She is en route stopping off at Cherbourg on the 19th December should be in Dublin by late Thursday or Friday. AIS showing her route via the Kiel Canal
Hallelujah
Yes you are correct . Kiel Canal to Cherbourg.
That would be a magnificent journey !
Well spotted!!!
https://www.niferry.co.uk/quick-news-irish-ferries-w-b-yeats-leaving-shipyard/
Marine Traffic forcasts WB Yeats going through Kiel Canal.
Article here from NDR Germany including a video with some good interior shots
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Flensburger-Werft-uebergibt-neue-Riesenfaehre,wbyeats102.html
She is going around Jutland which makes a lot of sense.
What's the story with the AIS at the moment? WB's position hasn't been updated for 7 hours now.
Section of North Sea waters west of Denmark not covered by local AIS. She will come within range again ina few hours as sge nears the NE coast of Holland
Quote from: Niall on December 17, 2018, 02:36:13 PM
Section of North Sea waters west of Denmark not covered by local AIS. She will come within range again ina few hours as sge nears the NE coast of Holland
Ok thanks was just wondering because lots of other ships were showing up.
updated now, she appears to be about to enter the channel. South east of Felixstowe.
And ETA to Cherbourg is now 08:00 on 18/12.
Due in Dublin Thursday morning at around 0830
WB is due to arrive in Rosslare Europort tomorrow Wednesday at 12.00 for berthing trials, given the announcement today that French services from the port are canceled this could mean that WB might enter service providing cover for Inishmore when Ulysses goes for refit, unlikely as this might sound, what better way to train staff, get a ferry operational and get any potential issues sorted out of the Dublin Holyhead spotlight.
WB is due to visit Holyhead for berthing trials today and is now due in Dublin at 0945 tomorrow with tugs on hand for spray salute.
(I think a lot of people would rather have slurry spreaders ready to give the greeting)
Does anyone have any pictures of her in Rosslare?
Quote from: conor on December 19, 2018, 11:31:51 AM
Does anyone have any pictures of her in Rosslare?
Not yet but here's one of her at Cherbourg yesterday
Quote from: ferryfan on December 19, 2018, 11:39:24 AM
Quote from: conor on December 19, 2018, 11:31:51 AM
Does anyone have any pictures of her in Rosslare?
Not yet but here's one of her at Cherbourg yesterday
Thanks. Hopefully someone will have some photos later on of her in Rosslare
One from RTE
(https://img.rasset.ie/0011344c-800.jpg)
Quote from: Kieran on December 19, 2018, 11:49:43 AM
One from RTE
(https://img.rasset.ie/0011344c-800.jpg)
Thanks Kieran.
Quote from: conor on December 19, 2018, 12:07:50 PM
Quote from: Kieran on December 19, 2018, 11:49:43 AM
One from RTE
(https://img.rasset.ie/0011344c-800.jpg)
Thanks Kieran.
Caption for this should have the one finger salute from Irish Ferries to Rosslare .
Marine traffic shows WB Yeats destination as Holyhead now ?
Quote from: brainferry on December 19, 2018, 04:44:40 PM
Marine traffic shows WB Yeats destination as Holyhead now ?
She's heading there for berthing trials after the Epsilon departs Holyhead for her 20:15 sailing. WB Yeats will then head to Dublin following her stop in Holyhead with her scheduled arrival currently 09:45 tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Quote from: giftgrub on December 18, 2018, 11:09:04 PM
WB is due to arrive in Rosslare Europort tomorrow Wednesday at 12.00 for berthing trials, given the announcement today that French services from the port are canceled this could mean that WB might enter service providing cover for Inishmore when Ulysses goes for refit, unlikely as this might sound, what better way to train staff, get a ferry operational and get any potential issues sorted out of the Dublin Holyhead spotlight.
Seems she may have just been having trials to continue Epsilon's trade car run - she didn't go to Pembroke but did go to Holyhead
Probably the lowest key new arrival in Dublin with the shine completely taken off the event by the Rosslare announcement. WB is being moved to Cruise18 this afternoon so anyone wanting a good view should head for the Eastlink bridge.
Can be seen with from the siptu webcam, parked by the eastlink
https://www.siptu.ie/media/webcam/
Biggest anti climax ever..low paid crew and a shambolic shamrock on the funnel...shouldnt be allowed call themselves irish ..
Took this picture yesterday at the East link bridge where she is moored. Looks very impressive.
Yeatsy has moved from the East Link Bridge and is currently on Ulysses linkspan.
Quote from: The insider on December 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Biggest anti climax ever..low paid crew and a shambolic shamrock on the funnel...shouldnt be allowed call themselves irish ..
It's not as if all their routes go to Ireland either... oh wait
Perhaps if none of their routes involved Ireland you would have a point! I'm pretty sure that not every member of staff working for British Airways is British, nor every member of staff at Air France French! Bottom line is if you don't like it don't travel with them.
