Loathe her or love her, Pride of Burgundy seems to have developed a cult following in recent years. Writing this blog, which is more comprehensive than I originally intended, I unashamedly think I am one of the later ❤
Launched in 1992 and entering service a year later, Pride of Burgundy spent a phenomenal twenty seven years at the Port of Dover operating for P&O Ferries.
I remember vividly running down Dover's Prince of Wales Pier in my school uniform WOW I FEEL OLD! (shows how long ago this was) on a drizzly morning to get some photos of the brand new vessel arriving for the first ever time; helicopter hovering over the ship and a selection of DHB work boats nearby.
A considerable amount of publicity was undertaken by P&O European Ferries prior to the 'Burgundy entering service, such as newspaper 'pull-outs'.....
....and ship visits.
For those who are unaware, this ship was designed as a freight ship to be named European Causeway and operate Dover/Zeebrugge with sisters European Seaway/Pathway & Highway. She was converted 'last minute' to become a ROPAX for the Calais route in 1992.
Note, European Pathway and Highway were converted to a ROPAX in 2003 as part of the 'Darwin Project' and became Pride of Canterbury and Kent respectively for the Calais route. European Seaway was never converted and remains 'as built' as a freighter.
The pictures below show the three generations; European Seaway, Pride of Kent and Pride of Burgundy.
I won't go into the technical details of this ship such as engine horse power or vehicle capacity - a simple Google search will bring up countless websites with this information. At A2B via Sea I do things differently and look at ship interior design, facilities aboard and general arrangement.
Using her aft enclosed suspended foot passenger 'tunnel' used for the Port of Dover (or for the benefit of this blog, a time tunnel!) I am going to take you back to 1993 for a trip down memory lane to see how her interior has changed over the years........
Grab a cuppa, get comfy and lets go - back to 1993.
Back in the day the decks were lettered; A, B, C, etc. but in 1998 when P&O joined forces with Stena Line, this was subsequently changed to numbers; 7, 8, 9, etc.
Embarking Pride of Burgundy via her Dover foot passenger 'tunnel' we enter
(D-Deck) and the aft hall which gives direct access to the POSH Bar - remember those?!
Back in the day P&O European Ferries vessels had a POSH Bar; a relaxed and civilised area with deep pile carpeting, beautiful fixtures and fittings and comfortable seating.
The POSH Bar on the 'Burgundy also benefited from having sea views from the windows on the port side, but also views of the stern.
(Aft hall by Dover foot passenger gangway, 1993)
(POSH Bar 1993)
(Photos taken in 1999)
The POSH Bar, which was subsequently renamed Compass Bar was renamed again in 2000 and became Silverstone's Sports Bar. It had the same décor as her running fleet mates on the Dover/Calais route; carpeting, memorabilia, flat screen TV's, juke box, etc. though on a smaller scale congestion was an issue on capacity crossings.
(Photo taken 2000)
I noticed in 2008 Silverstone's had been renamed 'The Bar', probably owing to the P&O Stena split. Its décor had been very tastefully redecorated in warm tones and newly upholstered seating which included sofas, arm chairs and cube style stalls.
(Photos taken 2008)
(The Bar, taken in 2020)
D-Deck had a single uncarpeted corridor which meanders its way around the deck from the original POSH Bar (aft port side), over to the starboard side and forward to the amid ships foyer. Ahead of this foyer are a series of cabin blocks; part of the original design of this ship which was hastily rebuilt from a freight ship whilst in the builders yard prior to actually entering service.
(1993 deck plan)
Lets continue forward.
(POSH Bar looking aft and the main corridor)
Upon leaving the POSH Bar we pass a set of toilets and make a right, past the exit to the shopping centre on our left and past the wide stairs which gives access to the deck above (C-Deck) on our right.
(Photo taken 1993)
(looking in the other direction in 2020)
Access to the original Quiet Lounge can be found on our right beyond the stairs. This starboard side lounge consists of many rows of blue coloured airline style seats. Like the POSH Bar next door on the port side, views of the sea can be seen via windows on two sides.
