Santona ferry

MS Santona ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned by STENA LINE and operated under charter by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES. The ship has a max capacity of 1680 passengers, 550 cars and 64 trucks (or 130 trailers) The vessel was launched in 2022/inaugurated in 2023 and currently operates on the UK England-Spain ferry routes Portsmouth-Santander (crossing time 20 hours) and Portsmouth-Bilbao (crossing time 24 hours), both via Cherbourg France.

In 2024, the cruise ship will be deployed on the Ireland-Spain route Rosslare-Bilbao via Cherbourg (crossing time ~30 hours).

Cabins

As cruiseferry, Santona has a total of 341 passenger cabins (plus 38 truck-driver cabins/379 total), all of which are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms, LCDTV (free on-demand movies), hairdryer, writing/dining table. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The cruise ship additionally has reclining seats. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers).

The passenger staterooms as categories are 2-Berth Commodore Suite, 2-Berth Commodore Club, 4-Berth Outside "Club Plus", 4-Berth Outside "Club", 4-Berth Inside, 2-Berth Inside, as well as Wheelchair-Accessible (Premium Plus outside and inside) and Pet-Friendly (double and quads, both are with linoleum flooring). All 4-bed staterooms are with either twin beds (lower fixed single beds) or bunk beds (lower and upper Murphy beds/folding from the wall).

Unlike passenger staterooms, freight driver cabins (aft on deck 8) lack en suite bathrooms and have shared bathing and toilet facilities.

MS Santona's largest staterooms are the Commodore Suites. These luxury accommodations are fitted with a Queen-size double bed (160x200 cm, premium-brand mattress, top-quality cotton linens), comfortable seating (2x armchairs and a round coffee table), a tea and coffee-making facility, complimentary mini-bar (small refrigerator stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks).

Commodore Suite and Commodore Club cabin passengers also get free access to C-Club Premium Lounge (forward on deck 8).

Also available are reserved lounge seats and baby cots (for infants under 2 years of age/provided upon request).

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

Of all 10 decks, 3 are with passenger cabins.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Santona cruise ship offers:

• A La Carte Restaurant (120-seat, offers locally-sourced meals prepared by French chefs)
• (Deck 7) Azul Restaurant (self-service Main Dining Room/buffet restaurant, hot and cold meals) - ticket price-inclusive are 1x 3-course dinner and 1x Continental breakfast. Restaurant Azul is open for Breakfast (Continental, waiter-served), Lunch (buffet) and Dinner (3-course meals).
• Taberna de Tapas / Cafe Bar (light meal, sandwiches, tapas, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, HDTVs) the Cafe Restaurant serves tapas (from patatas/papas bravas to traditional regional Spanish favorites) and various hot dishes from the menu. Taberna de Tapas offers waiter-served Continental or Spanish breakfast and (during summer only) the inclusive 3-course dinner from Azul Restaurant.
• (Deck 8) Plaza Mayor is a large bar lounge serving food (snacks and light bites) and beverages (including Spanish wines and beers) throughout the day, as well as Afternoon Tea (coffee and pastries/cakes). The venue features plenty of natural light (coming from its SkyLight / glass-roof cover) and a large HDTV streaming live sporting events and music.
• (Deck 8) Commodore C-Club Premium Lounge is a limited-capacity bar lounge with large, round-shaped windows (providing 270-degree views), HDTVs, comfortable seating (sofas, armchairs, round tables), two exclusive Restrooms (for men and women). The lounge access is complimentary for Commodore-class passengers and at-fee for lower-class cabins. The fee is payable onboard (at the Reception Desk) or prior to departure (online, upon booking). C-Club Lounge's access includes beverages (hot and cold) and light food (snacks, hot and cold dishes) which are provided complimentary throughout the day.
• 2 cinemas - tickets can be purchased from Information Desk
• (Deck 7) Kids Playroom is an indoor playground (an enclosed part of Azul Restaurant) with a complimentary children's entertainment program (digital and interactive games, arts-crafts, physical activities) by dedicated youth supervisors. Another two Kids' Play Areas (indoor playgrounds are located midship on decks 8 and 10.
• Games Planet (teen lounge - video games, air hockey, foosball)
• Chance Planet (casino/gambling lounge with slot machines)
• Reading Lounge
• 2 Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining / Pullman seats)
• Le Bar (fine French wines, cocktails, cold/hot drinks, HDTVs)
• Les Boutiques (two duty-free shops) sell gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines (large wine cellar), tobaccos, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, books, confectionery, refreshments, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry). Special shopping promotions are held on each voyage.
• free Wi-Fi, ATM/cash machine (next to Information Desk / Reception), disabled toilets, Baby Changing Rooms, complimentary Baggage Room

Two elevators (passenger lifts positioned forward and aft) access all cabin decks as well as the car decks.

Sun Deck (Deck 10) is a large outdoor area that doubles as Helideck (helipad) - a helicopter landing platform used in cases of emergency. On sundeck can be found canopy-shaded seating areas (round tables with garden armchairs), sunbathing areas (with deckchairs and sun loungers), an outdoor Gym (sports equipment), an outdoor playground for kids.

In the Santona cruise ship's Lobby Hall (close to the Reception) are located several information kiosks (Internet-connected PC terminals) with touch screens available complimentary to all passengers. MS Santona is BRITTANY FERRIES' third liner (after Galicia and Salamanca) that offers shipwide VOD service (video-on-demand / movies, radio, TV programming). The service is provided via passengers' mobile devices (using the complimentary Wi-Fi) or via the smart HDTVs in the staterooms.

