My maiden voyage on "OSTENDE SPIRIT"

Commercial Drivers Restaurant and the bar below, the only passenger facilities opened for the moment on board the "OSTENDE SPIRIT", the passenger capacity will be for 900 passengers and further facilities will reopen by the end of February.

"OSTENDE SPIRIT" was built in Germany by SCHICHAU UNTERWESSER in 1987, she was laid-up in October of 2012 by P & O FERRIES after 25 years in service on the Dover/Calais route. Soon after been withdrawn from service rumours circulated associating her as the new TRANSEUROPA ferry on the Ramsgate/Oostende service. "OSTENDE SPIRIT" entered service last friday, 1.2.2013 as the third ship on this mostly freight service, I have sailed her yesterday, 6.2.2013 from Oostende to Ramsgate, she looked great in her new livery, unfortunately when inside the ship she looked like a ghost vessel, all the passenger facilities remain the same but they were all shut down apart from the Commercial Drivers Restaurant and a Bar at the aft of the ship, the only opened toilets were in such a poor state, all the hand dryers had been removed for some odd reason, the crew assured me that new ones should be in place by next week and they were a complete washout. If you planning to travel on the ship make sure you bring a reasonable amount of money sterling or euros with you because on board there is a cash only environment. "OSTEND SPIRIT" was not due to start her new role for another 2/3 weeks but the refit on "GARDENIA" precipitated operations, "GARDENIA" will resume service next week and there are rumours that "OSTENDE SPIRIT" will be withdrawn from service to finish her much needed improvements, the capacity of the ship will be for 900 passengers, the former HORIZON LOUNGE will reopen soon as well as the former BRASSERIE, the ship is on charter for three years, the new operators will focus mainly on freight but will market the leisure passengers as well, perhaps the admission of foot passengers would be a good step forward, this new ship is a big bonus for TEF, the crew is hard working and very cooperative, the only way is truly forward. Photos yesterday 6.2.2013

BRUGES ready for "VALENTINE's DAY"

Bruges is one of my most visited places during my travellings abroad, I use the Ports of Zeebrugge, only 10 miles away, Dunkirk, Calais and even Rotterdam during business trips to Northern France and the Benelux. Bruges is a perfect destination throughout the year, now the city is ready for "Valentine's Day", there's loads of special offers at the moment so why not treat yourself and your partner to a real treat and celebrate this romantic occasion in perfect style. Photos 5.2.2013

Back on board "DUNKERQUE SEAWAYS"

3.2.2013 I was back on board "DUNKERQUE SEAWAYS" for another crossing from Dover to Dunkerque, this new cruise ferry came into service in November of 2005, I have sailed  her many times since December 2005, she was of course the first of the new trio of super ferries operated by NORFOLK LINE, the other being the DOVER and DELFT SEAWAYS, they are now operated by DFDS. Since they came into service few changes to the passenger facilities occurred, the most evident was the introduction of a BRASSERIE style Restaurant called "LA VERANDA" and a small childrens play area, photographed above. Please check the "search blog" gadget for other posts of this new trio of ships, photos above the ship leaving Dunkerque in June of 2011 and interiors of the ship, 3.2.2013

New HIGH SPEED FERRY service with BRITTANY FERRIES

BRITTANY FERRIES has announced today the beginning of a new HIGH SPEED FERRY Service from Portsmouth to Le Havre, the new operation will link the UK Port with Normandie starting 17.5.2013 and will run throughout the summer until September, BF will use the NORMANDIE EXPRESS, the crossing will take approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, the last HIGH SPEED service on this route was secured by LD LINES with their fast craft NORMAN ARROW which was withdrawn from service in 2011. Photos included, NORMANDIE EXPRESS sailing from Portsmouth in June 2011 and NORMAN ARROW departing Le Havre also in June of 2011, the NORMAN SPIRIT can be seen in one of the photos, at the time the only Cruise Ferry operating on the route, this ship has been replaced by the NORMAN VOYAGER and is today operating on the Dover/Calais route still operated by LD LINES.

BRITTANY FERRIES is 40 years old this year

                                 NORMANDIE arriving Portsmouth 27.3.2012

                                 PONT-AVEN entering Portsmouth 7.1.2012

                                CAP FINISTERE, off Santander 27.11.2010

           MONT-ST-MICHEL and BRETAGNE, Portsmouth 24.6.2011 and 18.4.2012

2013 will be a special year for BRITTANY FERRIES, this great Cruise Ferry Operator celebrates 40 years of service, BF has been part of my life for the past two decades, I have travelled over 200 times on their ships, very fond memories of the VAL DE LOIRE, DUC DE NORMANDIE and QUIBERON, in March of 2004 I was on the PONT-AVEN's maiden voyage and since then I have travelled on the ship 21 times, developed strong links with BRETAGNE built in 1989 the first real Cruise Ferry of this prestigious company, still today one of my favourite passenger Cruise Ferries. This year I have several crossings planned with BF and can't wait for them to happen, it is always a special occasion for me when I step on board these marvellous ships, a big thank you to BF for being part of my life, for all the wonderful moments spent on board even during force 10 storms on the famous Bay of Biscay and of course for the excellent food served on board. FERRY PUBLICATIONS is organizing a celebration cruise this May, for all the details please click here also for other posts and photos of BF ships why not pay a visit to my Blog dedicated to this French Company now founded 40 years ago here. Included photos of part of the fleet, today BF has in service, PONT-AVEN, CAP FINISTERE, COTENTIN, MONT-ST-MICHEL, BARFLEUR, NORMANDIE, ARMORIQUE and BRETAGNE

Ship Spotting at Southampton and SAILAWAY CRUISE

ALSCF has been to Southampton last thursday for the SAILAWAY CRUISE with BLUE FUNNEL. Six Cruise Ships were in Port, five of them due to sail in the evening, AZURA, BLACK WATCH, QUEEN MARY 2, ROTTERDAM and QUEEN VICTORIA, the sixth one, SAGA RUBY delayed due to engine failure. For other "posts" of the Cruise Ships in Southampton on this day, please visit my CRUISE SHIPS AND LINERS by clicking here. Photos 10.1.2013

HIGHLIGHT OF 2012

My trip on Cruise Ferry "IKARUS PALACE" was my highlight of last year, it was my very first trip on the ship, a beautiful Ferry operated by GRIMALDI LINES on the Livorno/Barcelona/Tangier service. Photo by Andrew Cooke copyright. Please visit September 2012 archive of this blog for all about this Cruise Ferry