"IKARUS PALACE" passenger facilities

                           Atrium and reception area on board the ship

                         Main Restaurant and Self-service restaurant on board

 Above shopping gallery, library, view-room, family-room, card-room, main lounge and bar, below there's even a mosque on board "IKARUS PALACE"

Despite some of the rooms being completely worn-out and in need of a desperate refurbishment and make over, "IKARUS PALACE" is one of the most elegantly decorated cruise ferries I have seen in years. The layout of the ship provides easy access to the outside decks, she was designed like a proper cruise ship not like a shopping centre, there's family rooms, social rooms but also, rooms where you can get away from it all, read a book or share a drink with friends and family without other passengers running you over. If I was on the shipping business, this ship would be a candidate to restart an old service from the early seventies, Southampton/Lisbon/Tangier, remember the EAGLE from P&O Southern Ferries ? About time now for old links to be renewed. Photos 8.9.2012

Cruising the MED on board "IKARUS PALACE"

The Mediterranean is without question one of the most fantastic places on earth to embark on a cruise, serene calm seas most of the times, warm temperatures throughout the year, crystal clear waters, the place is so inviting, it is one of the most popular destinations for cruise ships, last week I was travelling on the "IKARUS PALACE" from Barcelona to Livorno and felt once again the magic of the place as some of the photos above illustrate. 8.9.2012

"IKARUS PALACE" departing Barcelona

                        "CRUISE ROMA" can be seen on this photograph

                       the bridge known as "PORTA D'EUROPA"

                   "IKARUS PALACE" passing the cruise terminal, known as PONT ADOSSAT

"IKARUS PALACE" departing Barcelona, 7.9.2012 at 24.00

My first trip on board IKARUS PALACE

Friday 7.9.2012 was the date for my inaugural trip on board cruise ferry IKARUS PALACE, I had seen the ship for the first time in Barcelona a couple of months back, top photo, and I felt really excited because she looked such a beautiful ship, would never guess that two months on I would be sailing on her from Barcelona to Livorno. IKARUS PALACE is owned by MINOAN LINES but on charter with GRIMALDI LINES, she does a weekly round trip Livorno/Barcelona/Tangier, calling once more Barcelona on her way back to Italy, the operators rely very much on freight, containers and unaccompanied trailers. Once on board the ship I was really pleased with the ships layout and passenger facilities, she really looks like a cruise ship, plenty outdoor space not very common these days unfortunately, with a swimming-pool situated aft resembling cruise ships and liners. The crew is from Greece, however the Hotel services are secured by mainly very attentive staff from Philippines and Honduras. A closer inspection to the vessels interiors indicated that some of the rooms are in need of a complete refurbishment, it would be a shame not to intervene soon as the deterioration is quite at an advanced stage. the food is far from good as well, the reserved area for reclining-seats with its toilet facilities are in my opinion the worst area of the ship in need of a complete make over. Future posts will show the colourful and smart mediterranean style decor of the ship. For further information on IKARUS PALACE please see my post dated 13.7.2012. The route operated by IKARUS PALACE has such a great potential, Barcelona is Barcelona, Tuscany is easily reached from Livorno, Pisa is less than 10 miles away and Tangier gateway to the beautiful country of Morocco, this blog is committed from now on to do everything possible to promote this service.

Back at sea last week

This last week I was back at sea, first on the 4.9.2012 on board "PRIDE OF BURGUNDY" and three days later for an inaugural sailing on the beautiful Greek cruise ferry "IKARUS PALACE" for a trip from Barcelona to Livorno, please check for future posts coming here soon, special emphasis on the IKARUS a ship owned by MINOAN LINES but on charter with GRIMALDI. Photos above 4.9.2012 and 8.9.2012

"SPIRIT OF BRITAIN" out of service today

The superb new cruise ferry "SPIRIT OF BRITAIN" was today out of service due to technical problems. I was supposed to sail on the ship at 14.00 but just as I arrived the check-in facilities I was told that the ship would probably be loading about 20 minutes later. At approximately 2 pm, we were told that the ship was still at sea and we would be transferred to the next available sailing, the 14.45 on board "PRIDE OF BURGUNDY", during the process of loading I saw the "SPIRIT OF BRITAIN" finally arriving at Dover and safely deliver passengers and freight, later when we were secured for sea, our captain informed us that unfortunately one of the new P & O super cruise ferries would be withdrawn from regular service due to mechanical failure. Photos 4.9.2012