During 2004 I have had the pleasure of 3 minicriuses with P&O from the port of Hull. The first 2 times we sailed on the Pride of Rotterdam and the third time we sailed on the Pride of Hull. P&O are the first to point out that when these ships were launched they claimed the title of the biggest ever car ferries and still keep to this day. Whilst P&O enjoy this I would not be surprised if Irish Ferries were a little annoyed as their Ulysess was the largest for around 6 months. The Pride of Rotterdam was the first to be built at a cost of 90 million pounds, it took less than 14 months to build her, she was built at Fincantieris Marghero yard in Venice and weighs in at 59,925 Gross tons and has a length of 215.1m. Both the sisters are identical in looks and layout. They were designed especially for the Hull to Rotterdam Europoort crossing, each vessel boasts 546 passenger cabins with a total of 1376 beds be it in bunks up to the most expensive of cabins. The cabins are located on various decks we will come to that later. When P&O placed the order for the 2 giants they were designed to replace the 2 old car ferries of the original
North Sea ferries as well as 2 cargo vessels, the car ferries were sold to foreign interests whilst the freighters were moved to the Irish sea, which P&O have now sold the Irish sea crossings to Stena Line. Both the Hull and the Rotterdam can boast 3,345m of lanes for the trucks to park and a side loading garage with capacity for up to 250 cars. The 2 new ferries no longer dock in the King George V dock as they are too large to fit through the lock gates, instead a new river berth has been built. This has reduced the crossing times to 11 hours along with the ships service speed of 22 knots.
Getting to the Port of Hull.
From where we live in Wakefield, Hull is about a hours drive down the M62, once off the M62 keep going following the road and you will pick up the signs for the ferry port, if you get wet you have gone too far!. Once at the port you have a choice of exits off the roundabout the first been for the crossing to Zeebrugge in Belgium, the second for cargo only and the third for Rotterdam.
Boarding.
Once you arrive at Hull the ship is moored along side and wow its big, I have sailed with P&O since the company took over Townsend Thoresen in January 1987 and before then with Townsend Thoresen, the Pride of Bilbao is a large ship but I was taken aback with the mass and scale of this ship. We left our cars in Hull and sailed as foot passengers, the large secure car park is provided free of charge. Boarding commences at 1700 so try to be there for then if you want to make use of the ships facilities.
The Ships
Once you get through passport control you go up several floors until you reach the boarding ramp which gives access to the ship on deck 8, you are greeted at the reception area and shown to your cabin, each time we have sailed our cabins have been on deck 10, the staff aboard both the vessels have been very polite and helpful at this, which is good as they are a mass of corridors on the cabin decks. The vessels are laid out in the following areas.
Decks 3 to 6 freight and coaches only.
Deck 7, car deck, the aft end has 14 single cabins and 39 double cabins for truck drivers.
Deck 8.
Forward on deck 8 is dominated by cabins, The Sunset show lounge is located aft of these and dominates 2 decks with a fantastic atrium and balcony up a deck, a spiral stair case leads up on the starboard side. The dance floor and stage are all wood planked and a large video wall is set behind which they use to good effect. The layout of the seating is well thought out to give optimum views where ever you get sat. Walk out of the show lounge you are at the reception area and bureau de change. Walk further and you come to the Perfume shop, general drinks store and the toy store. At each side there is a staircase between decks 8 and 9 with a window which covers 2 decks, a nice touch!. I think the internet cafe is also on this deck, I never used it so I aren’t quite sure! Located at the after end is the four seasons buffet restaurant, you can queue for this and tickets are required, these are purchased at the reception at price of £15 for dinner and £8 for breakfast, it may seem pricey but believe me the food is great.
Deck 9
Again the forward end of deck 9 is used for cabins, just aft of these is the upper level of the show lounge which gives excellent photo opportunities. This area links onto the Irish Bar, walk out and you come to the continental cafe on the starboard side, on the port side is the Chocolate shop which is where you buy cigs and booze, after this is the wine bar and right aft is the alacarte restaurant which I bet is mega bucks as they spoil you rotten. They is also a casino, games arcade, drivers lounge, business lounge and 2 cinemas located throughout decks 8 and 9 but with not using them I am not sure where they are.
Deck 10
This deck is full with cabins, we have had 2 out side cabins and 1 inside. The outside cabins are well worth the extra money as you have more things in and a window so you can see what the weathers like in the morning. The cabins are really well thought out for the room they had to work in. The cabins contain a dresser from floor to ceiling, with mirror and lights, with an open wardrobe. Opposite is the en-suite bathroom, with toilet, sink and power shower. The cabin has two single beds, one turns into a settee and the other tucks into the wall to maximise room. The inside cabins you loose the dresser, wardrobe and there are bunks, one bed is lowered into place and the other pulls out of the roof. The en-suite is smaller and the cabin narrower plus you have to pay for the morning coffee which is free of charge with an outside cabin. All cabins have their own air-conditioning.
Deck 11
This deck is for crew members only and has no passenger access.
Deck 12.
On Deck 12, is devoted to the 'Skylounge Bar' and access to outer decks. This area also gives access to the 'Sun deck' which is a great idea as the ship sails at night. However it does have it advantages when sailing during the summer months as it is lighter for longer. The skylounge bar is the poshest of the bars. It has a grand piano and the ambience of the lighting makes it a very relaxing place to go when you have just arrived on the ship after a long day.
Evaluation
I have to give top marks to P&O for introducing these wonderful ships, the first time we went we sailed home in a hell of a storm, I think it was around a force 11 and the ship handled it well and with minimum discomfort to the passengers. I think the Pride of Rotterdam is better than the Pride of Hull for some reason, both are wonderful none the less. I would go as far and say these are finest ferries I have ever been on, all these trips have been a truly wonderful experience, if you can go you won’t regret it.
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Enjoyed reading your review; I sailed aboard the 'Pride of Hull' on a 'mincruise' for the first time in August last year and was very impressed with everything except the early arrival times and the rather intrusive P.A. system onboard; I think the DFDS service from Newcastle to Ijmuiden is rather better in this regard, as you arrive at around 09.30 which is helpful, esepcially if you've been in the bar the previous night!
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Advantages: A real value for money holiday of a lifetime in which you will be completely pampered Disadvantages: Perfectly calm crossings cannot be guaranteed
Marchant 21.11.2001 (18.03.2002)
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Review of P & O
Advantages: Relaxing travel, good price, If you want a cruising taster a good option Disadvantages: Expensive onboard food, innacurate cabin, transfer bus confusion.
likka75 22.08.2008 (22.08.2008)
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Review of P&O Ferries
Jul 12th, 2004
(Jul 13th, 2004)
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