The fifth member of the vast Superfast Ferries fleet, she now operates for Brittany Ferries from the UK and Ireland to France and Spain as Cap Finistere........let's go aboard!
Cap Finistere has always been a ship which has evaded me. Normally deployed on the long haul routes to Spain, when she was scheduled to operate a rare round trip voyage from Portsmouth to LeHavre, a considerably shorter journey, I jumped at the chance to go aboard to have a thorough look around.
Now I need to say from the outset this journey was in December-an exceptionally cold and wet day with a gale blowing. Very few passengers were aboard and the ship was only temporarily covering this route therefore, she was not at her best.....many facilities were closed and being end of season she would have been due a refit so I with hold any comment or judgement.......
Her facilities being spread over four decks, I was looking forward to spending two days and one night aboard to have a thorough explore, not least because she was not built for Brittany Ferries nor the routes she serves; I was keen to see how this former Superfast vessel has been altered to serve the needs for this French company.
Berthing stern first in both Portsmouth and LeHavre, foot passengers enter the main accommodation on Deck 7 via an escalator/stairs from the vehicle deck; a port bus transferring passengers from the terminal.
Of course, I took the escalator up to the ships' main reception from the vehicle deck - why make things hard for myself? The décor within the stair/escalator shaft was welcoming with warm burgundy coloured walls, metallic and mirrored surfaces and at the top of the stairs, large windows.
Passenger facilities are located on Decks 7 through 10 and foot passengers embarking the ship emerge at the aft end of Deck 7.
This area consists of a lovely tiled floor hall, illuminated ceiling sculpture of a compass and long reception desk with lounge area opposite. The later is slightly raised from the adjacent corridor and has a waist height divide to give the illusion of a separate, more private lounge.
With an atmosphere similar to a hotel lobby, the reception is a very comfortable place to sit and relax or as on my voyage, work on your laptop as the WIFI was better here.
I noted many items from Cap Finistere's heritage within the foyer, namely logos from her years with Superfast operating in the Mediterranean.
Baring in mind this is one of the primary places where passengers congregate when boarding, directional signage was poor and although I spent time researching this ship prior to boarding, I was a little disorientated.
The two tier Planets Bar dominates the aft section of Decks 7 and 8 and is the main entertainment area aboard.
Accessed by a spiral staircase backed by a mural, the upper mezzanine level affords views down below and although one large space, the upper level has a more intimate atmosphere especially when a pianist is tickling the ivories; the more lively section being below where the bar, dance floor and DJ booth were located.
A giant wall of glass spans both levels and affords magnificent views of the ships' wake and at night, blue neon ceiling lights reflect beautifully off the window transforming it into a work of art.
Individual illuminated tables and metallic ceiling with tiny white fairy lights create a very warm, welcoming and comforting atmosphere very much akin to an exclusive city show lounge.
The seating is particularly comfortable and ranges from individual chairs on a swivel base to sofas around the sides of the lounge.
Back on Deck 7, a long tiled corridor spans the length of the deck from the reception hall at the stern all the way forward and zig-zags its way through the numerous facilities.
Lets have an explore....
After leaving the reception desk we walk forward along the port side and come to the Restaurant Du Port which unsurprisingly is on the port side of the deck.
This restaurant is extremely open plan to the corridor with nothing more than a waist height divide separating the two therefore, lacks privacy and intimacy when dining. If dining in here I would definitely arrive early and ask for a table near the windows; the furthest point from the corridor.
The table settings look very plush with table cloths, polished glasses and good quality crockery and cutlery.
The menu and prices look reasonable but the restaurant is only open at certain times indicated by a small wall mounted notice which can easily be missed.
An overflow section to Restaurant Du Port is on the starboard side of Deck 7 near the Commercial Drivers Restaurant though on my journey, this was just a void area which was not ready to accept bookings, presumably as there were so few passengers aboard.
Whilst we are here, the Commercial Drivers Restaurant/lounge occupies a tiny area on the starboard side near the Planets Bar. Again, it lacks privacy from the adjacent corridor. In fact, you can literally walk through the middle of their dining and relaxation space enroute to the Planets Bar. Not ideal for the poor drivers who just want to relax in some privacy.
Back to where we were, continuing forward along the corridors we come to Cap Finistere Bar. Shall we stop for a drink.......?
........well, no entertainment nor any particularly standout views of the sea are available from this facility and it was totally cluttered with differing styles of chairs. I can imagine this would be a hive of laughter and chatter with large groups congregating on busy crossings but on my journey with just a handful of passengers aboard it was a little sad looking.
