Originally the Sealink SNCF Calais-Dover ferry Champs Elysees of 1984, the following photographs were taken in early 2020 whilst she operated for Balearia between Algeciras and Tangier Med, a 90min journey attracting a mixture of freight, passenger vehicles and pedestrians similar to that which she was originally designed making her an excellent vessel for the route she currently serves.
Since operating as Champs Elysees she was renamed numerous times but is better known as Stena Parisien (Newhaven/Dieppe), SeaFrance Manet (Calais/Dover) and Stena Navigator (Stranraer). Her interior flow of passenger facilities has not changed in all these decades with bars/restaurants fore and aft and lounges/shop amid ship.
Her decor however is very much Stena and it would appear she has not been refitted by Balearia after she left Stena operation as Stena Navigator; other than some new signage nothing has changed. This is particularly evident in the mosque which still has the florescent light tubes from when this was a gaming arcade!
Poeta Lopez Anglada is a fantastic ship for the route she presently serves owing to many similarities with length of crossing and types of vehicles carried to those she was originally designed and built to carry.
NOTE when embarking in Algeciras it is necessary to go to the onboard passport office to have documents stamped. This can be found on the main deck, off the main reception at the forward end of the portside lounge.
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