Stena Estelle ferry

Former names : AVIC Weihai WO270, Zhaoshang270

Stena Estelle ferry current position

The current location of Stena Estelle ferry is in Baltic Sea cruising en route to PLGDY-SEKAA-PLGDY. The AIS position was last reported 4 minutes ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Stena Estelle ferry

Year of build2022  /  Age: 4
Flag state Cyprus
BuilderAVIC CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China)
ClassSTENA E-FLEXER cruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship)
Ferry route / homeportsKarlskrona-Gdynia
Building costEUR 185 million (USD 205 million)
Engines (power)MAK-Caterpillar (28.8 MW / 38621 hp)
Speed22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph
Length (LOA)240 m / 787 ft
Beam (width)28 m / 92 ft
Gross Tonnage45000 gt
Passengers1200
Crew75
Cars200
Freight vehicles240
Decks10
Cabins263
Decks with cabins3
Sister-shipsE-FLEXER series
Former namesAVIC Weihai WO270, Zhaoshang270
Christened bytba
OwnerStena AB (via Stena RoRo AB)
OperatorSTENA LINE (via Stena Ropax Ltd)

Stena Estelle ferry Review

Review of Stena Estelle ferry

MS Stena Estelle ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,200 passengers, 200 cars, and 240 freight vehicles (lorries). The vessel was launched in 2021 (delivered in 2022) and currently operates on the Sweden-Poland ferry route Karlskrona-Gdynia (crossing time 10.5 hours, with day and night crossings).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Stena Estelle has 263 cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. All passenger cabins (inside and outside) have a maximum capacity of 4 people. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers). The ship also offers "pet-friendly" cabins. All cabins are equipped with luxury DUX beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom faucets and showerheads, phones, TVs (satellite reception), a desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), and an open wardrobe.

For reserved seating, passengers can upgrade to the Stena Plus Lounge. Reserved seating includes airline-style seats (fully reclining leather armchairs), complimentary hot and cold beverages (coffee, specialty teas, soft drinks, wine by the glass), snacks, newspapers, and magazines.

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

Stena Estelle ferry ship (STENA LINE)

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Stena Estelle ship offers:

  • Metropolitan Restaurant (a la carte formal dining venue offering gourmet food, Mediterranean cuisine, fine wines, drinks, and children's menus)
  • Taste Restaurant (self-service buffet with hot and cold meals and children's menus)
  • Barista Coffee Bar (patisserie and specialty coffee bar offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot and cold drinks)
  • Taste (wine bar), Riva Bar, Sundeck Bar (weather-dependent)
  • C-View Bar Lounge (panoramic views)
  • Truckers Lounge (bar lounge and restaurant exclusively for truck drivers)
  • Children's Room (indoor soft-play area for kids, fitted with a large TV for cartoons, toys, games, and supervised activities)
  • Teen Town (video game room with arcade machines)
  • Stena Shopping Center (gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco products, branded perfumes and cosmetics, skincare products, leather goods, toys, confectionery, fashion clothing and accessories, gadgets and electronics, designer watches, sunglasses, jewelry, convenience goods, and travel essentials). Onboard retail promotions often offer up to 50% discounts on major brand merchandise.
  • Internet Room, News Room (magazine lounge), Bureau de Change
  • Media Room (conference center/meeting room)
  • Casino (gaming tables and slot machines)
  • Cinema (tickets available at the ship's Reception / Guest Services Desk)
  • Sun Deck (wooden-decked sunbathing and outdoor relaxation area served by its own bar)
  • Smoking Area
  • Kennels
  • Free Wi-Fi service, ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk / Reception)
  • Midship on the top deck (Heli Deck) is a helipad used for emergency helicopter landings
  • All bars and lounges are fitted with large TVs and comfortable seating

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship's assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators (passenger lifts) is prohibited.

STENA ferry deals

Below is a list of discounts and special offers provided by Stena Line (direct bookings only).

