mv Normandie

The Normandie was the first ferry to be custom built for operation between Portsmouth and Caen, bringing with her unprecedented standards to the route as well as to ferry services out of Portsmouth. She has remained on the route since her introduction proving to be a very popular vessel with the public. Her modern internal decor is based upon Norman styles and colours, including the importance of the horse in Normandy, creating the feel of a grand hotel. The Normandie operates alongside her younger sister ship, the Mont St Michel.

History

During 1991 Brittany Ferries commenced plans to both increase capacity on their operations out of Portsmouth as well as continuing their fleet expansion plans following the success of the newly built Bretagne. The Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland were chosen to  construct their next vessel for operations between Portsmouth and Caen. The vessel was named Normandie and was launched on the 5th October 1991 where outfitting continued apace. She was handed over to Brittany Ferries on the 5th May 1992 where she headed for Caen and Portsmouth for berthing trials as well as to show off their new vessel which was the largest and most luxurious vessel to operate out of the ports. To facilitate her berthing major construction work took place on both sides of the channel in anticipation of her arrival including the construction of a double deck link span and dredging works.

She entered passenger service on the 18th May 1992 doubling capacity on the route overnight. The Normandie has proven to be a popular and reliable vessel having served the same route since her introduction, now operating alongside her near sister ship the Mont St Michel making their Caen route the most comfortable and luxurious on the channel.

The Normandie has been based upon the Caen route since her introduction in 1992, with only the occasional out of season crossing to Cherbourg creating any variety to her schedule. She has been used on a number of occasions for commemorative D-Day sailings to Caen, including that of the 60th Anniversary.

In March 2006 the Normandie received the new corporate livery whilst in dry dock in Gdansk, Poland. Normandie hit the headlines for the wrong reasons on the 1st May 2006 when she suffered a steering breakdown following her departure from Caen at 17:00. The ship was reported to roll over to almost 35 degrees, causing cars and motorcycles to slide out of position and bottles and crockery to fall and smash in the restaurant and store. 

The Name

The mv Normandie is named after the northern region in France in which the ports of Caen and Cherbourg are located. Normandie, or Normandy in English, has a long and interesting history which has been reflected in the interior design of the vessel, with an equestrian theme running throughout including sculptures and paintings.