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.

Ships Operating	Dates
mv Pride of Cherbourg	2002 to 2005
mv Pride of Bilbao	Friday Night Caberet Cruises 1993 to 2004
hsc Cherbourg Express	2000 to 2004
hsc Superstar Express	1998 to 2000
mv Pride of Cherbourg	1994 to 2002
mv Pride of Hampshire	1994 to 2002
mv Pride of Cherbourg	1989 to 1994
mv Pride of Winchester	1989 to 1994
mv Viking Voyager	1987 to 1989
mv Viking Viscount	1987 to 1989