Reviews & Ratings for the Condor-Voyager

The curtain fell on over 60 years of high-speed ferry service by Condor Ferries on November 2, 2025. The iconic 'Condor Voyager' embarked on its final journey from Poole to St Malo, making a stop in Guernsey along the way. Following this poignant farewell, the vessel headed to Cherbourg for essential refurbishment and a fresh coat of paint, adopting the branding of its parent company, Brittany Ferries. The 'Voyager' is set to return to the waters, ready to serve passengers during the bustling Christmas season.

On July 5, 2025, a dramatic rescue unfolded approximately eight miles west of Corbière Lighthouse when the RNLI responded to a distress call from a French yacht. The call, received around 6:30 p.m. BST, came from the daughters of the yacht's skipper, who had fallen ill and was unable to operate the vessel towards St Helier. Responding swiftly, the 'Condor Voyager', a ferry heading to St Malo, altered its course to render assistance. The vessel launched a rescue boat, enabling crew members to board the troubled yacht and provide essential first aid. The RNLI boat 'George Sullivan' arrived on the scene just half an hour later, taking over support duties from the ferry crew, which allowed them to resume their journey. Upon assessment, it was determined that the skipper was stable and not in any immediate danger. Given the adverse weather conditions, characterized by a considerable swell and wind gusts reaching force 6, it was agreed that the yacht would be safely escorted back to St Helier with a reduced sail area. The mission concluded successfully, with both the 'George Sullivan' and the French yacht arriving in St Helier harbour shortly before 10 p.m., ensuring the skipper received further medical attention. For more details, you can view the original report [here](https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/july/06/rnli-jersey-tasked-to-mayday-from-french-yacht).

On the evening of July 16, 2023, the 'Condor Voyager' made a dramatic U-turn back toward St Malo in response to alarming reports regarding a missing passenger. The ferry was en route from St Malo to St Helier when eye-witnesses noted a sense of panic among travelers as news of a potential overboard incident spread across the vessel. The passenger in question was believed to be a school-aged girl from France. As the 'Condor Voyager' neared the midpoint of its journey, it halted and carefully retraced its path at a reduced speed for approximately twenty minutes. During this time, anxious passengers awaited updates. Moments later, a second announcement provided reassurance that the individual had been located, although it was later confirmed that the person was not on board the ferry. Following the confirmation of the passenger’s status, the 'Condor Voyager' resumed its course toward St Helier. The ferry eventually docked in St Helier shortly after 8 p.m., leading to delays for those waiting for the return sailing to St Malo. This incident highlights the importance of swift communication and safety measures aboard ferries as they navigate busy routes.

The maritime scene in Cherbourg saw a significant change on May 28, 2021, with the renaming of the vessel 'Normandie Express' to 'Condor Voyager.' This transformation marks a new chapter for the ship as it continues to serve the seas under its new identity.

In a significant move for Brittany Ferries, the Normandie Express has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, completed by the UK-based ship repair and marine engineering specialist SMS. The high-speed ferry was dry docked at the Port of Cherbourg, France, utilizing the advanced Syncrolift, a 90-metre-long and 32-metre-wide platform manufactured by Rolls-Royce, engineered to lift vessels weighing up to 3,000 tonnes. Over a period of three weeks, the SMS team diligently undertook a series of extensive repairs and upgrades on the Normandie Express. This included crucial structural aluminium repairs, the installation of hull inserts, as well as extensive work on the under-hull planking and jet room. Furthermore, they overhauled the sea valves, refreshed the waterjet paint, and replaced key components such as insulations, anodes, main engine coolers, and lube oil pumps. The technical team also conducted essential maintenance on the hydraulic ride control system and executed repairs and replacements for insulation, fire door frames, and fire safety equipment, ensuring the vessel remains at peak performance.