36hrs Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Bilbao During a Weather Alert. It Certainly Was An Experience!
THE BAY OF BISCAY, a place renowned for its weather. In today’s video we get up close and personal cutting our way through the heavy seas en-route to Bilbao. Join us for a very interesting voyage, enjoy the video…
Filmed Thursday 30th October to Saturday 1st November 2025
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own
End Credit Music: ‘Solskenvals’
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FAQs:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Glasgow, and have lived all over Scotland as well as further afield: (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
WHEN DO YOU UPLOAD?
Saturdays at 10am UK time. Occasionally a bonus midweek video will pop up (in which case, likely to be Tuesday at 10am)
WHY IS THERE A DELAY BETWEEN TRIP AND VIDEO APPEARING?
Mainly because I do all this myself and it takes time!
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I film with a GoPro12 with MediaMod and my iPhone13. I edit on iMovie and use epidemicsound.com for music. I also use canva.com for thumbnails etc.
WHY DON’T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
Because it’s not a holiday, it’s a job. So I need to keep moving to keep the channel as fresh and varied as possible.
WHERE’S ALICJA?
As my partner, of course I’d prefer Alicja came on every trip with me, but it’s not always possible as YouTube may dominate my life, but she has other stuff going on including studies.
DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL?
Yes I do. Everything is paid for by my own hard-earned money! If anyone ever pays a trip for me, I will fully disclose it in the video (not happened yet though!)
WHY THE ADS?
It’s my income, I can’t do this for free (travel content is notoriously expensive). Notice I don’t have mid-roll ads though, a pledge to viewers and a 35% hit on my income!
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DO YOU ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS/PAID PROMOTION?
Sorry, it’s not a route I want to go down on the channel, thanks anyway!
WHY ARE YOU SO TIGHT WITH MONEY?
I run this channel as a business, it’s not a holiday/vacation. So budget setting is all part of that. I spend roughly £80k on travel every year, so every trip needs to be planned to be profitable. Also, the channel is focussed on value travel, always has been always will be. It’s a strategic decision and I wouldn’t change that solely based on a bigger income.
DO YOU READ COMMENTS?
I certainly do, as many as possible. Sorry if I miss yours, I may be travelling, editing or just doing chores. The best time to catch me is a Saturday morning when a video is released. If I’m not on my travels, I’ll endeavour to sit down with a coffee and respond to comments for the first couple of hours at least (10am – midday). But bear in mind I tend to get between 1000-5000 comments on each video, so it’s impossible for me to respond to them all.
CAN I MAKE SUGGESTIONS FOR VIDEOS?
I LOVE receiving trip ideas, my comments section is a goldmine of ideas and tips, so I recommend spending some time in there!
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH INTERNET TROLLS?
They are an unfortunate side effect of being a content creator, we all get them hanging around. But it tends to come from jealousy as they still watch the videos, so I actually use it as motivation to make the most of my life 🙂 As soon as someone crosses the line of decency though, it’s an instant block and they’ll be screaming into a void thereafter 🙂
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Not at all, in fact I love meeting people who have enjoyed my videos, it’s always a privilege. And don’t worry if I’m filming at the time, chances are I’ll stumble over my words anyway, so you’re not disturbing me! And most ask for a selfie so that’s also no problem 🙂
DO YOU PLAN TO SELL MERCHANDISE?
Not something I have planned yet, but if you have any creative, unique ideas let me know! Although the thought of someone walking around with a t-shirt with my face on it should really disturb them as much as it does me!
#SteveMarsh #ferry #brittanyferries
42 Comments
Hi all, hope You enjoy the video and have a wonderful weekend! I’m currently on my travels but look forward to reading through your comments as and when phone signal allows 😊 Have a good one!
Steve, Have been watching all you videos and I find them really good, honest and down to earth. Having travelled around the world for many years and now retired so not able to get to visit many places, I find watching your videos great as I can see all the different places in the comfort of my home. Keep up the good work.
And now we know why there were only 7 walk onpassengers🤮
6:34 extra bed space for kids?
Always remember: The sea is only for flying over!
My mom would have loved your rough crossing. She'd book cruises late in the season hoping to catch a squall. Crew would be barfing everywhere and there was mom feeling perfectly fine and wanting to hang out on the deck.
First time watching your channel. Great video and I was amazed how much food you ate whilst traversing the Bay of Biscay! But clearly you don’t suffer with seasickness so hats off to you both! 😂
13:15 Great reflector outfit. I have lime green outfit for navigating in gales such as yesterday.
Impressive recovery from seasickness by Alicja! Not sure about the bands, more likely she crushed it with her massive positivity.
Kudos to the WWII submariners who served in the Bay of Biscay in their tiny boats, must have been horrifying on its own.
