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Armorique Ship Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
The Armorique is the primary vessel on the Plymouth to Roscoff route — the crossing that founded Brittany Ferries in 1973 — and the only ship in the fleet designed and built specifically for this route. Commissioned at STX Europe’s Helsinki shipyard and entering service on 10 February 2009, she has operated Plymouth to Roscoff sailings every season since. This complete Armorique ship guide covers the deck plan, all cabin types and prices, restaurants and bars, onboard entertainment, Wi-Fi, pets, accessibility, and practical tips for your crossing.
Last updated: May 2026 | All specifications verified from Brittany Ferries official sources.
🚢 Armorique Ferry at a Glance
2009
Year Launched
1,500
Passengers
247
En-suite Cabins
470
Cars
336
Reserved Seats
25 kn
Service Speed
✅ Route: Plymouth to Roscoff — purpose-built for this crossing
✅ Dining: Le Restaurant (self-service) · Le Café · Le Bar
✅ Entertainment: Two cinemas, Games Planet, children’s playroom, live entertainment
✅ Cabins: 5 grades from Club Plus to 2-berth inside, plus pet-friendly and wheelchair-accessible
✅ Plug sockets: Continental 2-pin (220v) — bring a UK adaptor or buy one on board
✅ Art on board: Works by Philippe Plisson, Alexander Goudie and Matthieu Dorval
The name Armorique comes from an ancient Gaulish name for the coastal north-western region of France — literally, “the country that faces the sea.” It is also the name of a national park in western Brittany. This is the second Brittany Ferries vessel to bear the name; the first operated between 1976 and 1994. The current Armorique, at nearly four times the size of her predecessor, was conceived specifically to operate the Plymouth to Roscoff crossing that Brittany Ferries launched in 1973.
In August 2005, Brittany Ferries placed an order with Aker Finnyards (later STX Europe) for a freight vessel — the Cotentin. The order included an option for a second ship. That option was commissioned in January 2006: a 1,500-passenger cruise ferry which would share the Cotentin’s hull from keel to deck 5, but with a full passenger accommodation block above. The first steel was cut on 30 July 2007. The hull was floated out on 13 September 2007, and the completed vessel — at a final cost of £81 million (€110 million) — was delivered to Brittany Ferries on 26 January 2009. She arrived in Plymouth for berthing trials on 26 January 2009 and made her maiden voyage to Roscoff on 10 February 2009.
Her interior design follows a clear theme: the lights, colours and space of Brittany. Open-plan public areas, panoramic sea views from the restaurant and bar, and artwork celebrating the maritime heritage and culture of the Breton region throughout. Three artists feature on board: photographer Philippe Plisson on the public decks and in selected cabins; Alexander Goudie, whose sculptures of Breton fishermen and bigoudènes appear in certain cabins; and painter Matthieu Dorval, whose works are displayed in the public areas of decks 6 and 7.
Armorique Technical Specifications
Specification
Detail
Specification
Detail
Maiden Voyage
10 February 2009
Gross Tonnage
29,468 GT
Length (LOA)
168.3 m
Beam
26.8 m
Service Speed
25 knots
Passenger Capacity
1,500
Car Capacity
470 vehicles
Freight Capacity
65 freight vehicles
Cabins
247 en-suite
Reserved Seats
336 reclining lounge seats
Shipyard
STX Europe (Aker), Helsinki, Finland
Build Cost
£81 million (€110 million)
IMO Number
9364980
Port of Registry
Morlaix, France
Armorique Deck Plan
The Armorique has four passenger decks — decks 6, 7, 8 and 9. Decks 4 and 5 are the vehicle decks, and decks 1 to 3 are engineering and crew areas not accessible to passengers. The first digit of your cabin number tells you which deck you are on: cabin 812 is on deck 8, cabin 9128 is on deck 9.
Deck by Deck — What’s Where
Deck
Primary Use
Key Facilities
9
Open Promenade Deck & Cabins
Outdoor promenade deck — stretch your legs, take in the sea air and enjoy the views entering and leaving port. Cabin numbers: 9001–9012 (forward), 9101–9128, 9202–9250. Higher deck — slightly more motion in rough weather.
8
Cabins
Cabins only on this deck. Numbers: 8001–8024, 8101–8137, 8202–8238, 8301–8334, 8401–8441, 8501–8532. This is a quieter deck and a good choice for overnight sailings.
