Ferry travellers are being given an additional summer holiday option today (March 17th) with the launch of the new
Brittany Ferries service linking Portsmouth to Santander in northern Spain.
The ferry crossing will be operated by the company's new luxury flagship, the Pont-Aven, which will make the journey from England to Spain's northern coastline in 24 hours.
Passengers will therefore have plenty of opportunities to try out the ship's facilities and entertainment offerings, which include a pool and leisure area, two cinemas, a live music venue and several restaurants and bars.
Speaking to the Portsmouth News about the new route, David Longden, managing director of
Brittany Ferries, said: "Portsmouth is easily accessible via an excellent road network for a huge number of people.
"The appeals of Spain are becoming more appreciated and, by providing a faster crossing, we believe we can grow the market."
Brittany Ferries also offers a route to Santander from Plymouth in south-west England.
The launch of the new service will make the operator more competitive with P&O Ferries, which sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in Spain.