We talked to one Guernsey resident who was sitting beside us, and he said it was the worst he'd seen for years, so I would guess most of the time it'll be fine.
However, not everyone thought that - it was a bit 'choppy' and there were a very large number of people throwing up left right and centre. The poor b*ggers who work on the 'Cat were left with the unenviable job of clearing it up.
We talked to one Guernsey resident who was sitting beside us, and he said it was the worst he'd seen for years, so I would guess most of the time it'll be fine.
10 May 2003, 03:46 PM
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I did Portsmouth to Cherbourg on the Sea Cat last year, and it was so bad that members of the crew who'd worked on it for years were chucking up - one crew member had just started on that day and she said she was handing in her notice as soon as she got back!
I spent 2 hours in a toilet cubicle puking, not pleasant at all...
I spent 2 hours in a toilet cubicle puking, not pleasant at all...
10 May 2003, 03:48 PM
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I've been told to move with the boat to avoid feeling sick, so sit in a chair or stand against the wall, and avoid trying to stand up straight.
Last time I went on a boat I was sick as a parriot, but didn't try the above method
Phill
Last time I went on a boat I was sick as a parriot, but didn't try the above method
Phill
10 May 2003, 04:04 PM
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Went Dover to Calias with a mate en route to go skiing on the ferry just in time for brekkie. Bloody great waves and most of the passengers sick as dogs. The crew have industrial strength vacuum cleaners for it .... :-) Best bit though was that the cafe was almost empty when we went in for our full English .....
Oh, tips on how to avoid it. a) DON'T drink anything fizzy before you go or during the trip (from the days when my ickle bruv would drink a full large bottle of coke when we were about 5 miles off the coast in a 25' boat and wonder why he then felt ill ...). Oh, and keep food to a minimum as well. If nothing else there's less to return to this world .. b) especially if it's choppy keep the kiddies out of the sun - it is surprisingly strong over water as you get all the reflections off the sea as well. c) keep as near to the middle of the boat (side to side as well as front to back) as possible. This bit moves least - think about it! d) some of the sea sickness tablets do work - just never needed any myself so can't recommend any. And d) my old man was in the merchant navy for years. 'What's it like in a storm Dad?'. 'You get bl**%y sea sick' son .....'.
So, at the end of the day, if it's that bad, fear the worst ..... :-)
Enjoy the trip
Dave
10 May 2003, 06:07 PM
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I would go with the 4 1/2 hour trip.
If i was on my own, ok; but with kids an 'er indoors; i wouldnt.
From what i can gather your stuck inside, and its bumpy cos of the speed. if you have a swell with that, look for a bog quick.
If you take the 4 /12 hour ferry, you can at least move around easier. Get a seat to the middle or just back from it, near a window.
You can also walk around the deck outside. The fresh air helps,
as does looking at the horizon.
There are also MORE bogs.
Dont eat a big meal before going on.
Take a pill an hour before, even if they think they will be ok.
believe me , 20 years in her majesties RN
If i was on my own, ok; but with kids an 'er indoors; i wouldnt.
From what i can gather your stuck inside, and its bumpy cos of the speed. if you have a swell with that, look for a bog quick.
If you take the 4 /12 hour ferry, you can at least move around easier. Get a seat to the middle or just back from it, near a window.
You can also walk around the deck outside. The fresh air helps,
as does looking at the horizon.
There are also MORE bogs.
Dont eat a big meal before going on.
Take a pill an hour before, even if they think they will be ok.
believe me , 20 years in her majesties RN
10 May 2003, 10:14 PM
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I remember coming back from Monte Carlo a few years back on the ferry and it was rough everyone puking all over the place, and me no I was complaining about my dinner sliding all over the place trying to catch the plate between mouthfuls I was bloody starving
The only thing that has ever made me feel queasy was The Twilight Tower in Florida after the 6 consecutive times
Huxley
The only thing that has ever made me feel queasy was The Twilight Tower in Florida after the 6 consecutive times
Huxley
10 May 2003, 11:01 PM
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Thanks for the replies so far. I think
Still tempted to go for the Chuck Bucket, really looking forward to taking the Scooby to France so not too concerned about myself. Don't want my wife to be put off by the experience or it'll be our last drive holiday and we'll be back on package deals.
Mike
Still tempted to go for the Chuck Bucket, really looking forward to taking the Scooby to France so not too concerned about myself. Don't want my wife to be put off by the experience or it'll be our last drive holiday and we'll be back on package deals.
Mike
10 May 2003, 11:31 PM
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I did Newcastle -> Norway.. From the get-go it was a bumpy ride.. like a fairground ride that you couldn't get off for 20 hours All the amenities/shops/bars were closed because of it. Even the staff were green with ickness. Nightmare.
I took a knock-out pill the crew were dishing out to anyone feeling ick. Not sure how I would have got through it otherwise.
All the amenities/shops/bars were closed because of it. Even the staff were green with ickness. Nightmare.I took a knock-out pill the crew were dishing out to anyone feeling ick. Not sure how I would have got through it otherwise.
10 May 2003, 11:32 PM
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Well I have gone on the Newhaven-Dieppe Seacat, never had a rough crossing, as it tends to get worried in a swell, and stay in port. Come to that it seems to get worried and stay in port on 50% of its proposed crossings!
Therefore I would recommend the quick crossing, yes some people do throw up, but no more than on a ferry, and I suspect the kids will be ok. Sea-sickmess is down to balance isn't it? Get them to look at the horizon. then they'll know they are moving!
Therefore I would recommend the quick crossing, yes some people do throw up, but no more than on a ferry, and I suspect the kids will be ok. Sea-sickmess is down to balance isn't it? Get them to look at the horizon. then they'll know they are moving!
11 May 2003, 03:38 PM
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Took the fast on eover to Ireland, a couple of years ago, sit in the centre of the craft, as my wife suffers with sea sickness, and she was fine.
Cheers
colin
Cheers
colin
11 May 2003, 04:56 PM
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Went on the sea cat over easter, on the way over to france the captain said it will be 'pretty rough' and he wasnt kidding! it was grim. I was just about alright, despite having to survive a trip to the toilets to take an alcohol dump mid-journey. That left me feeling seriously green due to it being so full of chucking people. I had to stand on the top deck and managed to survive the rest of the trip. Was blimin disgustin tho, there would be one bleurgh and itd tip the others over the edge.
On the way back though it was very very smooth and i fell asleep. Even then some people were busy praying to the porcelain god.
On the way back though it was very very smooth and i fell asleep. Even then some people were busy praying to the porcelain god.
05 October 2003, 09:30 AM
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I assume you mean the Condor thingy?
It does move around a little even on calm water.......I have no experience if its choppy. But I saw no one being sick.
Its a cool bit of kit though, with 15 foot high rooster tails! The kids will love it.......actually you will love it!
[Edited by davyboy - 5/10/2003 9:30:36 AM]
It does move around a little even on calm water.......I have no experience if its choppy. But I saw no one being sick.
Its a cool bit of kit though, with 15 foot high rooster tails! The kids will love it.......actually you will love it!
[Edited by davyboy - 5/10/2003 9:30:36 AM]
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