The two parent companies within North Sea Ferries placed their orders in two separate locations.

P&O placed its at Govan Shipbuilders on the River Clyde, and Nedlloyd placed their order with NKK in Yokohama, Japan.

Once relieved of service on the Hull-Rotterdam route, the ship was sent off for two months major refurbishment and branding realignment, prior to entering service on the Hull-Zeebrugge route, and replacing the 27-year-old MS Norland in the new P&O colours.

[4] In 2021, both were sold to Grandi Navi Veloci with Pride of York being renamed GNV Aries.

[5][6] In October 2024, GNV Aries was sold to a Turkish demolition yard for scrap.