For those interested the W.B Yeats tech spec was updated on NIFS last week (there's also another pic here of her in Rosslare, not that it really looks much different from any other pic of her to be honest. Can't post here as it's not mine and don't have permission :) )
https://www.niferry.co.uk/irish-ferries-w-b-yeats/
WB heading out for sea trials today.
Its been posted on Facebook she could be in service next Saturday afternoon, covering Ulysses absence. To be honest I think many of us thought this would always be the case.
Afloat.ie is reporting that WBY's maiden voyage takes place this Sunday 13th and will be for freight only.
https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/41479-w-b-yeats-to-make-maiden-voyage-freight-only-on-sunday
Quote from: A83 on January 10, 2019, 09:12:52 PM
Afloat.ie is reporting that WBY's maiden voyage takes place this Sunday 13th and will be for freight only.
https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/41479-w-b-yeats-to-make-maiden-voyage-freight-only-on-sunday
The dangers of treating a booking engine as fact without checking with someone first! Afloat now saying Tuesday, though not sure how they are going to get WB, Oscar, and Adventurer all berthed at Holyhead at the same time lol
Its probably not happening, but I just wonder whether OW may fit Terminal 2?
Quote from: Davy Jones on January 14, 2019, 10:07:15 PM
Its probably not happening, but I just wonder whether OW may fit Terminal 2?
Why would they send two ships at virtually the same time in any case though given Yeats capacity
In any case, she didn't sail
I'm on and in the Club Lounge. We are the first customers! Booked on Oscar Wilde - horror - but turned up to find the Yeats was our ferry tonight.
Smells like a new car.
Chaos at the check in desk so we blagged into Club lounge and paid there for bit of luxury. No one else here so all the lovely food and wine is ours.
The red wine is very very good.
Not done a tour yet. Maybe to nice here to move.
..........however we have not actually sailed yet!! It's 30 minutes late and counting.....
Quote from: captainbob on January 22, 2019, 09:13:19 PM
I'm on and in the Club Lounge. We are the first customers! Booked on Oscar Wilde - horror - but turned up to find the Yeats was our ferry tonight.
Smells like a new car.
Chaos at the check in desk so we blagged into Club lounge and paid there for bit of luxury. No one else here so all the lovely food and wine is ours.
The red wine is very very good.
Not done a tour yet. Maybe to nice here to move.
..........however we have not actually sailed yet!! It's 30 minutes late and counting.....
Enjoy the journey - at least you have longer to enjoy the wine! Hope your not driving
Quote from: captainbob on January 22, 2019, 09:13:19 PM
I'm on and in the Club Lounge. We are the first customers! Booked on Oscar Wilde - horror - but turned up to find the Yeats was our ferry tonight.
Smells like a new car.
Chaos at the check in desk so we blagged into Club lounge and paid there for bit of luxury. No one else here so all the lovely food and wine is ours.
The red wine is very very good.
Not done a tour yet. Maybe to nice here to move.
..........however we have not actually sailed yet!! It's 30 minutes late and counting.....
Listed here http://booking.dublinport.ie/webx/ as 21:45 departure
I watched her arrive on berth on Marinetraffic at exactly 18.55 so over 3 hours to be turned around. Obviously on the first days it will take time all staff to become familiar with the layout.
One passenger on twitter on the morning sailing reported a ramp issue in Holyhead.
Yes we are motoring now at 17kts. Said they would make up a bit of time. Due in 01.30
No complaints after a tour around. Obviously not all open as very quiet.
I think the cabins will be excellent only going by what I have seen. Never seen so many power sockets!! On each table and each bar seat.
Club class is UK 3 pin and outside it's Euro socket so you need an adapter in steerage.
Very smooth crossing with nothing rattling around as in Innishmore. A bit of buffeting as we get further out but feels very comfortable.
As usual the lighting is way over the top and should be dimmed for night crossings.
Car lanes are ridiculously narrow as in Swansea Cork. As you are getting out the next lane is queuing up behind your door as there is about 60cm space. Lots of door dings going to happen here for sure.
Now doing 22.5 kts and feels like you are on a plane. I would say we were on foils!! Honest.
Wb delayed sailing from Holyhead reported a technical issue to Holyhead Port Control and sent the linesman away for about 45 mins.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0122/1024816-european-investment-bank-and-icg/
The European Investment Bank has provided €155m to finance two new passenger and vehicle ships for ICG owned Irish Ferries.
The two new ferries will increase passenger and cargo capacity on routes to Ireland, replace older and smaller vessels and significantly reduce emissions from the Irish Ferries fleet.
The vessels are expected to be used on both the Dublin-Holyhead and Dublin-Cherbourg routes to reflect demand for a greater choice of services from Ireland to Britain and direct to continental Europe.
The news came today as the WB Yeats cruise ferry made its maiden voyage from Dublin to Holyhead this morning.
The WB Yeats was partly financed with €75m in funds from the EIB. It can transport 1,800 passengers, 300 cars and 165 trucks.