7
Le Restaurant, Le Bar, Reading Lounge
Le Restaurant — self-service restaurant, forward, panoramic views, children’s soft play area within. Le Bar — main lounge bar, live entertainment, flat-screen TVs. Reading lounge — quiet zone, panoramic sea views. Baby changing room on this deck. Information Desk (deck 6 or 7).
6
Shops, Cinemas, Games, Le Café, Reserved Seats
Les Boutiques duty-free shops. Two cinemas (tickets from Information Desk 15 mins after departure). Games Planet video games and air hockey. Children’s playroom. Le Café — snacks, pastries and drinks, adjacent to reserved seating lounge. Baggage room. Baby changing room. Disabled toilets. Reserved seat numbers: 1101–4330, 5101–5157.
3 & 5
Vehicle Decks
Cars, motorhomes, caravans, motorbikes and freight on two levels. Passengers may not return to vehicles during the crossing except with a crew member for pet visits (daytime sailings only — no visits on overnight crossings). Lifts and stairways connect to deck 6.
1–2
Engineering / Crew
Engine rooms, crew quarters and ship infrastructure. Not accessible to passengers.
Deck Plan Image
The Armorique deck plan below shows all passenger decks including cabin locations, restaurant, bar, entertainment spaces, shops and all passenger access routes. Click to view full size.
💡 Deck plan tips — choosing your cabin location:
Seasickness: Deck 8 midship is the most stable position — lower and central means least motion in rough seas. Avoid deck 9 if you are susceptible. Cabins towards the middle of the ship (rather than forward or aft) are also more stable.
Closest to facilities: Deck 7 cabins are a short walk from Le Restaurant, Le Bar and the reading lounge. Deck 6 puts you closest to the shops, cinemas, Games Planet and Le Café.
Quietest: Deck 8 is cabins only — no facilities adjacent, so corridors are quieter on overnight sailings.
Cabin numbers: The first digit tells you your deck — cabin 812 is deck 8, cabin 9128 is deck 9. On overnight sailings, you receive a wake-up call approximately one hour before arrival (the music played is Dihun — Le Réveil by Carlos Núñez from his Celtic Sea album).
You cannot select a specific cabin number online. Call Brittany Ferries after booking on 0330 159 7000 to request a deck or location preference. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00–16:30, subject to availability.
Armorique Cabins
On overnight sailings a cabin or reserved seat is compulsory — you cannot board without one, and the car deck is sealed for the entire crossing. On daytime sailings, cabins are available at a reduced rate if you want privacy or a rest. All 247 cabins are en-suite, air-conditioned and include fresh linen and towels, soap and shower gel, and at least one continental 2-pin plug socket (220v). A UK adaptor is needed — these can be purchased from the boutiques on deck 6, subject to availability. Vacate your cabin 30 minutes before arrival.
⭐ Club Plus
From £130 · 4-berth outside. Window, TV & DVD, complimentary breakfast or hot drinks, minibar (soft drinks), macaroons, toiletries. Priority disembarkation available.
🏠 Club
From £100 · 4-berth outside. Window, TV, tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite.
🛏️ 4-berth inside
From £75 · Can be used as a large 2-berth with 2 lower berths. Bunk-style beds, en-suite, no window.
🛏️ 2-berth inside
From £55 · Bunk-style beds, en-suite, no window. Good budget option for two travelling together.
🐾 Pet-Friendly
3 options: 4-berth outside, 4-berth inside, 2-berth inside — all with laminate flooring and space for a standard animal bed.
♿ Wheelchair Accessible
6 cabins — 2-berth outside. 2 lower berths, alarm and telephone, adapted bathroom. Wheelchair users given priority.
336 reclining reserved seats are available as an alternative to a cabin on overnight sailings (seat numbers 1101–4330 and 5101–5157, deck 6). Sleep packs — containing a pillow, blanket, eye mask and earplugs — can be purchased from the Information Desk on board. Shower packs are also available to use the public showers (cabin bathrooms are for cabin occupants only).
