Cruise-Ships

"Pride of Rotterdam". Pride of Rotterdam is 215.05 m long with a beam of 31.85 m and a draught of 6.04 m. She is powered by four Wärtsilä 9L46C diesel engines which have a total power output of 37,800 kilowatts (50,700 hp). These can propel her at 22 knots (41 km/h). Pride of Rotterdam can carry 1,360 passengers. She has 3,300 metres of lane capacity, and can carry 250 cars and 400 trailers. Cars are driven in through an entrance in the ships side and stored separately from trailers which are loaded from the rear.

The flight from Brussels arriving at Barcelona, with a view on the harbour (filled with cruise-ships) and the haze-covered city in the background.

We were waiting for the "Pride of Kent" to enter Calais habour, so that we could start on our trip to Dover. "MS Pride of Kent" is a cross-channel ferry operated by P&O Ferries, generally on the Dover to Calais service. General characteristics: Tonnage: 1992-2002: 22,986 tonnes 2003 onwards: 30,365tonnes Length: 179.7 m (589.6 ft) Beam: 28.3 m (92.8 ft) Draft: 6.27 m (20.6 ft) Installed power: 4 x Sulzer 8ZA40S Diesels Propulsion: Two controllable pitch propellers Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Capacity: 1992-2002: 200 passengers 124 15m freight vehicles 2003 onwards: 2,000 passengers 650 passenger vehicles or 120 15m freight vehicles

We are overtaking the "Berlioz", on our way to Dover. Vessel's Details: Ship Type: Ro-ro/passenger ship Year Built: 2005 Length x Breadth: 187 m X 28 m Gross Tonnage: 33940, DeadWeight: 7178 t Speed recorded (Max / Average): 20.4 / 17 knots Flag: France [FR] Call Sign: FMAB IMO: 9305843, MMSI: 228085000

"Dunkerque Seaways" manouvering in the port of Dover. Vessel's Details: Ship Type: Ro-ro/passenger ship Year Built: 2005 Length x Breadth: 186 m X 28 m Gross Tonnage: 35923, DeadWeight: 6160 t Speed recorded (Max / Average): 22.3 / 17.5 knots Flag: United Kingdom [UK] Call Sign: MJTL2 IMO: 9293076, MMSI: 235028825

"Spirit of France" in the port of Dover. Vessel's Details: Ship Type: Ro-ro/passenger ship Year Built: 2011 Length x Breadth: 213 m X 32 m Gross Tonnage: 47592, DeadWeight: 9884 t Speed recorded (Max / Average): 22.7 / 17.1 knots Flag: United Kingdom [UK] Call Sign: 2DXD5 IMO: 9533816, MMSI: 235082717

"MS Albatros" in the port of Dover. This cruise ship, operated by the Germany-based travel agency Phoenix Reisen, was built in 1973 by Wärtsilä Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland for Royal Viking Line as Royal Viking Sea, and has also sailed under the names Royal Odyssey, Norwegian Star, and Crown. General characteristics (currently): Tonnage: 28,518 GRT 5,936 DWT Length: 205.46 m (674 ft) Beam: 27.00 m (89 ft) Draught: 7.30 m (24 ft) Installed power: 4 × Wärtsilä 6L38A Propulsion: Two shafts; controllable pitch propellers Capacity: 812 passengers