Stena Vision ferry

MS Stena Vision ferry is a Ro-Pax (cargo-passenger) vessel operated by the Sweden-based company STENA LINE. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,700 passengers and 440 cars or 120 freight units (trucks/semi-trailers). The vessel was launched in 1981 and currently operates on the English Channel Ireland-France ferry route Rosslare-Cherbourg (6 weekly crossings, travel time 17 hours).

Stena Vision's redeployment (from Karlskrona-Gdynia to Rosslare-Cherbourg) was announced in November 2022. Prior to June 2023, the ship operated on the Sweden-Poland ferry route Karlskrona-Gdynia (crossing time 10 hours). With Stena Vision, STENA LINE doubled its Ireland-France service capacity to 12 weekly crossings, as she joined her fleetmate Stena Horizon on the route. STENA LINE now offers the most frequent ferry service between Ireland and mainland Europe.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Stena Vision has a total of 1,300 berths in air-conditioned staterooms with en-suite bathrooms. The cabins (inside and outside) have a maximum capacity of 5 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.

There are 1x Deluxe Suite, 10x Deluxe, 42x Superior, and 42x Pet-friendly cabins.

Stena Vision stateroom categories include:

• 2-berth Comfort Class "Pet Cabin" / Twin Inside (2 lower bunk beds, bench, no window)
• 2-berth Comfort Class "Pet Cabin" / Twin Outside (2 lower bunk beds, bench, window)
• 4-berth Comfort Class "Pet Cabin" / Quad Inside (4 bunk beds / 2 lower + 2 upper, bench, no window)
• 4-berth Comfort Class "Pet Cabin" / Quad Outside (4 bunk beds / 2 lower + 2 upper, bench, window)
• 2-berth Comfort Class "Disabled Cabin" / Twin Outside (2 lower beds, bench, window)
• 4-berth Comfort Class "Disabled Cabin" / Quad Outside (4 bunk beds / 2 lower + 2 uppers for assisting persons, bench, window)
• 2-berth Comfort Class "Single Cabin" / Twin Inside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed, no window)
• 2-berth Comfort Plus "Single Cabin" / Twin Inside (1 lower bed, 1 bunk bed, no window)
• (deck 2 / below car deck) 2-berth Economy / Twin Inside (2 bunk beds, bench, no window) - categorized as Unisex, Gents, and Ladies
• (deck 2 / below car deck) 4-berth Economy "Trucker Cabin" / Quad Inside (4 bunk beds, bench, no window)
• 2-berth Comfort Plus / Twin Outside (2 single beds, bench, window)
• 2-berth Comfort Plus "Disabled Cabin" / Twin Outside (2 single beds, bench, window)
• 4-berth Comfort Plus / Quad Outside (4 beds / 2 lower + 2 bunk, window)
• 4-berth Comfort Plus "Disabled Cabin" / Quad Outside (4 beds / 2 lower + 2 bunk, window)
• 2-berth Comfort Class / Twin Inside (2 lower beds, bench, no window)
• 2-berth Comfort Class / Twin Outside (2 lower beds, bench, window)
• 4-berth Comfort Class / Quad Inside (4 bunk beds, no window)
• 4-berth Comfort Class / Quad Outside (4 bunk beds, window)
• 4-berth Family Cabin / Quad Outside (5-person, 1 large bed for 1 adult + 1 child, 3 bunk beds, window)
• 2-berth Outside Panorama Class (double bed, sofa, window, coffee table, coffee machine, iPod docking station, minibar, fruits, TV, WiFi Internet)
• 2-berth Outside Panorama Suite (double bed, window, sofa, coffee table, coffee machine, iPod docking station, minibar, fruits, 2 TVs, WiFi Internet)
• 2-berth Premium Class / Twin Inside (2 lower beds, no window)
• 2-berth Premium Class / Twin Outside (4 bunk beds, window)
• 4-berth Premium Class / Quad Inside (4 bunk beds, no window)
• 4-berth Premium Class / Quad Outside (4 bunk beds, window)

