Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry Cabins: The Complete Guide 2027

🚢 MV Saint-Malo

The primary ship on this route. LNG-electric hybrid cruise ferry, entered service February 2025. The most capable ship, with the widest cabin range.

• 386 cabins across 6 grades
• Admiral suite and Commodore class available
• Les 8 Trésors private lounge (Commodore/Admiral)
• 6-berth family cabins
• Allergy-friendly, pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible
• UK, EU and USB A+C sockets in every cabin
• Video on Demand in every cabin
• Phytomer luxury toiletries in Commodore/Admiral
• No reserved seats – a cabin is required on overnight sailings

🚢 Armorique

Operates a small number of sailings instead of the MV Saint-Malo (7-20 March in 2027). A comfortable, well-regarded ship – but fewer cabin options than Saint-Malo.

• Club Plus, Club, and standard cabin grades
• No Admiral, no Commodore, no Les 8 Trésors
• Club Plus includes complimentary continental breakfast
• Pet-friendly inside and outside cabins
• 6 wheelchair-accessible cabins
• Continental plug sockets (adaptor required for UK plugs)
• Reserved lounge seats also available

Brittany Ferries’ finest accommodation on the Portsmouth St Malo route. The Admiral cabin is a suite-level experience in 27m² of space – larger than many hotel rooms. It has a gloriously comfortable queen-size bed, a separate lounge area with sofa and armchairs, and technology that genuinely matches a premium hotel.

There is nothing else like this available at sea on this route. If you’re celebrating something, or simply believe the crossing itself should be an experience, this is the cabin.

Specifications

2-Berth Commodore

Size: 14.3m² | Up to 2 people

Queen-size bed. Sea view. Two armchairs and coffee table. Desk. The most popular Commodore option for couples.

3-Berth Commodore (Double Bed)

Size: 12.8m² | Up to 3 people

Queen-size bed plus a daybed. Sea view. Good for a couple with a child, or a group of three who prefer a double-bed configuration.

3-Berth Commodore (Twin Beds)

Size: 12.8m² | Up to 3 people

Twin beds plus a daybed. Sea view. Ideal for three adults who prefer separate sleeping arrangements.

2-Berth Commodore Pet-Friendly

Size: 14.3m² | Up to 2 people + pets

All Commodore luxury with queen-size bed and vinyl flooring for pets. Outdoor exercise area access. Les 8 Trésors access for owners (pets not permitted in lounge). Breakfast brought to cabin on overnight sailings.

2-Berth Commodore Wheelchair Accessible

Size: 13.2m² | Up to 2 people

Full Commodore facilities in an adapted cabin with twin beds and sea view. Les 8 Trésors lounge access included. Book early – limited availability.

2-Berth Inside Club Cabin

Up to 2 people | No sea view

Twin beds. Ensuite. Tea and coffee. VOD. A practical, comfortable option at the lower end of the cabin price range. Note: allergen and fragrance-free toiletries are used here rather than Phytomer.

2-Berth Outside Club Cabin – Allergy-Friendly

Up to 2 people | Sea view

Sea view through porthole. Twin beds. Vinyl flooring, adapted curtains, clean sea air ventilation, and allergen-sensitive toiletries. The only Club cabin grade with a sea view. Specifically designed for allergy sufferers – an outstanding option for those who need it.

⭐ 4-Berth Club Plus

Best cabin on Armorique | Up to 4 people

Outside cabin with porthole window. Bunk-style beds. TV and DVD player. Complimentary continental breakfast served in cabin. Minibar (soft drinks). Box of macaroons. Tea and coffee making facilities. Complimentary toiletries.

Slightly larger than Club cabins. These are very popular – book early.

4-Berth Club

Up to 4 people | Outside (window)

Outside cabin with porthole window. Bunk-style beds. TV. Tea and coffee making facilities. Ensuite. No breakfast included (unlike Club Plus), but a solid, comfortable cabin at a mid-range price.

4-Berth Inside

Up to 4 people | No window

Bunk-style beds. Ensuite. Can also be used as a larger 2-berth cabin using only the two lower bunks – useful for a couple wanting more floor space without paying for a larger grade.

2-Berth Inside

Up to 2 people | No window

Upper and lower bunk. Ensuite. The most affordable private cabin option on Armorique. Compact but practical for passengers who simply need somewhere to sleep.

