THE completed hull of the new Irish Ferries cruise ferry, the WB Yeats, was launched in Germany last week.
The new ship’s name was chosen after an online poll that attracted over 100,000 votes. She will arrive in Dublin in July when it will serve the Ireland – France and Dublin – Holyhead routes.
In the intervening months, remaining construction work on the hull will be completed and the vessel fitted out with all of the technical, operational, décor, furnishings and passenger amenities required onboard.
Later, before scheduled services can commence, it will undergo sea trials, crew training and docking procedures at the Irish, UK and French ports into which it will operate.
The WB Yeats will have space for 1,885 passengers and crew.
435 cabins including luxury suites with their own private balconies, and almost 3km of car deck space.
Mr. Sheen said: “the launch of our new cruise ferry W. B. Yeats – and the expectation of our second new cruise ferry yet to come – herald in a new era in ferry travel between Ireland, UK and Continental Europe bringing with it new standards in terms of passenger and freight capacity, comfort and reliability beyond anything previously envisaged.”