hsc Normandie Vitesse

May 2001 saw Brittany Ferries venture into the fast ferry business through its alliance with Condor Ferries. The Vitesse jets across between Poole and Cherbourg in just 2hrs 15mins offering a daily return between May and September. This is the fastest route to Cherbourg from the UK. Onboard the Vitesse you will find a small shop, cafe, a large open sun deck, a de-luxe reclining seats lounge and the premier Commodore Class lounge.

History

The Vitesse was acquired by Condor Ferries for the rapidly expanding Channel Islands service during 1998 to partner the popular Condor Express which had just entered service. The Vitesse was built by fast cat specialists Incat in Tasmania being one of four 86m class cats which were the first fast ferries capable of carrying coaches. She was launched on the 7th May. Following a short lay-up in Portland she was officially chartered by Condor Ferries on the 1st May 1998 for their Channel Islands services.

For a number of years during the winter months the Vitesse saw service down under in Wellington with Tranzrail. On the 22nd May 2001 Condor Ferries and Brittany Ferries commenced a joint venture offering a daily fast ferry service between Poole and Cherbourg which would be marketed by both companies with the Vitesse sporting both liveries. The route has proven very successful and has been repeated every summer season since.

Internally the Vitesse remains very much Condor Ferries ship, but with a number of Brittany Ferries employees joining the ship when sailing to Cherbourg. The Club Class lounge is marketed by Brittany Ferries as Commodore Class and the reclining seats area as De-Luxe seating. The shop, cafe and bar remain to be a Condor Ferries service. The ship has an informal pleasant layout with central atrium linking all areas of the vessel.

Her 2009 season commences on the 18th May and runs daily from Poole at 0730 and from Cherbourg at 1130. Sailings operate until the 27th September.