Portsmough - Bilbao ferry being withdrawn!

[Yellow Peril]

Not sure if the P & O route has gone for good as the Pride of Bilbao is currently sat in Falmouth Docks under going a refit so she may well be back. Although at the moment she looks rough as rats.

 

[Mr K]

Not sure if the P & O route has gone for good as the Pride of Bilbao is currently sat in Falmouth Docks under going a refit so she may well be back. Although at the moment she looks rough as rats.

It had new engines only a few years back?

Had some good times on that boat.

 

[cherokee]

Cheers

About an hour Cherokee

Thanks buddy....

 

[CaptainSlow]

Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth were originally built for Olau Line for their Sheerness to Vlissengen service and were delivered in 1989 and 1990 as the Olau Hollandia and Olau Britannia. Olau Line was shut down by their parent company in 1994 and P & O chartered the Hollandia and Britannia. They were renamed the Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth and both were used up to 2005 when the Portsmouth - Le Havre route was shut down by P & O.

Estonia was delivered in 1980 as the Viking Sally and was used on ferry crossings between Finland and Sweden initially. It was acquired by Estline in 1993 and renamed Estonia.

Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth certainly were sister ships, but it appears there is no connection at all with the Estonia, given they were built 10 years later than the Estonia.

I was obviously told porkies then, or just being gullible again...

 

[Fanum]

Brittnay ferries have just purchased a new ship the Superfast V (to be renamed Cape Finisterre) which will operate the Portsmouth Santander route soon. The Pride of Bilbao is a dirty heap of crap any way.

Have confirmed our bookings for the March trip and although I'm going out on the Pont Avon, I'm coming back on the new one, the Cap Finistère
Outside cabin too

Looking at the blurb on the Brittany site about the boat, it looks good...plus something that may be of interest to those riding down, they list 'cots' as a sleeping option.......I didnt ask for a price on them, but I'm guessing that they'll be cheaper than a cabin (but more than a recliner maybe? ) but a lot nicer than squishing yourself into a seat overnight

It's not good news getting off a boat with a long ride/drive ahead of you feeling all sore and aching, 'specially with a mild hangover

As is my duty, I'll sample all the beers and bars on the boat in March and report back with my considered findings

PS the lady I was speaking to today hinted that the P&O service will probably be resumed, though not using the Puke of Bilbao...the fact that Briittany have bought this new boat and laid on a 4x a week service seems to indicate that it is in fact a commercially viable route, so fingers crossed for a bit more competition

PS prices don't appear to have gone up significantly, though I appreciate that the P&O route is still open



Onboard entertainment & facilities

• Sun deck with covered veranda
• Swimming pool and bar
• Movie lounges
• Information desk
• Lounge bars
• Brasserie style restaurant
• Shops
• Disabled toilets

Accommodation on mv Cap Finistère

• 2 berth outside de luxe cabins (double beds)
• 2 berth outside cabins (beds side by side)
• 4 berth cabins (with and without porthole)
• Cabins adapted for disabled customers (2 berth with porthole and beds side by side)
• Cots

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

It's not good news getting off a boat with a long ride/drive ahead of you feeling all sore and aching, 'specially with a mild hangover

I think I can see your problem, Bill. It is mandatory to emerge from the Portsmouth-Bilbao boat with a HUGE hangover...

 

[steveone]

Another new Ferry due Friday 12th for trials not sure of route will update when I know. Portsmouth to ?

 

[Slowdown]

Portsmouth to ?

Cowes?