"Firstly the P&O ships reflagged since the referendum were flagged to Cyprus, not the Bahamas.
Secondly, have you been on the Yeats? The Estrid to me looks rather more comfortable we know for sure had a larger budget for interior design, fixtures and fittings."
I said the Dover vessels were reflagged to Cypriot registry. I never claimed they were on the Bahamas flag.
The fact is senior management at P&O were itching for years to get the remaining vessels on Flags of Convenience (FOC). With Brexit P&O came up with a handy excuse to get the Dover fleet on a FOC. To P&O's credit they did keep existing UK seafarers on, but I have heard reports of agency crews being introduced onto the recently reflagged ships - on a drip by drip basis.
As for the operational claim, I read a statement from a director at P&O who stated it gave them more flexibility with regard to inspections etc being on a Cypriot flag. I imagine this also goes for crew working conditions etc. This is the real reason P&O chose to reflag. It has been on the cards for years! And Stena are clearly following P&O's lead.
If you have any doubt as for P&O's motives, why is the Pride of York which sails from Hull (UK) to Zeebrugge (Belgium / EU) flagged in the Bahamas? If flying a non-EU flag is so challenging, shouldn't the Pride of York be flying an EU flag?
Both Stena and P&O have every right to fly FOC's going forward, but operating Bahamas registered vessels (NON EU!) has never given P&O any operational difficulties, and the company continues to do so (see Pride of York & Pride of Hull).
Condor Ferries also has all vessels on the Bahamas registry, and sails between France and the UK. Again, causes no operational problems.
As for W.B. Yeats, I have sailed on her, and despite her leaving the berth nearly 30 minutes behind schedule, I found her very pleasant. Certainly a very comfortable space, and choice of subtle colours suited the ambiance. As for the Club Class, certainly the interior was very nice, and the Lady Gregory's design was first class.
Like a previous comment stated, I see very little difference between Superfast X and Estrid in terms of interior design, and their seems to be lots of hard seats and very few benches. The design language seems very utilitarian and low maintenance.
Secondly, have you been on the Yeats? The Estrid to me looks rather more comfortable we know for sure had a larger budget for interior design, fixtures and fittings."
I said the Dover vessels were reflagged to Cypriot registry. I never claimed they were on the Bahamas flag.
The fact is senior management at P&O were itching for years to get the remaining vessels on Flags of Convenience (FOC). With Brexit P&O came up with a handy excuse to get the Dover fleet on a FOC. To P&O's credit they did keep existing UK seafarers on, but I have heard reports of agency crews being introduced onto the recently reflagged ships - on a drip by drip basis.
As for the operational claim, I read a statement from a director at P&O who stated it gave them more flexibility with regard to inspections etc being on a Cypriot flag. I imagine this also goes for crew working conditions etc. This is the real reason P&O chose to reflag. It has been on the cards for years! And Stena are clearly following P&O's lead.
If you have any doubt as for P&O's motives, why is the Pride of York which sails from Hull (UK) to Zeebrugge (Belgium / EU) flagged in the Bahamas? If flying a non-EU flag is so challenging, shouldn't the Pride of York be flying an EU flag?
Both Stena and P&O have every right to fly FOC's going forward, but operating Bahamas registered vessels (NON EU!) has never given P&O any operational difficulties, and the company continues to do so (see Pride of York & Pride of Hull).
Condor Ferries also has all vessels on the Bahamas registry, and sails between France and the UK. Again, causes no operational problems.
As for W.B. Yeats, I have sailed on her, and despite her leaving the berth nearly 30 minutes behind schedule, I found her very pleasant. Certainly a very comfortable space, and choice of subtle colours suited the ambiance. As for the Club Class, certainly the interior was very nice, and the Lady Gregory's design was first class.
Like a previous comment stated, I see very little difference between Superfast X and Estrid in terms of interior design, and their seems to be lots of hard seats and very few benches. The design language seems very utilitarian and low maintenance.