Cabin-boy Report post Posted November 28, 2018 I'm sure the Germans have deep pockets right now to generate goodwill for the second ship due on the blocks (next year I think). Plus the local hotels are hardly likely to complain, out of season, about the extra business. Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgst Report post Posted November 29, 2018 Extract from trading update published today The W.B. Yeats, currently under construction by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesselschaft & Co. KG (“FSG”) completed its sea-trials in early November and is undergoing final delivery adjustments. FSG have advised ICG that the W.B. Yeats will be ready for delivery during early December. ICG would like to apologise once again for any disruption caused to our tourism and freight customers due to the delay in FSG delivering the ship, a delay that was an extraordinary event totally outside the control of ICG. FSG are contracted to deliver a second new vessel during 2020. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted November 29, 2018 She was floated out on the 19th January so it will have taken almost 11 months to assemble her upper structure, correct the issues, test her and get customer approval. Does anyone know if either of the previous ferries they built (including one for Calmac) over-ran or experienced any significant issues during construction? Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hhvferry Report post Posted November 29, 2018 The most commercial complex ships FSG built before WBY were the four for BC Ferries and they were all delivered on time with times of typically eight or nine months between keel laying and delivery. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted November 30, 2018 Has the mystery saboteur struck again? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46394989 And, meanwhile, France is still threatening a new revolution. President Macron has taken his wife down to Buenos Aires for the G20 summit and appears to have invited two of his former girlfriends along too. 😀 Ed 1 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
giloine Report post Posted November 30, 2018 🤣 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted December 7, 2018 Our fellow enthusiasts over at the Irish Ferries Forum are suggesting that there will be no movement until next week now as she still needs to be bunkered. I personally think the yard would prefer to have her gone by the time Honfleur launches on Thursday to avoid any comparisons and allow BF to get their publicity photos (from the shore and by drone - weather permitting) without having W B Yeats in shot. Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted December 12, 2018 W B Yeats is currently being moved, with the help of two tugs to the other side of the pier (presumably to make room for Honfleur once she's launched on Friday). The Irish Ferries Forum (quoting the German Ferries Forum - you see, European cooperation is sometimes possible) are now suggesting that she will leave Flensburg on Sunday. Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fine Whine Report post Posted December 12, 2018 Et voilà Ed 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
des Report post Posted December 12, 2018 Looks like she has been handed over. http://www.ise.ie/app/announcementDetails.aspx?ID=13901658 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fine Whine Report post Posted December 12, 2018 I heard just now from a very reliable source in Dublin that the W.B. Yeats was handed over to Irish Ferries today. The following press release is on their website so it would appear to be true, we’re now waiting to see what fate awaits the Oscar Wilde, apparently there will be an announcement in a few days. Chris SHARE THIS STORY A WORLD OF WONDER AWAITS AS IRISH FERRIES PREPARES FOR THE CHRISTMAS DELIVERY OF THE W.B. YEATS 12 DEC 2018 This Christmas, look forward to the gift of summer sun and sail to France in style, as Irish Ferries prepares to celebrate the arrival of the majestic W.B. Yeats. Expected to dock in Dublin next week, this magnificent ship will provide passengers with a unique and memorable cruise-style travel experience. Offering up to four sailings a week directly from Dublin to France, this flagship cruise ferry will travel 125,000 nautical miles per annum, which is the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe nearly 6 times. Sailing from mid-March to the end of September, Irish Ferries will be the only operator providing customers with a direct crossing from the convenient Dublin Port to the perennially popular holiday destination. The W. B. Yeats will afford superior comfort to 1,800 passengers offering 440 spacious cabins, including luxury suites with stunning private balcony sea views and a dedicated butler service. Styled throughout in natural tones, rich furnishings are accented by marble, steel and state-of-the-art lighting, creating a relaxed and contemporary atmosphere on every deck. Décor in the passenger areas exudes understated elegance, illustrated by famous works of art and literature from Yeats and other well-known artists, while downloadable audio extracts from the famous poet’s celebrated catalogue provide the backdrop to a unique walking tour. From refined