P&O Pioneer entered commercial service between the Port of Dover (UK) and Port of Calais (France) on Monday 19th June 2023. This footage was filmed the following day over the duration of two trips.
Operated by @POFerriesUK, P&O Pioneer is the largest double ended ferry in the world! Her two bows enable the giant vessel to sail straight onto the berth at her respective port without the need to turn within the harbour to face the direction of travel like other ferries saving both time and fuel.
Passenger vehicles are positioned on a dedicated car deck (7); commercial vehicles and coaches are located on lower vehicle decks.
Passenger amenities are located on Decks 8 & 9.
Deck 8 offers World Duty Free; a huge airport style shopping centre taking up around a third of the deck offering a vast selection of wines, beers, spirits, tobacco, confectionary, travel accessories and gifts.
Also, one will find a digital selfi screen, Reception, children's playroom, gaming arcade and Food Market - a self service 'grab & go' facility. One will also find the Bar Lounge; alcoholic, soft drinks and hot/cold beverages plus snacks are available for purchase.
Deck 9 offers the Commercial Drivers Lounge/Restaurant, The Kitchen; facility where hot snacks are made to order and Family Pet Lounge; a facility where for a small supplement you may bring your four legged friend aboard rather than being alone in your vehicle. Tables double as dog kennels-a hook on the underside of the tabletop allows you to securely the dog lead to it plus, the Family Pet Lounge has its own dedicated exterior deck. A point worthy of note is this lounge has DIRECT access to car deck 7 meaning no need to take your dog through the rest of the ship where they may become anxious.
Two sumptuous Quiet Lounges are located on Deck 9; all oversized reclining seats face the windows and is an oasis of quietness and calm.
Finally, the jewel in the crown is the highly luxurious Club Class Lounge. Benifitting with its own exterior deck, this lounge offers its passengers a range of seating options such as individual tub chairs and sofas, hot meals, snacks, a selection of alcohol, soft drinks and hot beverages.
P&O Pioneer offers an excellent amount of 'cruise ship style' exterior decks with decking and seating plus uninterrupted views of the passing vistas.
There are five elevators aboard meaning those with walking difficulties / in a wheelchair will not have an issue. Plus, there is a dedicated wash room for disabled persons who wish to have a shower or bath - an overhead hoist is built in to the ceiling! Amazing!!
The introduction of P&O Pioneer saw the withdrawal of Pride of Kent - see video on my P&O playlist.
P&O Liberte will arrive in the autumn of 2023.
A full blog will be added to www.a2bviasea.co.uk