The EIB is also providing €80m to finance the building of a second new vessel for Irish Ferries.
Due for delivery in 2020, this vessel will be the largest cruise ferry in the world in terms of vehicle capacity and will provide Irish Ferries with an effective 50% increase in peak freight capacity.
It will be able to transport 1,800 passengers and crew and 1,526 cars or 300 trucks.
These long-term loans to Irish Continental Group represent the first support approved by the EIB under a new Green Shipping financing initiative that supports investment in new and existing ships to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Andrew McDowell, European Investment Bank Vice President, said that shipping connections are crucial for Ireland, adding that the two new ships will both transform maritime transport to and from this country and cut harmful emissions.
Increasing maritime transport capacity reflects increased demand arising from Ireland's export driven recovery and the potential need for flexibility in the event of disruption on UK routes," Mr McDowell said.
"In the context of EIB's ever-increasing support for Irish private businesses, these two loans also demonstrate the value that EIB loans can provide to Irish corporates through beneficial pricing, long tenors and flexible loan structures," he added.
Eamonn Rothwell, CEO of ICG, said that significant new investment is essential to expand the Irish Ferries fleet.
"The €155m financing facilities agreed with the EIB, alongside financing from leading Irish and international banks, for the two new cruise ferry ships demonstrates the EIB's commitment to support transformational corporate investment such as this in Ireland, enabling ICG to deliver on its growth strategy and strengthening the tourism and cargo trading links in and out of the country," Mr Rothwell added.
The IF web site is incorrectly showing Ulysses back on her route from Friday with the WB switching to Epsilon's timetable.
When I went to book it wouldn't allow me book the club class lounge so I contacted IF who informed me that Epsilon will be on the 14.30 on Monday with WB on the 0805 and 20.55 runs so anyone booking will need to be careful.
Shame EIB didn't make it a condition that Irish Ferries share some of its' largesse by agreeing to sail these new vessels from Rosslare Europort for some sailings to France
Lets see how quick it will be before WB Yeats fills up on Dublin - Cherbourg Route,
Its possible Oscar Wilde may be an overflow vessel and provide additional sailings.
Was there not a suggestion that Oscar Wilde is being/ has been sold?
like Brexit, we will have to wait and see what happens,
Oscar Wilde has been very versitile since she came up to Dublin from Rosslare in October, taking sailings to both Holyhead and Cherbourg swapping with Epsilon. She has only mist a few sailings due to adverse weather.
Having her around for the summer would add a lot of flexibility to the fleet in terms of extra capacity and break down cover in event one of the other vessels have to be taken out of service. Something that was mist last summer.
Aer Lingus are doing the same on North Atlantic this year with a standbye A330 to take over casualty aircraft.
Would really appreciate if someone who is sailing on WB Yeats could post a photo of the cabin plans, especially for deck 8.
Or indeed any photos of the ship.
Thanks.
Shipmate.
What's the story with WB Yeats tonight? She's been in port all day. Weather doesn't seem that bad and IF show her 20:55 sailing as on time. It's 23:00 now and she hasn't moved.
Yeats left around 23.30 due to 'technical reasons' - teething problems I assume
This should be interesting https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-ferries-ordered-to-pay-compensation-over-wb-yeats-delay-1.3773368?mode=amp&fbclid=IwAR0HtJigIxqEvhmtAXpTsfR8_FCOeuu99xuqPVRQf6oHmoC_uu_ExuaAV0M
WB Yeats passed howth at about 0930 this morning with a spectacular plumb of white smoke , presumably condensation
https://www.thejournal.ie/nta-irish-ferries-4463870-Jan2019
IF blame the NTA for their own decision to shutting down Rosslare France. IF/ICG must a massive Crystal ball, because it is hard to know how a route has become"commercially unviable" when Irish Ferries did not even attempt to take bookings for said route for the 2019 season.
its obvious the only way to shore the accounts if to flog Oscar while they can before the ship gets any older. Demand for a Rosslare to France doesnt matter to them.
IF want to fight this all the way. I pity anyone waiting for compensation because they wont get a penny until the legal process is exhausted.
Shipyard in trouble now
https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Flensburger-Werft-in-finanzieller-Schieflage,fsg248.html?fbclid=IwAR2sCSW_Guo-YbA5QZnaQ8UizQlqFYdQ8VQI4Sn9fwff-HzzqtxysUHt1Z0
Sounds like Both Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries will need to pay bigger deposits to get their ships out of Flemsburg,
They are currently building another freight ferry for their parent company, How is funding that?
Parent company would be a separate business, they are not going to risk massive losses from a subsidiary company, this is not good obviously as massive loss on a contract has finished many shipyards.
BF, TT Line and IF themselves have orders placed, SIEM group (the parent company) also have an order placed, quite simply the complexity of building a large ro pax ferry, of which one more is built and three more are on order have it seems proven to be far more complicated than FSG thought, I would think we will see price renegotiated for rest of future builds and a return to building freight vessels.
