Irish Ferries is pleased to announce the addition of a new cruise ferry to its fleet. The ship will be named as the OSCAR WILDE, and it will service the Pembroke Dock / Rosslare route from early June 2023, replacing the BLUE STAR 1.

The ship, originally called the STAR, was built in 2007 in Finland for Tallink Grupp.  

The OSCAR WILDE will be the largest and fastest passenger cruise ferry on the Irish Sea with an impressive capacity of over 2,080 passengers, 134 cabins, and ample space with over 2,380 lane meters for cars, coaches, and freight vehicles.

With the largest duty-free shopping space for any cruise ferry on the Irish Sea of more than 17,000 square feet, it will be an ideal shopping destination for those travelling between Ireland and Britain.

The ship interiors have a classic, modern feel and boasts Freight Drivers facilities, Club Class lounge, a self-service restaurant, an à la carte restaurant, a bar, gaming facilities, pet facilities and family-friendly features such as a children’s play area.

One of the most exciting features of the OSCAR WILDE is its available speed. With a possible top speed of 27.5 knots, it is the fastest cruise ferry with the largest passenger capacity on the Irish Sea. This will enable Irish Ferries to offer tourism passengers and freight an efficient service.

If the name of the new ferry feels familiar, it’s because Irish Ferries had another ship by the same name, which was sold in 2019. In keeping with Irish Ferries’ naming theme, the company has chosen OSCAR WILDE for this one too.

Commenting on the new addition, Irish Ferries Managing Director, Andrew Sheen, said:“We are delighted to announce the addition of the OSCAR WILDE to our fleet. This new ship will be a fantastic addition to our service, offering customers the very best in terms of comfort, speed, and amenities.

“Along with usual advantages of ferry travel in terms of no luggage restrictions or security queues, we are confident that the OSCAR WILDE will become a firm favourite with our passengers and freight drivers, and we look forward to welcoming them on board.”

Irish Ferries is now taking bookings on https://www.irishferries.com/ for the new ship. With its impressive size, speed, and range of facilities, it is set to become the ultimate choice for those travelling between Ireland and the UK on the southern corridor between Wales and Ireland.