Andy

A route to Portugal to take advantage of their green status appears to be on the cards: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/brittany-ferries-mulls-sailings-portugal-20572719.amp

This view is certainly being promoted in the media (and understandably so!): https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ferries-more-covid-safe-holidaymakers-24074770

For those that have not already seen this press release (a late check of my inbox): Don’t fret and fly this summer, sail and stay instead Brittany Ferries is today urging holiday makers to consider a ferry relaxing vacation this summer. The company, which serves beautiful destinations in France and northern Spain, says international holidays by sea could be set for a big come-back. Air travel has taken centre stage, following government confirmation of the traffic light system for international travel. But there are other ways to enjoy a get-away – that’s not far away – without battling busy terminals and sitting cheek by jowl in cramped tubes. “We want to remind people that there are attractive alternatives to air travel this summer,” said Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO. “Taking the ferry means there’s no need to mingle in a busy terminal building, or arrivals hall, alongside passengers from multiple destinations. Drive on-board in your own car, then head straight to a cabin which is fed by fresh sea air. Step outside on deck, visit a bar, restaurant or shop, and do so while social distancing in safety and comfort. This is the modern ferry experience and it’s why we urge everyone to consider a sail-and-stay holiday in 2021.” France and Spain are currently on the UK government’s amber list. However, Brittany Ferries hopes and expects these countries to turn green at the first review in three weeks’ time. That’s because infection rates are falling, while vaccination rates are rapidly rising in both countries. The green light from government should release an avalanche of latent demand for late June and the peak summer season. The company sails to destinations in so-called green Spain and north west France. These are not population centres, but rural regions characterised by sweeping beaches, snow-capped mountains (Picos de Europa for example) and ancient forests. They should appeal in particular to those with concerns about holidaying in big cities or busy resorts. Brittany Ferries has also confirmed that there will be no increase in prices this summer. The cost of a voyage in 2021 will be no different to last year, whatever changes government makes to the traffic light system. Furthermore, for peace of mind, the company also offers fully flexible tickets. This means, if the Covid situation changes, travel plans can be changed too – hassle-free. In the UK, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. It carries around 2.5 million passengers a year (pre-Covid average), 85 percent of whom are British.

The official public announcement was only made today, but has been widely known and expected for some months now. Having operated from Poole in 2015 she's proven she's a good fit for the port - and has of course also visited St Malo before whilst marking the start of the Route du Rhum, so an excellent fit for Condor's network.

It has been announced that the Normandie Express is to join Condor Ferries fleet as Condor Voyager, and that Condor Ferries will operate some high speed services to France on behalf of Brittany Ferries. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2021/04/22/condor-could-use-high-speed-brittany-ferries-vessel-this-summer/

Galicia participated in an emergency exercise today off Cherbourg with the French coastguard, simulating power loss and emergency towage.

Hi Jonny, and welcome to the forum! Its most likely a result of passengers moving their bookings following the (limited) release of 2022 sailings earlier this week. I would take the opportunity to grab the cabin you’d like whilst you can, just in case...!

A strongly worded article in Le Mode yesterday, expressing the challenges ahead for BF and the need for support. https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2021/04/09/brittany-ferries-allons-nous-abandonner-derriere-nous-cette-institution-du-monde-maritime-francais-et-europeen_6076191_3232.html

Now showing as renamed with Cypriot flag.

Stena Line today announce the latest addition to their Baltic Sea fleet. The 186 metre long Visentini RoPax vessel Stena Livia will initially join sister vessel Stena Flavia on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils route from mid-April. Later this year the pair will replace the existing tonnage on the ferry route between Travemünde and Liepaja, adding 40 per cent freight capacity and shorten the crossing time substantially. Etretat is still berthed in Cherbourg, and yet to be renamed and flagged. https://news.cision.com/stena-line/r/stena-livia-joins-the-baltic-sea-fleet,c3321344

The CGT union have reportedly reached an agreement with Brittany Ferries for there to be "No Dry Layoffs Over The Next Three Years". https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/roscoff-29680/brittany-ferries-pas-de-licenciements-secs-ces-trois-prochaines-annees-selon-la-cgt-8b9f5574-96f5-11eb-8638-69c56106f3d4 BF are also seeking a cash injection of 50M euros, through a prospective partner alongside their majority shareholder, SICA. https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/transport-maritime/le-delicat-renflouement-de-brittany-ferries-161aa412-9258-11eb-8153-111acea7321d

It's pretty rate for passengers to be able to physically walk on the bow on any ship these days. At least MSM has the external forward deck (when the doors are open!), and the Pont-Aven has the promenade deck and an outside deck which offer forward views.

Don't forget the significance of the rail link project at Cherbourg. The e-flexers large capacity make them an ideal candidate to support the supply of unaccompanied freight to the UK.

plus a weekend trip to Bilbao, before the Cotentin takes up the reigns to Santander (meaning Le Havre becomes a weekday service only).

Just like the good old days, with the Val