Finnfellow ferry

MS Finnfellow is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry operated by the Finland-based company FINNLINES. She has a maximum capacity of 1300 passengers, 300 cars, and 170 trucks (trailers). Launched in 2000, the vessel currently operates on the Sweden–Germany route Malmö–Travemünde (crossing time approx. 9 hours).

The vessel (IMO 9145164) is currently Sweden-flagged (MMSI 265042000) and registered in Stockholm. Before 2023, she was Finland-flagged (MMSI 230637000) and registered in Helsinki.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Finnfellow offers 440 cabins with a total of 1067 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. All cabins are located on deck 8 and available in 6 categories (inside and outside).

• L2 Twin Outside (2 passengers, 1 double bed, 2 windows, 21 m² / 225 ft²)
• A4 Quad Outside “Pet Cabin” (4 passengers, 2 lower single beds + 2 bunk beds, 1 window, 11 m² / 120 ft²)
• A3 Triple Outside (3 passengers, 2 lower single beds + 1 bunk bed, 1 window, 11 m² / 120 ft²)
• A2 Twin Outside (2 passengers, 1 lower single bed + 1 bunk bed, 1 window, 8 m² / 85 ft²)
• AB4 Quad Inside (4 passengers, 2 lower single beds + 2 bunk beds, 11 m² / 120 ft²)
• ABB2 Twin Inside “Pet Cabin” (2 passengers, 1 lower single bed + 1 bunk bed, 8 m² / 85 ft²)

All cabins are equipped with a refrigerator, satellite TV, phone, electronic safe, hairdryer, trouser press, small writing desk with chair, private bathroom (WC/shower), and air-conditioning.

The ship also has 180 reclining seats (airline-style). Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible, adapted for disabled passengers.

All passengers must vacate their cabins 30 minutes before arrival at the homeport.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Onboard facilities include:

• Buffet Restaurant (self-service with hot and cold meals, included in the ticket price). Water and milk are available with all meals; juices are served at breakfast and brunch.
• Café Bar (next to the buffet) offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, wine by the glass, beer, and spirits.
• Kids Corner – video games room with arcade machines.
• Sailor’s Shop – duty-free store selling gifts, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, accessories, sunglasses, jewelry, toys, confectionery, electronics, books, magazines, and travel essentials.
• Free Wi-Fi (limited coverage on deck 7).
• ATM (next to the Information Desk/Reception).
• Pets’ Exercising Area (outdoor, deck 7).

The vessel has a Heli Deck (top deck) with a helipad for emergency use. All lounges are fitted with large TVs, and passengers in the Reclining Seat Lounge are provided with portable DVD players.

The ship has no infirmary or doctor’s office, but crew members trained in first aid are always on duty.

Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, elevators must not be used.

FINNLINES ferry deals

On the Finland–Sweden route, ticket prices include 2 buffet meals (Kapellskär–Naantali) and 1 buffet meal (Kapellskär–Langnäs Åland). Ticket sales close 6 hours before departure on the Sweden–Åland route (Langnäs–Kapellskär) and 4.5 hours before departure on the Åland–Finland route (Langnäs–Naantali).

Duty-free shopping is available only on Sweden–Finland crossings that include a stop at the Åland Islands.

Baltic Sea cruise ferry deals are available only on Germany–Finland routes (Travemünde–Helsinki). These deals allow the 3rd and 4th passengers in a quad cabin to travel free when booked with 2 adults. On Finland–Germany routes, recliner seats and shared cabin beds cannot be booked for children under 13 years old.

Except on Finland–Sweden routes, meals are not included in the fare. Discount dining packages can be purchased at booking, or meals can be bought onboard. Meal prices include drinks (water, milk, juice, coffee, tea). On Finland–Germany routes, the “Dinner Superior” package also includes draft beer, wine by the glass, and selected soft drinks.

Children traveling alone or in groups without a legal guardian must present written parental consent. Teenagers (14–17 years old) may travel alone but pay the adult fare. Children under 14 must travel with a named guardian.

Passengers booking return, roundtrip, or multi-leg voyages receive a 20% discount on all subsequent crossings, provided all trips are booked together. If the first leg is canceled, the discount is removed from the new first section.

Star Club members (through the company’s loyalty program) receive:

• 3% off all fares (passenger, cabin, vehicle)
• Exclusive loyalty discounts (via email several times a year)
• Up to 20% off selected onboard beverages (bars and restaurants)
• 5% off onboard shopping (confectionery, perfumes, skincare, accessories, souvenirs)
• Exclusive discounts on food, drinks, and shopping onboard

Discounts also apply to promotional fares.

Pets onboard

All FINNLINES ferries allow pets, but passengers must book a pet cabin, available only on morning and day departures. A maximum of 2 pets is allowed per cabin. The ship also has an outdoor walking area with tree stumps.

• Pets must be declared at booking.
• Pets are not allowed in public areas (bars, restaurants, sauna).
• Animals may not be left in vehicles during the voyage.

Pet fares (one-way, per animal): Travemünde–Helsinki EUR 70; Travemünde–Malmö EUR 20; Kapellskär–Langnäs–Naantali EUR 20.

Car decks

As freight, FINNLINES vessels transport semi-trailers, lorries (with or without drivers), cars, motorcycles (only as freight, without drivers), caravans, camper vans (without drivers), cargo containers, mobile machinery, agricultural machines, boats (on cradles), and steel/forest industry products.

Private vehicle services (cars, motorcycles, vans, camper vans with drivers) are available only on the routes Helsinki–Travemünde, Naantali–Langnäs–Kapellskär, and Malmö–Travemünde.

The vessel has three freight/car decks accessed via two ramps (bow and stern). The lower deck has 5 lanes, the other two have 7 lanes each. The middle deck is divided by bulkheads.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers requiring assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake, leave the vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off ignition, alarms, and electrical equipment. Gas cylinders must be closed. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note your vehicle’s location and deck number before leaving.
• Access to car decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and lounges.
• Wait for the announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To prevent air pollution, engines must not be started until instructed.

The ship operator Finnlines (fleet), founded in 1947 and headquartered in Helsinki, is part of the Grimaldi Group. Finnlines provides passenger and Ro-Ro ferry services mainly in Northern Europe (Baltic and North Seas), connecting Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and Spain.