🐾 Pet-Friendly Options

2-berth inside | 4-berth inside | 4-berth outside

All pet-friendly cabins on Armorique have laminate flooring and space for a standard-size animal bed. The outside 4-berth also has a window. Access to the outdoor pet exercise area is included. These are very popular – book as early as possible.

♿ Wheelchair Accessible 2-Berth Outside

6 cabins | Up to 2 people | Window

2 lower berths. Window. Adapted for wheelchair users including wheelchair access to bathroom. Alarm and telephone in cabin. With only six on board, availability is very limited – wheelchair users are given priority and non-wheelchair passengers may be required to move. Book early and contact Brittany Ferries directly.

👫 Couples

Best pick: 2-Berth Commodore on MV Saint-Malo. The queen-size bed, sea view, Phytomer toiletries, and Les 8 Trésors breakfast make it worth the step up from Club. The inside Club cabin is the budget option – perfectly comfortable, just no view and standard toiletries. For a truly memorable trip, the Admiral suite is in a class of its own.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families (3–4 people)

Best pick: 4-Berth Outside cabin on MV Saint-Malo for the sea view, or the 3-Berth Commodore for families of three who want a premium experience with daybed. On Armorique, the Club Plus 4-berth includes complimentary breakfast – great value for families. Children genuinely love the bunk beds, so even standard options feel like an adventure.

Family Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Larger Groups (5–6 people)

Best pick: The 6-Berth Outside cabin on MV Saint-Malo is unique on this route – a queen-size double and two single fixed beds, plus two bunk-style upper berths, in one 14.3m² cabin with twice the space of a standard 4-berth. The only option available anywhere that gets a group of six into one room. Allergy-friendly version also available. Book as early as possible – very limited.

🐾 Travelling with Pets

Best pick: 2-Berth Commodore Pet-Friendly on MV Saint-Malo for the full luxury experience, or a 4-Berth Outside Pet-Friendly for a group with a dog. Both ships have dedicated pet cabins and outdoor exercise areas. Pets must stay in pet-friendly cabins or the kennel – fines apply for non-compliance. The Saint-Malo is the first ship on this route to offer pet-friendly cabins, including pet-friendly Commodore cabins. Book early: these 28 pet-friendly cabins sell out quickly – aim to book at least 3 months ahead for peak season sailings.

Pet Travel Guide

🌸 Allergy Sufferers

Best pick: Any of the allergy-friendly cabins on MV Saint-Malo – these feature vinyl flooring, adapted curtains, clean sea air ventilation, and allergen and fragrance-free toiletries. Available at Club (2-berth outside), 4-berth inside, 4-berth outside, and 6-berth levels. A genuinely thoughtful option that is the first of its kind on this route.

♿ Reduced Mobility Passengers

Best pick: Wheelchair accessible 2-Berth Commodore on MV Saint-Malo (for full luxury with accessibility) or the 2-Berth Outside Wheelchair cabin at standard level. Armorique also has six wheelchair accessible 2-berth outside cabins with adapted bathroom, alarm and telephone. Availability is very limited on both ships – book as early as possible and contact Brittany Ferries directly.

Accessible Travel Guide

💰 Best Value for Families

The 4-berth inside cabin at £70+ offers exceptional value – just £17.50 per person for a private ensuite cabin on an overnight crossing. The 6-berth outside at £100+ works out to less than £17 per person for up to six people in one cabin – unbeatable for larger groups.

⭐ Premium Worth It?

Commodore at £140+ includes breakfast – in the Les 8 Trésors lounge or, on overnight sailings, in your cabin – plus complimentary drinks and snacks in the lounge. This alone can save £20-30 per person in the main restaurant. Add in the queen-size bed, sea view, Phytomer toiletries and minibar, and many regular passengers consider it worthwhile for the comfort and convenience.

🐾 Pet Cabin Premium

Pet-friendly cabins cost £20-50 more than standard equivalents due to vinyl flooring and outdoor exercise area access. The 2-berth Commodore pet cabin at £340+ is the most expensive standard cabin, but offers full luxury with pets. Book pet cabins 3+ months ahead – only 28 available on the entire ship.

📅 Book 6-12 Months Ahead

Brittany Ferries opens bookings up to 12 months in advance. The cheapest cabin prices are typically available when bookings first open. Commodore, pet-friendly and 6-berth cabins sell out months ahead in peak season – booking early is essential for these grades.

