Spirit of France..Maiden Voyage tomorrow.
- 8 February 2012 12:41152264P&O Ferries' second new €180 million ship, Spirit of France, sets sail on her maiden voyage to Calais tomorrow (Thursday 9 February) at 12.05.
With capacity for up to 2,000 passengers, and three separate vehicle decks capable of carrying nearly four kilometres of traffic parked end to end, this giant ship joins her identical twin sister the Spirit of Britain in revolutionising travel on the Dover Strait.
The impressive design of these two ships, with a unique hull form that reduces drag in shallow Channel waters and enhances fuel economy, means the new vessels, each capable of carrying 160 articulated lorries plus a further 195 cars, can ship twice the payload of previous generation Channel ferries for the same running costs.
Huge floor to ceiling picture windows with stained glass enhance the luxurious ambience on board and no expense has been spared in ensuring the quality of all the fixtures and fittings in the bars, restaurants and superb lounges.
Freight drivers, whose lorries will fill the ship's lower two vehicles decks, get the five star treatment in the Routemaster's Lounge with their own private showers, restaurant, relaxation area with recliners and a seat back entertainment system plus their own outside deck area.
Motorists access the ship via their own private car deck which has special lanes for those selecting priority loading. There are also reserved spaces for customers wishing to park on the ship in order to shop on board in the extensive airport-style retail outlet during a return Channel cruise. For those wanting a bit more luxury and style, the ship's exclusive Club Lounge has a private outside deck equipped with cruise-style furniture.
There is a choice of dining on board in either The Brasserie waiter service restaurant, with its wide range of traditional British signature dishes, or the self-service International Food Court which offers a massive choice of food to go and a wide range of cooked meals, salads and desserts catering for British, Continental and Oriental tastes.
The youngest passengers get an entertainments area in the Horizon Family Lounge equipped with tables and chairs for toddlers and small children while teenagers get their own sound-proofed video arcade.
Spirit of France and her sister ship are the first passenger ferries in the world to be designed to new Safe Return to Port requirements being introduced by the International Maritime Organisation, ensuring the highest compliance with propulsion, steering and machinery redundancy.
The two ships form part of the leading ferry operation on the shortest Channel crossing between Dover and Calais. In total, P&O Ferries operates six ships on the route offering up to 30 sailings in each direction every 24 hours.
Standard return ticket prices start at £60 return for a car and up to nine passengers travelling throughout 2012.
Further information and bookings at www.poferries.com or telephone 08716 64 64 64.email: dover7@msn.com - 8 February 2012 12:43152265more like a cruise liner than a cross channel ferry.
- 8 February 2012 15:44152290Indeed it is Howard, Bags of facilities onboard there with cuisine for all sorts of tastes. Definitely a step up. I will watch for it tomorrow as it departs and will get a picture if there is anything of note.
This item linked through from the frontpage as well. Trying to juggle with the various items.
email: dover7@msn.com - 8 February 2012 20:56152369Well we have travelled on her sister ship, look forward to travelling on the Spirit of France this summer, lets hope they keep them prices reasonable
- 9 February 2012 09:42152423The ship has come into position now at Dover 9..ready for the maiden voyage with bunting flying and so on. She sails just after mid day....Good luck to her...as they say.
email: dover7@msn.com - 9 February 2012 13:15152442She moved off at 12.05 right on schedule on her maiden voyage. Sadly it is a very gloomy grey morning so the pictures are very grey and not up to much....but here she is anyway...Bon Voyage!
There didnt appear to be any marching bands or any champagne corks a poppin....email: dover7@msn.com - 9 February 2012 15:09152466bit of a damp squib, a grey thursday afternoon in february and no big send off.
- 9 February 2012 16:25152475Yes a very grey gloomy day with nary a firework. I see there was a small item on this on the lunchtime news..I dont know if they invited members of the media down but I didnt get an invite anyway, so we did what we could from home base. However am glad to see P&O sending us all their info through which is very welcome.
email: dover7@msn.com - 9 February 2012 16:35152478Isint the naming ceremony still to come?Keeps politics to myself
- 9 February 2012 17:04152494Dont know about that one Helen but when I hear anything will get it up on here..she slipped quietly into service today without too much fuss so maybe they will make more of it if there is to be a naming ceremony.email: dover7@msn.com
- 9 February 2012 20:03152546covered on b.b.c. south east earlier.
chief executive helen deeble.
the facilities look superb.
glowing references from this chap and many others.
- 9 February 2012 20:11152553I see from the news this evening that there are no additional jobs for Dover. A very nice ship though obviously aimed at freight traffic with three decks for lorries and cars, with what looks like a comfortable lounge area.
- 9 February 2012 20:18152558that's right about jobs barry, overall these two new giants mean less jobs of course.
the report added that the ship was ordered just prior to the collapse of lehman bros, things could have been very different. - 9 February 2012 20:49152563Gloomy day alright but good to see a shot of her leaving Dover for the first time even if only from homebase, well done PaulB Just saw her on the 6 o'clock news, see you're on the ball there Howard The truckers were saying how much they loved it with shower facilities and lots of comfort etc. It felt like a little holiday for them, one said, away from the rigours of driving and much preferred than sitting in their truck in the tunnel, so a winner all round! Sadly no local jobs though. Will certainly try this one as I loved the trip over on her sister ship a while ago
- 9 February 2012 23:27152583Yes was a gloomy departure also caught south east news earliar, when checking my emails there was one from P&O with an offer already, if you book before feb14th off peak you can travel from just £30 or during peak times for £39 each way up until 13th of december, that was for both the spirit of Britain and France so they are getting the offers in quick.
So will sure be giving it a try, well done those cameras were at the ready with first hand pictures. - 10 February 2012 11:04152611No room for this one at the Inn any more...
this ferry has been languishing nightly off the Shakespeare Cliff. Perhaps its not needed any more what with the sparkling new arrival.
Not sure which one it is...beyond visual range...but not beyond camera range! We can zooom in any where.
email: dover7@msn.com - 10 February 2012 11:45152620That's the Pride of Calais, which is operating a freight-only service at the moment. At quieter times P&O lay-up off Shakespeare Beach. I'm told that in late March when the Spirit of Britain goes off to have her vibration problem sorted POC will return to full service.
The first scheduled crossing of the Spirit of France did appear to be a bit of a non-event. However, yesterday the weather was indeed dull, misty and very cold - and look at it this morning .... lovely!.
- 10 February 2012 18:21152697
My contribution from this morning at the heights.
On Sunday I will be in Belgium and am booked back on the Spirit of France so will try to get some inside pics for you.
Love your photo John, as usual
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 11 February 2012 08:23152770Thanks for that info John. The Pride of Calais has now moved away from her temporary location nestled in the wake of Shakespeare Cliff. Probably back in the daily fray now.
Yes it was very grey for pictures on maiden voyage day John, and the following day was bursting with colour..what can ye do, sods law...not that there was much to photograph, other than her slipping away quietly from the pier. A couple of photographers did turn up along the seafront with long lenses ready for the off.
Nice one there Jacqui...yes would be interesting to see some pictures from the inside. As Howard shows there above.. some of the internals were shown on TV but would definitely be nice to see some on here. Enjoy your trip to Belgium..make sure you bring some some of dem chocolates for us all!! email: dover7@msn.com
