Two Portsmouth tugs led the MV Bretagne out of the city for the last voyage to St. Malo, after 35 years of being the longest serving ship in the Brittany Ferries Fleet last Sunday, 3 November 2024.
Westward Shipping News was honoured to be invited to attend on the last sailing of the iconic ship, where a special tribute of water canon displays and farewell horns from the MV Mont St Michael blasted out across the harbour, acknowledging the very special occasion.
HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth were both in Port as we sailed towards the lit-up Spinnaker Tower and then out towards the Channel for the last time.
Many past shipmates were on the MV Bretagne’s last sailing, together with maritime enthusiasts and travellers from across the UK to take part in the final historic voyage across the Channel.
But not forgetting the regular tourists that were travelling on the MV Bretagne for their holidays in France and around the continent.
The evening was a celebration for generations of diners that came together for a 3-course dinner to share their memories of the ship with past and present crews and where Brittany Ferries invented the era of cruise liner services on the ‘Channel Ferry Links’.
The world-renowned Bleuniadur Ensemble promotes Breton and Gallic cultural heritage through dance, songs, traditions, and costumes at prestigious festivals in France and around the world, and one of the highlights of an unforgettable evening.
The mist and fog greeted the MV Bretagne in St. Malo as we arrived in the early morning.
It was a heartfelt goodbye as we waved from the MV Armorique on our return voyage to Portsmouth on a very tight whistle-stop assignment.
Whatever the future of the MV Bretagne might be? The next chapter for travellers on the Portsmouth to St. Malo links is looking very exciting with its new successor, the MV Saint-Malo, in 2025.
The new Saint-Malo will be the fourth new vessel to join the fleet at Brittany Ferries, and part of the biggest fleet renewal project in the company’s 52-year history. The new hybrid ship will be cleaner and greener say maritime specialists.
Locally sourced produce will also be served in the restaurants, and passengers can get to stay in different cabins – some pet friendly – while also enjoying an exclusive lounge and art collection of 150 works by Alexander Goudie, and widely acclaimed as being one of Scotland’s finest figurative painters.
Front picture credit: Brittany Ferries
