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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Perry Smale" data-source="post: 1707276" data-attributes="member: 14674"><p>Having been on both routes I can say that the Val de Loire sailing from Plymouth-Santander was far superior, because the ship was better suited to wildlife-viewing, mainly due to the forward-facing observation deck which enabled birds or cetaceans to be sighted a long way ahead (so allowing much longer views). Viewing from the Pride of Bilbao I found a pain. No forward-facing observation deck for one and where you could view from was too high up. Poor views of everything was the result. It was sad when the Val de Loire was taken off the Plymouth -Santander route . Another thing I would say is that apart from the distance to drive from home, the food was better on the Val de Loire and the wildlife information officer on the Pride of Bilbao was rude and obnoxious and I vowed never to sail on this ship again!</p></blockquote><p></p>