Irish holidaymakers will have an upgraded way of travelling to Spain this summer after Brittany Ferries officially launched its 214.5m-long “cruise-ferry” Salamanca at Rosslare Europort.
For those who prefer to avoid travelling by flight, or who want to bring their car, bike, or pets with them, the new ship will take more than 1,000 passengers - accepting customers on foot and on bikes for the first time on the route.
The upgraded ship will take over the direct route from Rosslare to Bilbao in Spain and will sail the route twice weekly departing Wednesday and Friday mornings.
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The trip to Spain takes between 29 and 30 hours with one to two nights spent on board.
According to Frederic Dumoulin, chief commercial officer for Brittany Ferries:
"Passengers will feel as though they have been transported to a Spanish city from the moment they step on board.”
One-way rates for two passengers and a car sailing from Rosslare to Bilbao are quoted as starting from €232, with reclining seats included.
The price for two people with a car and cabin starts from €342 each way.
Accommodation is also mandatory on this trip, with seats starting from €12 each way and four-berth cabins from €135 each way this month.
Salamanca replaces a previous vessel, named ‘Connemara’, and features more passenger capacity, space, and creature comforts on the only ferry service connecting Ireland to Spain.
The total of 343 cabins include 22 that are “specially designed for passengers travelling with their pet dog,” Brittany Ferries says.
“Until now it has been very difficult to accommodate bike and foot passengers on this route,” Mr. Dumoulin said.
“Now we have the right ship, on the right route, so I am delighted to announce a change."
Salamanca will also serve Spanish cuisine in the Azul and Taberna de Tapas restaurants.
It is also promoting its “interactive playrooms” for children, shopping boutiques, and a private “premium lounge”.
The new ship will boost inbound tourism as well as ferrying Irish holidaymakers to Spain.
Salamanca is the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered passenger ferry to service Ireland, which Brittany Ferries says promises “lower emissions and a smoother, quieter voyage”.
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