Ready for sea on board "KING SEAWAYS"

Photos taken on board "KING SEAWAYS" 7.2.2017, prior to departure from North Shelds (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), Vitor Francisco

At Ijmuiden onboard "KING SEAWAYS" ready for sea

"KING SEAWAYS" had just finished loading and was secure for sea at Ijmuiden, when I took these photos, the tradition associated with DFDS's cruise ferries departures, the band playing on ( Tape recording ) and the sound of the ship's whistle is well alive, a tradition that passengers really like, hope DFDS will keep it for long, it's romantic and nautical, Vitor Francisco 26.2.2018

"KING SEAWAYS" arriving Ijmuiden

"KING SEAWAYS" arriving Ijmuiden this last Monday from Newcastle in the UK, the ship recently went to dry dock to have some work done on her propeller shafts, which will reduce her fuel consumption, four days only, the time needed for the works to be carried out, as for the new DFDS livery, we will have to wait for next dry docking, photos Vitor Francisco 26.2.2018

KING SEAWAYS at Ijmuiden

KING SEAWAYS seen departing Ijmuiden in September of 2016, the ship is now thirty years old, she has been in service with DFDS on the Newcastle to Ijmuiden ( Amsterdam ) route since 2016, she is now fresh from a refit at Gdansk, next week follow the blog for new "posts" as I will be boarding her again next week.

VAL DE LOIRE remembered

Every now and again I remember and miss the years I sailed on monthly basis on VAL DE LOIRE, she will always be a special ship for me, 57 times I had the immense pleasure of sailing this fantastic ship, today still cruising for DFDS as the KING SEAWAYS, the vast majority of my trips on the ship were from Plymouth to Santander or the other day round, we were "pals" sailing the Bay of Biscay and the memories and stories we share are unique and unforgettable, there is always a great deal of emotion and sentiment to write a few words about VAL DE LOIRE, today I remembered her once again after checking her progress on Marine Traffic, she is now at Gdansk undergoing a refit, also at Gdansk is another very special ship to me, the BRETAGNE, still sailing for BRITTANY FERRIES.

"VAL DE LOIRE" once again remembered

 I was reading the January 2012 issue of the SHIPS MONTHLY, there is a special focus on the DFDS cruise ferry "KING SEAWAYS", all the wonderful memories of the ship as the "VAL DE LOIRE" came to mind once again, I have sailed 57 times on the BF cruise ferry, in the latter years that the ship served BF for me was like going home, I would always get the best table on the restaurant, visit the engine room, bridge and at the end of a 24 hour crossing I used to address the crew with a .... " see you next week " . Never sailed on "KING SEAWAYS" but knowing the reputation and quality of DFDS service, I am absolutely confident that the ship is in very good hands. My photos of the VAL DE LOIRE and a DFDS promoting postcard of the KING SEAWAYS with present livery, to travel on the ship from the UK to Ijmuiden in HOLLAND please visit www.dfds.co.uk and for other posts and photos of the VAL DE LOIRE please visit my BF blog, http://vmf-brittanyferries.blogspot.com