David Williams

This will allow for a seamless move to the Le Havre route whenever that happens as the Honfleur and Etretat have DF cabins and this will make it simple to change the Honfleur start date without suffering from loud barks of complaint.

This was announced at the end of November, however BF always wait until the last minute to share it https://s5d9e0c91c56792bf.jimcontent.com/download/version/1543747261/module/11176953894/name/tracts actions a compter du 3 decembre 2018.pdf

The work is planned from April to the end of June assuming that they get through the environmental consulation. I can’t see the Honfleur starting service in July.

The website is often a bit late in being updated, however I have found that BF are a lot quicker in sending out texts and emails regarding changes to those affected.

The trials seemed quite thorough and it sustained a decent speed for a reasonable length of time. I can't imagine that IF would accept handover if it has any significant problems. Note that Alf Pollak returned to the pier for a time after sea trials as well. However I note that Alf Pollak has been in the Fayard shipyard for over a month, however is out of dry dock now, They don't need the pier for the Honfleur at the moment, they seem to be somewhere else when they join he bits together.

Given we are now on 'maybes'. maybe there is some work required to support Normandie.

It doesn't really matter, when using the ships you generally only see the front or the rear and there is not a lot of branding on that. Be thankful they haven't gone for a more dynamic look:-

The shape is growing on me, from one direction it looks a bit like a bird, from the other 2 dolphins.

Green could come from the Irish flag and Orange from Spain / Ireland It makes sense to mix up the colours from the 4 nations.

Originally, and still on the Honfleur site, they talked about June. However given WB Yeats which launched in January is still at the Pier having returned from sea trials and Alf Pollak which launched in May has spent the last month in Dry Dock, I would not put a large wager on July in service.

I am sure that you will find the Normandie very comfortable ! June was only a target, it has always been July in the timetables & I really can’t see it being ready before September, however maybe it will surprise us.

Hopefully the gaps will be welded or it may not float very well ! it is good to see it with the bow, it looks like a proper ship.

It will be on schedule, FSG are good at this bit. As discussed before it is 93 working days from the 6th August which I believe will be the 13th December as I would expect a Thursday launch. The boat that launches will have 6 decks.

I remember when easyjet had a phone number on their planes, that was replaced by a website and now just a 'sensible' logo

I don’t think we missed too much when the camera was off.