Cots (infants up to 24 months):
Cots can be pre-booked for infants up to 24 months. Select infant as a passenger when booking and the cot option appears at the accommodation step. Maximum one cot per cabin. The cot will be made up and waiting in your cabin. Dimensions: 110cm long × 77cm wide (base) × 65cm high. An undersheet is provided — bring your own blankets.
⏳ Book cabins early: Pet-friendly cabins and Club Plus on the Armorique are the first to sell out, particularly for summer and school holiday sailings. Book your cabin at the same time as your crossing. Brittany Ferries opens bookings up to 12 months in advance.
Dining on the Armorique
The Armorique offers three dining and drinking venues. All are designed around the open-plan feel of deck 7, with panoramic sea views from the restaurant and bar. Payment is accepted in Euros or Sterling, cash or card.
A self-service restaurant that is nothing like what you’d expect. Wide choice of French cuisine and world favourites — including minute steaks cooked to your liking on the spot, a salad buffet, hot dishes, desserts and drinks. The children’s soft play area is within this space, making it ideal for families. Panoramic views from all tables.
☕ Le Café
Café and snack bar | Deck 6, beside reserved seating lounge
Sandwiches, cakes, pastries and hot and cold drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Flat-screen televisions and comfortable seating. A good option for lighter snacks and coffee without crossing through the restaurant.
🍷 Le Bar
Main lounge bar | Deck 7, adjacent to Le Restaurant
French wines, cocktails, beers and a full range of hot and cold drinks. Light and airy with sea views and a quiet zone. Flat-screen televisions show sports and news. Live entertainment, interactive quizzes and vocal sets from the ship’s singers take place here — entertainment programme available from the Information Desk.
🍷 Good to know: If you purchase a case of wine from the boutique, Brittany Ferries will arrange to deliver it directly to your car on disembarkation. Restaurant opening times vary throughout the year — check on board. Vending machines are also available. A Food Pass (pre-purchased before travel) gives 5–15% extra credit for use across all dining outlets except the bar.
Entertainment & Things to Do on Board
The Armorique has plenty to keep all ages occupied for the duration of the crossing, whether daytime or overnight.
🎬 Two Cinemas (Deck 6)
Two cinemas showing the latest releases — films for adults and children. Tickets go on sale at the Information Desk 15 minutes after departure. Adults €9.00 · Children (up to 12) €7.50 · Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, U or PG only) €30.00. All films in English with no subtitles.
🎮 Games Planet (Deck 6)
Video games room with the latest titles, air hockey and immersive gaming experiences. Well suited to teenagers and older children who want something to do between meals.
👧 Children’s Playroom (Deck 6)
Play area for younger children, plus a soft play area located within Le Restaurant. Both are well suited to smaller children travelling on longer crossings.
📖 Reading Lounge (Deck 7)
Comfortable chairs, panoramic sea views and a quiet atmosphere for reading, working or simply relaxing away from the bar area. One of the more underrated spaces on the ship.
🎵 Live Entertainment (Le Bar)
Entertainment is adapted per crossing. In the bar: interactive quizzes, games and vocal sets from the ship’s singers. Children’s activities during school holidays. Collect the sailing entertainment programme from the Information Desk.
🐻 Pierre le Bear
Brittany Ferries’ bear mascot makes appearances on the Armorique during school holidays — activities, magicians and competitions for younger passengers. His own song, dance and signature cheeky personality. Look out for him especially in summer and the autumn half-term.
🎨 Art on board: Three artists’ work features throughout the Armorique. Photographer Philippe Plisson’s images appear on the public decks and in selected cabins. Alexander Goudie’s sculptures of Breton fishermen and bigoudènes are in certain cabins. Matthieu Dorval’s paintings are displayed in the public areas of decks 6 and 7 — a detail that gives the Armorique a genuine sense of place that most ferries lack.
Les Boutiques duty-free shops are located on deck 6. The boutiques open approximately 15 minutes after departure and close shortly before arrival. Payment accepted in Euros or Sterling (cash or card) — prices are shown in both currencies and you can combine payment methods.
🍷 Wines & Spirits
Wide selection from budget to premium. Whisky, gin, spirits. Promotions and wine talks on selected sailings. Wine delivery to your car on disembarkation available.
💄 Perfumes & Cosmetics
Luxury brand perfumes and cosmetics at duty-free prices. Sample fragrances before buying.
Toys, confectionery, books, games, newspapers, tobacco and Breton souvenirs.
