mv Pride of Cherbourg
The mv Pride of Cherbourg replaced the both the old mv Pride of Hampshire & mv Pride of Cherbourg in 2002.
The introduction of the mv Pride of Cherbourg meant a total revamp of the timetable from three departures per day to two departures per day., this was acheived by the increase in service speed. Despite best efforts by the Crew she was never a major hit on the route, this is probably down to the duration of the crossing time and lack of available cabins.
The mv Pride of Cherbourg started her life on the Irish Sea being built for and operated by Irish Ferries as the mv Isle of Innisfree. After eight years on the Irish Sea she was replaced and put on the Sale / Charter market, being chartered by P&O in 2002 for the Portsmouth to Cherbourg service. On arrival in Portsmouth she became the second ship operating out of Portsmouth on charter from Irish Ferries, the other being the mv Pride of Bilbao. She entered service in the standard P&O livery at that time of deep blue hull and white superstructure.
Despite a very intensive schedule on the English Channel, the mv Pride of Cherbourg had very little downtime or delays. Having travelled on the ship several times, she did feel cramped especially when running close to capacity. Sadly during the Business Review in 2004, the Cherbourg route was scheduled for closure, and final closure was in January 2005. The mv Pride of Cherbourg following being destored in Portsmouth sailed for Poland and further service this time with Stena Line. She currently sails as the 'mv Challenger', across the other side of the world in New Zealand.
The introduction of the mv Pride of Cherbourg meant a total revamp of the timetable from three departures per day to two departures per day., this was acheived by the increase in service speed. Despite best efforts by the Crew she was never a major hit on the route, this is probably down to the duration of the crossing time and lack of available cabins.
The mv Pride of Cherbourg started her life on the Irish Sea being built for and operated by Irish Ferries as the mv Isle of Innisfree. After eight years on the Irish Sea she was replaced and put on the Sale / Charter market, being chartered by P&O in 2002 for the Portsmouth to Cherbourg service. On arrival in Portsmouth she became the second ship operating out of Portsmouth on charter from Irish Ferries, the other being the mv Pride of Bilbao. She entered service in the standard P&O livery at that time of deep blue hull and white superstructure.
Despite a very intensive schedule on the English Channel, the mv Pride of Cherbourg had very little downtime or delays. Having travelled on the ship several times, she did feel cramped especially when running close to capacity. Sadly during the Business Review in 2004, the Cherbourg route was scheduled for closure, and final closure was in January 2005. The mv Pride of Cherbourg following being destored in Portsmouth sailed for Poland and further service this time with Stena Line. She currently sails as the 'mv Challenger', across the other side of the world in New Zealand.