(Photo of the Quiet Lounge taken in 1993 looking forward)
During a voyage in April 2000 I noted a Harbour Coffee Company outlet had been introduced within the same area at the forward end of the Quiet Lounge. This outlet has a differing seating and floor covering from the adjacent reclining seat lounge to distinguish the two facilities.
(Photos taken 2000)
In 2006 I noted the whole area had been overhauled. Additional seating, laminate flooring and yellow coloured wall covering had been introduced around the coffee shop, whilst the seating for the adjacent lounge was newly upholstered.
Although additional seating for the coffee shop was at the sacrifice of the capacity of the adjacent lounge, it was definitely worth it and a good move, making the coffee shop a facility in its own right..
(Photos taken 2006)
(Photos taken 2008)
When I visited Pride of Burgundy in February 2020 the aforementioned areas were closed but I was reliably informed by a crewman that the reclining seats remain at the stern but the Harbour Coffee Company outlet had been removed. If I had known that would be my last ever time aboard Pride of Burgundy I would have tried harder to gain entry to get some photos.
Going back to the main corridor, we walk forward towards the large reception. This area is very bight, not least owing to the windows along the starboard side as views of the sea are decisively lacking owing to the positioning of the lifeboats outside, but more to do with the décor with its reflective surfaces.
Comfortable lounge chairs adorn the area adjacent to the windows and being a main thoroughfare, a good place to people watch.
(Photo taken in 1993)
When introduced in 1993 a children's playroom, video lounge showing cartoons and a bureau de change were located within this area. Only the later remains to this day in its original guise.
(Photo of the video lounge taken in 1993, looking forward)
When I visited in 1996 large soft ' shapes' were introduced within the playroom for children to clamber on.
(Photo taken in 1996)
In March 1998 when I visited the seating adjacent to the windows had been
re-upholstered which changed the overall décor of the area.
(Photo taken in 1998)
In 1999 the video lounge with its mirrored exterior had been replaced by a 'Mega Drome' Gaming Arcade; its exterior by this point was 'loud' and modern and looked completely out of place within the surrounding décor of the area.
(Photo taken in 1999)
In 2000 I noted new red coloured carpeting had been introduced within the seating area.
(Photos taken 2001)
In 2003 I noted new burgundy coloured upholstery had been introduced on the sofas and in 2005 I noted the corridor flooring spanning the gaming arcade (former video lounge) through to the main reception had been replaced with laminate to match that of the deck above.
(Photo taken 2005)
In 2006 the children's playroom with its soft play equipment had been gutted and turned into a nursery. Apart from a few seats for adults and pictures on the internal walls, this area is essentially a void space.
(Photo taken 2006)
(Photo taken 2008)
In 2020 I noted that the nursery had become a second gaming arcade and the seating which adorn the starboard side windows were damaged with its padding being almost non-existent. Note another new floor covering by this point.
(photos taken 2020)
The ships main reception dominating the forward end of the corridor we have just walked along remained pretty much the same throughout the lengthy career of Pride of Burgundy.
I remember when I first went aboard this vessel in April 1993 during a publicity visit prior to her entering service; I recall this area having a complete WOW factor with such a bright and spacious reception with the 'new car smell'.
After 27years of active service understandably it is now rather 'meh'.
The Calais foot passenger gangway connects to the starboard side.
(Photos taken in 1993)
(Photo taken 2017)
As mentioned previously, ahead of the reception is a vast amount of cabin accommodation with no public accessibility, with the exception of a mother & baby changing room along the starboard side corridor nearest the Calais foot passenger walkway, which was converted from one of the cabins.
(Photos taken in 1993)
The shopping centre entrance is located within the foyer. Unfortunately nowhere near the size of the shopping malls aboard running partners Pride of Dover/Calais in the 90's and arguably smaller than every other vessel in the fleet since, the Pride of Burgundy's shop has always been constrained with very few options of expansion.
(Photos taken in 1993)
Throughout her career there have been numerous changes within the shop; new floor coverings, new shelving units, etc.
However, my final voyage aboard Pride of Burgundy saw the biggest change within the shop in its history; now branded World Duty Free one could be forgiven they are at an airport as the internal décor is identical to the shopping outlets found within the departure lounge, albeit on a smaller scale.
