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Spanish ferry link expanded with new vessel
Monday, 30 Dec, 2009
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Brittany Ferries is adding a cruise-ferry to its fleet to provide an additional two return sailings a week between Portsmouth and Santander.
There will be a total of four Brittany Ferries’ passenger services a week between the UK and Spain from March – three from Portsmouth and one from Plymouth.
The new vessel – as yet unnamed – will complement the existing Spanish services operated by company flagship Pont Aven. It will enter service a year after the route was launched.
The ten year old vessel, which has been operated by Superfast Ferries of the Attica Group in Greece, has 244 cabins, can accommodate up to 1,500 passengers and can operate at a maximum speed of 27.6 knots.
The high cruising speed will enable the crossing from Portsmouth to be made in 24 hours.
On days when it does not operate the Spanish route, the as yet unnamed vessel will provide additional crossings between Portsmouth and Cherbourg.
Bookings for the new service will open on the week commencing January 11
Company managing director David Longden said: “Despite the recession, demand for the new Spanish route has exceeded our expectations and forward bookings for 2010 are strong.
“We believe this is because Portsmouth is very easy to get to by road, especially from the Home Counties.
“With fares for travel in spring starting at only £227 each way for two people, a car and cabin on board, this is a great value alternative way to travel to Spain.”
The schedule to/from Spain will be:
New cruise-ferry
• departs Portsmouth at 11.15 on Friday and Tuesday arriving Santander at 12.15 Saturday and Wednesday
• departs Santander at 15.15 on Saturday and Wednesday arriving Portsmouth at 14.15 on Sunday and Thursday
Pont Aven cruise-ferry
• departs Plymouth at 16.30 on Sunday arriving Santander at 13.00 on Monday
• departs Portsmouth at 11.00 on Wednesday arriving Santander at 12.00 on Thursday
• departs Santander at 16.30 on Monday arriving Portsmouth at 17.00 on Tuesday and at 15.00 on Thursday arriving Plymouth at 09.30 on Friday
• departs Portsmouth at 11.15 on Friday and Tuesday arriving Santander at 12.15 Saturday and Wednesday
• departs Santander at 15.15 on Saturday and Wednesday arriving Portsmouth at 14.15 on Sunday and Thursday
Pont Aven cruise-ferry
• departs Plymouth at 16.30 on Sunday arriving Santander at 13.00 on Monday
• departs Portsmouth at 11.00 on Wednesday arriving Santander at 12.00 on Thursday
• departs Santander at 16.30 on Monday arriving Portsmouth at 17.00 on Tuesday and at 15.00 on Thursday arriving Plymouth at 09.30 on Friday
• The new vessel will operate day crossings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg every Sunday, Monday and Thursday with returns overnight.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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