"This initiative breaks new ground for Acorn and P&O as these are the first computers to be installed on a ferry which are specifically designed for children,"comments Peter Talbot, General Manager UK Education.
"We believe that the addition of Early Years to the play areas offers families the best on-board facilities for their children. Early Years is educational yet fun and parents can be sure that the computer their child is using on the family trip to France is the same as they are using at school."
"We are continuously striving to make our trips as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible for the passengers,"comments David Brooks, Manager of Hotel Services for P&O European Ferries (Portsmouth) Limited.
"We believe the installation of the Early Years computers will help us make this difference and provide a great environment for families starting their holidays in France."As part of Acorn's partnership with P&O, the duty free shops on the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossings will also be selling Acorn's Pocket Book II. The Pocket Book hand-held computer, which is already used extensively by UK schools, is light and strong enough to be carried safely and easily in a school bag or blazer pocket. It can be used for schoolwork at home, in the classroom and on field trips to help improve learning for children of all ages, across all subjects in the National Curriculum.
Additionally, special offers will be available from P&O European Ferries for passengers showing proof of travel on the Portsmouth - Le Havre crossing when they purchase an Acorn computer. A 'kids-go-free' offer will also be available if they redeem proof of purchase before the end of 1994. Special leaflets, to be picked up by passengers on the ferry, will constitute proof of travel.
All visitors to Acorn's annual showcase, Acorn World 94 (October 28th -30th, Wembley), will also be able to capitalise on the partnership. All attendees will be given a voucher entitling them to 'kids-go-free' family travel on the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing valid until the end of 1994. The offer applies to Cruiseaway and Cruiseaway Extra excursions. Full details are available in P&O European Ferries Minicruises brochure available from travel agents.
Founded in 1978, with 1993 revenues of £54.3m, Acorn Computers is the premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987. Acorn works closely with a strong community of industry partners, users and software developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and international markets.
The Acorn Computer Group is a holding company for Acorn Computers Limited, Acorn Australia, Acorn New Zealand, Acorn GmbH and Online Media. Acorn Computer Group owns 43% of ARM Ltd. Online Media, a division of the Acorn Computer Group, was launched in 1994 with the mission to design world class, interactive multimedia products.