The company said there will also be an increase in autumn/winter sailings frequencies, and an expansion in passenger, car and freight-carrying capacities on its prime Ireland-Britain between Dublin and Holyhead.
Andrew Sheen, Irish Ferries
The 55-000 tonne WB Yeats, currently under construction in Flensburg, Germany, will have space for 1,885 passengers and crew, 1,200 cars in 4kms of vehicle deck space, and 441 cabins, with a variety of grades including suites. A waiter-service a la carte restaurant, choice of lounges, an outside promenade deck and a host of entertainment options are other features.
On the Dublin-Cherbourg route, the WB Yeats will operate up to four return sailings weekly. Meanwhile, the Oscar Wilde cruise ferry will have more summertime departures between Rosslare and Roscoff. In the off-peak winter season, the vessel Epsilon will replace the WB Yeats, providing a year-round service from Dublin to the Continent for both freight and tourism customers.
Irish Ferries’ managing director, Andrew Sheen, said the plan “will give a significant boost to Irish tourism and trade”, with “more choice in terms of routes and departure dates, particularly on services to France”.
