LD lines have decided to replace the High Speed catamaran on the Dover
Boulogne route with a conventional ferry. 19 jobs have sadly been
lost.
The Norman Arrow is to be laid up in Portsmouth, and is expected to
operate a service between there and Le Havre next summer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8343324.stm

We (eventually) traveled on the ferry early in September, and were
beset by delays due to weather.
There was a comment from one of the staff on the dock on that occasion
who said that the Captains didn't like going into Boulogne with the
vessel when the weather was calm, let alone when it was windy.
We found that, although the crossing took only an hour, delays in
docking and unloading ate into the time saved.
Calais still seems to be 'the one' if heading west or south/south
west, depending of course, where you live.

CELTIC LINK FERRIES (IRELAND) START PORTSMOUTH-CHERBOURG ROUTE FROM SUNDAY 
4TH OCTOBER

 Following an agreement reached with French company LD Lines for the vessel 
"Norman Voyager", Celtic Link Ferries are pleased to announce they will 
begin operations on the Portsmouth to Cherbourg route this weekend.

The first sailing from Cherbourg to Portsmouth will be at 2330 on Sunday 4th 
October 2009. The first sailing from Portsmouth to Cherbourg will be at 1500 
on Monday 5th October 2009.

The Norman Voyager will be used during the weekdays for Portsmouth to 
Cherbourg, and then for the weekends Rosslare to Cherbourg. Both routes will 
be operated by Celtic Link Ferries. The Norman Voyager has capacity for up 
to 800 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles. Onboard 
facilities include 110 cabins, bar, restaurant, lounges and shop.

The Diplomat will be used during the weekdays for Rosslare - Cherbourg, and 
during the weekends for Portsmouth - Cherbourg. Both routes will be operated 
by Celtic Link Ferries. In order to encourage customers onto this smaller 
vessel, all meals for both passenger and freight customers onboard the 
Diplomat sailings will be FREE.

The Celtic Link Ferries new timetable will be a daily afternoon sailing from 
Portsmouth (typically 1500), and an overnight sailing from Cherbourg every 
evening (typically 2330).

Celtic Link Ferries Director of France, Pascal Higuera, comments: "Celtic 
Link Ferries have been interested in starting on the Portsmouth to Cherbourg 
route for several years. The opportunity has now come, and we look forward 
to offering our valued freight customers with an alternative route to/from 
France as well as offering a new low cost travelling option for tourist 
passengers wishing to reach Cherbourg from the UK."

"To demostrate our commitment to low fares on the Portsmouth to Cherbourg 
route, we have created a launch offer of only £49 each way for a Car+driver. 
But hurry as this fare will only be valid for the first 10 cars on every 
sailing in 2009!"