  • On the routes Holland-UK (Hook of Holland-Harwich, day voyages only), Denmark-Norway (Frederikshavn-Oslo, Monday to Friday only), Denmark-Sweden (Grenaa-Varberg), and Germany-Sweden (Rugen Island / Sassnitz-Trelleborg and Rostock-Trelleborg), passengers can ferry caravans free of charge. This discount applies to the car plus caravan fare and cannot be combined with other offers.
  • Motorhomes can be transported between the UK and Holland at car-equivalent pricing (day voyages only).
  • STENA's train-and-ferry deals offer discounted pricing on train travel to London (fares subject to availability). STENA issues e-tickets (not separate train tickets), and the passenger's self-printed e-ticket serves as a train ticket. Dutch Railways tickets (to and from the port) cannot be included in the ferry booking. These e-tickets are not valid on private UK rail carriers. Intercity Direct and ICE trains require an additional charge.
  • Special meals (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal food, gluten- or lactose-free foods) can be pre-ordered on the UK-Holland route Harwich-Hook of Holland. All ingredients are verified by their manufacturers. Vegetarian meals may contain dairy products, eggs, and vegetables. Muslim meals do not contain pork (or by-products) or alcohol. Special food orders must be made 48 hours prior to departure (via email upon booking or by calling +31 (0)174 - 315 811).
  • In 2013, the ships Britannica and Hollandica were each equipped with 2 electric car charging points (3.7 kW 16A, Euro standard Type 2). These charging points cannot be pre-booked. Charging an electric car onboard is free of charge and takes 4-6 hours. Only on these ships are currency exchange machines (ATM by GWK Travelex) available, located in the lobby area (Deck 9, opposite the Reception Desk).
  • Only on ships serving the Denmark-Norway route (Frederikshavn-Oslo) are power connections (for a fee) available for caravan fridges and freezers.
  • Hand luggage restrictions per person (carried in public areas) include maximum dimensions of 60x50x40 cm and up to 12 kg. Foot passengers may bring up to 2 additional pieces of luggage (up to 20 kg), checked in on day voyages (unless a cabin is booked). Car passengers must leave their luggage in their vehicles, as car decks are closed during the voyage. Excess baggage may incur additional charges.
  • All STENA ships allow boarding with LPG-fueled vehicles ("liquefied petroleum gas").
  • The company does not allow women who are 36 weeks pregnant to travel, or 34 weeks pregnant when expecting more than one baby.
  • Passengers with reduced mobility will be assisted prior to departure and onboard. They must contact the company at least 48 hours before departure (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair users must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure and check in at the designated desk.
  • Bicycles can be transported (for a fee) on all STENA ships and routes.
  • Tickets with a blank return date are not offered. However, "open tickets" with a temporary return date can be booked and later amended.

STENA LINE's deals are categorized as "Economy", "Flexi", and "Premium". ECONOMY fares are the cheapest but include amendment fees and no refunds for changes and cancellations. FLEXI fares allow changes at no extra cost (passengers pay only any fare difference) and offer full refunds upon cancellation. PREMIUM fares (depending on the route) include additional perks such as express boarding and disembarkation, Stena Plus Lounge access, and breakfast. PREMIUM deals are not available on the routes Sassnitz / Rostock-Trelleborg, Grenaa-Varberg, Nynashamn-Ventspils (Latvia), and Travemunde-Liepaja (Latvia). On the Hook of Holland-Harwich route, PREMIUM fares include Stena Plus Lounge seating and breakfast (night voyages only).

Stena Estelle ferry ship (STENA LINE)

Pets on the ship

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) can be transported on all STENA ships, with requirements depending on the itinerary (destination).

  • Pets are not allowed in passenger cabins unless the stateroom is designated as "pet-friendly" (typically a 2-berth cabin).
  • All ships have a dog toilet.
  • During the voyage, dogs must be leashed and muzzled at all times and must not be left unattended.
  • Guide dogs travel free of charge and are allowed on all passenger decks and in the owner's cabin (but must wear a harness or jacket).

On STENA ferries serving Scandinavian routes (to Sweden, Norway, and Latvia), valid EU pet passports are required, including information on the animal's identity and vaccinations. Pets must also have an approved microchip (or tattoo) and a valid rabies vaccination administered by an authorized veterinarian. Pets traveling to Norway must be treated for tapeworm. Passengers traveling with pets must arrive at the port at least 1 hour prior to departure.