I cannot believe given how cheap WB Yeats was they did not have a no penalty clause in the contract in the event of late delivery, for the most complicated ferry they ever built it had a ridiculously short build time to service schedule.
Maria Grazia Onorato has an active transmitter and has a destination of Hamburg,
I wonder does that mean she has been handed over. This will help their cash flow for now.
Typical response from Irish Ferries re the NTA's decision that they should compensate the people they inconvenienced. At some point that company is going notice that being a nasty, uncaring, greedy, customer hating organisation is going to backfire. They should grow a pair, man up and do the right thing for once pay the money and get on with it instead of dragging the bad press out.
You would have to wonder if anybody on the board of ICG actually lives in the real world or do they reside permanently in the realm of pure corporate greed.
There is no harm to test the case in a court of law,
WB Yeats left Holyhead on time and Stena Adventurer left quite late today (for their sailings arriving into Dublin at dinner time.) Can anyone explain why WB is now going along at 13 kts. Would it not be a slight bit of a competition. If WB Yeats gets in ahead. Why is WB letting the Adventurer overtake it like that. I understand if they're both going along at service speed. But it seems strange to slow right down to let the other ship overtake you?
Update 15:25: She's just turned North and is stopped. Very strange.
Irish Ferries should learn from Ryanair - you can only be nasty for so long. Can't believe IF are now blaming NTA for their decision to abandon Rosslare-France. So it wasn't a non-existent survey of customers that said they wanted to sail from Dublin. Who will IF blame next?
Quote from: conor on January 29, 2019, 02:57:44 PM
WB Yeats left Holyhead on time and Stena Adventurer left quite late today (for their sailings arriving into Dublin at dinner time.) Can anyone explain why WB is now going along at 13 kts. Would it not be a slight bit of a competition. If WB Yeats gets in ahead. Why is WB letting the Adventurer overtake it like that. I understand if they're both going along at service speed. But it seems strange to slow right down to let the other ship overtake you?
Update 15:25: She's just turned North and is stopped. Very strange.
Do they not have slots for arrival at Dublin and each ship is allocated a place in the queue so I assume WB Yeats is letting Stena Adventurer in front of her as she normally has her allocated slot before Ulysses/Yeats?
Quote from: RorieLen on January 29, 2019, 05:30:49 PM
Quote from: conor on January 29, 2019, 02:57:44 PM
WB Yeats left Holyhead on time and Stena Adventurer left quite late today (for their sailings arriving into Dublin at dinner time.) Can anyone explain why WB is now going along at 13 kts. Would it not be a slight bit of a competition. If WB Yeats gets in ahead. Why is WB letting the Adventurer overtake it like that. I understand if they're both going along at service speed. But it seems strange to slow right down to let the other ship overtake you?
Update 15:25: She's just turned North and is stopped. Very strange.
Do they not have slots for arrival at Dublin and each ship is allocated a place in the queue so I assume WB Yeats is letting Stena Adventurer in front of her as she normally has her allocated slot before Ulysses/Yeats?
I've seen Ulysees get in of Adventurer many times before. So I don't think this is the case. I may be wrong though.
Quote from: IFPete on January 29, 2019, 12:59:59 PM
There is no harm to test the case in a court of law,
The "harm" is the disrespect and contempt they have shown to the thousands of families who's holidays were disrupted last year.
IF will suffer a backlash, every person treated like crap will harp on to all their family and friends.
Corp choice to make the customer suffer for IF mistakes is weird. Sad to see them run so badly.
We were booked going back on Yates tonight and looking forward to our Club Lounge booking after having a surprise on the outward voyage. I already booked this as the Yates was going to be in service when I booked the return and wanted a bit of luxury after a difficult trip. Turns out we are on the Epsilon and as no club lounge we are given a cabin. I dont want a cabin at 20.00 as will not be sleeping......
Very disappointed
Epsilon is a horrable experience. My mother christened it the Boring Ferry because there is nothing to do when you are aboard.
We always pick Superfast X with Epsilon is the alternative.
Angry passengers tonight as all booked on Yates and now on Epsilon. They have taken our car keys in exchange for our cabin key. >:( Not sure why.
Quote from: captainbob on January 30, 2019, 08:38:42 PM
Angry passengers tonight as all booked on Yates and now on Epsilon. They have taken our car keys in exchange for our cabin key. >:( Not sure why.
That's how they insure that you return the cabin keys . The cabin key is not discarded like on other ferries. You won't be able to depart the ship without your car keys . This insures that the key is returned .
The Cabin keys are quit heavy as well.
Quote from: Chef on January 30, 2019, 09:05:57 PM
Quote from: captainbob on January 30, 2019, 08:38:42 PM
Angry passengers tonight as all booked on Yates and now on Epsilon. They have taken our car keys in exchange for our cabin key. >:( Not sure why.
That's how they insure that you return the cabin keys . The cabin key is not discarded like on other ferries. You won't be able to depart the ship without your car keys . This insures that the key is returned .
