DFDS brings “biggest ferry” to Newcastle
DFDS Seaways has brought the Val de Loire from Brittany Ferries in order to offer increased capacity on the Newcastle-Amsterdam route.
The vessel, which sailed for the French line on the Portsmouth-St Malo route, is due to start operating for DFDS from March next year.
The firm claims the ferry, to be renamed King of Scandinavia, will be the biggest ship to cruise from Newcastle on a scheduled service.
It will sail alongside the Queen of Scandinavia offering daily sailings from Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden).
The introduction of the ferry means that DFDS Seaways’ overall daily on the North Sea route will increase from 2,870 passengers and 780 cars to 3,800 passengers and 960 cars.
Replacing the ferry Duke of Scandinavia, the larger vessel’s on-board facilities will include more outside cabins, increased restaurant choices, a swimming pool and gym, two cinemas and a nightclub with live entertainment as well as more vehicle deck capacity for cars and coaches.
DFDS Seaways managing director John Crummie said: “We are delighted to offer agents an even greater opportunity to sell our product. The increased vehicle deck space means that we have more capacity for coach groups, as well as couples and families buying high yield transportation and motoring holiday packages.
“We are adding even better facilities than before, with a greater number of luxury cabins with sea view, restaurants and entertainment choices.
“This is a big investment for DFDS Seaways and demonstrates our confidence in the market. There is a great opportunity for the trade to present holidaymakers with an alternative form of travel to the quick yet sometimes stressful low-cost option.
“We have recently witnessed an increasing number of motoring holidaymakers using this route, not just to travel to Northern Europe but also further afield to France, Spain and Italy.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt