Stena Skane ferry

MS Stena Skane ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 600 passengers, 500 cars, and 220 lorries. She was launched in 1998 and currently operates on the Sweden-Germany ferry route Trelleborg-Rostock (crossing time 6-7 hours). The route is served by two vessels (Skane and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), with a total of 40 weekly crossings.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Stena Skane has a total of 600 berths in 150 cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and equipped with 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 passengers with reduced mobility). The ship also offers "pet-friendly" cabins.

Stena Skane stateroom categories include:

• 1-berth / Single Outside (1 lower bed, picture window)
• 2-berth "Disabled Cabin" / Twin Outside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed for an assisting person, picture window)
• 4-berth "Pet Cabin" / Quad Inside (4 beds / 2 lower + 2 upper, no window)
• (103 cabins) 2-berth / Twin Inside (2 bunk beds, no window)
• (40 cabins) 2-berth / Twin Outside (2 bunk beds, picture window)
• 4-berth "Trucker Cabin" / Quad Inside (4 bunk beds / 2 lower + 2 upper, no window)
• 4-berth Family Cabin / Quad Outside (4 bunk beds / 2 lower + 2 upper, picture window)
• 2-berth / Deluxe Outside (double bed, two windows, minibar, TV)

All cabins are equipped with DUX beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom fittings (faucets and showerheads), telephones, a desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), and an open wardrobe.

For reserved seating, passengers can upgrade to the Stena Plus Lounge. Reserved seating packages include 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

Onboard facilities on Stena Skane include:

• Metropolitan Grill (serving hot meals including fish and chips, pizza, jacket potatoes, pie and mash; kids' menus, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available)
• Barista Coffee Bar (specialty coffee and patisserie serving sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot/cold beverages)
• Metropolitan Bar (offering a selection of wines and European beers)
• Children's Room (indoor soft-play area with TV, toys, games, and supervised activities)
• Cinema (tickets available from the Information Desk on the Lobby Deck)
• Teen Town (video games room with arcade machines)
• Truckers Lounge (bar, lounge, and restaurant for freight drivers only)
• Stena Shopping Center (retail shop offering gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco products, perfumes, cosmetics, skincare items, leather goods, toys, confectionery, fashion, accessories, electronics, watches, sunglasses, jewelry, and travel essentials). Promotional discounts of up to 50% are often available.
• Health Club (spa with massage and sauna facilities)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi service and ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk / Reception)
• Dog Hotel (kennels with outdoor exercise area)
• Helipad (located forward-midship on the top deck, used for emergency helicopter operations)
• All bars and lounges are equipped 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

The following is a list of discounts and special offers provided by Stena Line (valid for direct bookings only):

• On the Holland-UK routes (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), caravans can be transported free of charge. This offer applies to car plus caravan fares and cannot be combined with other promotions.
• Motorhomes can be transported between the UK and Holland at car rates (day voyages only).
• Stena Line offers combined train and ferry deals with discounted rail fares to London (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/from the port are not included. These e-tickets are not valid on private UK rail operators. Intercity Direct and ICE trains incur an additional charge.
• Special meals (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten-free, or lactose-free) can be pre-ordered on the UK-Holland route (Harwich-Hook of Holland). All ingredients are verified by manufacturers. Vegetarian meals may include dairy and eggs. Halal meals exclude pork and alcohol. Orders must be placed at least 48 hours prior to departure (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315 811).
• In 2013, the ships Britannica and Hollandica were equipped with two electric vehicle charging points each (3.7 kW, 16A, Euro standard Type 2). These cannot be pre-booked. Charging is free of charge and typically 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).
• On the Denmark-Norway route (Frederikshavn-Oslo), power connections (for a fee) are available for caravan fridges and freezers.
• Hand luggage per person (carried in public areas) is limited to dimensions of 60x50x40 cm and a maximum weight of 12 kg. Foot passengers may bring up to 2 additional items (up to 20 kg total), 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 LPG-fueled vehicles ("liquefied petroleum gas").
• The company does not allow women who are 36 weeks pregnant or more to travel, or 34 weeks in cases of multiple pregnancies.
• Passengers with reduced mobility will be assisted prior to departure and onboard. They must notify the company at least 48 hours in advance (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair users must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure and proceed to the check-in desk.
• Bicycles can be transported (for a fee) on all routes and ships.
• Tickets with a blank return date are not offered. However, it is possible to book an "open ticket" with a temporary date, which can later be changed to the actual return date.

STENA LINE's fare categories are "Economy", "Flexi", and "Premium". Economy fares are the lowest-priced but include amendment fees and are non-refundable. Flexi fares allow changes without fees, with passengers paying only any fare difference, and offer full refunds upon cancellation. Premium fares (route-dependent) include additional benefits such as priority boarding and disembarkation, access to the Stena Plus Lounge, and complimentary breakfast. Premium fares are not available on the Sassnitz / Rostock-Trelleborg, Grenaa-Varberg, Nynashamn-Ventspils (Latvia), and Travemunde-Liepaja (Latvia) routes. Premium fares on the Hook of Holland-Harwich route include Stena Plus Lounge access and breakfast (night voyages only).

Pets on the ship

Pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) can be transported on all STENA ships, subject to route-specific requirements.

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

On Scandinavian routes (to Sweden, Norway, Latvia), valid EU pet passports are required, including details of identification, vaccinations, and treatments. 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 with pets must arrive at the port at least 1 hour prior to departure.

On routes to England and Ireland, passengers with pets must arrive at the port at least 2 hours prior to departure. For all other routes, this time is 1–1.5 hours. All animals must comply with the UK Pet Travel Scheme rules 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 is completed in each port. Pets in vehicles must remain inside at all times. Foot passengers may also travel with up to 5 pets but must pre-book onboard kennel space. 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-sized (100x64x108 cm), and 16 small (100x65x50 cm) units. Cabin TVs provide monitoring of the kennels. Visiting pets during the voyage is recommended.

Car decks

Cargo decks serve road vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers) and trains (freight decks 2 to 7). On Deck 2 there is one train track (204 lane meters) plus 204 lane meters for trailers. The main train deck (Deck 3) has a capacity of 916 lane meters for trains (six rail tracks) plus 1,011 lane meters for trailers. The lower trailer deck (Deck 5) has a capacity of 1,162 lane meters. The upper trailer deck (Deck 7) has a capacity of 918 lane meters. Access to Deck 5 is via a large lift (platform length 104 m / 341 ft, lifting capacity 816 tons). The ship has two car decks (Decks 6 and 7).

The following safety procedures apply to vehicle decks:

• Passengers requiring assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and leave the vehicle in park or first gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical systems, 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 the car deck.
• Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges.
• Wait for onboard announcements 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 passenger transport services across Northern Europe, connecting the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Poland.