Salamanca ferry

MS Salamanca ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned by STENA LINE and operated under charter by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1015 passengers, 550 cars, and 64 trucks/lorries (or 130 trailers). The vessel was launched in 2021 and inaugurated in 2022. In November 2022, she started service on the UK England–Spain ferry route Portsmouth-Bilbao via Cherbourg France (crossing time ~20 hours).

Since 2023, the cruise ship has operated on the Ireland–Spain route Rosslare-Bilbao via Cherbourg (crossing time ~30 hours).

Cabins

As a cruiseferry, Salamanca has a total of 321 passenger cabins (plus 37 truck-driver cabins / 358 total), all of which are air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms, LCD TV (free on-demand movies), hairdryer, and writing/dining table. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The cruise ship also has reclining seats. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers).

The passenger stateroom categories include 2-Berth Commodore Suite, 2-Berth Commodore Club, 4-Berth Outside "Club Plus", 4-Berth Outside "Club", 4-Berth Inside, 2-Berth Inside, as well as Wheelchair-Accessible (Premium Plus outside and inside) and Pet-Friendly (double and quad cabins, both with linoleum flooring). All 4-bed staterooms have either twin beds (lower fixed single beds) or bunk beds (lower and upper Murphy beds / folding from the wall).

Unlike passenger staterooms, freight driver cabins (aft on Deck 8) lack en-suite bathrooms and have shared bathing and toilet facilities.

MS Salamanca's largest staterooms are the Commodore Suites. These luxury accommodations are fitted with a Queen-size double bed (160x200 cm, premium-brand mattress, top-quality cotton linens), comfortable seating (2 armchairs and a round coffee table), writing/dining table (with tea and coffee-making facilities), and a complimentary mini-bar (small refrigerator stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, and light snacks).

Commodore Suite and Commodore Club cabin passengers also receive complimentary access to the C-Club Premium Lounge (forward on Deck 8).

Reserved lounge seats and baby cots (for infants under 2 years of age) are also available upon request.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to homeport arrival.

Of all 10 decks, three house passenger cabins.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Salamanca cruise ship offers:

• A La Carte Restaurant (120-seat venue offering locally sourced meals prepared by French chefs)
• (Deck 7) Azul Restaurant (self-service Main Dining Room / buffet restaurant offering hot and cold meals). Ticket price includes one 3-course dinner and one Continental breakfast. Restaurant Azul is open for breakfast (Continental, waiter-served), lunch (buffet), and dinner (3-course meals).
• Taberna de Tapas / Cafe Bar (light meals, sandwiches, tapas, cakes, pastries, hot and cold drinks, HDTVs). The cafe restaurant serves tapas (from patatas bravas to traditional Spanish regional favorites) and various hot dishes. Taberna de Tapas offers waiter-served Continental or Spanish breakfast and (during summer only) the inclusive 3-course dinner from Azul Restaurant.
• Plaza Mayor is a large bar lounge serving food (snacks and light bites) and beverages (including Spanish wines and beers) throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea (coffee and pastries / cakes). The venue features natural light from its skylight / glass-roof cover and a large HDTV streaming live sporting events and music.
• (Deck 8) Commodore C-Club Premium Lounge is a limited-capacity bar lounge with large round-shaped windows (providing 270-degree views), HDTVs, comfortable seating (sofas, armchairs, round tables), and two exclusive restrooms. Access is complimentary for Commodore-class passengers and available for a fee for other passengers. The fee can be paid onboard (Reception Desk) or online when booking. C-Club Lounge access includes complimentary beverages (hot and cold) and light food (snacks and dishes) throughout the day.
• 2 cinemas (tickets available at the Information Desk)
• (Deck 7) Kids Playroom – an indoor playground (within an enclosed section of Azul Restaurant) offering a complimentary children's entertainment program (digital and interactive games, arts and crafts, physical activities) supervised by youth staff. Two additional Kids Play Areas (indoor playgrounds) are located midship on Decks 8 and 10.
• Games Planet (teen lounge with video games, air hockey, and foosball)
• Chance Planet (casino lounge with slot machines)
• Reading Lounge
• 2 Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining / Pullman seats)
• Le Bar (serving French wines, cocktails, hot and cold drinks, HDTVs)
• Les Boutiques (two duty-free shops) selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobaccos, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, books, confectionery, refreshments, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry. Special shopping promotions are offered on each voyage.
• Free Wi-Fi, ATM / cash machine (next to Reception), disabled toilets, Baby Changing Rooms, and a complimentary Baggage Room

Two elevators (passenger lifts positioned forward and aft) access all cabin decks as well as the car decks.

Sun Deck (Deck 10) is a large outdoor area that also functions as a Helideck (helipad) – a helicopter landing platform used in emergencies. The sundeck features canopy-shaded seating areas (round tables with garden armchairs), sunbathing areas (with deckchairs and loungers), an outdoor gym (sports equipment), and an outdoor playground for children.

In the ship's Lobby Hall (near the Reception) are several information kiosks (Internet-connected PC terminals) with touchscreen access available free of charge. MS Salamanca is BRITTANY FERRIES' second ship (after Galicia) offering shipwide VOD service (video-on-demand with movies, radio, and TV programming). The service is available through passengers' mobile devices using the complimentary Wi-Fi or through smart HDTVs in the staterooms.