All Premium cabins include bonus amenities such as radio, TV, WiFi, newspapers, and access to a kitchenette with a microwave oven. All cabins are equipped with luxury DUX beds and mattresses, Hansgrohe bathroom fixtures (faucets and showerheads), telephones, and a desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), as well as 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 homeport arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Stena Vision ship offers:

• Met Bar/Metropolitan Grill (serves hot food, including fish and chips, pizza, jacket potatoes, pie and mash; kids menus, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals are also available)
• Taste Restaurant (self-service buffet offering hot and cold meals, including kids menus)
• Food City (self-service restaurant serving barbecued ribs, roast salmon, and chicken legs)
• Ristretto Coffee House (patisserie/specialty coffee bar offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot/cold drinks)
• C-View Bar Lounge (panoramic), Riva Bar, and SunDeck Bar
• Happy World/Children's Room (indoor soft-play area for kids with large TV for cartoons, toys, games, and supervised activities)
• Cinema (tickets available at the Information Desk on the Lobby Deck), Casino (gaming area)
• Teen Town (game zone with arcade machines and video games)
• Truckers' Lounge (exclusive bar lounge and restaurant for truck drivers)
• Nordic Spa (wellness complex with treatment rooms for massages, sauna, and indoor Jacuzzi/spa pool)
• Stena Shopping Center (retail shops offering gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, skincare products, leather goods, toys, confectionery, fashion items, accessories, electronics, watches, sunglasses, jewelry, and travel essentials; frequent promotions offer up to 50% discounts on selected brands)
• Free Wi-Fi service and ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk / Reception)
• Dog Hotel (kennels with an outdoor exercise area)
• Aft on the top deck (Heli Deck), the ship has a helipad used for emergency helicopter landings

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 stations (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 rates (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 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, gluten-free, or lactose-free) can be pre-ordered on the UK-Holland route Harwich-Hook of Holland. All ingredients used are verified by their manufacturers. Vegetarian meals may contain dairy products and eggs. Muslim meals do not contain pork (or its by-products) or alcohol. Special meal orders must be placed at least 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 two 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, currency exchange machines (ATM by GWK Travelex) are available, located in the lobby area (Deck 9, opposite the Reception Desk).
• Only ships serving the Denmark-Norway route (Frederikshavn-Oslo) offer paid power connections 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 two 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 the vehicle. Note that 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 travel for women who are 36 weeks pregnant, or 34 weeks pregnant in cases of multiple pregnancies.
• Passengers with reduced mobility will receive assistance prior to departure and onboard. Such passengers must contact the company at least 48 hours prior to departure (via email or by calling +31 (0)174-315811). Wheelchair users must arrive at the port at least 2 hours before departure and report to the check-in desk.
• Bicycles can be transported (at a fee) on all STENA ships and routes.
• Tickets with a blank return date are not available. 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 fares 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 free changes, with passengers only paying any fare difference, and include the option of a full refund upon cancellation. PREMIUM fares (depending on the route) offer additional benefits such as express boarding and disembarkation, Stena Plus Lounge access, and included breakfast. PREMIUM fares 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 (on night voyages only).

Pets on the ship

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

• Pets are not allowed in passenger cabins unless the stateroom is designated as "pet-friendly" (typically 2-berth dog cabins).
• All ships have designated dog toilet areas.
• Dogs must be leashed and muzzled at all times during the voyage 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 (must wear a harness or jacket).

On STENA ferries serving Scandinavian routes (to Sweden, Norway, Latvia), valid EU pet passports are required, including standard information about 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 traveling 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 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 travel with up to 5 pets, but pre-booking of an onboard kennel is required. Children traveling with an animal 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. 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 safety procedures:

• Passengers requiring special 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 the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage when leaving the vehicle.
• Make a note of your vehicle's location and the 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.