journey across the Channel is only 90 min-
the ships’ restaurants, bars, lounges and
“The customer was positively sur-
utes, there are no cabins and hence no
shopping via their own private car deck
prised by the fact that the loading of the
room service.
(which features special lanes for those se-
ship is so effortless,” Uusitalo says.
Put together, these two huge vessels
lecting priority loading). Freight drivers, on
are something that the cross-Channel trav-
the other hand, have exclusive facilities in-
LEAP OF FAITH
el has never seen before – but size is just
cluding showers, DVD seat back entertain-
P&O Ferries, recognised as the World’s
one thing. For example, the design of the
ment and a large restaurant.
Leading Ferry Operator by the World Trav-
ships features a unique hull form that re-
The customer feedback from Spirit of
el Awards in 2010, is happy to have Spirit
duces drag in shallow Channel waters and
Britain has showed that these focus points
of Britain in the fleet – and can’t wait for
enhances fuel economy. This means, in es-
were selected well:
her twin to join in the autumn. With up
sence, that P&O Ferries can carry twice the
“Passengers have given very positive
to 25 crossings scheduled daily, the Spirit
payload of today’s ferries for pretty much
comments and especially the heavy traf-
of Britain and the Spirit of France will both
the same running costs.
fic drivers have been pleased with the ser-
be working around the clock for the next
vices.”
two decades – or that is the plan, anyway.
PERKS FOR DRIVERS
The word from P&O Ferries is that
P&O Ferries clearly took a leap of
In the planning effort, special considera-
filling up the ferry works out very well in-
faith when it agreed on the € 360 mil-
tion was given to the needs of motorists
deed – 45 minutes is all one needs to pack
lion contract for the two ships – together,
and freight drivers. Motorists get to access
all the vehicles in.
they represent the largest investment ever
20
seatec 2/2011