Just out of interest is this normal and explained well to passengers beforehand?
It's normal practice on board Epsilon . Not explained as such but easy enough to figure out when you are handed your cabin key .
Never had to do that with a cabin on Stena Adventurer or Superfast X, although I think I may have been asked for £5 deposit for the TV remote control on Superfast X ;D
Quote from: HSS on January 31, 2019, 11:19:49 PM
Never had to do that with a cabin on Stena Adventurer or Superfast X, although I think I may have been asked for £5 deposit for the TV remote control on Superfast X ;D
That's because you get a key card on those ships on Epsilon you get a real key
FSG have had a change of top management.
I have seen some more harsh words against the WB on the Facebook, apparently the plug sockets on the ferry are the euro two pin type, not the UK/IRL three pin plug sockets, first world problems ! (Kinda weird given it design for UKIRL ! but then also France service) and also reported issues with speed during yesterday's crossings.
Sometimes when things go wrong, they keep going wrong, hopefully they will finally get things right and enjoy some months of just sailing on time and settling down to regular service.
The apparent implosion of FSG is the big one on the horizon as the second new build for IF The "Georgie Burgess" will be significantly delayed or even cancelled if all the information about FSG is true. One would think plenty of calls from IF to extend Epsilon charter (despite the fact that when it was drydocked they didn't even have a can of paint to put on the battered hull).
As a chartered ship, there may be some arrangement for who pays for the paint, owners or charterers. Maybe the owners didn't want her painted.
As for the sockets, as a European built ship she would have specced with European sockets. To change that at building stage may have been a considerable cost but now the ship is in service ships staff will can now add the three pin sockets over the coming months as a much reduced price. Seems some people are only too happy to criticise.
Of course IF just happen to have adaptors in stock and available to purchase on board for passengers who packed their's in the car for their trip to the continent .
They could hang on to the Oscar Wilde.
quote author=giftgrub link=topic=2202.msg16759#msg16759 date=1549137445]
I have seen some more harsh words against the WB on the Facebook, apparently the plug sockets on the ferry are the euro two pin type, not the UK/IRL three pin plug sockets, first world problems ! (Kinda weird given it design for UKIRL ! but then also France service) and also reported issues with speed during yesterday's crossings.
Sometimes when things go wrong, they keep going wrong, hopefully they will finally get things right and enjoy some months of just sailing on time and settling down to regular service.
The apparent implosion of FSG is the big one on the horizon as the second new build for IF The "Georgie Burgess" will be significantly delayed or even cancelled if all the information about FSG is true. One would think plenty of calls from IF to extend Epsilon charter (despite the fact that when it was drydocked they didn't even have a can of paint to put on the battered hull).
[/quote]
Given all the uncertainty, they would be mad to despose of Oscar Wilde at this time.
Lets see what happens over the coming months, The sections of the 2nd builds hull must be well advanced at this stage.
Don't think IF2 build has started yet, next up are two RoRo for parent SIEM Group.
Price will have to be renegotiated upwards if the yard survives to allow new/ potential investors to make a profit not a loss on future contracts.
The Subassemblies for IF2 would have need to be work in progress to allow her keel to be laid in June or July,.
Reference the fate of the Oscar Wilde. If you look on Irish Continental's website, under Irish Ferries section, and click on the Oscar link, the W B Yeats appears. OW no longer has a mention. Rumours remain that OW has been sold.
Quote from: IFPete on February 06, 2019, 09:00:49 AM
The Subassemblies for IF2 would have need to be work in progress to allow her keel to be laid in June or July,.
Possibly but no mention of steel cutting commencement or anything of that type, before recent developments. It's normally a proud day when building work starts and not kept quiet.
Looking forward to my first trip on her tomorrow.
Quote from: ferryfan on February 16, 2019, 10:17:54 PM
Looking forward to my first trip on her tomorrow.
Would really appreciate if someone who is sailing on WB Yeats could post a photo of the cabin plans, especially for deck 8.
Or indeed any photos of the ship.
Thanks.
Shipmate.
I will post some photos tomorrow.
Great, Thanks.
Posted some photos from onboard here feel free...
https://fastferryfan.tumblr.com/
Very interesting thanks
Quote from: ferryfan on February 21, 2019, 01:40:33 PM
Posted some photos from onboard here feel free...
https://fastferryfan.tumblr.com/
Don't fancy those white lines on the floor with a rough sea and a few glasses of Vin rouge consumed! :-)
Dublin Swift has the same carpets- They are good for hiding glasses of wine and other surprises. :-[
Plenty more images of the WBY here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmackey/albums/72157676771367707
Impressive looking Ferry.
The swirling carpets are certainly distinctive and there are some jagged styles in grey and blue as well
Looking at social media it appears there was a press launch today on the afternoon sailing. A very nice day for it too.
I hope to try out the WB myself on Thursday.
