Bretagne ferry

MS Bretagne ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES. The ship has a max capacity of 1980 passengers and 580 vehicles. Launched in 1989, she currently operates on the UK-France ferry routes Portsmouth-Saint-Malo-Portsmouth (crossing time 11 hours, overnight, 8 days a week) and Plymouth-Roscoff-Plymouth (winter months only, crossing time 6 hours).

NEWS: In 2024, Bretagne will leave the fleet and will be replaced by the LNG-powered Saint-Malo.

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Bretagne has a total of 359 cabins, all air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. The ship also offers 454 reclining seats, and some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers).

Cabin categories and numbers: 4-berth Outside (37), 4-berth Outside "Club" (49), 4-berth Inside (108), 3-berth "Commodore" (16), 2-berth Outside (14), 2-berth Inside (127), wheelchair-accessible (8). Also available are reserved lounge seats (319) and cots (15).

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

Shipboard Dining and Entertainment Options

As onboard facilities, the Bretagne ferry offers:

• Les Abers – à la carte restaurant (Deck 7), open kitchen, buffet, French wines
• La Baule – self-service buffet restaurant (Deck 7), hot and cold meals
• La Gerbe de Locronan Café (Deck 8) – sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, HDTVs
• Gwenn Ha Du – main lounge bar (Deck 8), French wines, cocktails, snacks, hot/cold drinks
• Yacht Club – piano bar (Deck 7), fine French wines, cocktails, HDTVs
• Two cinemas (Deck 5); tickets sold at the Information Desk
• Kids Playroom (Deck 8); children's entertainment available during peak season
• Games Planet – video games room (Deck 9)
• Baby changing rooms (Decks 7 and 8); complimentary Baggage Room (Deck 6)
• Chance Planet – casino lounge with slot machines (Deck 8)
• Reserved Seating Lounges (Decks 8 and 9) with reclining Pullman seats
• Les Boutiques – shops (Decks 6 and 7) selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry
• Free Wi-Fi; ATM/cash machine (Deck 6, next to Reception)
• Disabled-accessible toilets (Decks 6, 7, and 8)

The ship has 2 elevators (passenger lifts) accessing all decks.

Deck 9 aft features the Sun Deck, which also serves as a Helideck (emergency helicopter landing platform).

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are issued at assembly stations. Use of elevators is prohibited in case of emergency.

BRITTANY FERRIES Cruise Deals

The company operates regular ferry services between England and France (crossing time 3–4 hours) and between France and Spain (20–36 hours). The high-speed UK-France services cater to the UK’s mini-cruise and holiday markets.

As on cruise ships, all BRITTANY FERRIES vessels offer passenger cabins with modern amenities, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms. Cabin categories range from 2-bed Inside Cabins to Commodore Suites (with in-room dining, Afternoon Tea, and Breakfast service). Some suites feature private balconies.

Food is primarily French cuisine prepared by French chefs. Dining venues include à la carte restaurants, self-service cafeterias, and several bars. Entertainment includes live shows (singers, magicians, children's pantomimes), cinemas, casinos, arcades, currency exchange, baby changing rooms, accessible toilets, sun decks, and free Wi-Fi.

France-Spain cruise ferries feature summer-only swimming pools, kids' play areas with supervised activities (during holidays), and spa treatment rooms offering facials (ProCare), massages (by certified therapists), massage chairs, pedicures, manicures (OPI products), and skincare by Filorga Professional.

Shops onboard offer discounted tobacco, alcohol, premium wines/spirits, luxury perfumes/cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, sunglasses, souvenirs, and toys.

Fun fact: annually, BRITTANY FERRIES serves approx. 22 tons of langoustines, 15 tons of smoked salmon, 260 tons of meat, 240,000 English breakfasts, and 333,000 liters of beer. The company is France’s 3rd largest perfume retailer by volume sold onboard.

• Fares vary by route, date, and time of departure
• A GBP 35 deposit is required for bookings during peak summer season
• Summer, weekend, and overnight crossings are typically more expensive
• Departures are available year-round: mornings, afternoons, and overnights
• France–Spain overnight crossings operate 7 times per week
• Mix-and-match route deals are available

List of BRITTANY FERRIES routes with crossing times and frequencies:

• Portsmouth-Caen (6 hours) – 3 daily
• Portsmouth-St Malo (11 hours/overnight) – daily
• Portsmouth-Cherbourg (3 hours) – 10 return trips (late April–early September)
• Portsmouth-Santander (24 hours/overnight) – 3 weekly crossings
• Portsmouth-Bilbao (24–36 hours) – 2 weekly crossings
• Portsmouth-Le Havre (5.5 hours) – daily returns
• Poole-Cherbourg (4 hrs 15 min) – daily return
• Plymouth-Roscoff (6 hours) – 2 return trips
• Plymouth-Santander (20 hours) – weekly direct crossings
• Cork-Roscoff (14 hours) – weekly returns (April–November)
• Cork-Santander (26.5 hours) – 2 weekly return crossings

Car Decks

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those needing assistance should contact the Information Desk (Deck 6, open 24 hours)
• Apply handbrake, place vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off ignition, alarm, electrical systems, and headlights; turn off gas cylinders; lock the vehicle
• Bring only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle
• Note the vehicle’s location, garage deck, and stairway number before leaving
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges
• Wait for the announcement before returning to your vehicle
• Do not start the engine until instructed to avoid air pollution

The operator Brittany Ferries (fleet), founded in 1972 and headquartered in Roscoff, France, operates ferry services on routes connecting France with the UK and Spain.