On STENA ferries to England and Ireland, passengers with pets must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure. For all other routes, arrival should be 1 to 1.5 hours before departure. All animals must comply with the UK Pet Travel Scheme and be at least 15 weeks old. EU pet passports and microchips are required. Car passengers may transport up to 5 animals per vehicle. These vehicles receive a colored hanger (placed on the rear-view mirror until customs clearance in each port). Pets in vehicles must remain inside at all times. Foot passengers may travel with up to 5 pets but must pre-book an onboard kennel. Children traveling with pets must be at least 16 years old. When traveling with 6 or more animals, they must be at least 6 months old.

All STENA ships have onboard kennels, including 7 large (100x97x94 cm), 2 medium (100x64x108 cm), and 16 small (100x65x50 cm) units. All cabins provide TV monitoring of the kennels. Visiting pets during the voyage is recommended.

Car decks

Below is a list of car deck-related safety procedures:

  • Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24 hours).
  • Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or first gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
  • Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
  • Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
  • Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
  • Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
  • Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
  • To reduce air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

ferry company STENA LINE logo - CruiseMapper

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

Photos of Stena Estelle ferry

Stena Estelle ferry ship related cruise news

Stena Estelle ferry Wiki

"Stena E-Flexer" is a new RO-PAX vessel class introduced by STENA LINE, with all units constructed in China. After nearly a 2-year design period, in April 2016, STENA ordered the first four E-Flexer ships from the Chinese shipbuilder AVIC Weihai, with options for four additional units of the same class. Construction of the first E-Flexer (Estrid) started in February 2018. In July 2018, STENA ordered two more sister ships (Estelle and Ebba), exercising all eight options in the original shipbuilding order. Later, Stena RoRo announced additional options for four more E-Flexer units, bringing the total to 12 vessels.

Some E-Flexers are long-term chartered to Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways, while the rest are operated by Stena RoRo (a subsidiary of Stena Group/shipowner). Stena Estelle and Stena Ebba represent a modified "E-Flexer MkII" design, being extended versions and the largest in the class, with a length overall (LOA) of 240 m (788 ft), deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 8,500 tons, and a draft of 6.4 m. These ferries have increased passenger capacity (30% more), 40% more cabins, 50% more berths, and 15% higher cargo capacity compared to earlier E-Flexers.

The Stena Estelle vessel is Cyprus-flagged (MMSI 210326000) and registered in Limassol. The seventh E-FLEXER (Stena Estelle, hull/yard number WO270) had her keel-laying ceremony on October 14, 2020. Block assembly started in February 2021, and the ship was launched (floated out) on May 24, 2021 (leaving the building dock on May 25). Her sistership (Ebba) was scheduled for delivery in November 2022.

Stena Estelle's relocation voyage from China started in June 2022, departing Weihai via Singapore, India, the Middle East, Suez Canal, Gibraltar UK (August 3-4), Vlissingen Netherlands (August 8-10), Karlskrona Sweden (August 13), and ending in Gdansk Poland (arriving on August 14 at 03:20 UTC). The vessel docked at Port Gdansk's Remontowa shipyard for final outfitting. Regular Poland-Sweden service was inaugurated on September 4 (maiden voyage from Gdynia to Karlskrona).

Stena Estelle and Stena Ebba are the last two of the five E-FLEXERs ordered by STENA LINE via Stena RoRo. Both vessels are longer (240 m vs 215 m), with larger passenger capacity (1,200 vs 1,000), more staterooms (263 vs 175), and greater cargo capacity (3,600 lane meters vs 3,100, or approximately 15% increase). As a result, "E-Flexer MkII" ferries are also equipped with shore power connectivity systems.

All E-Flexer cruiseferries feature LNG-powered propulsion (running on liquefied natural gas).

