BRETAGNE's 30th Anniversary

 

Remembering a special trip on board my favourite cruise-ferry, the BRETAGNE. The date was the 16th of July 2019, the day she embarked on her maiden voyage thirty years earlier. This was the day, I had confirmation from my editor that my book about the ship would be printed in December of 2019 on time for Christmas. Many, many special memories on board BRETAGNE. The ship was recently sold to BALEARIA to operate in the MED, so good luck BRETAGNE now named ROSALIND FRANKLIN. Photos Vitor Francisco 16.7.2019.

 

SAINT-MALO is seen here departing her namesake. Photos Vitor Francisco 13.4.2025

The new SAINT-MALO, BRETAGNE's replacement on the Portsmouth to Saint-Malo route

 

SAINT-MALO was the first of two new hybrid ferries ordered by Brittany Ferries to Stena, the second being the GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE. Part a massive fleet investment, both new ships were conceived to reduce fleet emissions, they are commonly referred to as "Greener ships", more environmentally-friendly. Based on the E-Flexer platform, E-Flexers are passenger and vehicle RoPax ferries designed to be economic, efficient and flexible. These passenger ships have a unique hull shape, the bow reduces resistance around the thruster openings and the stern was designed to reduce wave making. They are extremely good seakeeping, very comfortable negotiating high seas. SAINT-MALO compared to the previous ships on this class has an extra passenger deck, she is more passenger orientated offering a total of 387 cabins. SAINT-MALO and her near sister, the GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE are shorter in length by 20 meters, making them more attractive then the previous ships of the class. Back in January of this year, I was part of a group of 500 invited passengers to first experience the brand new ship. SAINT-MALO is the ship replacing the much loved BRETAGNE on the Brittany Ferries route, Portsmouth to Saint-Malo. SAINT-MALO is a ship born a legend, she has inherited the famous "Bretagne Soul". Brittany Ferries was tireless to customise the new ship to their well known standards, not an easy task on chartered tonnage. The moment passengers step on board can fully appreciate the effort to bring back the Company's DNA. More than 300 artworks were introduced on board BRETAGNE, the work of Scottish artist Alexander Goudie, many of these art works are now on display on board the SAINT-MALO. Two more trips followed recently on the ship, she is a worthy successor to the BRETAGNE and soon will become another passenger and firm favourite. Images above, my first views of the SAINT-MALO at Portsmouth, 25th January 2025. Vitor Francisco V

 

17.4.2025 at Ouistreham, NORMANDIE arriving from Portsmouth, soon after these photos were taken, the ship would start her very last sailing from Ouistreham back to Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries passengers. NORMANDIE was built by Kvaemer Masa-Yards in Finland and completed in 1992. the ship embarked on her maiden voyage on the 18th of May of that year. NORMANDIE has had a remarkable career with Brittany Ferries that spanned for one month short of 33 years. Throughout her career, she was cherished by millions of people, she soon became a favourite amongst passengers and crews. I remember when she was introduced she was seen as a huge ship at just over 27.000 GT. To me she was a friend, countless times I boarded the NORMANDIE from or to the UK on my business trips to Continental Europe. So many times my mood changed just to know she would be waiting for me as a means of transport. My favourite way of transport to be at sea, my greatest passion in life, passenger ships and the sea. NORMANDIE has been recently sold to "La Meridionale" and she is due to start commercial service between Marseille and Morocco in less than two months. Strongly built, with good maintenance, MASSALIA, as she will be known from now on, will still have many years in service. So, Merci my dear friend and until we meet again.

Here we see the NORMANDIE departing Ouistreham to Portsmouth, her last departure from France and the route she served with such hard work and loyalty. Photos Vitor Francisco 17.4.2025.

SAINT-MALO at her namesake

The brand new SAINT-MALO seen docking at her namesake, Saint-Malo. The new ship entered service back on the 12th of February 2025 to replace the legendary BRETAGNE.

The Bell of the BRETAGNE

 I have decided to re-activate this blog after no activity since 2017, quite incredible to think that. All these years, I have continued to be a frequent passenger on board Brittany Ferries ships. Just experienced the brand new GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE on her maiden voyage yesterday from Ouistreham to Portsmouth. The ship that replaced the Legendary NORMANDIE. Six months earlier another iconic ship, the BRETAGNE also replaced by the SAINT-MALO, near sister of the GUILLAUME DE NORMANDIE.

CAP FINISTERE arriving Portsmouth

Bought in 2009 from the Greek operator SUPERFAST, "CAP FINISTERE" is the most recent cruise ferry to enter service with BRITTANY FERRIES, she has been since 2010 a reliable partner to PONT-AVEN on the Spanish service, the ship is seen here arriving Portsmouth from Bilbao, photos taken from NORMANDIE, Vitor Francisco 5.4.2017