🔌 Travel Essentials
UK plug adaptors (subject to availability), toiletries, travel accessories — useful if you forget that a UK adaptor is needed for the continental sockets in your cabin.
Wi-Fi on the Armorique
The Armorique offers an enhanced Wi-Fi service with four options. Enquire at the Information Desk on board or purchase via the onboard portal once connected to the ship’s network.
Package
Duration
Best For
Free access
Limited browsing
Checking messages and quick searches
Light package
1 hour
Email, messaging and light browsing
Medium package
3 hours
Social media and extended browsing
Full crossing
Unlimited
Streaming and heavy use
⚠️ Important: Turn off mobile data roaming before boarding. In the Channel, your phone may connect to an offshore maritime network (Telenor Maritime) with significantly higher charges than UK rates. Use the ship’s Wi-Fi only. Note also that the Armorique does not have Video on Demand. Bring downloaded content if you want something to watch in your cabin.
Travelling with Pets on the Armorique
Pets on the Armorique can travel in a pet-friendly cabin or remain in your vehicle for the crossing. There are no onboard kennels on the Armorique — unlike the Saint Malo on the Portsmouth to St Malo route. Dogs, cats and ferrets are accepted, and assistance dogs travel free and are permitted in all areas of the ship.
🏠 Pet-Friendly Cabins
Three pet-friendly cabin types: 4-berth outside (window, sea view, laminate flooring), 4-berth inside (laminate flooring), and 2-berth inside (laminate flooring, upper and lower bunk). All have space for a standard-size animal bed. Book early — these sell out quickly for peak sailings.
🚗 Leaving Pets in the Vehicle
Pets may remain in your vehicle for the duration of the sailing. Leave a window slightly open for ventilation and water. The vehicle deck temperature is regulated once the ship is under way. On daytime sailings, you can visit your pet with a badge obtained from the Information Desk (passport or driving licence required as security, one person per vehicle, max 15 minutes). No vehicle deck visits on overnight sailings.
🐕 Key pet rules on the Armorique:
Your dog must be muzzled at all times when outside your vehicle on the car deck
At check-in, your pet’s chip will be scanned and documentation checked. A sticker is placed on your windscreen — do not remove it until exiting your arrival port
Pets are not permitted in any public areas or standard cabins (except registered assistance dogs)
Taking a pet into a non-pet-friendly cabin incurs a deep cleaning charge of €193.68 (VAT included). A repeat offence increases this to €387.36
Arrive at Plymouth port at least 90 minutes before departure when travelling with a pet
You will need an EU Animal Health Certificate or valid Pet Passport. Use Brittany Ferries’ free online pet travel pre-check from 96 hours before departure to verify your documentation
Three lifts access all passenger decks. Six wheelchair-accessible cabins (2-berth outside, 2 lower berths, alarm and telephone, adapted bathroom). Disabled toilets on decks 6 and 7. All passenger areas wheelchair-accessible except the cinema. Notify requirements when booking and again at check-in. Request port assistance at least 48 hours before travel: 0330 159 7005 or access@brittanyferries.com.
👁️ Visual & Hearing Impairments
Report to the Information Desk on deck 7 on boarding. Braille signage available for some services. An Access Guide for Visually Impaired Passengers is available from the crew. For hearing impairments, the crew will ensure you receive all important announcements made over the ship’s speaker system.
🧒 Autism
At check-in, Brittany Ferries can provide a booklet explaining the stages of the sailing process using eye-spy style games. Designed to help children on the autistic spectrum understand what they will see and hear at each stage of the crossing.
🍼 Baby Facilities
Baby changing rooms on decks 6 and 7. Cots pre-bookable for infants up to 24 months (maximum 1 per cabin). Children’s meals available in Le Restaurant. The soft play area within the restaurant is ideal for families with small children.
ℹ️ Information Desk (Deck 6 or 7)
Bilingual staff available throughout the crossing for cabin enquiries, entertainment programmes, lost property and general assistance. Cinema tickets go on sale here 15 minutes after departure. Badges for vehicle deck pet visits are also issued here.
🧳 Baggage Room (Deck 6)
Locked baggage storage on deck 6. Enquire at the Information Desk. Locked for the duration of the crossing and opened approximately 20–30 minutes before arrival. Cannot access luggage mid-crossing once deposited.
