MS Norman Spirit

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**MS Norman Spirit**

Operator	LD Lines
Built	1991
Flag	United Kingdom
Port of registry	Southampton
Previous names	Prins Filip (1991-1998) Stena Royal (1998-1999) P&OSL Aquitaine (1999-2002) PO Aquitaine (2002-2003) Pride of Aquitaine (2003-2005)
Specifications
Length	163.4 metres
Beam	27.6 metres
Gross Tonnage	28,838 tonnes
Speed	21 knots
Engines	Sulzer
Passengers	1,850
Vehicles	700 cars
Crew

The MS Norman Spirit is a passenger and vehicle ferry, used by LD Lines on their route from Portsmouth, England to Le Havre, France.

[edit] History

The Norman Spirit was built for Belgian operator Regie voor Maritiem Transport (RMT) in 1991 as the Prins Filip, entering service in 1992 on their route between Dover and Ostend. She remained in service with RMT when their UK port was switched to Ramsgate and until their operations ceased in 1997.

Following a lay-up in Dunkirk, she was acquired by Stena Line in 1998, renamed Stena Royal and initially used on freight services between Dover and Zeebrugge on charter to P&O Stena Line. In 1999 P&O Stena Line decided to extend the charter and transfer the ship to their premier Dover-Calais route. Stena Royal was extensively refurbished to include the P&O Stena 'Brand World' concept and entered service on the Calais route as the P&OSL Aquitaine, following the naming pattern for P&O Stena Line vessels.

P&O Stena Line was a short-lived venture, ending in 2002 when P&O acquired Stena Line's share in the operation. However, the P&OSL Aquitaine remained in service, initially under the name PO Aquitaine, then as the Pride of Aquitaine from early 2003, until May 2005 when she was withdrawn following a review of P&O's operations.

In October 2005, she began sailing on her present route between Portsmouth and Le Havre as Norman Spirit. LD Lines, a French-owned company with existing ferry operations on the Mediterranean Sea, began this service following P&O's withdrawal from it the previous month.

In June 2006 Norman Spirit was reflagged to the British registry from the Italian second registry. She is now registered in Southampton, this was previously Genoa though when she entered service with LD Lines she was registered in Dover.

[edit] Facilities

When built, the then Prins Filip incorporated several state-of-the-art safety features^{[citation needed]}, such as flood barriers on the vehicle decks. There was also an airline-style on-board safety video [1].

Current passenger facilities include a number of bars and restaurants, lounges, shops and children's areas. Wireless internet access is available throughout the ship.

Bars and Restaurants

Little Italy Self Service Restaurant - Deck 7.

Renamed from the P&O brand International Food Court.

Pitstop Freight Drivers Restaurant - Deck 7

Converted from a shop to the Routemasters Freight Drivers Restaurant by P&O Stena Line.

Blue Mountain Cafe - Deck 8.

Formerly one of the Harbour Coffee Company outlets on board the P&OSL/Pride of Aquitaine and one of the reclining seat lounges on board Prins Filip.

Blue Mountain Cafe Express- Deck 7.

The other Harbour Coffee Company outlets on board the P&OSL/Pride of Aquitaine. Was also part of the shop that was converted to Routemasters under P&O Stena Line.

The Dirty Duck Pub - Deck 8.

Previously Silverstones Bar under P&O Stena Line and P&O Ferries

Cotton Club Lounge Bar/Club Class - Deck 9.

This was formerly the Conference Centre on the Prins Filip and the Club Lounge on the P&OSL/Pride of Aquitaine.

Shops

Ocean Shopping - Deck 7.

Originally a music lounge and bar this was converted by P&O Stena Line into a Duty Free Supermarket under the Channel Shopping brand.

Other Facilities

Cotton Club Lounge Bar/Club Class - Deck 9.

This was formerly the Conference Centre on the Prins Filip and the Club Lounge on the P&OSL/Pride of Aquitaine.

Club Reclining Seats - Tweed Lounge and Velvet Lounge - Deck 8.

The Tweed Lounge was originally the Club Class Lounge but became Langans Brasserie under P&O Stena Line. The Velvet Lounge was originally a reclining seat lounge but became part of the Harbour Coffee Company area. Both areas are once again used for their original purpose.

Horizon Lounge - Deck 7.

Standard reclining seats with bar and snack counter. This area was originally cabins but these were removed by P&O Stena Line and have not been replaced by LD Lines.