P&O Ferries today (24 January) took delivery of its second new €180 million ship, Spirit of France, during a handover ceremony at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland.
Spirit of France then began its 1,400 mile voyage to Dover under the command of Captain Steve Johnson, Senior Master. The estimated time of arrival at Dover is 11.00hrs on Saturday 28 January. Final preparations will then be made for the new ship to take up service on the Dover – Calais route by mid February.
Helen Deeble, chief executive, said: “This investment gives us the finest cross-Channel ferries ever commissioned for the Dover Strait and is a bold statement of our determination to continue to raise the bar in terms of the quality and comfort of ferry travel. I look forward to welcoming customers on board the first sailing of Spirit of France in due course.”
As the Spirit of France left her berth in Rauma at 12:50pm UK time, Fleet Director John Garner described the weather conditions for departure as “perfect”. Although it was minus five degrees with a light dusting of snow, it was bright sunshine with no sea ice anticipated en route to Dover.
Spirit of France leaves it's berth in Rauma, Finland today, en route to Dover
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Hello!
From what I can see on P & O reservations the first crossing of SPIRIT OF FRANCE from Calais to Dover would be on Thursday 9th February at 15.20. I would like to be on that crossing but I also would like to be sure before doing my reservation to travel on this first crossing from Calais, so do you think I can go ahead with it?
Thank you!
Hi Jean-Marie, At the moment everything is on schedule. If you are desperate to be on that particular sailing it maty be worth securing your place now and checking closer to the time.
Yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll follow her on AIS and go to Dover to see her next week I hope!