"PRIDE OF BRUGES" sailing from Hull, an incredible manoeuvre

One of the most special and incredible manoeuvres I have ever witnessed, is the departure or arrival of the cruises ferries, "PRIDE OF BRUGES" and "PRIDE OF YORK at Hull, navigating the lock, pass the other P & O cruise ferries really close, it is to say the least for a ship's enthusiast, exciting and what better way to see it, than from on board one of the ships getting ready to sail to Rotterdam, the "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" or the "PRIDE OF YORK", the photos selected for this post, were taken from the "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM", 15.5.2018 Vitor Francisco

"PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM", touches of gems from the past

I have been sailing on "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" and her sister "PRIDE OF HULL" since 2001, the year they were introduced, they were the largest cruise ferries in the world at the time, today at 17 years old, they are not new, but they are also far from being old, these ships are built to last for about 35 years, so the sisters are in their prime, what I still really like about them, is the atmosphere on board, a reminder of old P & O liners from the past, a time where ships had souls, the area of the BRASSERIE and the QUITE ROOM are steeped in Maritime History and remind me of P & O Liners of the past, the Zeebrugge to Hull sisters have recently been refurbished, the BRASSERIE completely changed, it looks an empty space, lifeless, ask me 1000 times which one of the two I'd rather be and the answer would be 1000 times the Rotterdam to Hull sisters. Photos taken on board the "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM", 15.5.2018 Vitor Francisco

"PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" arriving Rotterdam

"PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" at sea arriving Europoort ( Rotterdam ), photos 18.4.2017 Vitor Francisco

Ferries departing Hoek Van Holland

"PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" and "STENA TRANSPORTER" departing Hoek Van Holland at the same time, photos taken 22.6.2017, Vitor Francisco

PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM shining at Europoort

Clear blue skies, 34 degrees temperature and a shining cruise ferry was the scenery at Europoort yesterday, it was my fourth trip of the year on PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM, really good to see the ship full with passengers and freight, passengers some ending their holidays, others on their way to the UK to begin theirs, modern cruise ferries are the present day liners, transporting people and cargo to their destinations, the photos above show the ship ready for her passengers and sailing on her way to the UK, 24.8.2016.

Back cruising on the "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM"

PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM was introduced in 2001, since then I have sailed on her many times, she was together with her sister PRIDE OF HULL the largest cruise ferries in the World back then, they have lost the status but they still up there. It's always an immense pleasure to sail on them, yesterday was no exception, one of the fantastic things about cruising on these ships, is the possibility to board at about 4.30 pm, four hours before the ship's departure, plenty of time to explore the ship, make some photos, many in my case, have a drink and even dinner, all very civilized and relaxed, especially during winter months and mid week sailings. PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM is registered in Rotterdam, she is manned by Dutch officers and Philippines crew, a very happy ship, she is due for another refit soon, for this "post", I have chosen photos of my Premier Two berth outside cabin and the two restaurants on board, the A LA CARTE BRASSERIE and the Self-Service, today called "THE KITCHEN". The ships provide a very enjoyable first time cruise experience, it was good to see some passengers very excited about the possibility of sharing a meal at the BRASSERIE and making plans for the excursions ashore, ROTTERDAM and AMSTERDAM. Photos 10.11.2015

MV "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM IN 2001

Postcard of the PO FERRIES "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM" in April 2001 just after been delivered from FINCANTIERI to PO FERRIES

PO FERRIES "PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM"

the PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM and her sister ship PRIDE OF HULL were built in Italy by FINCANTIERI, the ROTTERDAM was delivered in April 2001, the HULL later in the year. PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM has a GT of 59.925 and a service speed of 22knots, the sisters were until the introduction of MV COLOR MAGIC the biggest passenger ferries in the world, they are however the biggest cruise ferries operating from the UK, I have sailed a few times on both ships, photos included were taken in February on board the PRIDE OF ROTTERDAM, the first one shows the ship at her berth in March, both vessels provide a wonderful mini cruise experience, they are operated by PO FERRIES on the Hull/Rotterdam service