P&O Pioneer launches upgraded customer experience

The ferry will also have the largest ever dedicated space for freight drivers on the Dover-Calais route, with a separate dining area, lounge and showers.

The ferry’s Kids Zone & Teen Zone provides entertainment options for children of all ages. The bespoke design has a maritime-themed soft play area with thoughtfully placed seating areas for parents. Older children and teenagers are well catered for with interactive digital screens, including a Digital Selfie Wall, Arcade Games, plenty of charging points and excellent wifi.

The Pet Lounge provides an “upgraded experience for pet owners to travel in comfort with a bright, welcoming space, complimentary hot drinks and an outdoor exercise area which can be directly accessed from its own dedicated lift”, said P&O.  P&O is the first ferry company to offer a pet lounge on the Dover-Calais route, providing travellers with an alternative way to travel with their pets.

The new ship will have P&O’s largest onboard duty-free shop at 588 m² from P&O’s travel retail partner World Duty Free. Travellers will be able to get up to 40% off high street prices on a range of products. 

The layout of the Food Market has been inspired by food markets seen in train stations and airports with ‘grab and go’ options and self-serve tills. The design elements incorporate greenery and woodland scenes to create a natural, calm feel for the food market. There is something for all tastes, including pizzas, paninis and a delicious selection of salads, sandwiches, sweet treats and drinks.

A bright and airy dining area, The Kitchen features floor to ceiling windows and delivers a hot food grab and go menu. This incudes hand-battered haddock and chips, a buttermilk chicken burger and ‘moving mountains’ vegan burger. There is also a new children’s offering, including chicken nuggets and a cheeseburger.

The private Club Lounge has been designed to offer an elegant environment with a subtle colour palette, high-quality materials, soundproofing, soft and comfortable seating and a dedicated outside deck area. Guests can enjoy all-inclusive premium hot and cold food and drinks, which will be in the self-service style seen in an airport lounge. 

Two of P&O Pioneer’s five lifts aid those with reduced mobility, all seating areas have space for wheelchairs and counters have been designed to ensure wheelchair accessibility.

P&O Pioneer will also be the first to have a ‘Changing Places’ toilet on the Dover-Calais ferry route. The Changing Places toilet is a larger facility with a changing bench and hoist to support disabled people who need assistance.