If ever there was a ferry that symbolised the corporate ambitions of its owner, Pont-Aven is a prime example. To this day, she represents the zenith of Brittany Ferries’ cruise ferry era, and has now given the company two decades of high class service on routes between England, Ireland and France.
She was ordered on 5 June 2002, nine years after the acquisition of the second-hand Val de Loire (1987/31,788gt, ex-Nils Holgersson) and the inauguration of P&O European Ferries’ rival service from the UK to Spain using the chartered Pride of Bilbao (1986/37,583gt, ex-Olympia). P&O had stolen a march with their larger and, arguably, more luxurious vessel. So Brittany Ferries was compelled to act, providing a cruise ferry like no other previously seen in UK service.
Pont-Aven was a marvel to behold, with a twin-tier show bar lounge, skylit indoor swimming pool, wraparound promenade deck, four-deckhigh atrium and Commodore balcony cabins. To complete the grand cruise ship feel, she had genuine wooden exterior decking. She had a distinctive V shape when viewed bow on, with a particularly impressive bridge. A slender raked funnel in harmony with her foremast and forward superstructure created an elegant side profile.