Alasuinu ferry

MS Alasuinu ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned by STENA LINE and operated under charter by the Canadian company MARINE ATLANTIC. The ship has a max capacity of 1100 passengers, and cargo capacity of/storage for 470 cars or 120 lorries/trailers/trucks. The vessel was launched in 2023 and scheduled for delivery in 2024 November.

Alasuinu is intended for the Canadian ferry route linking Newfoundland with Nova Scotia (linking homeports Channel-Port aux Basques and North Sydney) with crossing time ~6-8 hours (depending on weather conditions) and operated 7 days a week. Usually, MARINE ATLANTIC operates two daily crossings (one in the morning and the other in the evening).

Note: For construction milestones and details on the E-FLEXER technology/machinery see the ship's Wiki section.

Cabins

As cruiseferry, Alasuinu has a total of 146 passenger cabins, including Family, Pet-Friendly, Truck-Driver and Wheelchair-Accessible staterooms, as well as passenger sleeping pods (40x).

All standard accommodations are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms, and fitted with smart TV (free on-demand movies), hairdryer, writing/dining table. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The cruise ship additionally has 40x pods and reclining seats.

Pet-Friendly cabins (double and quads) are with linoleum flooring. All 4-bed staterooms have either twin beds (lower fixed single beds) or bunk beds (lower and upper Murphy beds/folding from the wall).

Unlike passenger staterooms, freight drivers' cabins (aft on deck 8) are without private bathrooms and instead use shared bathing and toilet facilities.

Also available are reserved lounge seats and baby cots (for infants under 2 years of age/provided upon request).

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival.

Of all 10 decks, 2 are with passenger cabins.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Alasuinu cruise ship offers:

• A La Carte Restaurant (120-seat, offers locally-sourced meals prepared by French chefs)
• (Deck 7) Azul Restaurant (self-service Main Dining Room/buffet restaurant, hot and cold meals) - ticket price-inclusive are 1x 3-course dinner and 1x Continental breakfast. Restaurant Azul is open for Breakfast (Continental, waiter-served), Lunch (buffet) and Dinner (3-course meals).
• Taberna de Tapas / Cafe Bar (light meal, sandwiches, tapas, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, HDTVs) the Cafe Restaurant serves tapas (from patatas/papas bravas to traditional regional Spanish favorites) and various hot dishes from the menu. Taberna de Tapas offers waiter-served Continental or Spanish breakfast and (during summer only) the inclusive 3-course dinner from Azul Restaurant.
• Plaza Mayor is a large bar lounge serving food (snacks and light bites) and beverages (including Spanish wines and beers) throughout the day, as well as Afternoon Tea (coffee and pastries/cakes). The venue features plenty of natural light (coming from its SkyLight / glass-roof cover) and a large HDTV streaming live sporting events and music.
• (Deck 8) Commodore C-Club Premium Lounge is a limited-capacity bar lounge with large, round-shaped windows (providing 270-degree views), HDTVs, comfortable seating (sofas, armchairs, round tables), two exclusive Restrooms (for men and women). The lounge access is complimentary for Commodore-class passengers and at-fee for lower-class cabins. The fee is payable onboard (at the Reception Desk) or prior to departure (online, upon booking). C-Club Lounge's access includes beverages (hot and cold) and light food (snacks, hot and cold dishes) which are provided complimentary throughout the day.
• 2 cinemas - tickets can be purchased from Information Desk
• (Deck 7) Kids Playroom is an indoor playground (an enclosed part of Azul Restaurant) with a complimentary children's entertainment program (digital and interactive games, arts-crafts, physical activities) by dedicated youth supervisors. Another two Kids' Play Areas (indoor playgrounds are located midship on decks 8 and 10.
• Games Planet (teen lounge - video games, air hockey, foosball)
• Chance Planet (casino/gambling lounge with slot machines)
• Reading Lounge
• 2 Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining / Pullman seats)
• Le Bar (fine French wines, cocktails, cold/hot drinks, HDTVs)
• Les Boutiques (two duty-free shops) sell gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines (large wine cellar), tobaccos, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, books, confectionery, refreshments, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry). Special shopping promotions are held on each voyage.
• free Wi-Fi, ATM/cash machine (next to Information Desk / Reception), disabled toilets, Baby Changing Rooms, complimentary Baggage Room

Two elevators (passenger lifts positioned forward and aft) access all cabin decks as well as the car decks.

Sun Deck (Deck 10) is a large outdoor area that doubles as Helideck (helipad) - a helicopter landing platform used in cases of emergency. On sundeck can be found canopy-shaded seating areas (round tables with garden armchairs), sunbathing areas (with deckchairs and sun loungers), an outdoor Gym (sports equipment), an outdoor playground for kids.

In the ship's Lobby Hall (close to the Reception) are located several information kiosks (Internet-connected PC terminals) with touch screens available complimentary to all passengers.