The event onboard WB today was a travel industry one
https://twitter.com/Travalue_ie
One thing I realised last week was that there is no live entertainment mentioned for the summer crossings nor is there an obvious live entertainment lounge like the Gaiety Lounge or the Piano Bar on the Oscar Wilde.
More images here, wIth a very comprehensive and detailed look at the WBY
https://www.niferry.co.uk/a-look-inside-irish-ferries-w-b-yeats/?fbclid=IwAR0PNzF2DGW6OKfRfjefm9prsKwVfEHg3YESOOin2TpC8G997P5o8rOIbe8
Quote from: giftgrub on February 25, 2019, 07:47:29 PM
Plenty more images of the WBY here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmackey/albums/72157676771367707
Impressive looking Ferry.
The swirling carpets are certainly distinctive and there are some jagged styles in grey and blue as well
I imagine they would be an absolute nightmare for anyone with a visual impairment. Some have likened the effect to it looking like they forgot to lift the masking tape off properly when they finished painting :P
Quote from: ferryfan on February 26, 2019, 10:35:59 PM
The event onboard WB today was a travel industry one
https://twitter.com/Travalue_ie
One thing I realised last week was that there is no live entertainment mentioned for the summer crossings nor is there an obvious live entertainment lounge like the Gaiety Lounge or the Piano Bar on the Oscar Wilde.
Nope. Could be a very long crossing to France... I doubt the Yeats trail is going to keep people entertained :o
WB Yeats Deck Plan including Cabin Layout (PDF download)
Conversation seen on Facebook suggest the Lady Gregory Restuaurant on WB Yeats is not yet open for dinner, only breakfast. Dinner is a few weeks away, yet she sails to France from tomorrow.
As far as I know she is not on the France run until next week I think. Isle of Inishmore still in DD until Sunday.
Quote from: Niall on March 13, 2019, 05:05:43 PM
As far as I know she is not on the France run until next week I think. Isle of Inishmore still in DD until Sunday.
Still showing as sailing this afternoon from Dublin to Cherbourg.
Yeats heading to france 100% this afternoon at 3.30 . Inishmore (I think its Camill Laird) have issues with getting water into the drydock not an issue with ship , she remains in Liverpool
Yeats showing Holyhead as her destination and still at berth 49. Epsilon passing Wicklow head en route to Dublin.
WBY just left Dublin. AIS showing destination Cherbourg.
Isle Of Inishmore had a problem with her fuel
Looks like there was another press launch in Cherbourg. They got live music - something Irish Ferries has confirmed passengers won't be getting. They have said there will be entertainment for kids from "June to August".
Also, a couple of press releases
Firstly, W.B. Yeats bagged a couple of shippax awards!
https://www.niferry.co.uk/pr-w-b-yeats-wins-international-shipping-awards/
Secondly, there was another release today for the first revenue earning crossing from Cherbourg, complete with some green lighting in the port
https://www.niferry.co.uk/pr-w-b-yeats-cruise-ferry-embarks-on-its-maiden-voyage-from-cherbourg-to-dublin/
The Lady Gregory is opening this evening with a seasonal spring menu apparently. AFAIK this is the first time they have opened it in the evening. There were some complaints on Twitter from passengers on the Dublin to Cherbourg sailing that their only food option was Boylan's which was serving food that needed to be reheated - I've seen criticism before of the food being cold when she was in service to Holyhead. Seems there are still some teething problems.
Cherbourg celebrating the arrival of WB Yeats.
Not sure if there is a translation facility but it a positive article looking forward to traffic between Cherbourg and Dublin doubling over the next 10 years. Mind you they state that the WBY is 'the biggest ferry in the world'. They seem pretty happy with it anyway.
https://www.lamanchelibre.fr/actualite-676713-a-cherbourg-escale-inaugurale-pour-le-w-b-yeats-plus-gros-ferry-du-monde
Most of the above was bullxxxx spoken by Irish Ferries Director of Customer Services.
Just spotted at 1600 hours that next WB Yeats trip is delayed. Cannot the "biggest ferry in the world" cope with a bit of weather?
Some more about the WBY interior
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/interiors/redefining-cruise-ship-design-irish-style-1.3824453?mode=amp
I traveled on the WBY for the 1st time 2 weeks ago. I must say she is a fabulous ferry, interior finish is high quality. Foot passenger boarding at Dublin Port was simple. Sailing was very quiet. didn't try the food. had a couple of drinks. all very enjoyable. the lack of 3 pin sockets is the only issue I noticed. Although I had seen this flagged beforehand.
Quote from: jgf on March 17, 2019, 07:07:05 PM
I traveled on the WBY for the 1st time 2 weeks ago. I must say she is a fabulous ferry, interior finish is high quality. Foot passenger boarding at Dublin Port was simple. Sailing was very quiet. didn't try the food. had a couple of drinks. all very enjoyable. the lack of 3 pin sockets is the only issue I noticed. Although I had seen this flagged beforehand.
