P&O Irish Sea History and Operations Overview

P&O Irish Sea has a rich history that spans over 180 years, dating back to 1838 when the company was founded by the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

The company's Irish Sea operations began in the mid-19th century, with the introduction of steamship services between Liverpool and Dublin.

One of the most significant milestones in P&O Irish Sea's history was the acquisition of the Irish Sea ferry operator P&O Irish Sea by the P&O Ferries group in 2006.

P&O Irish Sea currently operates a fleet of six ferries, including the Epsilon, European Endeavour, and Norbank, which offer daily sailings between Liverpool and Dublin.

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The P&O Irish Sea brand was formed in 1998 by merging the ferry operations of Pandoro Ltd into P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.

This merger led to the creation of P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Ltd, with its headquarters in Fleetwood. The company retained only the Cairnryan based service from P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.

In 1999, P&O Irish Sea announced plans to purchase two purpose-built Ro-Pax vessels from Mitsubishi of Japan for the Larne - Cairnryan and Liverpool – Dublin routes.

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The early years of P&O Irish Sea were marked by significant changes. The company was formed in 1998 by merging Pandoro Ltd's ferry operations into P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd.

This merger created a new company, P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Ltd, which was headquartered in Fleetwood. The company transferred only the Cairnryan-based service of P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd to the merged company.

In 1999, P&O Irish Sea announced plans to purchase two new ships from Mitsubishi of Japan. These ships, European Causeway and European Ambassador, were delivered in 2000 and 2001 respectively, and were used on the Larne - Cairnryan and Liverpool – Dublin routes.

The new ships allowed for the transfer of the European Leader to the Fleetwood - Larne route and the sale of Pride of Rathlin.

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The P&O Irish Sea ferry service has a rich history of notable events that have shaped the company's journey. The service was first introduced in 1968, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion.

The introduction of the St. Columba in 1968 revolutionized ferry travel in the Irish Sea, offering faster and more comfortable journeys than ever before. This ship set a new standard for ferry services in the region.

The St. Columba was followed by the introduction of the St. Davids in 1971, which further improved the ferry experience for passengers. This ship was notable for its modern amenities and spacious cabins.

The 1980s saw significant changes for the P&O Irish Sea service, with the introduction of new ships and routes. The company continued to innovate and expand its operations, solidifying its position as a leading ferry operator in the region.

The introduction of the European Ambassador in 1990 marked a new era for the P&O Irish Sea service, offering even more amenities and services to passengers. This ship was a significant upgrade from its predecessors and set a new standard for ferry travel in the Irish Sea.

The P&O Irish Sea service has continued to evolve and improve over the years, with a focus on providing excellent customer service and a safe, reliable journey for all passengers.

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P&O Irish Sea Services have a long history of operating routes across the Irish Sea. They currently operate the Cairnryan – Larne route, which is available all year round with fast craft service during the refit period of conventional ferries.

This route has been a staple of P&O Irish Sea's operations, with some services available even during the off-season. In fact, the fast craft service on this route is a convenient option for those who want to travel quickly.

Here are some of the routes P&O Irish Sea used to operate:

P&O Irish Sea operated a range of routes across the Irish Sea, each offering a unique experience for passengers and freight.

The Cairnryan – Larne route has been a staple of P&O Irish Sea's operations, with conventional ferries running all year round and a fast craft service during the refit period. In 2013, the fast craft service was available from May 10th to June 10th.

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The Troon – Larne route was a fast craft service that operated during the Spring to Autumn seasons, but unfortunately, it no longer exists.

The Liverpool – Dublin route was another important route, with conventional ferries running all year round. Stena Line currently operates this route.

The Fleetwood – Larne route was sold to Stena Line in 2004 and is no longer in operation.

Here are the routes that P&O Irish Sea operated, with their status:

P&O Irish Sea operated a large fleet of vessels during its twelve years in operation. The fleet consisted of over a dozen ships, each with its own unique characteristics.

One of the earliest ships in the fleet was the European Diplomat, built in 1978 and in service from 2001 to 2005. It had a gross tonnage of 18,732 GT.

The fleet also included several ships with the name "European", such as the European Ambassador, built in 2000 and in service from 2000 to 2004. It had a gross tonnage of 24,206 GT.

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Here's a breakdown of the fleet's size and composition:

The fleet's composition changed over time as some ships were sold or returned to their owners.

P&O Irish Sea Operations offer a range of ferry services across the Irish Sea, connecting Northern Ireland to the UK.

The company operates a fleet of ferries, including the Norbay, Norbank, and European Seaway, which provide multiple daily sailings between Larne and Cairnryan.

P&O Irish Sea has a strong presence in the region, with a history dating back to 1840 when the company first began operating in the Irish Sea.

Their Larne to Cairnryan route is one of the most popular, with sailings that take around 2 hours.

The P&O Irish Sea customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many travelers praising the excellent service and cleanliness of the boats.

The staff are described as being "could not do enough for you" and are friendly and helpful.

Many reviewers have compared the P&O Irish Sea experience favorably to other ferry crossings, with one reviewer stating that it "beats the French crossing hands down".

A smooth and efficient boarding process is also a highlight, with one reviewer noting that it was "quick and efficient".

The food on board is also a hit, with reviewers praising the variety of options available.

Here are some key takeaways from the customer reviews:

Overall, the P&O Irish Sea customer reviews suggest that this is a reliable and enjoyable way to travel.