Makeover for DFDS' Newhaven-Dieppe ferries

£7.3m investment for two ships on Newhaven route

Newhaven-Dieppe ferry Seven Sisters has returned to sea on DFDS’ passenger and freight route following a major upgrade and refit that heralds a new chapter for the service.

The pan-European ferry operator won the right to operate the service for a further five years in 2023 and has invested £7.3m (€8.5m) in refurbishing both ships on the route to enhance the passenger experience onboard and transform the ships into modern, luxurious spaces to meet the needs of discerning travellers.

The redesign and upgrade process started in December with Seven Sisters and will be followed by an upgrade to Cote d’Albatre, which will return to service on the route at the beginning of May, in time for the busy summer season. Both ships can carry up to 600 passengers.

Newly redesigned spaces on board the ships include a full refit of all public spaces, including layouts, wall and floor coverings, lighting, furniture, and art. The makeover includes:

· A new, more spacious duty-free shop offering local produce, plus a range of well-known brands in cosmetics, fragrances, confectionery, spirits and wines,

· A colourful children’s play area,

· A relaxing lounge with reclining seats,

· A fully refurbished suite of 43 private standard cabins to suit all budgets. Added to this is a family cabin and a luxury cabin, offering breath-taking views of the sea.

· Innovative new sleeping pods for drivers and cyclists with a private lounge and shower suite.

Jean-Claude Charlo, route director at DFDS, said: “This multi-million-pound investment responds to feedback from passengers on the route, modernising and refreshing onboard areas to provide a more spacious feel onboard to inspire relaxation, and enjoyment of the journey. It reflects our major commitment to developing and growing passenger volumes on the route over the new five-year term of our contract and our desire to continually innovate to meet our passengers’ shifting expectations.”

After a record year for passenger and vehicle volumes on the Newhaven-Dieppe route in 2023, DFDS anticipates growing the route by a further four per cent in 2024 following its investment in the two ships.

Standard prices for a car and two passengers on the route start from £56 each way and ferry crossings on the service take four-hours. For more information or to book visit www.dfds.com.

Michelle Ulyatt / Sandy Fleming / Adam Toombs / Karen Bayfield

Roch PR Ltd

T: +44 1304 272082

E: dfdsteam@rochpr.com

DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of EUR 2.3 bn.

To over 10,000 freight customers we deliver high performance and superior reliability through ferry & port terminal services, and transport and logistics solutions. DFDS delivers high reliability to more than 10,000 freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.

For more than five million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.

Our 12,700 employees are located on ships and in in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 12 years running (2012-2023), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 12 years (2011-22).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is owned by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.