The cruiseferry features a collection of approximately 1000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and photographs. Many of the artworks were created by Spanish artists.

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

BRITTANY FERRIES cruise deals

The company operates regularly scheduled ferry services between England and France (crossing time on cruise ferries 3–4 hours) and between France and Spain (20–36 hours). The high-speed UK–France service allows the company to successfully target the UK's mini-cruise and holiday travel markets.

As on cruise vessels, all BRITTANY FERRIES ships offer passenger cabins with modern amenities, individually controlled air-conditioning, and en-suite facilities. Cruise accommodations range from 2-bed Inside Cabins to Commodore Suites (with in-cabin dining, afternoon tea, and breakfast service). Some suites also feature private balconies.

Onboard food is predominantly French cuisine prepared by French chefs. All ships have a la carte restaurants, self-service cafeterias, bars, live entertainment (singers, magicians, children's shows), at least one cinema, casino, arcade room, Bureau de Change, baby changing rooms, disabled toilets, Sun Deck areas, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Cruise ferries on France–Spain routes feature swimming pools (open during summer months) and children's play areas with supervised activities during holiday periods. Spa treatment rooms on Spain–France cruise ferries offer facials (ProCare), massages (by certified masseuses), modern massage chairs, pedicures and manicures (OPI nail varnishes), and skincare treatments using the French brand Filorga Professional.

Ships' boutique shops sell tobacco and alcohol (budget and premium wines and spirits), luxury perfumes and cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, sunglasses, souvenirs, and toys.

A fun fact is that BRITTANY FERRIES serves annually around 22 tons of langoustines (Norway lobster), 15 tons of smoked salmon, 260 tons of meat, 240,000 English breakfasts, and 333,000 liters of beer. Based on onboard perfume sales, the company ranks as France's third-largest perfume retailer.

• Ferry fares are based on departure dates, routes, and season.
• A GBP 35 deposit is required to secure bookings during the peak summer season.
• Summer prices are typically higher, as are weekend and overnight crossings.
• Departures in the morning, afternoon, and overnight are offered year-round.
• Overnight France–Spain crossings operate seven times per week.
• Mix-and-match route deals are also available.

Below is the list of all BRITTANY FERRIES routes with crossing times and frequencies.

• Portsmouth-Caen (6 hours) - 3 daily
• Portsmouth-St Malo (11 hours / overnight) - daily
• Portsmouth-Cherbourg (3 hours) - 10 return crossings (late April - early September)
• Portsmouth-Santander Spain (24 hours / overnight) - 3 weekly crossings
• Portsmouth-Bilbao Spain (24–36 hours) - 2 weekly crossings
• Portsmouth-Le Havre (5.5 hours) - daily return crossings
• Poole-Cherbourg (4 hours 15 min) - daily return
• Plymouth-Roscoff (6 hours) - 2 return weekly
• Plymouth-Santander Spain (20 hours) - direct weekly crossings
• Cork Ireland-Roscoff (14 hours) - weekly return crossings (April–November)
• Cork-Santander (26.5 hours) - 2 weekly return crossings

Pets on the ship

BRITTANY FERRIES is a DEFRA (UK and EU)-approved pet carrier under the ET140 (Pet Travel Scheme). Pets on the cruise ship can travel either in a pet-friendly passenger cabin or in a kennel (for dogs). Pets are not allowed to remain in vehicles.

The shipping company requires dogs to be muzzled and leashed when off the vehicles or outside the stateroom, including in the ship's pet exercise area (Deck 7). It is recommended that dogs be exercised and toileted prior to boarding.

At check-in onboard, the dog's chip is scanned and its passport checked. A sticker is placed on the vehicle's windscreen to ensure proper parking for pet-carrying vehicles. The sticker must not be removed during the voyage. Pets are allowed only in designated pet-friendly cabins and in the designated pet exercise zone (Deck 7), and not in other public areas. An exception is made for registered assistance dogs.

Vehicles carrying pets are greeted on the car deck by dedicated crew. Pets remain temporarily in the vehicles while owners exit the garage for check-in. Shortly before departure, pet owners are called to the Reception Desk and escorted (together with the pet) between the car deck and their cabin. One hour before arrival, a PA announcement instructs pet owners to return to their cabins. They are then escorted to their vehicles where pets remain until arrival. Pet owners are not allowed to stay in vehicles during the voyage. After arrival, a PA announcement invites pet owners to return to their vehicles.

For safety reasons, during bad weather pets must remain in cabins and access to exercise areas may be restricted.

The cruiseferry Salamanca provides small and large dog kennels (pre-booking required). Small kennels are suitable for breeds such as Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Terrier, and Jack Russell. Large kennels are suitable for breeds such as German Shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pointer, and Setter.

Car decks

Below is a list of car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Switch off ignition, alarms, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders must also be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from the vehicle.
• Note the vehicle's location and garage deck number before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks as well as in cabins and passenger lounges.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

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

The operator / ship charterer Brittany Ferries (fleet, founded in 1972, headquartered in Roscoff France) is a French ferry company operating shipping routes between France and the UK and between France and Spain.