accommodation to fine dining, the literary theme continues throughout the ship, as guests are invited to indulge in innovative cuisine in the Lady Gregory Restaurant, enjoy a casual snack in the Maud Gonne Bar & Lounge or immerse themselves in the magic of movies and family fun entertainment at The Abbey and The Peacock cinemas. Spoilt for choice with a host of bars and restaurants on board, as well as great chances to shop all the latest brands, the holiday truly begins the moment passengers’ step on-board. Speaking ahead of the arrival, Andrew Sheen, Managing Director of Irish Ferries said, “We’re delighted to bring the W.B. Yeats and its superior luxury to Dublin. The introduction of this magnificent new ship offers holidaymakers unrivalled comfort with direct route access from the convenient and centrally located Dublin Port to France. Irish Ferries look forward to welcoming passengers onboard the W.B. Yeats to sail in style in 2019.” Consumer Marketing & Sales Director for Irish Ferries, Nora Costello continued, “Whether it’s a gourmet break away in a picturesque French village, or a seaside adventure for all the family, we’re giving our customers the chance to enjoy the freedom of unlimited luggage and the comfort of travelling with their own car.” Holidaymakers will enjoy 10% off when they book a summer sailing from Dublin to France on www.irishferries.com before January 15th, 2019. #SailinStyle Image in the article 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fine Whine Report post Posted December 12, 2018 2 minutes ago, des said: Looks like she has been handed over. http://www.ise.ie/app/announcementDetails.aspx?ID=13901658 Damn, you beat me to it Des! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted December 12, 2018 35 minutes ago, Fine Whine said: Damn, you beat me to it Des! It's not a race. What's a couple of minutes compared to 8 months? 😀 Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonno Report post Posted December 12, 2018 4 hours ago, Fine Whine said: we’re now waiting to see what fate awaits the Oscar Wilde, apparently there will be an announcement in a few days. It'll be a shame if she was to leave the fleet, proper cruise ferry and she's no older than the Newcastle ships. I've flirted with her since her Kiel days. I wonder what they'd replace her with at Rosslare, surely not Epsilon? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan_H Report post Posted December 13, 2018 Oscar Wilde is a lovely ship indeed, or at least she was when I sailed on her back in 2008. She would suit many a longer route from the UK, such as say, Newcastle-Bergen Will W.B. Yeats be on Holyhead-Dublin this Winter? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nottingham Report post Posted December 13, 2018 7 minutes ago, Ryan_H said: Oscar Wilde is a lovely ship indeed, or at least she was when I sailed on her back in 2008. She would suit many a longer route from the UK, such as say, Newcastle-Bergen Will W.B. Yeats be on Holyhead-Dublin this Winter? Replacement for Connemara? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzzbee Report post Posted December 13, 2018 32 minutes ago, Ryan_H said: Oscar Wilde is a lovely ship indeed, or at least she was when I sailed on her back in 2008. She would suit many a longer route from the UK, such as say, Newcastle-Bergen Will W.B. Yeats be on Holyhead-Dublin this Winter? Think she starts Holyhead-Dublin in March before moving to Dublin-Cherbourg in the summer. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neilcvx Report post Posted December 13, 2018 Apparently she’s starting at the end of January doing the Holyhead route. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Report post Posted December 13, 2018 W.D. Yeats pictured in Flensburg today. Due to depart on Sunday for Dublin. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Report post Posted December 13, 2018 The front is a bit ugly, and the Honfleur looks almost identical ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captjack Report post Posted December 13, 2018 Yes the front isn’t pretty at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
des Report post Posted December 14, 2018 On 12/12/2018 at 19:28, Fine Whine said: while downloadable audio extracts from the famous poet’s celebrated catalogue provide the backdrop to a unique walking tour. (Quoting Irish "but flagged elsewhere" Ferries and not Fine Whine) The Pont had an audio tour from Day 1 if I recall correctly (and a book, a copy of which we own). 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMWeaver Report post Posted December 15, 2018 'W.B. Yeats' has left Flensburg, bound for Cherbourg. Arrival currently scheduled for Wednesday at around 02:00. Images here: 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neilcvx Report post Posted December 15, 2018 This was shared on Facebook earlier some good interior shots in the video. https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Flensburger-Werft-uebergibt-neue-Riesenfaehre,wbyeats102.html 2 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Report post Posted December 16, 2018 She is currently pottering around just south of Skagen, presumably waiting for space to take on bunkers. Ed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites