Stena Europe ferry

MS Stena Europe ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,386 passengers and 564 cars. The vessel was launched in 1981 and currently operates on the Wales UK-Ireland ferry route Fishguard-Rosslare Europort (crossing time 3.5 hours).

NEWS: In February 2023, Stena Line confirmed plans to deploy the 2000-built Stena Nordica on the Wales-Ireland route (Fishguard-Rosslare). Starting in July 2023, Nordica replaced Stena Europe, which had served this route for 21 years (since 2002). Stena Europe's new deployment (or potential sale) is yet to be announced. Nordica is currently operating on the route Holyhead-Dublin.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Stena Europe has a total of 452 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. Cabins (inside and outside) have a maximum capacity of 4 passengers. 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.

Stena Europe stateroom categories include:

• 1-berth / Single Outside Disabled (1 lower bed, picture window)
• 2-berth / Twin Inside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed, no window)
• 2-berth / Twin Outside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed, picture window)
• 4-berth / Quad Outside (4 beds / 2 lower + 2 bunk, picture window)
• Comfort Class 2-berth / Twin Outside (2 lower beds, picture window, complimentary minibar, coffee/tea-making facilities)

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.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Stena Europe ship offers:

• Metropolitan Grill (serves hot food, fish & chips, pizza, jacket potatoes, pies & mash; children's menus, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals are also available)
• Barista Coffee Bar (patisserie and specialty coffee bar offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot and cold drinks)
• Metropolitan Bar (serves a range of wines and continental beers)
• Children's Room (indoor soft-play area for kids, fitted with a large TV for cartoons, toys, and games, and offering 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.
• Cinema (tickets available at the ship's Reception / Guest Services Desk)
• Truckers Lounge (bar lounge and restaurant for truck drivers only)
• Free Wi-Fi service
• Bureau de Change and ATM (cash machine) located next to the Information Desk / Reception on the Lobby Deck
• Aft 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) are a maximum 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 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 or 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).

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

Car decks can be loaded on two levels, with vehicle access from both the bow and stern. 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.
• Note your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway 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 reduce air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

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.