Built by Finacntieri in Italy, the vessel entered service in November 2001. Her sister Pride of Rotterdam owned by Dutch interests and charted by P&O had entered service a couple of months previously. The twins were swiftly suplemented by an additional freighter after it was discovered the ships huge capacity was marginally too small for demand although the provision of the extra ship was later abandoned.
At 59,925 grt the ship was the largest of her type in the world when she entered service although this title was lost upon the delivery of Color Fantasy and Color Magic to Norwegian operatore Color Line.
| Tonnage: | 59,925 GT 10,100 DWT |
| Displacement: | 25,113 long tons (25,516 t) |
| Length: | 215.44 m (706 ft 10 in) |
| Beam: | 31.85 m (104 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 6.04 m (19 ft 10 in) |
| Decks: | 12 |
| Propulsion: | 4 × Wärtsilä 9L46C engines, 37,800 kW (50,700 hp) |
| Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
| Capacity: | 1,360 passengers 530 cabins (incl. 6 suites, 9 deluxe, 5 family and 6 disabled cabins) 250 vehicles |
The ships operate overnight in each direction leaving Hull and Rotterdam at 21:00 and arriving 09:00 the next day at the oposite terminus. This schedule of course means the vessel rests during the day although relaxed boarding means that passengers can board from 15:00.