Entry was, as before, from the ships reception and one follows an inset curved black tiled walkway within a brilliant white coloured tiled floor around numerous shelving units to the exit at the far end.
For a shopping centre with a relatively small square footage, the design is truly excellent, though had it been me making the decisions, I would have expanded into the starboard side corridor, moving the bureau de change counter to the reception and moving the gaming arcades nearer to one of the bars - bigger shop=potentially more revenue earned for P&O. Thirty years studying interior design, what do I know, eh? lol.
Lets go back to the ships reception and head on up to C-Deck, later known as Deck 8.
Ascending the dual staircase next to the main reception positioned below the glazed skylight, we enter a truly magnificent light filled hall complete with a unique water feature, seated surround, gift/souvenir shop, telephones and toilet facilities. Well, that was back in 1993.........
(Photos taken in 1993)
In 2000 the fully carpeted hall, along with surrounding areas had its deep pile carpeting removed and replaced with hard flooring, identical to that found aboard running mates at that time (Picardy, Aquitaine, Provence and Canterbury) allowing consistency and continuity.
(Photo taken 2000)
In 2001 it was noted some minor refurbishment was undertaken within the Gift shop; the long central display which essentially created a one way system within the shop had been shortened and divided into two allowing for a better browsing experience.
(Photo taken 2001)
In 2005 I noted the Gift Shop had been gutted and turned into the servery for the Commercial Drivers Restaurant situated astern, essentially creating a larger space for this facility -not surprising as freight is an important market for P&O, but it does mean the only shop aboard Pride of Burgundy at that point would be the one downstairs.
A small alcove remained where the entrance to the Gift Shop once stood, which became a gaming arcade.
(Photo taken 2005)
In 2008 came a major change to the once spacious and impressive hall. Owing to the increasing growth of freight, an additional lounge was required for the drivers. As such a highly imposing wall was constructed within the hall to house a self contained lounge; deprived of natural light it was an oppressive sole-less room with nothing other than a few forward facing seats, a TV and a drinks machine. Poor commercial drivers!
(Photos taken 2008)
Entrance to this new lounge is off a new 'sub corridor' near the gaming arcade. A further corridor is located between the two staircases beneath the skylight which gives access to the lift and disabled toilet beyond.
Essentially now cut in half this once spacious and large hall is now nothing more than a corridor linking the self service restaurant (forward) with the facilities at the stern.
Lets go forward and checkout the self service restaurant.
(Entrance to self service, photo taken 2020)
Occupying the area which would have been the combined café, bar, lounge and shop IF Pride of Burgundy had remained as a freight ship, this area is now solely designated as the self service restaurant.
(Photos taken in 1993)
Warming rose gold coloured fixtures and fittings along with pastel shades on the seating created a nice ambience to enjoy a well priced meal, especially if seated near one of the large windows.
Over 27yrs its décor has changed but essentially the layout remains as it was back in 1993; rows of seating portside and forward with the servery forward. A small seating area on the starboard side was available during capacity crossings.
(Photos taken 2001, note new walkway flooring)
In 2017 the décor had its biggest transformation to date where the main colour scheme became flame red and cream. The facility became known as Food Court.
(Photos taken 2017)
In 2020 I noted the biggest overhaul in recent years whereby the seating had been replaced by oversized red sofas and chunky wooden benches as those aboard Spirit of Britain and France. The spare seating area to starboard was found to be a void space housing cleaning equipment.
As a footnote, if you were unfortunate to park your vehicle at the forward end of the car deck, the nearest stairs you would ascend would take you to this restaurant (see picture above) - a hell of an uphill hike!!! I'm fit and I got out of breath climbing these stairs! Note, from the car deck use the elevator a bit further away which gives access to the ship foyer!
Working aft we walk down a straight corridor lined on the port side by windows which have obscured views of the sea thanks to the positioning of the life boats. Tables and chairs were dotted along its length.
