Portsmouth to Cherbourg was somewhat of a younger route in P&O's history out of Portsmouth. P&O acquiring the service during the takeover of Townsend Thoresen in 1987. Prior to the takeover however there had been a service connecting Portsmouth to Cherbourg since the late 1970's when Townsend Thoresen slowly moved their operations from Southampton down to Portsmouth.

Over the 18 years of P&O operation between Portsmouth and Cherbourg many vessels have served the route faithfully.