TV monitors were mounted on the sides of low bulkheads so gave passengers something to watch as 'people watching' was not possible.
Access to the long exterior decks on the port and starboard sides of Deck 7 can be obtained from here.
The channel gale was starting to take hold.......
It should be noted that a life ring stating her old name of Superfast V was found - a name this ship has not had for many years. Not a bad thing - I like finding clues from a vessels heritage.
Back inside the warmth of the ship, Cap Finistere Bar is positioned centrally within the lounge facing forward directly onto the wall of Le Petit Marche; a very irregular facility to be found on a ship - literally a small supermarket where meats, cheeses, breakfast cereal, rolls, baguettes and snacks can be purchased and heated if required in one of the microwaves nearby. Unusual!!
Continuing forward along the same lengthy corridor we come to the glass fronted Spa Room. Again, unusual! I can accept having a spa aboard, in fact I welcome it however, sandwiched between two major thoroughfares within the lounge/bar; it does not afford privacy and it is extremely small. Why not have it next to the swimming pool up on Deck 10?
Finally on Deck 7 before reaching the cabin block at the forward end, we come to the boutique, a relatively small though perfectly formed shop. It has everything the traveller, whether holiday maker or business person could ask for. A range of items were available such as fragrances, travel guides, duty paid goods, jewellery, reading material and even local produce from the regions Brittany Ferries operates too,
It is a shame the shop is not expanded into the aforementioned Spa and the later moved elsewhere.
The whole forward section of deck 7 is designated as cabin accommodation.
Lets go up to Deck 8 and see what's up there.
Well, other than the upper level of Planets Bar and the adjacent cinema (which was closed), only cabin accommodation was up here.
Lets checkout Deck 9 instead.
Ok, other than a small outside deck space with its own bar right at the stern (which was closed), no other passenger facilities were here.
Pet friendly cabins are available on this deck which is probably why there is no carpeting in the adjacent corridors unlike the rest of the cabin areas.
So lets try our luck up on Deck 10; the highest point on the ship.
Baring in mind Cap Finistere normally operates to northern Spain I would have thought sitting out on deck in the sunshine whilst cruising down the Bay of Biscay would be desirable. Well, on this ship there is very limited exterior space.
Most parts of Deck 10 has a covered roof and floor to ceiling glass sides to admire the passing vistas - no space to sit in the open air.
The areas at the stern around the funnel casing have pools of water on the steel deck, covered with faded paint, the exposed metal ceiling, stark bulkhead walls and limited lighting makes these areas a particularly unforgiving place to be. Such a shame as it could really be turned into such an oasis. Let me get my hands on it!
The port side of this area has a dog exercise area. Note, Brittany Ferries has tried to brighten up this area by painting murals on the stark metal bulkheads........
........whilst the starboard side has a children's playground with slides and localised rubber flooring to prevent cuts and grazes.
The only place to get some direct sun in the open air are the outside swimming pools located amid ship, both of which were understandably closed during this night time December trip to LeHavre.
The forward end of Deck 10 on the port and starboard sides were 'open air' but space is relatively limited considering the size of the ship. A good feature are the glazed wind breaks.
Le Café / Salad Bar can be found at the forward end of this deck near the pool. A particularly bright and colourful facility offering a range of hot and cold beverages, alcoholic drinks and light snacks.
Why this facility was open on my journey was beyond me; an extremely cold December day, very few passengers aboard and an impending channel gale keeping many of them in the warmth down below, but at least I got served exceptionally quickly. HOORAH!
It was too cold, wet and windy to take advantage, but Le Café does have some large seating areas adjacent to the huge windows.
Wind definitely picking up now. Time to get back inside.....
And there we have it. A whistle stop tour of Cap Finistere.
Was I impressed? Well, I will withhold comment until I can travel on her again on the main holiday route to Spain when all facilities are open and the sun is shining. This journey was on an off peak December crossing to LeHavre with few passengers aboard and is therefore not appropriate for me to place judgement.
I would definitely suggest overhauling the lido deck on Deck 10. It has SO MUCH potential; teak decking, removal of the steel roof, paint/clad the stark metal bulkheads....a mini golf putting green could be introduced, some planters around Le Café, warm lighting, outside gym like on Brittany Ferries Galicia, relocation of the Spa from Deck 7 to embrace exceptional sea views..........I beg Brittany Ferries to let me get my hands on it!