Track the Armorique live – the map below shows the exact position, speed and heading right now.
IMO 9364980 · MMSI 228263700 · Live data via VesselFinder
Armorique Ferry — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Armorique ferry?
The Armorique is a Ro-Pax cruise ferry operated by Brittany Ferries on the Plymouth to Roscoff route. She was designed and built specifically for this crossing at STX Europe’s shipyard in Helsinki, Finland, at a cost of £81 million. Launched on 10 February 2009, she carries up to 1,500 passengers and 470 cars, with 247 en-suite cabins, 336 reclining lounge seats, two cinemas, a self-service restaurant, bar, café, duty-free boutiques and a games room. Her name comes from the ancient Gaulish name for coastal north-western France — “the country that faces the sea” — and is also the name of a national park in western Brittany.
Is there a deck plan for the Armorique?
Yes — the full deck plan image is shown above, with a deck-by-deck breakdown alongside it. In summary: decks 1–3 are engineering and crew only; decks 4–5 are the vehicle decks; deck 6 has the boutiques, two cinemas, Games Planet, children’s playroom, Le Café and reserved seating lounge; deck 7 has Le Restaurant (with soft play area), Le Bar and the reading lounge; decks 8 and 9 are cabins. Your cabin number’s first digit tells you your deck. On overnight sailings you receive a wake-up call approximately one hour before arrival — the music played is Dihun — Le Réveil by Carlos Núñez from his Celtic Sea album.
Which deck is best on the Armorique?
For the least motion in rough seas, choose a midship cabin on deck 8 — lower and central is the most stable position. Deck 9 is higher and slightly more movement may be felt. For convenience to facilities, deck 7 cabins are closest to Le Restaurant and Le Bar. Deck 6 has no accommodation — only public spaces. To request a specific deck preference, call Brittany Ferries after booking on 0330 159 7000 (Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00–16:30).
What plug sockets does the Armorique have in cabins?
All Armorique cabins have continental 2-pin sockets (220v) and a shaving socket (110v). UK passengers will need a travel adaptor to use standard UK 3-pin plugs. Adaptors are available to purchase from the duty-free boutiques on deck 6, subject to availability. This is an important difference from the MV Saint Malo on the Portsmouth to St Malo route, which has UK, EU and USB sockets in every cabin.
Does the Armorique have kennels?
No. Unlike the Saint Malo on the Portsmouth to St Malo route, the Armorique does not have onboard dog kennels. Pets must travel either in a pet-friendly cabin or in your vehicle. Three types of pet-friendly cabin are available: 4-berth outside, 4-berth inside and 2-berth inside — all with laminate flooring and space for a standard animal bed. Book early as these sell out for peak sailings. Check here for our pet travel guide.
Does the Armorique have a cinema?
Yes — two cinemas on deck 6 showing the latest releases throughout the crossing. Tickets go on sale at the Information Desk 15 minutes after departure. Adults €9.00, children (up to 12) €7.50, family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, U or PG certificate only) €30.00. All films are in English with no subtitles. Note that the onboard cinema is not wheelchair-accessible. Check here for the onboard facilities guide.
How long is the crossing on the Armorique?
Daytime sailings take approximately 6 to 6 hours 30 minutes. Overnight sailings take 8 to 10 hours depending on tidal conditions. Roscoff is 1 hour ahead of Plymouth — all arrival times on your booking confirmation are French local time, so factor in the time difference when planning your arrival. The Armorique operates the majority of Plymouth to Roscoff sailings from March to November.
How do I know if I’m on the Armorique or the Pont-Aven?
Your booking confirmation shows which ship you are on. The Armorique operates the majority of Plymouth to Roscoff sailings; the Pont-Aven — Brittany Ferries’ flagship, with a seasonal pool, à la carte Le Flora restaurant and piano bar — operates on selected sailings. If you want to travel specifically on the Pont-Aven (for the pool, Commodore cabin with balcony, or Le Flora dining), check your booking details carefully before finalising. If your sailing shows the Pont-Aven, see our onboard and facilities guide for a full comparison.
Continue Planning Your Plymouth to Roscoff Crossing
🛏️
Cabin Guide
All cabin types on both ships — prices, specs and which grade to book for your travelling party
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