If the mezzanine decks are fully deployed, there is insufficient height to accommodate lorries and other high vehicles other than at the bow and stern.

The 1920 Saturday departure was removed during the winter 2016/2017 timetable to facilitate a 0820 sailing from Brodick on Sunday, where a crew safety drill has been a normal occurrence since October 2016.

During the period of the summer timetable there is an additional sailing on Friday evenings, leaving Ardrossan at 2030, returning from Brodick at 2140.

[citation needed] On first coming into service, Caledonian Isles usually berthed overnight at Ardrossan in the summer and at Brodick in the winter timetable.

[5] In February 2012, Caledonian Isles was in dry-dock to repair damage sustained in a collision with Winton Pier, Ardrossan.

[17] In October 2019, Caledonian Isles was diverted to Troon as the linkspans in both Ardrossan and Gourock - the vessel's usual port of diversion - failed, resulting in vehicles being unable to board or alight from the ferry there.

Bad weather prevented Caledonian Isles from berthing in Troon, reducing the service to passenger-only from Ardrossan.

She was removed from service and relieved by Isle of Arran, with Loch Riddon providing additional capacity on the Lochranza - Claonaig route alongside Catriona.

On Friday 22 April, CalMac announced that Caledonian Isles would remain out of service for at least three weeks whilst undergoing repairs in Troon.

Initially scheduled to return to service on 2 February,[21] she experienced significant delays during overhaul due to additional steel work and engine repairs being required.

[24][25] On 4 November she berthed for the first time at Kennacraig, the next day she carried out trials at Port Askaig, Colonsay and Oban (where she previously had only been to for bunkering).

After overnighting at the NLB pier in Oban, she carried out berthing trials at Coll, Tiree and Craignure, before heading back south to Ardrossan.

Upon her return to Ardrossan, Caledonian Isles broke down with a steering fault: MV Loch Fyne and MV Loch Striven operated a shuttle service between Lochranza and Claonaig for several days, with Alfred returning from the Western Isles to cover the Ardrossan - Brodick service.

On 22 February 2024, CalMac advised customers that Caledonian Isles would remain out of service for an estimated further sixteen weeks.

[30] From 29 March 2024, Alfred began to operate a supplementary service from Troon to Brodick, albeit not carrying motorhomes, campervans, caravans or coaches due to infrastructure restrictions.

[31] On 7 August 2024, CalMac announced that damage had been caused during testing in the Birkenhead shipyard, requiring further repairs and delaying Caledonian Isles' return to service until at least September 2024.

[32] She returned to Ardrossan on 21 September, however an issue with her port gearbox was discovered during berthing trials and she was forced to sail to Greenock for further repairs.

[36] On 5 November 2024, CalMac announced that Caledonian Isles required further extensive repairs, and that the vessel could be out of service until the end of March 2025.