Connemara ferry

MS Connemara ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel that was operated under charter by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES until 2023. The ship has a maximum capacity of 762 passengers and can carry 195 cars plus 130 trucks (trailers). Launched in 2007, she is currently chartered to Bluebridge Ferries (New Zealand) to operate the Cook Strait route Wellington–Picton (sea distance ~60 mi / 100 km), with a crossing time of 3.5–4 hours.

The Cook Strait NZ route Wellington–Picton is currently served by two companies – Bluebridge (21 weekly crossings/4 daily) and Interislander (15 weekly crossings).

For BRITTANY FERRIES, Connemara served the English Channel/Ireland–France route Cork–Roscoff (crossing time 14 hours). Since January 2020, the ship also operated on the England–France route Portsmouth–Le Havre (crossing time 5.5 days / 8 overnights).

Due to reduced capacity during the 2020 Coronavirus crisis, Connemara was taken out of service (all UK–France crossings were terminated) effective September 7, 2020. Since February 2021, the ferry has operated the Ireland–Spain route (via France) Rosslare–Bilbao (via Cherbourg).

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Connemara has 120 cabins with a total of 424 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The ship also has 36 reclining seats (available for pre-booking only on Cork–Roscoff crossings). One stateroom is wheelchair-accessible (adapted for passengers with disabilities).

The ship's staterooms are available in the following categories:

• 44× 4-bed Outside Cabins
• 8× 4-bed Outside ("pet-friendly") Cabins
• 66× 4-bed Inside Cabins
• 5× 4-bed Inside ("pet-friendly") Cabins
• 1× Wheelchair-accessible (handicap) Cabin
• Also available: 36 reserved lounge seats and 10 cots

All cabins are furnished with two fixed lower single beds, two upper bunk beds (wall-mounted Pullman beds), a small writing table with a chair, bedside reading lamps, and power sockets.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Connemara offers the following onboard facilities:

• (Deck 6) Self-service buffet restaurant with hot and cold meals
• (Deck 5) Le Cafe / Bar serving sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, and featuring HDTVs
• (Deck 5) Reserved Seating Lounge with reclining / Pullman seats
• (Deck 5) Onboard shop selling gifts and souvenirs, alcohol (liquors, wines), tobacco products, perfumes and cosmetics, sunglasses, watches, jewelry, leather goods, clothing, electronics and gadgets, toys, and confectionery
• (Deck 5) Free Wi-Fi, ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk / Reception), and accessible toilets

The ship has three stairways (serving all decks) and one escalator (connecting decks 3, 4, and 5).

(Deck 8) The Sun Deck (outdoor area) also serves as a Helideck (helipad), used for helicopter landings in emergencies.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship’s assembly stations (muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In an emergency, elevators/passenger lifts must not be used.

Car decks

The ferry has four garage decks (for cars and trucks).

Car decks 1 and 2 are accessible via stairs (forward).

Car decks 3, 4, and 5 are connected via stairs and an escalator (aft). Aft on Deck 5 are the Open-Air Garage Deck (with Disabled Access), Car Ramp (down to Deck 4), and stair access from garage decks 3 and 4.

The covered passenger gangway provides access to decks 5, 6, and 7.

All car decks are inaccessible during crossings.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (Deck 5, open 24 hours)
• Apply the handbrake, place the vehicle in park or 1st gear, and switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders (if any) must be switched off. Lock the vehicle
• Take only essential hand baggage and valuables from your vehicle
• Note 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 is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle

To reduce air pollution, do not start your engine until instructed.