98 The upcoming Guillaume de Normandie will be the fifth E-Flexer to join the fleet Photo: Brittany Ferries INTERVIEW shipyard to create that personality and introduce new concepts.” The introduction of the new vessels will also signal the end of an era for two of Brittany Ferries’ longest serving vessels, Bretagne and Normandie, as they are set to be replaced by the operator’s fourth and fifth E-Flexers. Brittany Ferries has sensitively negotiated the process of retiring these two well-loved ships by emphasising the promise of the newer vessels. “Sometimes, people don’t understand why we don’t keep sailing on our old vessels,” says Arnaud. “Everybody knows and likes these ships, which are very iconic for us at Brittany Ferries. We therefore have to bring both passengers and crew with us as we show them that our new vessels and solutions offer an improvement over those older ships.” Croc adds: “We’re quite unique at Brittany Ferries in having such a strong link between the crew and the ships they sail on. There’s a lot of sadness about Bretagne, our first-ever ship, leaving the fleet after 35 years. So, we have to make sure that our customers and crew are reassured that we will bring them with us on the new ships and expressing how they will be better. It’s about change management.” However, Brittany Ferries has preserved the legacy of Bretagne and Normandy through the ships’ artwork, with many pieces from their collections being transferred onto the upcoming vessels. Originally commissioned from Scottish artist Alexander Goudie, the artworks will be featured alongside more contemporary pieces that will immerse passengers in the sights of their destination. “Artwork plays a big role in our designs, and it’s especially important in maintaining that emotional link,” says Croc. “We are going to move more than 150 artworks onboard for the two new E-Flexers to continue the story after the transition. All the contemporary artists we’ve commissioned works from will also all have a connection to Brittany and Normandy and will create works showcasing the regions. One artist, for example, is collecting pieces of nature from the beaches and fields of Brittany and incorporating them into her work.” The commitment to an immersive guest experience also extends to the wake-up music onboard Brittany Ferries’ vessels, which was commissioned from Galician musician Carlos Nunez to evoke the Celtic musical traditions of the four regions the operator visits. “We are also still working to inject the atmosphere of Brittany and Normandy regions into the interior design of the new vessels in terms of the colours, graphics and products we use,” says Croc. “We want guests to feel and understand their destination, and every part of the design, the music, the art and the food plays a role in that.” The E-Flexers have therefore allowed Brittany Ferries to renew its fleet in terms of technical capabilities and onboard experience. The flexibility which first convinced the operator to choose the vessels could also provide further value in the future, suggests Le Poulichet. “If we need to, we can further adapt the ships again,” he says. “Our job is always to adapt to new regulations and to meet new needs for our customers. We know this means we will have to keep changing for the future, and we are confident in our ability to keep doing so.” “ Our job is always to adapt to new regulations and to meet new needs for our customers” Arnaud Le Poulichet
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