On September 27, 2021, Niclas Mårtensson (Stena Line's CEO) announced plans to deploy the company's newest ferries (Estelle and Ebba) on the Sweden-Latvia route Nynashamn-Ventspils (replacing the older and smaller Stena Baltica and Stena Scandica), resulting in a 25% increase in freight capacity on this route. The announcement also mentioned a potential investment in battery packs for both vessels, enabling partial battery-powered operation at sea to further reduce CO emissions. It was also noted that the Karlskrona Sweden-Gdynia Poland route would be expanded with Baltica and Scandica (both lengthened to 222 m), though it remained a possible deployment route for the larger E-Flexers.

However, in April 2022, STENA announced that due to increased freight demand in the South Baltic region, the two larger E-Flexers would be deployed on the Karlskrona-Gdynia route, starting in July with Estelle. It was also confirmed that Scandica and Baltica would continue operating on the Nynashamn-Ventspils route.

In April 2021, AVIC CMI Jinling contracted Deltamarin (founded in 1990, based in Turku Finland, specializing in ship design, marine construction support, and offshore engineering) to provide full design packages for the final three STENA E-FLEXERs (units 10, 11, and 12) for two different long-term charter clients. According to available information, TBN10 was intended for Marine Atlantic (scheduled delivery in 2024), while TBN11 and TBN12 were for Brittany Ferries (deliveries in 2024 and 2025).

Each of these three vessels has a length overall (LOA) of 195 m, a beam of 28 m, a maximum draft of 6.5 m, and a combined crew and passenger capacity of 1,400. They feature dual-fuel engines (LNG, biogas, and ammonia-compatible) and hybrid battery propulsion systems (10 MWh for in-port maneuvering and 8 MWh for shore-power operations and battery charging). TBN11 has a cargo capacity of 2,377 lane meters (including 176 for passenger cars), while TBN12 offers 2,517 lane meters (including 1,388 for passenger cars).

Stena E-FLEXER ship technology

E-FLEXER-class ferries were designed by Deltamarin (a subsidiary of AVIC International), specializing in ship design and offshore engineering and construction.

The first six E-FLEXERs have a length overall (LOA) of 215 m (704 ft), a beam of 28 m (91 ft), a maximum draft of 6.4 m (21 ft), and cargo deck capacity of 3,100 lane meters (plus additional space for 120 cars).

The seventh and eighth E-FLEXERs are larger, at 45,000 GT, with an LOA of 240 m (790 ft), freight capacity of 3,600 lane meters, 263 cabins, and passenger capacity of 1,200. Interior layouts are customized according to the chartering company's requirements. Interior design was contracted to Figura Arkitekter AB (Sweden) and Rheinhold & Mahla GmbH (Germany).

Next are listed all China-built STENA E-FLEXER ships constructed by CMI Jinling (Weihai).

E-FLEXER numberSHIPOPERATORROUTEDELIVERYmisc.
1Stena EstridStena LineHolyhead-Dublin2019 Nov-
2Stena EddaStena LineBelfast-Liverpool2020 Jan-
4Stena EmblaStena LineBelfast-Liverpool2020 Nov-
 GaliciaBrittany Ferries

Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander

Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao

2020 Aug-
5Cote d'OpaleDFDS FerriesDover-Calais2021 May-
6SalamancaBrittany Ferries-2021 NovLNG-powered
7Stena EstelleStena LineKarlskrona-Gdynia2022 Mayextended version
8Stena EbbaStena LineKarlskrona-Gdynia2022 Septextended version
9SantonaBrittany Ferries

Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander/Bilbao

Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao

2022 DecLNG-powered
10AlasuinuMarine Atlantic (Canada)Newfoundland-Nova Scotia (Channel-Port aux Basques - North Sydney)2024LNG+battery
11Saint-MaloBrittany Ferries

Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham

Portsmouth-St Malo

2024 JulLNG+battery
12Guillaume de NormandieBrittany Ferries

Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham

Portsmouth-St Malo

2025 MayLNG+battery

The first five E-FLEXERs are powered by two MaK marine diesel engines (model M43C) with a total power output of 25.2 MW (33,800 hp). The propulsion system is supplied by Caterpillar. The engines are "LNG-ready" (designed to be compatible with LNG fuel after modifications). Four E-FLEXERs (ships 6, 10, 11, and 12) are LNG-fueled by original design.

Stena E-FLEXER vessels are among the world's most energy-efficient passenger ships ever constructed.