Rusadir ferry

The 2019-built/2020-inaugurated MS Rusadir ferry (fka Honfleur) is a Ro-Pax/Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned by the Spanish company BALEARIA. Honfleur was originally intended for charter by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES for the England-France/Cross Channel route Portsmouth-Caen (crossing time ~6 hours).

The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,680 passengers, 550 cars, and 64 lorries (or 130 freight trailers).

For BALEARIA, Rusadir has operated on the Spain-Africa route Malaga-Melilla (crossing time ~6 hours) since March 2022.

The vessel (IMO number 9832119) is currently Cyprus-flagged (MMSI 210329000) and registered in Limassol.

In late July 2020, it was announced that the Kristiansand, Norway-based company Siem Offshore AS had acquired HONFLEUR from the German shipbuilder FSG (Flensburger Schiffbau GmbH und Co. KG). The vessel (FSG hull number 774) was under construction and intended for delivery to BRITTANY FERRIES. However, the order was canceled in June 2020 due to construction delays, after FSG informed the charterer that completion would require approximately one additional year. Insolvency proceedings for FSG began on August 1. It was reported that the vessel’s sale secured the shipyard’s finances for the following six months, although the purchase price was not disclosed.

In late December 2023, it was announced that the vessel had been acquired by BALEARIA from Siem Shipping UK Ltd and is now part of the company’s owned fleet.

Note: In October 2014, SIEM Group acquired FSG (founded in 1872). In February 2019, SIEM sold a 76% stake in FSG to Sapinda Holding BV. In September 2019, SIEM sold its remaining 24% stake to the majority shareholder Tennor Holding BV. FSG encountered serious financial difficulties following delays in the delivery of WB Yeats (IRISH FERRIES), which resulted in additional costs and compensation payments to the shipowner Irish Continental Group. By 2014, FSG had built more than 760 vessels of various types. Construction of Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferries began in 2010.

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Rusadir has a total of 257 cabins (plus 36 truck-driver cabins), all air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. The ship also offers reclining seats. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for passengers with reduced mobility).

Stateroom categories include 4-berth Outside “Club Plus,” 4-berth Outside “Club,” 4-berth Inside, 2-berth Inside, and wheelchair-accessible cabins. Also available are reserved Club Class seats (in a private area), reserved lounge seats, and cots (for infants up to 24 months). Reserved seats or cabins are not compulsory on day sailings.

The ferry offers pet-friendly cabins, which are not available for online booking. As availability is limited, advance reservation is required. If these are fully booked, a small number of kennels (dog cages) are available. Pets are not permitted in standard cabins (except designated pet-friendly 4-berth or large 2-berth cabins) or in indoor public areas such as bars, restaurants, and lounges. Dogs may be walked on open decks but must be leashed and muzzled.

Passenger stateroom categories include:

• 4-berth Deluxe Outside (with twin or double bed plus 2 bunk beds)
• 4-berth (large 2-berth) Inside / Outside (2 lower beds + 2 upper bunks)
• 2-berth Inside (2 lower beds)
• 4-berth (large 2-berth) “Pet-friendly” Inside / Outside (13 total, with 2 lower beds + 2 upper bunks)
• 2-berth “Disabled Cabin” / Twin Outside (2 lower beds; bathroom with wider door, wheelchair-accessible shower, grab bars, and alarm system)

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Onboard facilities include:

• A La Carte Restaurant (120 seats, locally sourced cuisine prepared by French chefs)
• Le Restaurant (self-service/buffet venue offering hot and cold dishes)
• Le Cafe / Tea Room (sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot and cold beverages, HDTVs)
• 2 cinemas (tickets available at the Information Desk)
• Kids’ playroom (located within Le Restaurant; children’s entertainment program available during peak season)
• Games Planet (teen lounge with video games and air hockey)
• Baby-changing rooms and complimentary Baggage Room
• Chance Planet (casino lounge with slot machines)
• Reading Lounge
• 2 Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining Pullman seats)
• Le Bar (French wines, cocktails, hot/cold drinks; DJ, cabaret, and pianist during peak season)
• Les Boutiques (gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, confectionery, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry; promotional offers available)
• Free Wi-Fi (available in all passenger areas), ATM (next to Information Desk/Reception, which also provides information screens on onboard services and connecting transport)
• Accessible toilets
• Elevators (passenger lifts) serving all decks

The Sun Deck is an outdoor area that also serves as a helideck (emergency helicopter landing platform).

Pet cages are available (the cage type must be specified at booking). Passengers may also bring their own pet carriers. Valid pet health documentation is required. Dogs’ microchips are scanned and Pet Passports checked. A sticker is placed on the vehicle windshield to ensure proper parking.

Pets are not permitted outside their cages or carriers during the crossing. During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled, including in the pet exercise area. Passengers traveling with pets disembark last. Pets may remain in vehicles during the voyage, subject to weather conditions (windows must be partially open for ventilation and water provided). Access to garage decks during the crossing is prohibited unless accompanied by a crew member. To visit a pet during the voyage, passengers must obtain a permit from the Information Desk by presenting a passport or driver’s license (held temporarily during the visit). Pet visits to garage decks are not permitted on overnight sailings. For security reasons, visits are limited to one person per vehicle for a maximum of 15 minutes.

The ship features an onboard art collection of approximately 1,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and photographs, many created by local artists.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship’s assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at the muster stations. In case of emergency, elevators must not be used.

Balearia ferry deals

Onboard shopping offers discounted pricing for Balearia Club members. Member benefits include:

• 10% discount in onboard shops, bars, and restaurants
• Priority boarding (in select departure ports)
• With standard seat bookings, vouchers granting access to the Superior Lounge (reclining leather seats, subject to availability)
• Access to more than 50 partnerships offering exclusive discounts on land-based services (resorts, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, tours, buses, travel insurance, etc.)

(ferry + train travel) Balearia partners with the Spanish state-owned railway company Renfe Operadora, serving routes between Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseille, Barcelona, and Madrid. The partnership offers discounted train fares. When booking a Balearia ferry online, passengers can generate a Renfe promotional code valid for 48 hours.

(ferry + hotel) On selected routes, Balearia offers discounted ferry-and-hotel packages, with prices starting from approximately EUR 65.

(day tour) Day tour deals are valid when purchasing roundtrip tickets and within 24 hours of booking (no changes or cancellations permitted). Children under 13 receive a 50% discount, while infants travel free. Day tour prices range between EUR 10-60, depending on itinerary. Shuttle bus service is included.

Car decks

The following safety procedures apply on vehicle decks:

• Passengers requiring assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and leave the vehicle in park or first gear. Switch off ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage with you.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To minimize air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The shipowner Balearia (fleet, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Denia Spain) is a Spanish ferry operator providing passenger services in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean (Bahamas).