Pont Aven

At the time of writing, Pont Aven was the flagship of Brittany Ferries, and you can see why! Purpose built to their specifications she has a covered swimming pool, multi level bar, extraordinary atrium with glass windows spanning several decks, glass elevators and a selection of bars and restaurants. She even has suites with their own balconies! A ferry - perhaps a mini cruise ship!

Introduced in 2004, Pont Avon set new standards for Brittany Ferries. Primarily operating from Portsmouth/Plymouth, Pont Aven operates the long distance routes to Saint Malo, Bilbao and Santander, although those of you with a keen eye may find her operating on some of the shorter routes to France at certain times of the year if you scour the Brittany Ferries online timetable. These photographs were taken during a crossing from Portsmouth to Saint Malo; departing in the evening of day one, arriving at the French port next morning, departing late that afternoon and arriving back in the UK early on day three, and this counted as a day trip! A bargin price for a mini break - see my blog on Saint Malo.

Being a winter trip the swimming pool, although undercover, was not operational on my journey perhaps owing to the times of sailing or because of the small number of passengers aboard.

The ships' main bar and entertainment centre is located on Deck 8 although it does have a mezzanine level accessed by an attractive pair of stairs which wrap around the wall of glass dividing the bar from the lido on Deck 9. Le Grand Pavois Bar is a bright and colourful facility and a great place to relax in the evening.

Pont Aven has numerous areas which have the wow factor however, the most impressive has got to be the atrium. Spanning four decks it has dual glass fronted elevators, cosy sitting areas in which to relax and gaze at the passing vistas through the floor to ceiling windows on the starboard side, the main embarkation hall for foot passengers with a 24/7 reception for those who may need assistance and access to the cinema, shop, restaurants and cabins via a series of airy, bright and wide halls.

Feeling hungry? Pont Avon offers a selection of eateries from the luxurious Le Flora Restaurant at the aft end of Deck 7 which has a highly attractive Le Fastnet Piano Bar next door for pre or post dinner drinks, the informal self service option of Le Cafe du Festival at the forward end of Deck 7 with panoramic views over the bow and even vending machines near the cabin accommodation for those passengers who get the munchies late at night.

Pont Aven offers a vast range of overnight accommodation from designated reclining seat lounges with shared washing facilities nearby to magnificent suits with ensuite facilities and their own private balcony!

All in all Pont Aven is a magnificent ship particularly on a lengthy voyage. She has a large amount of exterior deck space on Deck 9, the aft ends of Decks 8 and 7 and a 'wrap around' exterior space on Deck 6. As built, the forward end of Deck 6 had a wall of glass overlooking the bow allowing passengers outstanding views as they walked laps around this deck however, in 2006 whilst on passage between Plymouth and Spain in severe gale 9 winds, "a wall of water" 40ft high hit the ship smashing these windows and flooding nearby cabins and corridors. Several persons were injured and the ship made an emergency divert to berth in Roscoff. Following this incident these windows have been replaced by portholes.