Bf Bretagne

MSM 12/07/19: 22:45 We arrived at Portsmouth with are car earlier than normal because we had booked a commodore cabin for the first time. Only to find ourselves waiting for ages at the port and people checking in after us were being allowed to bord before us up the linkspan and onto the ship. Our cabin was on Deck 9 like all Commodores are it's a bit awkward on MSM as you have to walk through the rather rowdy bar and then be directed by a steward through the cabin corridor where cabins are still been cleaned. Anyway the cabin was reasonable, we opted for the breakfast in the main restaurant which we thought was worth doing. Bread rolls we the standard shape! Disembarking was straightforward and effective. Apart from the long wait at passport control. Overall: MSM is an excellent ship and although the crossing was short the service was what you'd expect from BF. Personally I feel that the ship could do with a mid-life internal refresh considering she was built in 2002. Especially when she's compares to Hornfluer in the coming year. Bretagne 27/07/18: 10:30 We arrived much later this time and it paid off. We were stop by security at St-Malo but that was not a problem. Boarding Bretagne was far quicker than MSM we were guided onto deck 4 (result). The ship was fully loaded 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. However this did not mean we left early as the cabins were still being cleaned on deck 6! This ment we left exactly on-time. Our cabin was on deck 8 (8304) which was really handy being close to the cafe and Gwen-ha-du! The crossing was quite (only about 2 thirds full). A bit of a choppy start out of St-Malo on the approach to the channel Islands. But after that all became much calmer and smoother. We opted for the self-service basis as I'm much more economical option. The entertainment is a bit different having the new interactive screen for shows and quizzes. Interestingly they were showing Peter Pan which was okay with a week audience. I brought the BF fleet book which was on sale for £16.99. Anyway disembarking was straightforward alot of screaming kids unfortunately. Passport control far quicker than Ouistreham! Overall: A much more relaxed crossing than MSM. The staff and crew seem much happier than on MSM. State of repair what you would expect from a well loved ship like Bretagne. She has aged well is all I can say. With Bretagne expect more of a family crossing compared to a commute like on MSM. Well done Brittany Ferries! 👍😎⛴️🚢🛳️

MSM 12/07/19: 22:45 We arrived at Portsmouth with are car earlier than normal because we had booked a commodore cabin for the first time. Only to find ourselves waiting for ages at the port and people checking in after us were being allowed to bord before us up the linkspan and onto the ship. Our cabin was on Deck 9 like all Commodores are it's a bit awkward on MSM as you have to walk through the rather rowdy bar and then be directed by a steward through the cabin corridor where cabins are still been cleaned. Anyway the cabin was reasonable, we opted for the breakfast in the main restaurant which we thought was worth doing. Bread rolls we the standard shape! Disembarking was straightforward and effective. Apart from the long wait at passport control. Overall: MSM is an excellent ship and although the crossing was short the service was what you'd expect from BF. Personally I feel that the ship could do with a mid-life internal refresh considering she was built in 2002. Especially when she's compares to Hornfluer in the coming year. Bretagne 27/07/18: 10:30 We arrived much later this time and it paid off. We were stop by security at St-Malo but that was not a problem. Boarding Bretagne was far quicker than MSM we were guided onto deck 4 (result). The ship was fully loaded 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. However this did not mean we left early as the cabins were still being cleaned on deck 6! This ment we left exactly on-time. Our cabin was on deck 8 (8304) which was really handy being close to the cafe and Gwen-ha-du! The crossing was quite (only about 2 thirds full). A bit of a choppy start out of St-Malo on the approach to the channel Islands. But after that all became much calmer and smoother. We opted for the self-service basis as I'm much more economical option. The entertainment is a bit different having the new interactive screen for shows and quizzes. Interestingly they were showing Peter Pan which was okay with a week audience. I brought the BF fleet book which was on sale for £16.99. Anyway disembarking was straightforward alot of screaming kids unfortunately. Passport control far quicker than Ouistreham! Overall: A much more relaxed crossing than MSM. The staff and crew seem much happier than on MSM. State of repair what you would expect from a well loved ship like Bretagne. She has aged well is all I can say. With Bretagne expect more of a family crossing compared to a commute like on MSM. Well done Brittany Ferries! 👍😎⛴️🚢🛳️

Cabins : Commodore cabin on Mont St Michel 4 berth Club cabin on Bretagne

Returning via the St Malo route on the Saturday 27th July. (Bretagne) I'll try a do a Trip Report and (Bread Roll inspection).

That's because BF changed some of their card readers form the Verifone SC5000 to the Atos Worldline ones. The Bretagne stils has SC5000. BF should use the Verifone VX820 like P&O, Irish ferries and Condor do. Then then they could accept contactless payments.

At least adapted the design to feel more like a cruise ferry. I wonder if BF will considered using Meyer Werft or Fincanteri in the future to build the Bretagne New-build. (Sorry if slightly of topic to this thread).

I hope the Bretagne new-build follows the design of Hornfleur but has a ''close stern'' like the PA and Bretagne

Thanks for the Pic's there Khaines. I'm looking forward to doing a day trip on Barfleur in September shame the BFE offer runs out and the end of August! The BF website is a bit misleading about the inside cabins then! I've been on all BF ships apart from Barfy so i'm looking forward to trying her out!

Sllightly off topic, do the Barfleur cabins have the same decor as the Normandie or Bretagne? The outside cabin is in the the same decor as Normandie which makes scene because both ships were bulit around the same time at the same shipyard. The inside cabin has pink sheets like the Bretagne. (Has this been referbished) What is correct?

The focus rolls over to the Normandie tomorrow!

Only on the Pont-Aven

Its a shame they don't build ships like the Bretagne anymore (Cap on the funnel). Although I like the circular porthole design used on the more modern BF ships (Pont, Arm and Hornfleur). It might just be me but i like the closed stern effect used on Pont-Aven and Bretagne and the dark carpeted vestibles!

The Normadie still has old BF logos on signage / safety posters etc. Bretagne dosn't!

Wasn't deck 8 fully overhauled in back in 2009. Normandie and Barfy are only 3 years older and don't get praise for their age like the Bretagne does. Has the Normandie had a refurbishment like the 2009 Bretagne one?

Is this thread still relevant to today? Or have these problems been rectified?