Stena Nordica ferry

MS Stena Nordica ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a max capacity of 450 passengers and 375 cars (or 122 trailers). The vessel was launched in 2000 and currently operates on the Wales UK-Ireland ferry route Holyhead-Dublin (crossing time 3 hours) with 28 weekly crossings.

Prior to July 2023, the cruise ship operated the Sweden-Poland route Karlskrona-Gdynia/Gdansk (crossing time 10 hours) with 17 weekly crossings.

In February 2023, Stena Line confirmed its plans to deploy Stena Nordica on the Wales-Ireland route Fishguard-Rosslare Europort (crossing time 3,5 hours). Nordica had to replace the older Stena Europe (1981-built) deployed on the route in the period 2002-2023. Before the new service, Stena Nordica was extensively refurbished in Gdansk Poland.

Cabins

As cruise ferry, Stena Nordica has a total of 152 cabins with 222 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms (WC toilet, washbasin, shower, hairdryer, large mirror). All cabins (inside and outside) are located on decks 4 and 5 and have a max capacity of 4 passengers. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers). The ship also offers "pet-friendly" cabins.

Stena Nordica stateroom categories include:

• (BUSINESS CLASS double cabin) 2-BERTH OUTSIDE - 2 bunk beds (upper-lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, small window
• (COMFORT PLUS double cabin) 2-BERTH INSIDE - 2 bunk beds (upper-lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, no window
• (COMFORT PLUS double cabin) 2-BERTH OUTSIDE - 2 bunk beds (upper-lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, small window
• (COMFORT PLUS quad/family cabin) 4-BERTH INSIDE - 4 bunk beds (2 upper + 2 lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, no window
• (COMFORT PLUS quad/family cabin) 4-BERTH OUTSIDE - 4 bunk beds (2 upper + 2 lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, small window
• (COMFORT PLUS quad/pet cabin) 4-BERTH OUTSIDE - 4 bunk beds (2 upper + 2 lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, small window, linoleum flooring (pet friendly)
• (quad/family cabin) 4-BERTH INSIDE - 4 bunk beds (2 upper + 2 lower), mirrored vanity/desk with chair, no window

The Stena ship Nordica also offers to passengers "PRIVATE LOUNGES" - 2-seat and 4-seat interior cabins without beds. Each stateroom is fitted with 2 luxury leather recliners (armchairs), smart TV, Playstation 3 console (with games), mini-bar (fridge stocked with bottled water and soft drinks), coffee-making facilities (tea and Nescafe espresso machine), en-suite bathroom (toilet-shower-sink, towels, soap). Dedicated waiter service and complimentary newspapers are provided.

All cabins are equipped with luxury DUX beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom faucets and showerheads, phones, desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), open wardrobe, LED ceiling lights and bedside reading lamps (wall-mounted). All passenger cabins have TVs (satellite reception) and mini-refrigerators.

For reserved seating, passengers can upgrade to STENA PLUS LOUNGE (132 seats). Reserved seat deals are inclusive of airline-type seats (fully reclining leather armchairs), complimentary hot and cold beverages (coffee, specialty teas, soft drinks, wine by the glass), snacks, newspapers, magazines, power charging points, free Wi-Fi. At extra cost are provided waiter service with a special menu.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Stena Nordica ship offers:

• (Deck 4) Food City Restaurant (self-service buffet, hot and cold meals, kids menu)
• (Deck 4) C-VIEW Bar Lounge (bow location), Cafe
• (Deck 4) Truckers Lounge (truck drivers-only bar lounge and restaurant)
• (Deck 4) Stena Plus Lounge (132 premium recliner chairs), Promenaded Deck (outdoor area for walking)
• (Deck 4) Perfume Boutique, Alchohol Shop, Exchange Office, Play Room (arcade machines)
• (Lobby Deck 4) Luggage Room, Reception Desk (Information), Gambling Hall (slots and gaming machines)
• (Deck 4 midship) passenger cabins
• (Deck 5 midship and aft) passenger cabins
• (Deck 6) Sun Deck is a wooden-decked sunbathing and outdoor relaxation area served by its own Sundeck Bar.
• Midship on the top deck (Deck 6) is the Heli Deck with a helipad - helicopter landing area used in cases of emergency.

Wi-Fi service (shipwide) and movies are provided complimentary. All bars and lounges are fitted with large TVs and comfortable seating. All onboard payments are cashless - must be made in EUR and using only debit or credit cards. Smoking is allowed only on designated areas on Sundeck.

