On 14 January 2005, the Portsmouth-Cherbourg service was closed down and the Pride of Cherbourg was returned to its owners Irish Continental Group and later became Kaitaki for New Zealands Interislander.
The ferry service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg ceased operations on 14 January 2005, and the Pride of Cherbourg was subsequently repurchased by its original owner, Irish Continental Group, before being rebranded as Kaitaki for Interislander's services in New Zealand.