The P&O Fleet
Welcome on board the Pride of Dover
To operate a service like P&O Ferries do, they need to have a fine fleet of ferries at their disposal. So, how many boats comprise the P&O Ferries fleet, linking the United Kingdom and the continent each day?
Of the six main destinations that P&O Ferries sails to, each has a specific flotilla of boats serving it. Those who travel regularly on P&O’s most popular route, between Dover and Calais, might be familiar with some of these: the Pride of Dover, the Pride of Kent, the Pride of Canterbury, the Pride of Burgundy, the Pride of Calais and European Seaway.
The majority of these ferries were built by Schichau-Unterweser in Germany, and include great capacity for cargo alongside their state of the art design. A century ago, the idea was realised that a journey need not just be a functional necessity, but could also be an enjoyable experience – with great liners of the day offering luxurious voyages to prospective passengers. In the early twenty first century, this idea is still alive and well – as you can see by studying some of their vessels.
The Pride of Dover for example, features a family lounge, offshore shopping facilities, high quality coffee shops, bars, food courts and executive lounges. All this adds to the experience, whilst some people just enjoy staying out on desk – enjoying the changing views and the fresh sea air.
P&O have recently announced that they are going to replace both the Pride of Dover and the Pride of Calais. They are to be replaced by two of the biggest ferries to have entered British ports over the next two years. The new ships are to have capacity for 1,500 passengers, 160 lorries and 250 cars on each crossing. You can read more about this news by following this link.
As you have so correctly stated, crossing the English channel on board a P&O ferry is a most relaxing and an exciting experience. I am very glad to hear about the new ferries, have they deployed them yet in 2009 ?