The cruiseferry features a collection of ~1000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs. Many artworks were made by Spanish artists.

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.

BRITTANY FERRIES cruise deals

The company offers regularly scheduled ferry services between England and France (travel time on cruise ferries 3-4 hours) and between France and Spain (travel time 20-36 hours). The high-speed UK-France service allows the ships to successfully target the UK's "mini cruise" and holiday travel markets.

As on cruise vessels, all BRITTANY FERRIES ships offer passenger cabins with modern amenities, individually controlled air-conditioning and en-suite facilities. Cruise accommodations range from 2-bed "Inside Cabin" to "Commodore Suite" (with in-cabin dining / Afternoon Tea and Breakfast service). Some suites are with private balconies.

Onboard food is predominantly French cuisine and prepared by French chefs. All ships have a la carte priced restaurants, self-service cafeteria, selection of bars, live entertainment (singers, magicians, pantomimes for kids), at least one cinema, casino, arcade room, Bureau de Change, baby changing rooms, disabled toilets, Sun Deck areas, free of charge Wi-Fi.

Cruise ferries on France-Spain routes have swimming pools (open during summer months only), as well as kids' play areas with supervised activities (during holidays only). Spa treatment rooms on Spain-France cruise ferries offer facials (from ProCare), massages (by certified masseuses), modern massage chairs, pedicures and manicure services (OPI nail varnishes), treatments using skincare products by the French brand "Filorga Professional".

Ships' boutique shops sell at discount prices tobacco and alcohol (budget and premium wines and spirits), as well as luxury brand perfumes and cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, sunglasses, souvenirs, toys.

Fun fact is that BRITTANY FERRIES serve annually around 22 tons of langoustines (Norway lobster), 15 tons of smoked salmon, 260 tons of meat, 240,000 English breakfasts, 333,000 liters of beer. By onboard sold perfumes, the company is ranked France's 3rd largest perfume retailer.

• Ferry fares are based on departure dates, routes and time (season).
• GBP 35 deposit is required to secure bookings during the peak summer season.
• Summer prices are usually higher. Same goes for the weekends and overnight crossings.
• Departures in the mornings, afternoons and overnights are offered throughout the whole year.
• Overnight France-Spain crossings are 7 in a week.
• Mix and match route deals are also available.

Follows the list of all BRITTANY FERRIES routes with crossing times and frequencies.

• Portsmouth-Caen (6 hours) - 3 daily
• Portsmouth-St Malo (11 hours / overnight) - daily
• Portsmouth-Cherbourg (3 hours) - 10 return (in the period late April - early September)
• Portsmouth-Santander Spain (24 hours / overnight) - 3 crossings weekly
• Portsmouth-Bilbao Spain (24-36 hours) - 2 crossings weekly
• Portsmouth-Le Havre (5 hours 30 min) - daily return crossings
• Poole-Cherbourg (4 hours 15 min) - daily return
• Plymouth-Roscoff (6 hours) 2 return
• Plymouth-Santander Spain (20 hours) - direct weekly crossings
• Cork Ireland-Roscoff (14 hours) - weekly, return crossings in the period April-November)
• Cork-Santander (26,5 hours) - 2 weekly return crossings

Pets on the ship

BRITTANY FERRIES is a DEFRA (UK and EU)-approved pet carrier by the ET140 (Pet Travel Scheme). Pets on the cruise ship can travel either in a Pet-friendly passenger cabin or in a kennel (for dogs). Pets are not allowed to stay in vehicles.

The shipping company requires dogs to be muzzled and leashed when off the vehicles or the stateroom - which also includes the ship's pet-exercise area (on Deck 7). It is recommended that prior to boarding the ferry, dogs to be exercised and toileted.

At check-in onboard, dog's chip is scanned and its passport checked. A sticker is placed on the car's windscreen to ensure that the pet-carrying vehicle is appropriately parked. Don't remove the sticker during the voyage. Pets are allowed only in the designated staterooms (pet-friendly) and at the ship's designated pet exercise zone (Deck 7) and not in any other public areas. An exception is made only for registered assistance dogs.

Vehicles carrying pets are greeted in the parking (car deck) by dedicated crew. Pets stay temporarily in the vehicles whilst their owners exit the garage for check-in. Shortly prior departure, pet owners are called to the Reception Desk, then escorted (together with the pet) between the car deck and the cabin. One hour before port arrival, an announcement is made (via the ship's PA system) asking pet owners to return to their cabins. Soon, a crew escorts them to their vehicles, where the animals remain until arrival. Pet owners are not allowed to remain in the vehicles. After arrival, a PA system announcement invites pet owners to return to their vehicles.

For safety reasons, in bad weather, pets must remain in the cabins and the access to their exercise areas is forbidden.

The cruiseferry Santona provides small and large dog kennels. The kennel must be pre-booked. Small kennels are recommended for dog breeds like Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Terrier, Jack Russell. Large kennels are recommended for dog breeds like German Shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pointer, Setter.

Car decks

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 the 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 operator/ship charterer Brittany Ferries (fleet, 1972-founded, headquartered in Roscoff France) is a French ferry company operating on the shipping routes France-UK and France-Spain.