Say ¡hola! to Brittany Ferries’ new Spanish ship Galicia – book to travel in 2021

• Galicia - at sea during sea trials
• Galicia - club lounge
• Galicia at sea - port side

 

• Arriving December 2020, Galicia will sail two round trips a week connecting Portsmouth (UK) and Santander (northern Spain)
• Galicia will be Brittany Ferries’ first ship to present a uniquely Spanish theme and experience for travellers
• In a another first for Brittany Ferries, one dinner and continental breakfast will be included in ticket price
• Brittany Ferries says new ship is a commitment to fleet renewal and a statement of intent for a successful future, despite Covid woes

Leading Western European travel and holiday company Brittany Ferries has announced that its newest ship Galicia is to take to the seas linking the UK with Spain. And customers can already make bookings for travel aboard the brand-new ship next year.

Weighing in at over 40,000 gross tonnes, Galicia will be one of the largest ships ever to serve the company, and at 215 metres long she will be the longest. The ship is currently nearing completion at the CMJL shipyard in Weihai, China. Sea trials have successfully taken place, and she will shortly embark on the 10,000-mile voyage to Europe. On arrival Galicia will undergo a period of crew training and dry-docking for finishing touches, before welcoming first passengers on board as early as mid-December 2020.

“Fleet renewal is an integral part of our five-year recovery plan and Galicia’s arrival is the result of a commission made in happier times,” said Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO. “That is why I am delighted to bring this good news story to our staff, freight drivers and passengers today. Our message is clear: we have invested in beautiful new ships. Given the right support to get through this terrible crisis Brittany Ferries can have a bright future, as well as a proud past.”

Say ‘¡hola!’ to Brittany Ferries’ first Spanish-themed ship

In a first for French-owned Brittany Ferries, Galicia has been built from the keel up with the ship’s Iberian destination at heart. A warm, relaxing and authentic Spanish holiday ambiance will fill  the ship’s interiors, with décor, paintings, photography, sculptures and murals inviting passengers to take a journey through the towns, countryside and coastlines of northern Spain, and to delve into the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the region that bears her name. The theme will even extend to the food and drinks served on board, with authentic Spanish dishes and drinks on the menu in bars and restaurants.

One inclusive dinner and breakfast on board

Customers will enjoy a wide range of facilities aboard the new ship including a beach-themed Azul restaurant, the vibrant town-square-inspired Plaza Mayor bar, an authentic Taberna de Tapas, as well as a spacious boutique. Dining aboard will offer great value. And, in a first for Brittany Ferries, one dinner and continental breakfast will be included in the fare for all UK-Spain sailings.

Comfort comes as standard

Comfort, cosiness and style are central to the design and fit-out of Galicia, with special care and attention given to comfortable furniture, spacious en-suite cabins, large beds, stylish carpets, and chic fabrics. In another first for Brittany ferries the ship will host an exclusive airline-style premium lounge – a warm and welcoming space where drinks and snacks are included in the entrance fee.

Why fly in a tube when you can sail in space?

As with all ships in the Brittany Ferries fleet, Galicia will offer the many benefits afforded by space, with wide corridors and staircases and roomy facilities presenting  airy, easy layout allowing customers to find their way around with ease, and to feel at home right away. Large portholes reveal a vista of seascapes, whilst wide open sundecks will bring passengers sea-air, sunshine and the promise of outdoor exercise and a children’s play area. And at the heart of the ship a huge garage will host spacious parking for over three kilometers of cars and freight vehicles, with easy access for all.

A modern digital travel experience

From the moment customers drive aboard to the moment they disembark, Galicia will deliver a seamless and contemporary travel experience, with a suite of digital innovations and experiences ranging from video-on-demand in every cabin, to interactive kiosks and tablets giving destination information and inspiration. And children haven’t been forgotten, with interactive games and play tables in the ship’s playroom.

To take a virtual tour of the ship before she arrives in service, please visit: https://bit.ly/3aoBL8k

Efficiency and environment built-in

The ship has also been designed with the environment and efficiency in mind. Particular attention has been given to Galicia’s fuel-efficient propulsion plant and its long, slender hull and bow, with fine lines giving excellent seakeeping in all weathers, and a significantly lower emissions footprint compared to other ships of a similar size. Her funnel will be fitted with latest closed-loop, exhaust-emission-scrubbers to strip particulate matter (soot) and harmful components, such as sulphur oxides (SOx) from airborne emissions.

Relaxed times, and timings

Timetables have been planned for maximum comfort and convenience for customers, with handy departure and arrival times with plenty of relaxing time aboard to soak up all the sights and richness of travel by sea. Galicia will operate two return trips a week between Portsmouth and Santander, departing Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Santander on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The crossing time is between 28 and 33 hours.

In addition, the ship will offer one weekly round trip between Portsmouth and Cherbourg, with overnight sailings departing Portsmouth on Sundays and Cherbourg on Mondays. Brittany Ferries’ Pont-Aven and Cap Finistère will also continue to sail between the UK and Spain, with up to seven weekly return sailings in total between the two countries.

“The arrival of Galicia will serve as a statement of our confidence in the future of ‘Spain without the plane’,” added Christophe Mathieu. “We started running ferry services from the UK to Spain in 1978, and – in a normal season – they are among our most popular crossings, with around 350,000 passengers per year. Customers know that Spain without the plane means freedom to explore, taking everything you need in your own car, motorhome or bike, and it starts with a fantastic voyage by sea.

“But this is the very first time in the history of Brittany Ferries that we have designed, themed and decorated a ship around Spain. Galicia is the first in an entirely new class of ship for Brittany Ferries, with two sister ships, Salamanca and Santoña coming in 2022 and 2023.   We can’t wait to welcome the first customers on board, and to give them a true taste of Spain as they sail towards it in comfort and style.”

For more visit: https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/hola-galicia

 

Galicia in figures

Length	214.5m
Breadth	27.8m
Draught	6.4m
Gross tonnage	40,500
Number of decks	10
Number of passenger decks	3
Design speed	22 knots
Passenger capacity	1015
Crew	85
Cabins	343
Pet-friendly cabins	22
Vehicle capacity	3,100 lane metres or 155 trailers
Main engines	2 X 12,600Kw

 

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