(Photo taken in 1996)
(Photo taken 2000)
(Photo taken 2001)
(Photos taken 2020)
The Commercial Drivers Restaurant is adjacent to this corridor, divided by a reflective bulkhead and tinted glazing to give privacy for those within. Owing to its location however, there is no natural light within. This area has been continually refitted over the years and expanded as detailed previously.
We can now turn to starboard at the junction of the hall and stairs. This gives access to the restaurant and Club Lounge.
(Photos taken in 1996)
(Photo taken 2000)
(Photo taken in 2020)
Originally called Burgundy Restaurant in the 90's, it was later changed to Langan's in 1999 (the first in the P&O Dover fleet) and then The Brasserie.
(Photo taken 1999)
(Photo taken in 2020)
The Club Class Lounge occupies the area on the starboard side/aft. Note, the globe can be seen in both pictures.
(Photo taken in 1993)
(Photo taken 2008)
Thanks to Michael Trudgill for the below close up photograph of the globe-the bear is featured as part of his sons school project to photograph a bear in different locations during school holidays.
Between the restaurant and Club Lounge is a very nice 'public' lounge entitled Orient Lounge offering comfortable seating in an informal atmosphere. Over the years this lounge has been refurbished and in 2020 it was seen to be a very attractive area with red coloured furnishings, plump seating and historical framed pictures adorning the walls
(Photos taken in 1993)
(Photos taken in 2020)
Continuing where we were on the port side corridor we come to the Peninsular Lounge - remember those?! That's a blast from the past!
Located port side aft it occupies the area directly above the POSH Bar/Silverstone's/Compass Bar on the deck below.
(Peninsular Bar, photos taken in 1993)
In 1998 during the P&O Stena venture the Peninsular Lounge had a separate coffee shop introduced positioned right next to the original bar. The counter tops were the same colour and material making it look like the new bar had always been there although the façade was different.
(Photos taken in 1998)
In 1999 the Peninsular Lounge was renamed Horizon Lounge with some minor décor changes to the fixtures and fittings.
(Photo taken in 1999)
In 2000 the 'new' coffee shop was rebranded as NYC Deli serving sandwiches, rolls and baguettes (the coffee shop being relocated to the Quiet Lounge downstairs and rebranded Harbour Coffee Company as detailed previously).
(Photo taken 2000)
In 2002 new carpeting was introduced
(Photo taken 2002)
In 2020 the same facility was simply known as The Bar. I noted that sometime previously the wall dividing the adjacent gaming arcade had been knocked through creating a children's play area - ideal as the parents can relax and watch their children playing safely.
(Photos taken 2020)
Access to the very small exterior deck can be accessed in two ways.......
1) via the stairs behind The Bar
(Photo taken in 1993, the bar is on the right)
(Photo taken in 2020)
Note, through the windows on the starboard side you can see a considerable amount of rust
(Photos taken in 2020 - the windows you can see on the left are those of the Club Lounge and the 'grill' above is where the fire hydrant is on the exterior deck)
........and 2
Access to the exterior deck can also be obtained by the stairs near the entrance to Langan's.
(Photos taken in 2020)
Beware! positioned around the funnel, you are likely to get covered in soot.
(Photo taken in 2020)
(Photo taken in 1993)
(Photo taken in 2020)
Note, you can see the aforementioned fire hydrant in the distance of the picture above.
My last voyage aboard Pride of Burgundy was in February 2020 during one of my storm chasing trips; Storm Jorge (see blog link at end)
Little did I know Pride of Burgundy would be withdrawn from service shortly afterwards due to the global Covid-19 pandemic and other than a very short stint of refit cover on the Dover/Calais route in October 2020, she remained laid up firstly in Leith and then the River Fal with an uncertain future.
These are some of the photographs I took during my voyage in February 2020
A vessel with an uncertain future; this blog is aimed as a tribute to the crew and all the passengers who have been aboard this fine vessel in nearly three decades.
Pride of Burgundy leaving Dover during a gale
Pride of Burgundy off Dover in Severe Storm Force 11 / Hurricane force conditions. I was aboard Pride of Canterbury having aborted our berthing, for obvious reasons!
Pride of Burgundy in happier times
Sadly, in 2023, Pride of Burgundy was scrapped.