Back on board "NORMAN VOYAGER"

I was back on board "NORMAN VOYAGER" on the 7.4.2013, this was my third trip on the ship, the last one was one week before her November refit last year, I was pleased to see her almos full with passengers and freight, a lot to do of course with the Easter Holidays, also the ship has changed for the better, there is more open spaces on board for the passengers to enjoy, she still looks very well looked after with a caring crew. "NORMAN VOYAGER" is not by any means a cruise ferry, passengers don't cruise, there's not many facilities on board, but overall it is a pleasant crossing if of course you like travelling by sea, the opening of the new open deck spaces can only contribute for the well being of passengers particularly during spring and summer months. Her food served on the Self-Service Restaurant, only one available, was a lot worse than last time I was on board with very limited options, more demand for the same limited number of crew could be the reason. After her last refit she also lost the LD LINES logo and letters painted on her hull, it has been suggested that she will be painted with the DFDS livery later this year after another refit, we will be here to post future developments on the subject. Photos 7.4.2013

Maritime Le Havre from "NORMAN VOYAGER"

Photos 10.11.2012

"NORMAN VOYAGER" ready for sea at Le Havre

"NORMAN VOYAGER" ready for sea and leaving the harbour of Le Havre, yesterday 10.11.2012

my first trip on "NORMAN VOYAGER"

In the space of just nine days I did a round trip Portsmouth/Le Havre/Portsmouth on board "NORMAN VOYAGER", it was my very first trips on the ship. The vessel is part of 14 very similar ships built by Italian shipyards CANTIERI NAVALE VISENTINE, she was introduced in November of 2008 so she is only four years old. "NORMAN VOYAGER" is owned by Epic Shipping Ltd she was introduced on the Portsmouth/Le Havre route in 2011, the vessel is  26.904 GRT and has a top speed of 22.8 knots. Between 2009 and 2011 the ship was operated by Celtic Link Ferries who chartered her from LD LINES for the Cherbourg to Rosslare route, during this period in December of 2009 she received an award for saving three crew members of a struggling yacht out of Cherbourg, a plaque proudly displayed on board. The interiors of the ship are very basic but really well looked after, she actually is better preserved than the NORMAN ASTURIAS employed on the Saint-Nazaire to Gijon service also with LD LINES and delivers better food, the "boeuf bourgignon" is excellent. The ship has been operating since 2011 on the Portsmouth to Le Havre service with LD LINES, part of the project MOTORWAYS OF THE SEA. Photos 1st and 10th November 2012

"NORMAN VOYAGER" going for a refit in November

LD LINES "NORMAN VOYAGER" is going for a refit in November from the 12th to the 29th, so during this period there will be no sailings from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Photo above taken from LD LINES official website.

"NORMAN VOYAGER" the new ship for the Saint-Nazaire to Gijon service

I did a post recently about the possibility of NORMAN ASTURIAS being replaced on the LD LINES route Saint-Nazaire to Gijon. The new ship already operating as from this week is the 2008 built "NORMAN VOYAGER", please check for future posts about this vessel on this blog