New DFDS Ferry Enters Service on Dover-Calais Route
Côte des Dunes arrives into Dover on inaugural sailing from Calais
Award-winning ferry operator, DFDS, welcomed its newest ferry, Côte des Dunes into Dover this afternoon (9 February), arriving into the Port of Dover on her inaugural sailing from Calais with her new DFDS livery on display.
The ferry is the first of two new ships scheduled to enter service on DFDS’ Dover-Calais route this month. The second ferry, Côte des Flandres, is due to enter service the week of 22 February. The new ships will join Calais Seaways on the service, enhancing DFDS’ daily schedule of sailings between Dover and Calais to up to 30 per day. When combined with DFDS’ three ferries on the Dover-Dunkirk route, DFDS will now operate the largest fleet on the Dover Strait, with up to 54 daily sailings to the two French ports.
Côte des Dunes has undergone a complete transformation since DFDS took delivery of her at the end of last year. Externally, the ferry is painted in the new DFDS livery, which includes the company’s updated logo and darker blue colour palette. Internally, the ship has been extensively renovated with numerous cafes and bars, a self-service restaurant named 7 Seas and a large shop with a variety of offers on holiday essentials and luxuries.
Other facilities include a dedicated children’s play area complete with play equipment and a large screen television. Those wanting a peaceful voyage can choose access to the new Premium Lounge where they can enjoy a range of complimentary teas, coffees, cold drinks and snacks, as well as the day’s newspapers to browse.
The ferry also boasts extended high quality facilities in the Road Kings area for commercial drivers, including showers, a restaurant and a quiet lounge area for drivers to relax, unwind and eat a hot meal before resuming their onward journey.
Carsten Jensen, senior vice president at DFDS, comments; “We are always striving to deliver our customers the best possible experience on our ferries. Côte des Dunes is an important part of our commitment to offer customers a sustainable, frequent and reliable cross Channel ferry service.”
Malo Seaways, which is currently chartered by DFDS and sails alongside Calais Seaways on the Dover-Calais service, will temporarily serve as the third ship on the route while the Calais Seaways undergoes routine maintenance and will then be returned to its owner.
For further information please visit www.dfds.co.uk or telephone 0871 521 5522.
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About DFDS:
DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.
DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.
In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last four years (2011-14), as well as ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ at the prestigious 2014 and 2015 World Travel Awards.
DFDS currently operates up to 44 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. This will increase to up to 54 daily sailings with the introduction of a third ship on the Calais route from early 2016. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.co.uk.
