Irish Ferries new ship W. B. Yeats is to operate on the Dublin–Holyhead route from September next year.
The 1,885-passenger vessel will initially enter service between Dublin and Cherbourg in France with up to four sailings a week from July 2018.
The largest ferry to operate on the Irish Sea will be capable of carrying 1,200 cars and offer 441 cabins, with a variety of cabin grades and suites.
The ship, which is being built in Flensburg, Germany, will operate alongside existing Irish Ferries vessel Ulysses on the UK route from mid-September 2018.
This will result in an increase in sailings frequency and an expansion in the passenger, tourist car, coach and freight carrying capacity.
As a result, the Dublin Swift fast ferry will operate a summer-only schedule next year and will return to Irish Sea service in early April 2019.
Irish Ferries managing director Andrew Sheen said: “The service we envisage post its introduction is one that will raise ferry travel to new levels of luxury, comfort and reliability never before offered in the Irish marketplace.
”We know our customers will be pleased with our investment and we look forward to welcoming them onboard our new luxury cruise ferry next summer.”