Dunkerque Seaways ferry

MS Dunkerque Seaways is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry operated by the Denmark-based company DFDS SEAWAYS. The vessel has a maximum capacity of 1000 passengers and 250 cars (or 120 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2005, she currently serves the England-France route Dover-Dunkerque (Dunkirk) with a crossing time of about 2 hours.

Shipboard facilities, dining, and entertainment

Onboard Dunkerque Seaways, passengers can enjoy a family-friendly restaurant offering healthy meals at affordable prices. Guests may also choose the liquor-licensed bistro, which provides a comfortable dining area with freshly prepared dishes, or grab a quick bite at Food Express. The ship’s elegant bar lounge is a relaxing space for hot and cold drinks, wines and spirits by the glass, and light snacks, while following news and sporting events on large TVs. Costa Coffee is also available onboard.

Dunkerque Seaways is not a “cruise ferry” as she has no passenger staterooms (only crew cabins), so overnight stays are not possible. The vessel has seven passenger elevators connecting the garage decks with passenger decks. Crew accommodations are located on a separate crew-only deck, which also houses offices, storage rooms, the dining/dayroom, mess hall (bar lounge), and laundry.

Onboard facilities include:

• A La Carte Restaurant 7 Seas – à la carte menu with starters, main courses, gourmet desserts, premium wines, plus a kids’ menu (“Happy Pirate”).
• Horizon Restaurant / Food Express / Snack Bar / Self-Service Restaurant (Deck 6) – hot meals, cold appetizers, desserts, and soft drinks.
• Lighthouse Café (Deck 7) – serves beverages, cocktails, coffee, light snacks, sweets, fruits, and premium ice cream. Fitted with large HDTVs showing live sports and music programs.
• Road Kings area (Deck 7) – showers, restaurant, and bar lounge exclusively for truck drivers.
• Premium Lounge (Deck 7, formerly Sea View Lounge) – reserved seating with complimentary coffee, tea, cold drinks, snacks, and newspapers. Open 24 hours for all ages. Seats start at GBP 12 pp (one way) and include beverages (wine by the glass), gourmet snacks, and pastries. A la carte menu available.
• La Veranda Restaurant (Deck 7) – aft dining venue with panoramic windows and outdoor seating.
• Costa Coffee – coffee and light snacks.
• Little Nippers / Children’s Play Room (Deck 6) – indoor playground with ball pool, cartoon TV, and art tables.
• Tax-Free Sea Shop (Deck 6) – duty-free boutique selling gifts, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, fashion, toys, electronics, sweets, teas, and spices. Premium brands include Versace, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, Hugo Boss, Gucci, DKNY, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, among others. Payments accepted in cash or by card (VISA, MasterCard, EuroCard).
• Wi-Fi, Bureau de Change (currency exchange, ATM) next to Reception (Deck 6).
• Reserved Seating Lounge (First Class Lounge) – fitted with reclining leather Pullman seats and large TVs. Children under 8 are not permitted.
• Relax Lounge (added in 2020 refit) – luxury airplane-style recliners, priced from GBP 6 pp (one way, subject to availability). Includes a RITUALS Karma cosmetics gift set. Access limited to passengers 16+.
• Accessibility – 3 elevators sized for wheelchairs, wider doors, and 2 wheelchair-accessible public restrooms (Decks 6 and 7).

The ship’s top deck features a heli deck with a helipad for emergency use.

Emergency instructions are displayed at muster stations, where life jackets are issued. In case of emergency, elevators must not be used.

Car decks

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

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers requiring assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply handbrake, leave vehicle in park/1st gear, turn off ignition, alarm, and electrical systems. Gas cylinders must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note vehicle location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks during voyages is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks and in passenger areas.
• Wait for announcements before returning to vehicles.
• Engines must not be started until instructed, to prevent air pollution.

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