Cotentin ferry

MS Cotentin (formerly Stena Baltica) is a Ro-Pax passenger ferry currently operated under charter by the France-based company BRITTANY FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 176 passengers and 100 cars. Launched in 2007, the vessel currently operates on the England–France ferry route Portsmouth–Le Havre (crossing time ~5.5 hours).

Since January 2023, the ferry has also operated crossings between France and Ireland on the Le Havre/Cherbourg–Rosslare Europort route.

While serving STENA LINE (2013–2020), the ship (IMO 9364978) operated the Sweden–Poland ferry route Karlskrona–Gdynia (crossing time ~10 hours). In 2021, after a major drydock lengthening, the ship previously named Stena Mersey (IMO 9329851) was renamed "Stena Baltica."

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, MS Cotentin features 120 cabins with a total of 216 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and have shared bathrooms. Located on decks 8 and 9, cabins accommodate up to 2 passengers. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. The ship is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility, as there are no wheelchair-accessible staterooms.

Cabin categories include:

• Economy Class Twin Inside (2 bunk beds, no window)
• Economy Class Twin Outside (2 bunk beds, picture window)
• Comfort Class Twin Inside (1 lower bed + 1 bunk bed, no window)
• Comfort Class Twin Outside (2 bunk beds, picture window)

All cabins are equipped with DUX luxury beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom fixtures, telephones, LCD TVs (satellite), a desk with mirror and chair, and an open wardrobe.

For added comfort, passengers can upgrade to the Reserved Seating Lounge (formerly Stena Plus Lounge), which includes airline-style fully reclining leather armchairs, complimentary hot and cold beverages, snacks, newspapers, and magazines.

All passengers must vacate their cabins 30 minutes before arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

MS Cotentin offers the following onboard facilities:

• (Deck 7) Buffet Restaurant – self-service with hot/cold meals and kids’ menus
• (Deck 7) Bar Lounge – patisserie and specialty coffee bar with snacks, sandwiches, pastries, yogurt, fruit, juices, and ice cream
• (Deck 7) Shopping Center – a boutique with gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, branded perfumes/cosmetics, skincare, fashion, toys, electronics, and travel essentials. Discounts of up to 50% on premium merchandise are frequently offered.
• Truckers Lounge – a lounge and restaurant for truck drivers only
• Free Wi-Fi and ATM (next to the Information Desk)
• A fitness room (crew-only, not available to passengers)
• All lounges are equipped with large HDTVs and comfortable seating

The forward Heli Deck features a helipad for emergency use.

Emergency instructions are displayed in all cabins, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are provided at the muster stations. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

BRITTANY FERRIES cruise deals

Brittany Ferries offers scheduled ferry services between England and France (3–4 hour crossings) and France and Spain (20–36 hour crossings). High-speed UK–France services cater to mini-cruise and holiday markets.

All cruise ferries feature modern cabins with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Accommodation ranges from 2-bed Inside Cabins to Commodore Suites, some with balconies and in-cabin dining options. Onboard cuisine is French and prepared by French chefs. Dining options include à la carte restaurants, self-service buffets, and various bars. Entertainment includes live music, magicians, kids' shows, cinemas, casinos, arcades, baby rooms, disabled toilets, sundecks, and free Wi-Fi.

On France–Spain routes, ships are equipped with summer-use swimming pools, kids' play areas, and spas offering facials, massages, manicures/pedicures, and treatments using Filorga Professional skincare products.

Shops onboard offer discounted prices on tobacco, alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, and luxury goods. Brittany Ferries is France's third-largest perfume retailer. Annually, the company serves 22 tons of langoustines, 15 tons of smoked salmon, 260 tons of meat, 240,000 English breakfasts, and 333,000 liters of beer.

• Fares vary by route, date, and season
• A GBP 35 deposit is required for summer bookings
• Prices are higher in summer and on weekends/overnight crossings
• Morning, afternoon, and overnight departures run year-round
• Seven overnight France–Spain crossings are offered weekly
• Mix-and-match route deals are available

Below is a list of BRITTANY FERRIES routes with estimated crossing times and service 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
• Portsmouth–Bilbao (24–36 hours) – 2 weekly
• Portsmouth–Le Havre (5.5 hours) – daily return
• Poole–Cherbourg (4h 15m) – daily return
• Plymouth–Roscoff (6 hours) – 2 return
• Plymouth–Santander (20 hours) – weekly
• Cork–Roscoff (14 hours) – weekly (April–November)
• Cork–Santander (26.5 hours) – 2 weekly

Pets on the ship

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) are allowed on MS Cotentin. They are only permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins (usually 2-bed dog cabins). A dog toilet is available onboard. Dogs must be leashed, muzzled, and never left unattended during the voyage.

Guide dogs travel free, are allowed in cabins and on all decks, and must wear a harness or jacket. All pets require an EU pet passport with ID details and vaccination records. Pets must be microchipped or tattooed and have a valid rabies vaccine administered by an authorized vet. Passengers with pets must arrive at the port at least 1 hour before departure; for some routes, 2 hours are required.

All animals are subject to the UK Pet Travel Scheme and must be at least 15 weeks old. Car passengers may ferry up to 5 pets per vehicle, marked with a colored hanger on the rear-view mirror until customs clearance. Pets must stay in the vehicle at all times. Foot passengers may travel with up to 5 pets but must pre-book a kennel. Children traveling with pets must be at least 16 years old. For groups of 6 or more animals, each pet must be at least 6 months old.

MS Cotentin features 25 onboard kennels: 7 large (100x97x94 cm), 2 medium (100x64x108 cm), and 16 small (100x65x50 cm). All cabins offer TV monitoring of the kennel area. Pet visits are encouraged during the voyage.

Car decks

The ship’s car decks span two levels and allow vehicle access from both the bow and stern.

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Turn off the ignition, alarms, electrical devices, and headlights. Shut off gas cylinders (if any). Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage with you.
• Note your vehicle’s location and deck number/stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is not permitted on vehicle decks, in cabins, or in passenger lounges.
• Wait for the official announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To reduce emissions, do not start your engine until instructed.

The operator/charterer Brittany Ferries (fleet, founded in 1972, headquartered in Roscoff, France) is a French ferry company providing services between France–UK and France–Spain.