Meals on Brittany Ferries

Hi All,

Struggling to find an answer on the BF site, so asking here.

I did several crossings last year, using Bilbao, Santander, Plymouth, and Portsmouth. Some fares included meals, and some didn't. Was I just lucky when I managed to book a crossing with meals included? Was there a special offer at the time? Or is there a particular voyage that includes meals? Look forward to advice.


Thanks in advance,

Hi I believe last year on the new ships e.g. SANTONA etc the meals where included although on the Pont Avon (older ship) it was as previous select a restaurant and pay accordingly. Having just booked for this year it appears it has returned to the previous norm, maybe it was changed to control dinning has passengers returned after Covid?? I hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the responses Paul and Steve. What a shame that the deal has expired, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for another one for a subsequent visit.

Now I just need to find a code, then I'll make my booking for spring.


Thanks again.

Hi this is an email I received off Brit ferries regarding this issue. It refers to my upcoming sailing but is applicable from now on it explains the reasons the ferry company is no longer including meals. Whether you accept this excuse is up to you but personally I think it’s another cost cutting exercise. I’m sure the prices of the crossing won’t reduce Please read below. Apparently they have listened to their customers.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you on board soon.

We need to let you know about a change to the dining options on Portsmouth to Santander and Portsmouth to Bilbao routes that took effect on 20 December 2022 and will impact your sailing.

The included dinner mentioned on your ticket, part of your initial booking (starter, main course, dessert excl. drinks), will still be available to you. To claim it, you simply present your cabin key to a member of the restaurant team, please note that the meal value is non-refundable for unclaimed or partially claimed meals. Bookings made after 19th December will not include this meal. Please, be aware that the Breakfast is not included anymore in the ticket fare.

When this pioneering new ship was launched we did so with the idea of including a meal with the ticket price. In truth, we’ve been unable to make this work well and customer satisfaction levels for the service have been disappointing. If you’ve been with us in the past, you’ll know we are proud of the cuisine we offer on board and known as industry leaders for service. We’ve tried everything to make the inclusive meal work but have been unable to find a workable solution that hits the right balance between customer satisfaction and onboard logistics. Couple these points to the alarming food waste that was being created and we have accepted that fundamental and swift change is required.

We’ve listened to our customers and to our crew and I’m convinced the right way forward is to abandon the inclusive meals and revert to a more traditional approach. I believe this will improve customer satisfaction, enable a level of service that is much more aligned to our brand and your expectations, reduce food waste significantly and enable us to keep more dining spaces open for longer.

I hope you’ll enjoy your sailing (and your included dinner) and wish you the very best for 2023.

Thanks Pin.

Indeed, reading between the lines it would appear to be a cost cutting exercise; I don't buy into the "customer satisfaction levels" or "alarming food waste" smokescreens. However, when I look at the crossing prices that I am seeing, and compare them to what I was paying last year, they don't really seem to have changed. I can look at the cost of meals now as the "inflation" that I am seeing everywhere else in my life.

Thanks for sharing.

We have just returned too. No meal included it was fine. We ate at lunchtime with a lovely sea view and none of the awful queues to contend with. The meal at lunch was lovely and quite reasonably priced compared to the evening meal cost of 21 pounds for 3 courses, set meal time and queues.