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

STENA ferry deals

Follows 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 fares and can't be combined with other offers.
• Motorhomes can be ferried between UK and Holland priced as cars (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) can't be included in the ferry booking. These e-tickets are not valid on private UK rail carriers. Intercity Direct and ICE trains are with extra 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 the ingredients used for these special meals are verified by their manufacturers. Vegetarian meals contain dairy products, eggs, vegetables. Muslim meals don't contain pork (or by-products) as well as food containing alcohol. Special food orders must be made 48 hours prior departure (via email upon booking or by calling +31 (0)174 - 315 811).
• In 2013, the ships Britannica and Hollandica were equipped each with 2 electric car charging points (3,7 kW 16A, Euro standard Type 2). However, these charging points can't be pre-booked. Charging an electric car on the ship is free of charge and takes 4-6 hours. Only on the ships Britannica and Hollandica, change machines (ATM by GWK Travelex) are available, located in the lobby area (Deck 9, opposite the Reception Desk).
• Only on the ships serving the Denmark-Norway route (Frederikshavn-Oslo), there are power connections (at a fee) for caravan fridges and freezers.
• Hand luggage restrictions per person (carried in the ship's public areas) max dimensions 60x50x40 cm and up to 12 kg. Foot passengers are allowed to bring only 2 pieces of extra luggage (up to 20 kg), checked-in on day voyages (unless there is a booked cabin). Car passengers must leave their luggage in the vehicle. Remember that car decks are closed during the voyage. Any extra baggage will be surcharged.
• All STENA ships allow boarding with LPG-fueled vehicles ("liquefied petroleum gas").
• The company doesn't allow 36-week pregnant women to travel, as well as 34 weeks pregnant when expecting more than one baby.
• Passengers with restricted mobility will be assisted prior departure and also onboard. Such passengers must contact the company's staff at least 48 hours prior to departure (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair passengers must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure and go to the company's check-in desk.
• Bicycles can be ferried (at a fee) on all STENA ships and on all routes.
• Tickets with blank return date are not offered. However, it is possible to book "open ticket" with a temporary date, that can be changed later to the actual return date.

STENA LINE's deals are categorized as "Economy", "Flexi" and "Premium". ECONOMY fares are always the cheapest, but with an amendment fee and without refund for changes and cancellations. FLEXI fares allow changes to be made to your booking at no cost. Passengers only pay the difference in fare, with the option of a full refund for canceling. PREMIUM fares (depending on routes) offer different bonus perks, such as express boarding and disembarkation, Stena Plus Lounge seats, included Breakfast. PREMIUM deals are not available on the routes Sassnitz / Rostock-Trelleborg, Grenaa-Varberg, Nynashamn-Ventspils (Latvia), and Travemunde-Liepaja (Latvia). PREMIUM fares on the route Hook of Holland-Harwich are inclusive of Stena Plus Lounge seat and Breakfast (on night voyages only).

Pets on the ship

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) can be ferried on all STENA ships, but some requirements depend on the itinerary (destination).

• Pets are not allowed in passenger cabins unless the stateroom is "pet-friendly" (usually 2-bed dog's cabin).
• All ships have a dog toilet.
• At all times during the voyage, dogs must be leashed and muzzled, and never left alone.
• Guide dogs travel for free and are allowed on all passenger decks and in the owners' cabin (but must wear a harness or jacket).

On STENA ferries serving Scandinavian routes (to Sweden, Norway, Latvia) are required valid EU pet passports with standard information about the animal's identity, vaccinations (other treatments). Pets also must have an approved microchip (or tattoo) and rabies vaccination by an authorized veterinarian. Pets traveling to Norway must be treated for tapeworm. Passengers 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 departure. For all other routes, this time is 1 - 1,5 hours. All animals are subject to the UK Pet Travel scheme rules and must be at least 15 weeks old. EU pet passports and microchips are required. Car passengers can ferry up to 5 animals (per vehicle). These cars receive a colored hanger (placed on the windscreen rear-view mirror until customs are cleared in each port). Pets in vehicles must remain inside at all times. Foot passengers are allowed up to 5 pets, but the pre-booking of an onboard kennel is required. Children traveling with an animal must be 16 years old. When traveling with 6 or more animals, they must be at least 6 months old.

All STENA ships have onboard kennels, of which 7x big (100x97x94 cm), 2x medium-sized (100x64x108 cm) and 16x small (100x65x50 cm). All cabins provide TV monitoring of the kennels. Visits of the pet during the voyage are recommended.

Car decks

The ferry has 2 garage decks (for vehicles) accessible via 1 bow and 1 stern ramp (length 18,5 m / 61 ft, width 6,5 m / 21 ft). The aft cargo deck passage is 6,5 m (21 ft) wide and 5,2 m (17 ft) high. The bow ramp is 14 m (46 ft) long and 19,5 m (64 ft) wide. The cargo deck passage is 20 m (66 ft) wide and 5,2 m (17 ft) high.

The vehicle decks are connected via ramps. Lower garage deck (Deck 2) is also used for trucks and freight. Upper garage deck (Deck 3) is mainly for cars. The above 3 decks (4-5-6) are for passenger facilities. Deck 1 is service deck (engines, propulsion, fuel tanks, water treatment plant, crew cabins).

Car decks can be loaded on 2 levels with vehicle access from both bow and stern. Follows a list of car decks-related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24-hours).
• Apply handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• 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.

In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

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