Spirit of France is one of P&O Ferries’ three ships on Dover to Calais. She’s 213 m long, with three separate vehicle decks and room for up to 1,750 passengers, and she’s been crossing the Strait of Dover since 2012.
She was built at Rauma in Finland for the Dover to Calais route. P&O says her hull was designed to reduce drag and improve fuel economy, giving her a speed of up to 22 knots. On board are a Club Lounge, a coffee shop, bars, World Duty Free, a bureau de change and games rooms.
Where Spirit of France sails
Spirit of France sails Dover to Calais, sharing P&O’s sailings with the newer P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté. P&O runs up to 15 sailings a day around the clock (11 from Dover on Wednesday 7 October 2026), and the crossing takes about 1 hour 35 minutes on P&O’s timetable.
- Check-in closes 90 minutes before departure, with a vehicle, with a pet or on foot.
- Foot passengers are welcome: P&O is the only company on the route that takes them.
- In October 2026 offer fares started at £48 one way for a car and up to 9 people, with Standard fares normally from £110, and £30 on foot.
Times vary from day to day, so check live times for your date. See the P&O Ferries guide for tickets and check-in.
Check P&O Ferries Dover to Calais fares
Where is Spirit of France now?
This live map shows the ship’s latest position and her track over the last 24 hours, from her AIS transmitter via VesselFinder. Tap or click the map to use it, and tap the ship for her speed, course and next port. You’ll usually find her in Dover or Calais, or crossing the Strait of Dover.
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9533816.
Positions can be a few minutes old. For delays, check P&O Ferries’ sailing updates before you travel.
Club Lounge, food and drink on Spirit of France
Club Lounge
P&O’s premium upgrade on Dover to Calais costs £29 per person and is all-inclusive: a buffet of hot and cold food, snacks, and hot and cold drinks, in quiet seating away from the crowds. It’s open 24/7, with free Wi-Fi, charging points, private toilets and a private deck with sun loungers. Add it when you book or later through your P&O account.
Coffee shop and bars
For hot and cold drinks and snacks. P&O offers three places to eat on each of its Dover to Calais ships, all serving hot and cold food and drinks.
Shopping and entertainment
- World Duty Free: P&O says up to 40% off high street prices, and up to 50% on alcohol and tobacco. Pre-order with Reserve and Collect up to 30 days before you sail.
- Bureau de change for euros.
- Video games room and gaming rooms.
- Children’s entertainment, with live entertainment in peak season and the Deep Sea Pioneers scavenger-hunt app.
- Free Wi-Fi; ask at the information desk for access.
Pets on Spirit of France
On P&O’s Dover to Calais route your dog can travel with you in the Pet Lounge, from £12 each way for one dog and one adult, or stay in your vehicle. Cats, ferrets and other pets stay in your vehicle.
- Book your pet in advance: spaces are limited and you can’t book at the port.
- Up to 5 pets per booking. UK banned breeds aren’t accepted.
- Check-in closes 90 minutes before departure.
- Foot passengers can’t take pets.
See pets on P&O Ferries for paperwork and vets near the ports.
Accessibility on Spirit of France
- A small number of wheelchairs are available to borrow on board; crew collect them when you leave.
- All lifts are wheelchair-friendly, and all shopping and dining areas are wheelchair-accessible.
- Accessible toilets on decks 8 and 9.
- If you need to park near a lift, tell P&O before you travel, and crew can meet you on the vehicle deck.
- For help at your destination port, email customer.services@poferries.com before you travel.
Spirit of France specification
| Built | Rauma, Finland |
|---|---|
| First passenger sailing | February 2012 |
| Length | 213 m |
| Vehicle decks | 3 |
| Speed | Up to 22 knots |
| Passengers | Up to 1,750 |
| Crew | Up to 200 |
| IMO number | 9533816 |
Other P&O ships on Dover to Calais: the P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté. See the P&O Ferries guide for everything about sailing with P&O.
Book P&O Ferries Dover to Calais
Spirit of France Ferry Guide FAQs
Which route does the Spirit of France sail?
Dover to Calais, with P&O Ferries. She shares P&O's sailings with the newer P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté. The crossing takes about 1 hour 35 minutes on P&O's timetable.
Where is the Spirit of France now?
You can see her live position, and her track over the last 24 hours, on the map on this page, which uses VesselFinder's AIS data. Her IMO number is 9533816.
How big is the Spirit of France?
She's 213 m long with three separate vehicle decks, and carries up to 1,750 passengers with up to 200 crew.
Does the Spirit of France have a Club Lounge?
Yes. On Dover to Calais the Club Lounge costs £29 per person, is open 24/7 and includes a buffet of hot and cold food and drinks, free Wi-Fi and a private deck with sun loungers.
When did the Spirit of France enter service?
She was built at Rauma in Finland and carried passengers between Dover and Calais for the first time in February 2012.
Can I take my dog on the Spirit of France?
Yes, if you travel with a vehicle. On P&O's Dover to Calais route your dog can come with you in the Pet Lounge, from £12 each way for one dog and one adult, or stay in your vehicle. Foot passengers can't take pets.