Brittany Ferries’ Pont-Aven A Huge Success On Cork-Roscoff Route

[fisher]

Brittany Ferries Press Release: 28/06/04

Sailing Schedule Extended to End of October

Since it’s arrival in Ringaskiddy Harbour on 3 April of this year, Brittany Ferries new flagship Pont-Aven has been a huge hit with Irish passengers. Bookings are up on last year which is quite impressive given the ship’s additional capacity and extended sailing schedule through October. And Irish holidaymakers looking for a relaxing Autumn break can still avail of Pont-Aven’s luxurious amenities for as little as €139 per person.

“Bookings have already exceeded our targets, particularly for the high season,” said Mr Hugh Bruton, General Manager of Brittany Ferries Ireland. “Some of that stems from the arrival of our new flagship Pont-Aven to the Cork-Roscoff route which is attracting our loyal customer base as well as many new travellers who want to experience first-class ferry travel.”

He did note, however, that there is still some availability in July and August. In addition, Brittany Ferries offers a Landbridge option where holidaymakers can travel with their cars on the company's extensive UK route network operating to France and Northern Spain.

Great offers are also available for those seeking a French holiday in September and October. From as little as €139 per person, a party of 4 adults can enjoy return travel Cork-Roscoff with a car and 4-berth cabin for one week.

In addition to exceptional ferry prices, Brittany Ferries Holidays are a great value during the Autumn when the high tourist season is over and the pace of life is that bit more leisurely. A weekly rental on a gite in southern Brittany is just €391 while an apartment with indoor heated pool near San Malo can be had for as little as €235 per week.

The Pont-Aven is now the largest vessel in the Brittany Ferries fleet, with an increased capacity of 2,400 passengers and 650 cars. It is also the fleet’s quickest vessel – a service speed of 27 knots will effect a significant reduction in crossing times, taking the travel time from Cork to Roscoff from 14 hours to eleven – a three-hour decrease which will get Irish passengers to holiday France faster than any other ferry company.

The Pont-Aven’s facilities, which up until now have only been found on cruise ships, will impress even the most experienced traveller:

pool and bar areas with panoramic sea views and surrounding leisure facilities
wide choice of restaurants and bars, tea rooms and bistros
a wrap-around promenade deck for a brisk, early morning walk
a central, five-deck atrium with panoramic lifts
two cinemas showing the latest films and stylish shopping malls with low tax prices
live music and dancing for the adults and special leisure areas for teenagers and kids
specialised kennel area which can be accessed at anytime by pet owners

[mat]

that's a good new but i hope that it will continue like this. BF should create a new line between cherbourg and cork to disturb irish ferries! or a line between dublin and france to disturb p&o's freighters
mat

[Yann Ferries]

[quote author=mat link=board=3;threadid=954;start=0#msg11557 date=1090262946]
that's a good new but i hope that it will continue like this. BF should create a new line between cherbourg and cork to disturb irish ferries! or a line between dublin and france to disturb p&o's freighters
mat
[/quote]

... and why not reopen the line Saint Malo - Cork which is closed since 1996.
But to open another line towards Cork, it would be necessary already initially that Brittany Ferries charters or makes build a ferry with a capacity sufficient as passengers, cars and cabins for such a line.

[mat]

hello,
who ran this line? you are right, it could be an interesting thing but it could make decrease the number of passengers of the cork/ roscoff route since roscoff is close to st malo. Caen or cherbourg are far away and it could disturb IF without disturbing BF in roscoff.
no?
mat

[Hinkley]

Brittany Ferries did the Cork St.Malo route using the Duchess Anne. The outward sailing left Cork (Ringaskiddy) at 23. 59hrs! of a Wednesday arriving at St.Malo at about 17.00 French time. It was a good service in that you could use it get an extra few days in France, if you left from Roscoff on the following Friday fortnight. Regards Hinkley.

[Yann Ferries]

[quote author=Hinkley link=board=3;threadid=954;start=0#msg11572 date=1090296282]
Brittany Ferries did the Cork St.Malo route using the Duchess Anne. The outward sailing left Cork (Ringaskiddy) at 23. 59hrs! of a Wednesday arriving at St.Malo at about 17.00 French time. It was a good service in that you could use it get an extra few days in France, if you left from Roscoff on the following Friday fortnight. Regards Hinkley.
[/quote]

Here additional information:

In 1996 (from May to September), the Duchesse Anne made over one week 1 return Saint Malo - Cork
and 4 returns Saint Malo - Poole.

Here how the Duchesse Anne functioned during the summer 1996 (with good memory):

Monday:
Poole: arrival 6h00
Poole: departure 8h00
Saint Malo: arrival 17h00
Saint Malo: departure 19h00

Tuesday:
Cork: arrival 11h00 (I am not sure of hour of arrival)

Wednesday:
Cork: departure 23h59

Thursday:
Saint Malo : arrival 17h00
Saint Malo : departure 21h00

Friday:
Poole: arrival 6h00
Poole: departure 8h00
Saint Malo: arrival 17h00
Saint Malo: departure 21h00

Saturday:
Poole: arrival 6h00
Poole: departure 8h00
Saint Malo: arrival 17h00
Saint Malo: departure 21h00

Sunday:
Poole: arrival 6h00
Poole: departure 8h00
Saint Malo: arrival 17h00
Saint Malo: departure 21h00

I remember that I had taken pics of the Duchesse Anne in 1996 in Saint Malo.
If I find them, I would put them on forum BFE

Yann Ferries