The only vehicle and passenger ship linking Ireland directly with Spain has added two more ships to its fleet for 2024.
Since November 2022, over 1,000 Irish and Spanish passengers have been making the 30-hour ferry journey from Rosslare to Bilbao twice weekly with their car or motorhome, on their bike or motorbike, or on foot.
Powered by Britanny Ferries, the Salamanca is the "most convenient and comfortable" overnight ferry from Ireland to Spain, and will now be joined by sister ships Santoña and Galicia.
From November 7 to March 25, 2024, the ferries will sail direct from Rosslare to Cantabria's capital, Santander, in northern Spain to "allow work to take place to port infrastructure in Bilbao".
The ship has proved a hit with Irish customers, and so far this year reservations are up by around 100% compared to the previous vessel.
Passengers can plan ahead and book sailings year-round from now, right up until November 2024.
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Brittany Ferries’ Director of Sales and Marketing Paul Acheson has said that Spain remains "by far the top overseas holiday destination for Irish holidaymakers".
"An increasing number of people are choosing the ferry as their preferred means to get there, both for its convenience and the relaxed onboard experience," he said.
During the 30 hours on board, passengers can avail of French and Spanish cuisine, bars, in-house entertainment and duty-free shopping.
All sailings are dog-friendly, with a choice of pet-friendly cabins and kennels – but rabbits are explicitly banned from boarding.
Brittany Ferries’ have patterned up with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association of Ireland (ORCA Ireland) to provide whale and dolphin watching in the summer months.
Modern design
The Salamanca's cabins have the biggest bunks within the fleet, along with the "most comfortable mattress", according to Britanny Ferries.
The Santoña, Galicia and Salamanca are powered by cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG), which emits "virtually no sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide or particulate emissions following combustion".
LNG burns more efficiently than diesel and has a reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) output of around 25 percent.
Whilst on board, the company claim that single-use plastics will be "cut to a minimum".
For Irish holidaymakers looking to head to France in 2024, Brittany Ferries is currently finalising its timetables for its routes from Rosslare and Cork to Normandy and Brittany, and sailings will be available to book in the coming days.
