The MV Alfred will operate at full capacity during her service in January on the Brodick to Ardrossan route.
It had earlier been announced that the popular catamaran would join the MV Isle of Arran on serving the route while the MV Caledonian Isles goes in for her annual refit.
Now it has been confirmed that the MV Alfred will operate at full passenger capacity of 428 for the duration of her time on the route after her owners Pentland Ferries agreed to provide additional crew to allow this to happen.
The MV Alfred is to carry out addtional services on Tuesday January 2 and Wednesday January 3 to assist with new year traffic before coming into full time service on the route on Thursday January 4 when the MV Caledonian Isles leaves for her refit. MV Caledonian Isles is due to return on Wednesday January 24.