Brittany Ferries switches ports for its Ireland-Spain sailings
Brittany Ferries is to switch ports for its Ireland-Spain service next month.
The new service, effective from February 28, will see the existing Cork-Santander route replaced by a service between Rosslare and Bilbao.
The decision has been taken in response to demand from freight customers.
The Cork-Santander route, which was launched in 2018 was primarily aimed at the freight market into Europe although it also carried holidaymakers, with an ‘économie’ no-frills onboard experience.
The new route out of Rosslare will again concentrate on freight with an option for holidaymakers.
Brittany Ferries emphasised its continuing commitment to its Cork-Roscoff route which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and which carries 100,000 holidaymakers a year between Ireland and France.
Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said: "This was not a decision we took lightly and follows extensive consultation with our freight customers who sought better road connections and reduced driving distances."
"We opened the route in 2018 with a two-year trial window. While passenger numbers have been encouraging, the reality is that freight numbers, which are key to route viability, were not sufficiently robust.
"However I want to make it clear that we remain committed to Cork, with our flagship Pont-Aven cruise-ferry service to Roscoff.
"We’re also committed to an Ireland-Spain route, now via Rosslare, and we’ll look after existing passengers whose future travel will be affected by this change."
All customers already booked on affected sailings from Cork will be given the option to transfer their booking to sailing between Rosslare and Bilbao/Roscoff.
An allowance will be given to cover additional transfers. Alternatively, a full refund will be provided to those who choose to cancel.
Glenn Carr, general manager of Rosslare Europort said: "This new Rosslare to Bilbao service will be attractive for trade and tourism alike."
As with the current Cork-Santander sailings, the new Rosslare-Bilbao sailing will be twice-weekly and will incorporate a weekly Ireland/France rotation.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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