The Story of Pride Of Bilbao

[@palderson]

She was never owned by P&O at any time. Viking Line sold the ship to Irish Continental Group (Irish Ferries) who chartered her to P&O

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Correct. I had to look twice when I saw that!

[@TheShipChannel]

My bad! Thanks for the correction :)

[@Janne-z8e]

My friend's father was one of the chief engineers on that ship. I once got to visit the engine room and control rooms when the ship was in port. He heard that we are nearby and asked to visit and gave us a tour of the ship in the areas where passengers were not allowed. It was impressive to see the engines right next to it and finally to visit the bridge.

[@TheShipChannel]

Nice to hear! Sounds like fun!

[@MatNewtonTrio]

Worked for many years on the Billy, on and off for several years. Met my lovely wife and had some lovely memories there with many good friends to this day. Been through some very dicey weather travelling through the Biscay and due to the design of the boat, it used to almost swirl around in rough weather 😂 Definitely got my sea legs working there. I might have to go to Livorno for a sail down memory lane.. ❤

[@TheShipChannel]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you had a lot of fun onboard 😁

[@murraydean2371]

Interesting vid, I had many crossings on her to and from Bilbao in the P&O days in the 90's while working as a tour coach driver. I was lucky enough to blag a bridge visit on one occasion which was quite amazing. In those days she was a great ship with really lovely cabins and facilities on board.

[@stethemeterman1968]

Loved going through the bay of biscay. Seeing a pod whales… happy times.

[@sarahdavies6577]

My dad sick on this ship when me and him in the lorry I was only 6 and he had to be rushed out and I was stuck in a country I didn’t know and I ended up staying with the captain and his family back in their home in France. I’ve never been so scared in my life

[@johnlindh3551]

Very nice video! 👍

[@jeremyhaines4481]

I went on the pride of Bilbao a excellent ship 🚢

[@TheShipChannel]

Glad to hear that! :)

[@cardealerfan3349]

And theres the twin too, Viking Mariella

[@ilove_class805]

Viking Mariella went out of service in 2021

[@danandsarah2026]

Had a mini cruise on her in 1997 to bilbao it was free with a holiday we had been booked

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Her sistership, Olympia was one of the first responders to the mayday calls form the sinking MS Estonia. I was lucky to have a bridge visit on Pride of Bilbao - quite an experience sailing into the Solent with that vantage point - her bridge was so high up. Very impressive ship, even now; she still looks imposing despite being covered in the cartoon characters of Moby's ghastly liveries.

[@bjrnhalvorsen9982]

Olympias sistership was Mariella.

[@hellooohowareudoing]

Haha thanks for using my clips!!! I had no idea and just came across this video now 😀. Great memories.

[@TheShipChannel]

Glad to hear that you liked it, and thanks to you too for the great footage! 😀

[@alanwilliams6577]

I went on several trips on the pride remember I was on the ship when it was claimed she hit a yacht in the English channel

[@siljaships]

Nice vid!

[@TheShipChannel]

Thanks 😎

[@danentwisle8885]

I’m afraid the subtitles were hard to read.

[@eskiltheeskil851]

Fire🗣🔥

[@roberthillman5057]

Please do not use white text on light background

[@SPPhotography89]

MS Olympia =)