The 2 pin sockets are mainly for plugging in cleaning equipment. 3 pin sockets are located on the table legs like seen here;
thanks Ferryfan. although I don't think I will be on WBY again for a long time!
hi, new to the forum though I have lurked for some time. We are avid ferry users, have done all sorts of ferries, Cork and Dublin to France of course, but also UK to Denmark (before the route ended) freighter to Norway, Gothenburg to Kiel among others - we do like a ferry!
We won a trip on the WB Yeats on a radio competition last summer however with the debacle of the delay ended up on the Oscar Wilde, no problem, it was practically a free holiday anyway but we were intrigued to sail in the WB...
So we Got home today from a cheeky weekend in France, sailed out on Thursday 14th March on WB Yeats on what I believe was it`s first trip to France, returned yesterday, 17th arriving 18th into Ireland
Here is my tuppence worth...
the crossing to france was perhaps just one third full of passengers, so we had lots of room to park on the car deck, nice to be able to open doors etc without fear of hitting the car beside, I`m sure it will be jam packed in the busier months though
Cabins felt small, it really felt that just a few inches made a difference in space. We got the basic 4 berth indoor, no window for 2 adults and an 11 year old and 14 year old. It just felt that you stepped out of the shower/toilet and were faced into the upper bunk, we all nearly hit our noses several times
outward there was no handsoap in the wash hand basin, then no shampoo/body soap in the shower and no bath mat coming home - not the end of the world but annoying though all the furnishings and carper felt very clean and fresh
food was expensive and mediocre - soggy sad chips, chewy lasagne, no battered fish available, main courses 13-14 euro, although we went to the brasserie as soon as we got on the ship, the food looked tired and sweaty already. Kids menu was the usual sad sausages and nuggets - go for the salad selection, it was good and a large plate was just a fiver, fill it with cous cous and feta cheese and it`s fairly substanstial!
€12 for a G&T (think the barman said it was a special offer on the gin and mixer) and pint of Heinekin in the Maud Gonne bar, but en route home we discovered that a nice bottle of red or white was €9.50 in Boylans Brasserie and lasted a lot longer
€4 for a little box of cereal and 250ml of milk at breakfast, daylight robbery!
yes only 2 pin plugs in the cabins (though there are 4 sockets in the cabin) and the plugs that I could see in the public areas - I did not crawl around the floor to look at legs of chairs for 3 pin plugs though the crossing to France was so rough I thought I might end up on the floor!
Chairs in the eating area constantly seemed to have crumbs on them, though the staff were endlessly brushing them off - perhaps the colour scheme is not ideal for that
some confusion as we left the car deck for the cabin deck with staff telling us we had to get cabin keys at reception when we had already been issued with them at check in, probably with it all being so new some of them were still getting used to things
just our thoughts after a very quick trip and the weather was poor in both directions so we didn`t get to walk around as much as we usually would have, if I can answer any questions I will gladly help
Thanks Mountain Mini, very informative post and welcome to the site (and Trucker as well)!
With regards to the two pin sockets I just read the below on the Irish ferry facebook page ..
"Glad you like it Marie! Adaptors are available from reception for a small deposit if need. - Sarah
Thanks Mountainmini that's very informative - I will be sailing out in a few weeks and I'm a little concerned about the size of the cabins as my hubby has some mobility issues - they do look very tight in the pictures and the bigger cabins are wogiously overpriced - :)
Nice to see WB going at nearly 26kts off the cherbourg peninsula. Very impressive
I travelled back from Cherbourg on last night's crossing. To add to the generally good reviews I was impressed. The loading was quick and efficient. The cabin [a four berth for 2 of us] was adequately sized, compared to the Oscar Wilde it was much better equipped. Lots of shelves to put things on, a TV, a view out over the ocean, not over the deck and a thermostat that worked.
Dinner was in Boylan's Brasserie. We looked at the Lady Gregory [posh] restaurant but it cost 40 euro each for a 3 course set menu of 5 or 6 main dishes that looked unexceptional. As already noted the range of food is ok in Boylan's Brasserie but expensive. Like mountainmini we had the 9.50 euro bottle of wine which was acceptable. Beforehand I had a pint in the bar overlooking the bow on deck 11. A Guinness cost a fiver which was ok. There was a certain vibration evident at the very front and in the raised rotunda that overlooks the sea. Breakfast was a tenner for a filled baguette [very nice; rashers, eggs and tomato] some milk and a yoghurt. On the back of mountainmini's experience we brought our own cereal and tea bags. Marmalade and hot water were free.
There were a good number of passengers 90% of whom were French school kids [there were at least 7 buses on the ship] everyone else was like myself [of a certain age, as they say].
The criticisms were as follows: the TV in the cabin did not work, we got the crew to sort it and it worked for about 30 minutes then gave up, in any event there were only 5 stations available. The WiFi on the main decks was very slow and next to useless. And as noted above the prices were generaly expensive.