There you go again, eating your way across the world.I can't imagine how you keep your figures.You both look at you're in great shape
You guys😂 crack me up, I like your style, or as we used to say back in the day. 'like ya card forms mate'
Those are macrons not macaroons
There's a huge difference between the 2, they are nothing alike
Years ago back in 2007, I got an ear ear infection that left me dizzy all the time and just staring would feel like the rug was pulled from under me. I went into a pharmacy and found those same wrist things, with the little button to press on your wrists. I was totally skeptical but it worked. No idea except maybe pressure on a nerve blacks the dizziness somehow.
as a long time suffer from vertigo the sea bands are well worth it for mild seasickness xx
I did this crossing 20 years ago with P&O, and we too got stuck in the Bay of Biscay for 8 hours, riding out a storm. I'll never forget it, what a dire crossing.
My memories of the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth – Bilbao, one good two bad. Good, holding the ship up in Bilbao on the last sailing before Christmas because they saw my motorhome racing down the hill into the port. Bad 1, the passengers in the neighbouring cabin leaving their TV on loud (and then vacating their cabin) ruining my much needed beauty sleep. Bad 2, feeling sick in the Bay of Biscay.
Parsnips
Just for once, why dont you get yourself a beanie style hat, instead of a peaked one you have to hang on to?
From the USA here. All my life I’ve been reading about the Bay of Biscay and have never seen it. Thank your for this. Love the comment you make, SM, “…who needs the internet, when you’ve got this”
Steve!! I've just discovered your channel…it's brilliant!! I'm never going to be able travel due to family commitments so I love watching others travel!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
19:20 of course being the swiftie i immediately hear all too well👌🏼 also stanning Alicje's tote
Really enjoyed the video!
Great vlog..thanks…nice flow ..price was good
You couldn't do voyages if you weren't good walkers.
New to your channel, just want to say how much I am enjoying them. Thanks 😊
Great trip food looked very good 🙏🙏
From experience, always walk with Ginger candy from the Asian Market. Only the ones from Asian market is truly the ones that’s not loaded with sugar. It works really well. Also fresh ginger, grate it and put in a seal bag. Pour boiling water and seep for a few minutes. It works wonder for nausea. Because you guys travel a lot by boat and plane it’s an excellent source for nausea. Trust me. It’s also recommended for morning sickness.
By the way, I love your videos. ❤
First time I've watched it but won't be the last, a lovely couple.
I would love to be doing this trip,( currently health problems), …. A very good tip to rid yourself of nausea, is to drink Ginger Ale/ ginger beer, … chew on things containing ginger, before the voyage commences & during..😮😅😊❤
I find Brittany Ferries to be so expensive, especially for solo travelers.
Love your content
Uh I've got nausea just after watching. Just don't get me wrong, it's because of the sea and wobbling ship, the video is brilliant as usual 😂
That thing under the bed is a roll out 3rd person/child bed. The mattress is either inside it, or they will bring you a mattress as required.
Love the ferry videos
I LOVE this route. I lived in Gosport for 3 years due to work. I took this trip 6 times while there as basically I need to get out of here mini vacations. I'm a solo traveler so I expect to have to pay more. With the Executive suite and the included food and drink it was still a lot cheaper than visiting London or getting a beach holiday let. I also love the Basque country and Galacia. I've been in all seasons and weather, with an April crossing being the most treacherous. I'm oddly lucky that I dont get seasick. My boyfriend at the time did though. He went one time and was straight up throwing up for hours, couldn'tkeep water in him. . I felt sooo bad for him. 😢. As always, I love your channel.
I remember a crossing from Larne to Stranraer I took in 1996. It was the infamous "slow boat" which normally took about 3 hours to cross. This voyage took 5 hours! The ferry was fully packed with Football fans and staff were screaming for everyone to hold onto anything they possibly can. The ship would go over massive waves and when they got over them, people would lose gravity and get lifted off the ground. EVERYONE was vomiting everywhere. The entire toilet sections were overflowing with vomit sloshing over the lips around the doors. I was on the voyage with my father who was a seasoned veteran of the seas being in the Merchant Navy, but even he was terrified and throwing up. I later found out the ship was out of action for a while because of the vomit got absolutely everywhere.
Ever since that voyage, I've suffered incredible travel sickness.
Where my ancestors on my fathers side are from…. the Basque region where the France and Spain meet near the Pyrenees mountain range.
Cosy, lovely, thanks
Hallo Leute. Ich bin leider much jemand der immer Seekrank wird. Aber die Baender helfen wirklich. Haette ich auch nicht geglaubt. Aber wenn man einmal Seekrank war, dann weiss man ,das man etwas nehmen muss. Ich habe mitlerweile sehr gute Tabletten Auf der Colorline nach Norwegen bekommen.
Another 2 million pounds of taxpayers' money wasted. I'm just wondering why these ferries are still running. They are not going to a remote part of the country where they can only access by sea or air, and the Eurotunnel exits. I can't imagine these ferries can ever turn a profit.
Love seeing the zero beers in your videos! More and more people are choosing non-alcoholic beers and drinks!
It only took me one bout of sea sickness for me to automatically take a Dramamine at the beginning of my cruises. I was a travel agent, loved cruising.