We recently travelled on the Pont-Aven overnight ferry with Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Santander and decided to try two of the higher-end cabins, one for each leg of the journey.

A Commodore suite on the way out, and a 4-berth deluxe cabin on the way back.

Here’s how they compare, and whether paying extra is actually worth it.

Why we chose higher-end cabins

We went into this thinking the ferry would be part of the experience, not just the travel.

It was part of a 13-day road trip as a family of four through Spain and Portugal, so we knew there would be long travelling days, so we wanted to make this part of the journey more comfortable.

As it was likely a one-time thing, we decided to try some of the best cabins available rather than go for the cheapest option.

Comfort was important, especially for such a long crossing, just under 24 hours each way.

We also wanted a window or balcony in case any of us felt seasick, particularly our son, who sometimes gets carsick.

Travelling as a family of four, space mattered too. We needed room to relax, not just somewhere to sleep.

We were also working remotely during the trip, so having space to sit, work, and spread out made a difference.

And if we’re honest, we don’t love being around lots of people all the time, so having our own private space felt important.

Photo tour of the 4 berth Commodore Suite on Brittany Ferries Pont Aven Ferry:

What are the benefits of a Commodore cabin on Brittany Ferries?

The Commodore suite is one of the highest cabin options available on the Pont-Aven, and the standout feature is the private balcony.

This was genuinely one of the best parts of the room.

Whenever the motion of the ferry started to bother me, I could step outside into the fresh air and feel instantly better. I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to sit on a public deck around other people when feeling nauseous, so the privacy made a big difference.

Inside, there was noticeably more space than the more basic cabins we’d seen online.

The layout included two single beds, a sofa bed, and a pull-down bunk, along with a small table and chairs inside, and another table and chairs on the balcony.

The bathroom was quite small and not particularly luxurious, but fine for one night. The shower was surprisingly powerful and warmed up quickly, although I’m not a fan of shower curtains, purely because I don’t like them touching my legs. That’s just a personal thing.

There was good storage for an overnight stay (too much really), with side shelving and a wardrobe, plus a safe, TV, fridge with complimentary soft drinks, and tea and coffee making facilities.

There were also complimentary macarons and biscuits. The macarons weren’t vegan so we left them, but it was still a nice touch.

One downside was the WiFi. You only get 90 minutes free per device per crossing, and then you have to pay for more, and it’s quite pricey. It feels like this should be included in the Commodore suite at least.

The decor felt quite outdated, especially the multicoloured patterned flooring. It didn’t feel particularly high-end, more like a basic hotel room than a premium suite. That said, it is on a ship, so my expectations may need adjusting!

The beds were clean and comfortable enough, and plenty of towels and bedding were provided.

What stood out most, though, was the movement and noise.

The ship constantly swayed, with a steady engine hum and vibrations throughout. Overnight, there were creaks, rattles and squeaks in the room. We even got up to move glasses and separate metal hangers to reduce the noise, but it was still noticeable, waking us up multiple times.

Sleep wasn’t great.

The room key also gave access to the Commodore lounge, which is a quieter, more exclusive space with seating areas, outdoor sections and tea and coffee facilities. There were no snacks or food included, but it was a calm place to sit.

Breakfast was included, either delivered to the room or as a buffet in the restaurant. We chose the buffet and simply showed our room key to enter, which would have otherwise cost around €60 for the four of us.

Arriving into Santander from the private balcony was also a highlight.

If we had to take the ferry again, this is the cabin we would choose.

Deluxe cabin review

The deluxe cabin was slightly smaller, with less counter space and fewer seating options.

Instead of a balcony, it had a large window. Interestingly, the room actually felt lighter, possibly more so than the Commodore suite.

Aside from the reduced space, it didn’t feel significantly less “luxurious”, although neither cabin really felt luxurious in the traditional sense.

In fact, the decor was arguably slightly better, as it didn’t have the bold, jazzy-patterned flooring!

It still included complimentary drinks, macarons, tea and coffee facilities, and breakfast.

The bed layout was slightly different, with the pull-down bunk positioned above one of the single beds. Our children didn’t want to sleep in the upper bunk, so my husband ended up taking it, which wasn’t the most practical arrangement, but he didn’t mind!

The bathroom felt very similar, possibly with slightly newer finishes, although opinions differed!

While the large window was nice, we did miss having a private balcony. Being able to step outside for fresh air made a real difference on the outward journey.

This cabin also seemed a bit quieter overnight, slightly less squeaky! Although the overall movement of the ferry was still very noticeable. Unfortunately, we didn’t have amazing sleep on this journey either.

Photo tour of the 4 berth Deluxe cabin on Brittany Ferries Pont Aven Ferry:

Key differences

• Space: Commodore suite is more spacious
• Balcony vs window: The balcony is a big advantage for comfort and fresh air
• Price: Deluxe is cheaper and better value if you don’t need the balcony
• Experience: The balcony adds a level of comfort and outdoor privacy that the deluxe cabin doesn’t offer

What both cabins were like overall

Across both cabins, some things were consistent.

The movement of the ship was always noticeable.

There was constant background noise, vibrations, and some creaking overnight.

Sleep quality wasn’t great, mainly due to the motion and noise.

The showers were excellent, with strong pressure and quick heating.

Beds were reasonably comfortable.

The complimentary minibar drinks and included breakfast were definitely appreciated.

Was it worth paying extra?

This really depends on how you experience the ferry.

We paid more for better cabins, but we didn’t enjoy the ferry overall due to the motion.

So the value depends on whether you can actually enjoy the experience.

That said, for us, the upgrade was still worth it.

A smaller, windowless cabin with bunk beds would likely have felt claustrophobic and made the motion sickness worse. Having space, a window, and especially a balcony made a big difference.

Even though the ferry itself wasn’t for us, the better cabin made it more manageable.

How much do the cabins cost?

For our trip, we paid for two different cabin types, one on each leg of the journey.

On the way out, the Commodore suite cost £351.

On the return journey, the 4-berth deluxe cabin cost £297.

That’s a difference of just over £50 between the two.

It’s worth noting that these prices are just for the cabin itself, not the full ferry cost, which also includes passengers, the vehicle, and any extras like priority disembarkation.

In total, our full return ferry booking came to £1,597, so the cabin upgrade is just one part of the overall cost.

When you look at the price difference between the two cabins, it’s not huge.

So the decision really comes down to whether features like the private balcony and extra space in the Commodore suite matter to you.

For us, the balcony made a noticeable difference, especially when the motion of the ferry was bothering us, so I’d definitely pay the extra £50 next time, if there is a next time.

We actually wanted to book the Commodore suite both ways, but it was already fully booked on the return journey. They book up fast apparently, so you have to get in early!

Final verdict

The Commodore suite is the better option, mainly because of the balcony.

But don’t expect a luxury hotel experience.

If you’re going to spend time in your cabin, value privacy, or are concerned about motion, the upgrade is worth it.

If you’re only planning to sleep, the motion doesn’t bother you, and want to save money, the deluxe cabin is perfectly fine, or even one of their cheaper cabins with less space and perhaps no window if you want a budget-friendly option.

For us, having the private space made a big difference, and the balcony helped us manage the experience and suited us personally with somewhere to be by ourselves, and fresh air to help combat any motion nausea.

If we had to do it again, we’d choose the Commodore suite.

Next, why not read why I think the priority disembarkation is worth paying extra for, even if it might not really save any time overall.

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For Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven, the Commodore suite offers more space and a balcony, but both cabin types still experience movement, noise and limited sleep on overnight crossings.