On the plus side the crew were very pleasant and very helpful. The crossing was very smooth [Moderate seas were forecast] so I can't comment on the stability of the ship in rough weather but it felt solid. I went on deck later in the evening, the ship was off Start point, she was going very well, looking over the stern and the propellers churning away it felt that she was that much faster than OW.
All in all I enjoyed the experience and it was really good to land in Dublin and be home within 40 minutes of landing which was a few minutes early.
Has anyone who has travelled so far on the Cherbourg route any experience of the Inisfree club lounge? Getting inconsistent info from IF as to whether you can order food from the menu there on the route to France and we will be travelling with our son who has autism and was hoping to eat there in a less packed venue than Boylans Brasserie.
Also has anyone any idea of the menu options yet in Lady Gregory and are there DVD players in the TVs in the cabins? Thanks :)
Very excited for our trip next week so trying to tie up loose ends now!
There were 5 or 6 main menu options in the Lady Gregory: mains included steak, lamb, a vegetarian option and a fish dish. The starters looked more interesting, didn't really examine the desserts because 40 euro seemed a bit much. Wines there started at 15 euro.
We had a 4 berth , it had no DVD but maybe you could ask at reception. They were pretty obliging.
The café was fairly quiet, they had pizza, sandwiches etc.
There was quiet area that seemed a bit like a Snoezelen room [Sally Gardens] but I didn't investigate.
Enjoy the trip.
I know nothing about the Yeats (we're annoyed Rosslare customers). However ref your DVD query, we always take a compact DVD player with us plus the cable to connect it to TVs in French rental properties. The only snag is knowing which socket the TV has (Scart or HDMI). The other solution is to download films to an iPad or similar. Some DVDs we've purchased recently have inserts with a code to download a copy of the film to such devices.
As far as can be seen on the cabin videos there are no dvd players on the TVs and I would not have expected any. As far as bringing a portable player with cable, I expect that it would not be possible to connect to TVs in cabins as TVs are mounted flat on the cabin walls with no access to connection points at their back.
The menu and pricing in Lady Gregory sounds exactly like what was on offer on OW Berneval waiter service restaurant and priced the same (other than an increased wine minimum cost).
Sailing to Cherbourg on WBY during the week so will report back then.
DVD player's in cabins would make the on board cinema redundant ,plus the loss of income from same . Remember you are at sea on ship , so every revenue stream possible will be explored by IF .
Quote from: francebound1982 on April 05, 2019, 03:25:38 PM
Has anyone who has travelled so far on the Cherbourg route any experience of the Inisfree club lounge? Getting inconsistent info from IF as to whether you can order food from the menu there on the route to France and we will be travelling with our son who has autism and was hoping to eat there in a less packed venue than Boylans Brasserie.
Also has anyone any idea of the menu options yet in Lady Gregory and are there DVD players in the TVs in the cabins? Thanks :)
Very excited for our trip next week so trying to tie up loose ends now!
Just noticed LIDL are selling portable DVD with screen for €60 this morning.
Was on the WB Yeats last week, I have to say I was underwhelmed by it. The ship design seems more suited to an economy sailing, or a shorter voyage - it would sit better on the Dublin to Holyhead route. Lots of room for freight and cars but it's like they gave up when it came to passenger comforts. Cabins are small and narrow, one family I talked to had trouble getting their kids buggy through the doorways. (there are really, really expensive cabins too) The sailing was rough both ways but only overnight and I have fairly stable sealegs - the boat was late departing and arriving - the food in the main eatery is the usual fare, nothing special and overpriced. There were what seemed like hundreds of French students onboard, both ways, running, shouting the usual but no way of escaping them except to the bar (of which there is only one) on deck 11 or the cabin. Oscar Wilde even in its older state is a smoother sail and a more spacious interior. The WB Yeats was dearer too.
W B Yeats docks bow first in both Cherbourg and Dublin. Is there a reason she doesn't use the stern ramps?
Quote from: A83 on May 05, 2019, 12:09:43 PM
W B Yeats docks bow first in both Cherbourg and Dublin. Is there a reason she doesn't use the stern ramps?
She berths stern in at Dublin when on Cherbourg service and bow in when on the Holyhead run
On it now.
Just left Cherbourg.
I've never experienced vibrations like it when we left the berth sideways, to turn around.
My pint of lager (€6) very nearly made its own way off the table.
Fine ship, cabin ok,2 of us freight drivers sharing, but everything is very dull, carpets, walls and so on.
Bar is bright and airy though, with comfortable seats, nice view out over the bow, but expensive.
Id much prefer the Oscar Wilde, but alas, that ship has sailed !.
Still in the bar, and we are sailing away from Cherbourg.
The vibration is constant.
Very uncomfortable indeed.
Quote from: Chef on April 07, 2019, 01:20:56 PM
DVD player's in cabins would make the on board cinema redundant ,plus the loss of income from same . Remember you are at sea on ship , so every revenue stream possible will be explored by IF .
Wouldn't be the first ferry operator to offer dvd's for hire though!