Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ferry

MS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a Ro-Pax passenger ferry operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 600 passengers and 445 cars. Launched in 1996, she currently operates on the Sweden-Germany route Trelleborg-Rostock (crossing time 6-7 hours). This route is served by two vessels—Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Skane—with a total of 40 weekly crossings.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers 430 berths in 161 cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. Cabins (inside and outside) accommodate up to four passengers. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some cabins are wheelchair-accessible, and “pet-friendly” cabins are also available.

Cabin categories include:

• 1-berth Single Outside (1 lower bed, large picture window)
• 2-berth Disabled Cabin / Twin Outside (2 lower beds, porthole window)
• 2-berth Standard Class / Twin Inside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed, no window)
• 2-berth Standard Class / Twin Outside (2 bunk beds, large picture window)
• 4-berth Trucker Cabin / Quad Inside (4 beds, no window)
• 4-berth Family Cabin / Quad Outside (4 beds, porthole window)
• 4-berth Pet Cabin / Quad Inside (4 beds, no window)
• 2-berth Deluxe Outside (double bed, 2 porthole windows, minibar, LCD TV)

All cabins are fitted with luxury DUX beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom fixtures, telephone, desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), and open wardrobe.

Passengers may upgrade to the Stena Plus Lounge for reserved seating. The lounge features fully reclining leather armchairs and offers complimentary hot and cold drinks (coffee, teas, soft drinks, wine by the glass), snacks, newspapers, and magazines.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Facilities and entertainment on board include:

• Metropolitan Grill – serves hot dishes such as fish and chips, pizza, jacket potatoes, and pies. Kids’ menus, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.
• Barista Coffee Bar – patisserie and specialty coffee shop offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot/cold beverages.
• Metropolitan Bar – offers a selection of wines and European beers.
• Children's Room – indoor soft play area with toys, games, large TV (cartoons), and supervised activities.
• Cinema – tickets available at the Information Desk on the Lobby Deck.
• Teen Town – arcade and video game area.
• Truckers Lounge – exclusive bar and restaurant for truck drivers.
• Stena Shopping Center – duty-free shop selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, leather goods, toys, confectionery, electronics, jewelry, and travel essentials. Frequent promotions offer up to 50% discounts on selected brands.
• Free Wi-Fi service and ATM (located next to the Information Desk / Reception).
• Dog Hotel – dedicated kennels with an outdoor exercise area.
• Helipad – located forward-midship on the top deck, used for emergency landings.
• All bars and lounges are equipped with HDTVs and comfortable seating.

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

STENA ferry deals

Stena Line offers several discounts and special promotions (for direct bookings only):

• Free caravan transport on selected routes: Holland–UK (Hook of Holland–Harwich), Denmark–Norway (Frederikshavn–Oslo), Denmark–Sweden (Grenaa–Varberg), and Germany–Sweden (Sassnitz/Rugen–Trelleborg and Rostock–Trelleborg). This discount applies to car plus caravan fares and cannot be combined with other offers.
• Motorhomes are priced as cars on the UK–Holland route (day voyages only).
• Train-and-ferry deals offer discounted travel to London. Passengers receive an e-ticket (serving as both ferry and train ticket). Dutch Railways tickets are not included. Intercity Direct and ICE trains incur an extra charge.
• Special meals (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten- or lactose-free) can be pre-ordered on the UK–Holland route. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours before departure via email or phone (+31 (0)174 - 315 811).
• Ships Britannica and Hollandica each feature two electric car charging stations (3.7 kW, 16A, Type 2 plug). Charging is free but cannot be pre-booked (charging time 4–6 hours).
• On the Denmark–Norway route, power connections (for caravan fridges/freezers) are available for a fee.
• Hand luggage limit: one item per person (max 60x50x40 cm, 12 kg). Foot passengers may check in two additional pieces (max 20 kg each) for day voyages. Car passengers must leave luggage in vehicles (vehicle decks closed during voyage).
• LPG-fueled vehicles are permitted on all Stena ferries.
• Pregnant women beyond 36 weeks (or 34 weeks with multiple pregnancies) are not allowed to travel.
• Passengers with reduced mobility receive assistance before departure and onboard but must notify the company at least 48 hours in advance (+31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair passengers should arrive 2 hours before departure.
• Bicycles can be ferried (for a fee) on all Stena routes.
• “Open tickets” with flexible return dates are available, though blank return tickets are not issued.

STENA LINE fare types:

• Economy – lowest price, amendment fee applies, no refunds for cancellations.
• Flexi – changes allowed without amendment fee; passengers pay only the fare difference. Cancellations are fully refundable.
• Premium – includes benefits such as express boarding/disembarkation, Stena Plus Lounge access, and breakfast (availability varies by route).

Pets on board

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) are allowed on all Stena ships, subject to itinerary regulations:

• Pets are permitted only in designated “pet-friendly” cabins (usually 2-bed dog cabins).
• All ships have a dog toilet.
• Dogs must always be leashed and muzzled, and never left unattended.
• Guide dogs travel free and are allowed on all passenger decks and in the owner’s cabin (must wear a harness or jacket).

On Scandinavian routes (to Sweden, Norway, Latvia), pets must have an EU Pet Passport with details of identity and vaccinations, an approved microchip or tattoo, and valid rabies vaccination. Pets traveling to Norway must be treated for tapeworm. Passengers must arrive at least one hour before departure.

For England and Ireland routes, passengers with pets must arrive two hours before departure. All animals are subject to the UK Pet Travel Scheme and must be at least 15 weeks old. EU Pet Passports and microchips are required. Car passengers may transport up to five animals per vehicle; foot passengers may bring up to five pets if an onboard kennel is pre-booked. Children traveling with animals must be at least 16 years old. For six or more animals, all must be at least six months old.

All Stena ships have onboard kennels: seven large (100x97x94 cm), two medium (100x64x108 cm), and sixteen small (100x65x50 cm). Kennels are TV-monitored, and visits are encouraged during the voyage.

Car decks

The ferry’s cargo decks accommodate cars, trucks, trailers, and trains on decks 3, 4, and 5. Lower Deck 3 has six railway tracks with a total capacity of 945 lane meters. When not in use for trains, Deck 3 is used for trailers. Main Vehicle Deck (4) and Upper Vehicle Deck (5) provide a combined cargo capacity of 2,215 lane meters for up to 445 vehicles.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers requiring assistance should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Engage the handbrake, put the vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off the ignition, alarm, and headlights, and turn off gas cylinders. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note the vehicle’s location and deck number/stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks and in passenger areas.
• Wait for announcements before returning to your vehicle.
• To minimize emissions, do not start the engine until instructed.

The operator, Stena Line (fleet), founded in 1962 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the world’s largest ferry companies, providing freight and passenger services across Northern Europe, connecting the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Poland.