Pride of Canterbury, not to be confused with PO Canterbury (ex Stena Fantasia now PolFerries' Wawel, see my blog link at the end), or the old Free Enterprise V111 of 1974 which also became Pride of Canterbury before seeing out her years in Greek waters as Romilda before being scrapped, this Pride of Canterbury is currently operating the short sea crossing from Dover/Calais and is in fact the former freight ship European Pathway.
Code named Operation Darwin, in 2003 this project would see the evolution of this ship and her sister from a freighter to passenger ship.
I won't go into the 'ins and outs'; as you know from reading my blogs I concentrate more on interior design, the three F's -
(fixtures, fittings and facilities) - and ambience aboard.
The conversion.......
The naming ceremony at Dover Cruise Terminal Two.
Bow to bow with sister Pride of Kent (ex freighter European Highway), as the champagne was smashed on the bow both ships sounded their horns and balloons were released from the quayside.
Lots of media and press....
So, quick over view.....
With her passenger facilities located on Decks 7 & 8, she is able to accommodate large volumes of passengers which the short 90min Dover/Calais route attracts and get them through the various facilities quickly and efficiently.
Barely time for a coffee, bite to eat and a browse of her shop, her interior is understandably simple - that's not to say there isn't a lovely gem aboard waiting to be discovered........
Let's get cracking and head aboard Pride of Canterbury.
Foot passengers embark the vessel at the Port of Dover at the aft of deck 7 via an elevated passenger walkway.
The Calais foot passenger access is on the same deck within the starboard side corridor near the ships' reception and shop and can be seen in the photo below next to the cash machine
For those in vehicles, the car decks are large and uncluttered enabling fast access from your vehicle to the passenger facilities and vice versa via stairs or elevators facilitating swift turnaround times in port for the ship.
Once you are on the main Deck 7, passengers are 'funnelled' fore and aft via a
very wide starboard side corridor which links the numerous passenger facilities.
The chairs and sofas lining the windows are a great place to sit and people watch as this is the main thoroughfare however, views of the passing seascape are lacking owing to the positioning of the life saving equipment outside.
The gaming arcade at the far end of this area would be better served as a more substantial playroom for children with soft play equipment or, baring in mind its proximity to the World Duty Free shop, a gift/souvenir shop or newsagent selling travel guides and maps thereby releasing more space in the main shop to sell an increased range of items and increase revenue for P&O.
The picture below depicts the area between the information desk and the Horizon Family Lounge looking forward, with the main shop entrance to the left and Calais foot passenger gangway to the right where the passengers are congregating..
Wide halls off this corridor span the port to starboard sides linking the facilities on the other side of the ship.
The picture below shows the midship hall and the entrance to the lounge bar and gaming arcade (bottom right) together with the information desk (top left) where the previous photo was taken.
Murals and information boards adorn the walls to create some interest in an otherwise void space.
The picture below shows the forward hall and the main entrance to the Family Horizon Lounge (top left) and exit from the shop (far right, just out of shot).
At the front of Deck 7 is the aforementioned Horizon Family Lounge.
During my crossing I found this facility very well patronised, probably owing to the fact the bar at the other end of this deck was closed.
The Horizon Family Lounge benefits from an array of seating options such as sofas, arm chairs and tub chairs, all of which were snapped up very quickly particularly those near the huge picture windows which are on three sides.
There is a children's playroom tucked away in the starboard corner; a very unassuming area with the most basic of items which would probably only cater for the very young. A large 'soft' children's play area is really needed elsewhere on the ship.
The bar service was swift preventing long queues on this busy crossing.
At the aft end of the same deck (on the port side) is another bar/lounge/gaming arcade.
Although the bar its self was closed and no items could be purchased, the lounge seating was available and if sitting by one of the very large windows, you were in for a treat as the views are outstanding.
A shrine to the old P&O flagship Pride of Dover can be found in the centre of the lounge where an actual ship bell and scale model of the ship takes pride of place, though it should be said the later was inaccurate as the model was from the 1980's era (prior to Club class being introduced on that ship thereby lacking forward windows and showing the original shelter deck from the 80's at the stern before it was converted into a gaming arcade), but the model was painted in the P&O livery of 2019. I think only a ship geek like me would notice that though!
