Dover Seaways ferry

MS Dover Seaways is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Denmark-based company DFDS SEAWAYS. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,000 passengers and 250 cars (or 120 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2006, she currently operates on the England-France ferry route Dover-Dunkerque (Dunkirk), with an English Channel crossing time of approximately 2 hours.

Shipboard Facilities, Dining, and Entertainment

Onboard Dover Seaways, passengers can enjoy a family-friendly restaurant offering healthy meals at affordable prices. Alternatively, guests may visit the ship’s licensed bistro, which features comfortable seating and premium freshly cooked dishes. Fast food is available at Food Express. The ship’s salon is an elegant bar lounge ideal for relaxation, featuring large TVs broadcasting news and live sports. The salon serves hot and cold drinks, wines, spirits, and light snacks. Costa Coffee is also located in this area.

Dover Seaways is not a "cruise ferry" as she does not offer passenger staterooms—only crew accommodations. Therefore, overnight stays for passengers are not available. The vessel is equipped with seven elevators (passenger lifts) connecting the garage decks (lower freight and car decks) with the passenger decks. All crew cabins, offices, storage areas, dining room (dayroom), crew lounge (mess hall), and laundry facilities are located on a separate crew-only deck.

The ship’s facilities include:

• 7 Seas À La Carte Restaurant offering a menu of starters, main courses, gourmet desserts, and premium wines. A children's menu ("Happy Pirate") is also available.
• Horizon Restaurant / Food Express / Snack Bar / Self-Service Restaurant (Deck 6) serving hot meals, cold appetizers, desserts, and soft drinks.
• Lighthouse Cafe (Deck 7) offering beverages, cocktails, coffee, light snacks, sweets, fresh fruits, and premium ice cream. Fitted with large HDTVs (satellite reception) for live sports and entertainment.
• Road Kings Area (Deck 7) providing exclusive showers, dining, and bar lounge facilities for truck drivers.
• Premium Lounge (formerly Sea View Lounge, Deck 7) featuring reserved seating with complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, and newspapers. Open 24 hours and accessible to all ages. Prices start from GBP 12 per person (one way) and include wine by the glass, gourmet snacks, and pastries. An à la carte menu with hot and cold beverages and meals is also available.
• La Veranda Restaurant (Deck 7), an aft-located dining venue with panoramic windows and outdoor seating.
• Costa Coffee House is available onboard.
• Little Nippers / Children's Play Room (Deck 6), an indoor play area equipped with a ball pool, large TV for cartoons, and kids’ art tables.
• Tax-Free Sea Shop (Deck 6), a duty-free boutique and convenience store selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, fashion items, electronics, toys, teas, and gourmet treats. Brands include Versace, Elizabeth Arden, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, Paco Rabanne, Carolina Herrera, Hugo Boss, Gucci, L'Oreal, DKNY, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, and Face Inc. Payments accepted in cash or by VISA, MasterCard, and EuroCard. Promotional offers are available on each crossing.
• Wi-Fi access, Bureau de Change, and an ATM are located near the Information Desk / Reception (Deck 6).
• Relax Lounge (added in 2020 drydock) features luxury reclining chairs (airplane-style). Seats are priced from GBP 6 per person (one way), depending on availability, and include a RITUALS Karma cosmetics gift set. The Relax Lounge is adults-only (16+).
• Facilities for passengers with reduced mobility include three elevators (1 m x 1.4 m), wider doorways (0.9 m), and two wheelchair-accessible restrooms (Decks 6 and 7).

The top deck features a Heli Deck with a helipad (helicopter landing area) for emergency use only.

Emergency instructions are displayed at all assembly stations (muster stations), where life jackets are issued. In the event of an emergency, elevator use is prohibited.

Car Decks

The ship has three garage decks: lower (Deck 3 for freight vehicles), middle (Deck 4 for mixed-use), and upper (Deck 5 for passenger cars only). D-Class DFDS ships are designed with separate decks for freight and cars, significantly reducing roll-on/roll-off times.

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Passengers requiring assistance should contact the 24-hour Information Desk.
• Apply the handbrake, place the vehicle in park or first gear, switch off ignition, alarms, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders (if any) must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only essential hand baggage and valuables with you.
• Note your vehicle’s location and the garage deck/stairway number before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks and in all indoor passenger areas.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• Do not start the engine until instructed, to minimize air pollution.

The shipowner, DFDS Seaways (fleet), was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company operates passenger and freight ferry services across Northern Europe.