Brittany Ferries · Portsmouth to Santander
The Salamanca
The first LNG-powered ship in the Brittany Ferries fleet, and the quietest crossing to Spain. In 2026 she works Portsmouth to Santander, having swapped schedules with her sister the Santoña.
Salamanca specifications
The second of the three E-Flexer ships on the Spanish routes, entering service in 2022 between the Galicia and the Santoña. She was the first vessel in the fleet ordered as a dual-fuel ship.
| Detail | Salamanca |
|---|---|
| Entered service | 2022 |
| Class | Stena E-Flexer |
| Length | 214.5 metres |
| Passengers | 1,015 |
| Cabins | 341 |
| Reserved lounge seats | 43 |
| Propulsion | LNG dual-fuel |
| IMO number | 9867592 |
LNG is why she runs quieter than the Galicia
Running on liquefied natural gas rather than marine diesel cuts nitrogen oxide emissions by around 85 per cent and carbon dioxide by roughly 20 per cent. The practical difference for passengers is less engine vibration and noise, which matters more than you would expect across two nights at sea.
Where the Salamanca sails
In 2026 she works Portsmouth to Santander, twice a week year round. Departures leave Portsmouth on Monday at 21:30 and Friday at 22:00, arriving Wednesday and Sunday morning.
She has also covered Portsmouth to Bilbao and Portsmouth to Cherbourg, so across a full year you may board her at:
- Portsmouth
- Santander
- Bilbao
- Cherbourg
She moved to Portsmouth to Santander this year
Until 2026 the Salamanca worked Rosslare to Bilbao. Full detail on the swap, and which ship covers which route now, is on the ships page.
On board
Eating and drinking
- Restaurant Azul, the main restaurant, hot dishes and buffet, open for breakfast and lunch too
- Taberna Tapas, open for dinner and breakfast
- C-Club Lounge for drinks and snacks
- Plaza Mayor, shops and bars
Space and entertainment
- Video on demand: films, TV and radio
- Indoor children’s play area with digital games
- Sun deck with sports equipment
- Outdoor playground
- Open deck for whale and dolphin watching
Try a pintxo in the Taberna rather than defaulting to the main restaurant. The tapas bar is the part of these ships people tend to write home about, and it is open for breakfast as well.
There is no pool on the E-Flexer ships. The Pont-Aven is the only ship to Spain that has one.
Cabins and accommodation
Portsmouth to Santander is a two-night crossing, so accommodation is compulsory and it is the biggest single variable in what you pay.
Seats and standard cabins
- Reserved lounge seats
- C-Club Lounge access
- 4-berth inside cabin
- 4-berth cabin with window and TV
Upgraded and specialist
- 2-berth Commodore Suite
- 2-berth Club cabin with TV and video on demand
- Pet-friendly 4-berth inside and outside cabins
- Wheelchair-accessible 2-berth inside and outside cabins
Two nights in a reserved seat is a long stretch. Price the inside cabin before you decide it is not worth it.
Travelling with pets
You cannot leave your dog in the car on this ship
Pets travel in a pet-friendly cabin or an onboard kennel. Leaving an animal in your vehicle is not permitted on the Spanish routes. Dogs must be muzzled whenever they are outside their cabin or kennel, including in the port, around the ship and in the exercise areas.
Pet-friendly cabins are a small share of the 341 on board and sell out early. Check EU pet travel documentation requirements well ahead of your sailing.
Where is the Salamanca right now?
Live position and the last 24 hours of track from AIS.
Inside the ship
Two walkthroughs covering the cabins and public areas.