The café on the starboard side of this deck at the aft end was closed throughout the journey. However, here is a photo taken during a previous voyage some years earlier.
As you can see it is a large spacious area with lots of natural light. A very informal area to have a chat with friends and a fresh coffee and lovely cake.
Lets head on up to Deck 8 using these stairs (top of picture) in the mid ship hall between the information desk and aft bar, as shown earlier.....
Heading on up to Deck 8.....
Top of aforementioned stairs, looking aft.
Looking forward.
We emerge on Deck 8 at the entrance to the Food Court; a vast open plan catering facility where a good selection of hot and cold dishes and beverages can be purchased.
The seating for this facility is located aft; a clean, bright and spacious area capable of accommodating vast numbers of passengers.
Three randomly placed sofas occupy the area at the far end of the Food Court by the windows. Is it a lounge? Is it part of the Food Court? Who knows, but they were very comfortable and a great place to watch the ships' wake as we cross the channel..
Access to the only exterior deck (Deck 9) can be obtained from a highly narrow and compact staircase near these chairs. Congestion on these stairs is a major issue particularly on a busy crossing.
The exterior deck occupies a small section at the aft end (the long and wide verandah decks along the port and starboard sides now no longer accessible).
Back on Deck 8 a wide light filled corridor along the starboard side links the Food Court (aft) with the facilities at the front of the ship.
Let's have a wonder........
Its a nice walk as again, like the rest of the ship, there are large unobscured picture windows giving uninterrupted views of the passing vistas - particularly nice as the ship passes along the French coastline or the White Cliffs of Dover.
We pass the Commercial Drivers Restaurant to our left; unfortunately for them no natural light.
We then arrive at the lounge which is located at the forward end of this corridor. Previously housing a Harbour Coffee Company outlet, this has been removed to create a lounge for commercial drivers, which is now separated from the quiet lounge by the red screen as shown below..
Commercial Drivers Lounge located behind the red wall shown above.
Note the large windows.
Walking forward again following the same corridor we come to the forward Deck 8 Hall; the quiet lounge is to the right of the picture. The stairs you see here give access to the forward hall on Deck 7 below.
A Brasserie is located off this Deck 8 hall. Again, it benefits from having large picture windows. I was not able to gain access however, for an idea of its décor have a look at the Pride of Burgundy blog, link at the end of this blog.
Now we come to the 'gem' that I mentioned initially.
The Club Lounge aboard Pride of Canterbury, and her sister ship Pride of Kent, are truly magnificent!
Now, I always bleat on about ferry travel on a budget however, although the crossing is only 90min in duration I would definitely spend the extra +/- £15 to come in here IF travelling aboard this ship or her sister ship.
It isn't necessary to book in advance as tickets can be obtained from the Information Desk on Deck 7 subject to availability and potentially at a slightly higher price.
The setting is second to none - a very large spacious facility with absolutely magnificent views through the picture windows. Comfortable seating. Relaxing atmosphere and complimentary beverages toboot.
On a negative you are at one of the furthest points away from the ship exterior deck; its a fair walk if you need some fresh air!
If you have read my Storm Chasing blog (link at the end of this blog) you will know I always try and get aboard this ship or her sister, the Pride of Kent - you get complimentary drinks all the time you are in here so if delays or disruption are expected you will get your monies worth; I was once caught up in hurricane force conditions and had 14hrs in here!
Now in the twilight of her career it is expected Pride of Canterbury along with sister Pride of Kent will be withdrawn from service in 2023/24; the other two members of the quartet having already been displaced - Pride of Burgundy and European Seaway.
All in all Pride of Canterbury is a functional, large, clean and spacious ferry. Shopping is good (she should have had her shopping centre overhauled by now and converted into a World Duty Free outlet like you find at international airports), dining facilities are sufficient and lounge areas are available, although being an
'open plan / freeflow' ship, quiet areas are hard to come-by and facilities to keep children between the ages of say 3 and 9 are poor.
But, I won't finish on a negative - her Club Lounge is simply divine and it is worth travelling aboard this ship and perhaps enjoy this facility on the way out and have a meal in the Brasserie on the way back after a great day in Calais.