MS Alasuinu is MARINE ATLANTIC's first liner that offers shipwide VOD service (video-on-demand / movies, radio, TV programming). The service is provided via passengers' mobile devices (using the complimentary Wi-Fi) or via the smart HDTVs in the staterooms.

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on the TV screens and at the ship's assembly stations (aka muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is forbidden.

MARINE ATLANTIC ferry terminals

North Sydney (Nova Scotia) is located on the Sydney Harbour's northern side and along Cape Breton Island's eastern coast, North Sydney is a major Atlantic Canada port and the MARINE ATLANTIC service's western terminus that links the Trans-Canada Highway with Newfoundland Island (Port aux Basques and Argentia).

• North Sydney Ferry Terminal has a new building (opened on June 3, 2015, project cost USD 20 million). Wi-Fi coverage is throughout and complimentary. On Floor 1 are located ticket counters, security offices, public washrooms, waiting hall with TVs (satellite reception), baggage area, gift shop, indoor kids play area, Info Centre, Atrium (lower level). On Floor 2 are located drivers lounge, quiet area, staff lounge, Atrium (upper level, with skylight), terminal administration and staff offices passenger-accessible outdoor/open-air terrace.
• Food service at the terminal is not available.

Argentia (Newfoundland) is a commercial seaport in Placentia NL, located on the island's southwestern coast. The port benefits from a natural harbor with length approx 3 km (2 ml) By the mid-1960s were upgraded all roads connecting Argentia with the Trans-Canada Highway (at Whitbourne).

• Argentia Ferry Terminal was opened in 1967, serving the regularly scheduled ferry from North Sydney NS. Initially, the crossing time was approx 19 hours. In the 1980s the facility was upgraded and since 1989 is operated by MARINE ATLANTIC, whose Superferry service (during summer only) reduced the crossing time to 14-16 hours.
• Terminal building's Floor 1 has ticket counters, baggage area, public washrooms (WC / showers), gift shop, indoor kids play area, outdoor kids play area (unsupervised), and a waiting hall with TVs. payphones, ATM machine.
• Floor 2 has a TV lounge, outdoor patio area (overlooks the harbor).
• Food service at the terminal is not available.

Port aux Basques (Newfoundland) is a port town located on Newfoundland Island's southwestern tip. The MARINE ATLANTIC ferry port terminal is the island's primary port. The town is also the western terminus of Trans-Canada Highway - a transcontinental highway system through all 10 Canadian provinces (from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean).

• Port aux Basques Ferry Terminal building's Floor 1 has ticket counters, office, lobby lounge, public washrooms, cafeteria, TV lounge (waiting hall), gift shop, Info Kiosk.
• On Floor 2 are located TV lounge (waiting hall), outdoor patio, ferry reservations office, administration area.
• Food service at the terminal is provided by Cabot Catering.

The route North Sydney-Port aux Basques has a length of 178 km (111 ml). This year-round service was established in 1949. The route North Sydney-Argentia (Placentia) has a length of 520 km (323 ml). This seasonal (summer) service was established in 1967.

Pets on the ship

Pets on the ship can travel either in a Pet-Friendly passenger cabin or in a kennel (for dogs). Pets are not allowed to stay in vehicles.

The shipping company requires dogs to be muzzled and leashed when off the vehicles or the stateroom - which also includes the ship's pet-exercise area (on Deck 7). It is recommended that prior to boarding the ferry, dogs to be exercised and toileted.

At check-in onboard, dog's chip is scanned and its passport checked. A sticker is placed on the car's windscreen to ensure that the pet-carrying vehicle is appropriately parked. Don't remove the sticker during the voyage. Pets are allowed only in the designated staterooms (pet-friendly) and at the ship's designated pet exercise zone (Deck 7) and not in any other public areas. An exception is made only for registered assistance dogs.

Vehicles carrying pets are greeted in the parking (car deck) by dedicated crew. Pets stay temporarily in the vehicles whilst their owners exit the garage for check-in. Shortly prior departure, pet owners are called to the Reception Desk, then escorted (together with the pet) between the car deck and the cabin. One hour before port arrival, an announcement is made (via the ship's PA system) asking pet owners to return to their cabins. Soon, a crew escorts them to their vehicles, where the animals remain until arrival. Pet owners are not allowed to remain in the vehicles. After arrival, a PA system announcement invites pet owners to return to their vehicles.

For safety reasons, in bad weather, pets must remain in the cabins and the access to their exercise areas is forbidden.

The cruiseferry Alasuinu provides small and large dog kennels (12 total). The kennel must be pre-booked. Small kennels are recommended for dog breeds like Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Terrier, Jack Russell. Large kennels are recommended for dog breeds like German Shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pointer, Setter.

Car decks

Follows a list of car decks-related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk, open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

The operator/ship charterer MARINE ATLANTIC (fleet, 1986-founded, St John's NF Canada-headquartered) is a federal/state-owned corporation operating ferries between the Canadian provinces Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Island.