📆 Avoid Peak Dates

Friday and Saturday departures cost considerably more than midweek sailings. School holidays (Easter, July-August, October half-term, Christmas) are peak pricing. Sailing Sunday to Thursday in February, March, April, September or October typically offers the lowest cabin prices – sometimes 40-60% less than peak season.

🔄 Check Both Directions

Sometimes booking Portsmouth to St Malo outbound and St Malo to Portsmouth return separately can be cheaper than a return booking. Always compare both options. The daytime return crossing doesn’t require a cabin, so you can save further by not booking one for that leg.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Larger Cabins = Better Value

A 4-berth cabin at £70+ is just £17.50 per person. Two 2-berth cabins would cost £100+ each = £200 total. For four people, one 4-berth saves £130. Similarly, a 6-berth at £100+ is exceptional value at less than £17 per person – far cheaper than six foot passenger fares without a cabin would be.

🔑 Your Cabin Key

Your boarding card is your cabin key. You receive it at check-in. The cabin number is at the bottom of the key card – the first digit indicates which deck your cabin is on. One key is issued per passenger. If you lose it, visit the information desk with your travel documentation to have it reissued.

⏰ When to Vacate

You must leave your cabin 30 minutes before the ship arrives in port. An alarm call is played in all cabins approximately one hour before arrival – the wake-up music used is Dihun – Le Réveil by Carlos Núñez from his Celtic Sea album. Leaving on time is essential to prevent delays in disembarkation for other passengers.

🔌 Sockets & Charging

MV Saint-Malo has UK, European and USB A+C sockets in every cabin – no adaptors needed. Armorique has continental 2-pin sockets (220v) and a 110v shaving socket only. UK passengers on Armorique need a travel adaptor – these are sold in the boutique but stock is limited. Pack your own.

📶 Mobile Data Warning

Turn off mobile data roaming before you board. Once in the Channel, an offshore maritime network (Telenor Maritime) operates and your phone may automatically connect – charges will be considerably higher than your standard tariff. Wi-Fi is available onboard: approximately one hour free, then paid packages available. Use Wi-Fi only, with data roaming disabled.

🧳 What to Bring to Your Cabin

There is no luggage handling service – you carry everything yourself between the terminal and your cabin. Keep overnight luggage to a manageable amount. Most passengers leave the bulk of their luggage in the car and bring only what they need: toiletries, pyjamas, phone charger, travel documents and any medication. The maximum recommended luggage is 2 bags x 20kg per person.

🐕 Pet Cabin Rules – Fines Apply

Pets must stay in a pet-friendly cabin or kennel – they cannot enter any interior public areas or non-pet-friendly cabins. Taking a pet into a standard cabin incurs a deep cleaning charge of €193.68 (rising to €387.36 for repeat offences). Failure to muzzle a dog outside the cabin results in a €200 fine (€400 for repeat). Plan ahead and book a pet cabin early.

Do I need a cabin on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

On the MV Saint-Malo, yes – a cabin is compulsory on all overnight sailings from Portsmouth to St Malo, and there are no reserved seats, so there is no option to travel overnight without one. On the small number of sailings operated by Armorique instead of the Saint-Malo, you need either a cabin or a reserved lounge seat overnight. On the daytime return sailing from St Malo to Portsmouth, a cabin is optional. Cabins are available at a reduced rate on daytime crossings for those who want privacy or who suffer from seasickness.

What is the difference between an inside and outside cabin?

Outside cabins have a small porthole window; inside cabins do not. Outside cabins cost more but give you natural light and a view of the sea. For an overnight crossing where you’ll mostly be asleep, many passengers find inside cabins perfectly adequate – but if you’re sailing in daylight or want to watch the approach into St Malo’s bay, an outside cabin is worth the difference.

Can I choose my cabin number or deck?

Not when booking online – Brittany Ferries does not currently allow selection of a specific cabin or deck number through the website. If you have a preference (lower decks tend to feel less movement in rough seas, for example), you can contact Brittany Ferries directly by phone after booking and they may be able to accommodate requests subject to availability.

Are towels and bedding provided in cabins?

Yes. One medium towel per berth is provided in every cabin. All berths have suitable bedding, which is changed before every departure. Soap and shower gel are also provided in all cabins. Commodore and Admiral guests receive luxury Phytomer toiletries; other cabins receive allergen and fragrance-free toiletries.

Are pets allowed in cabins?

Pets are only allowed in designated pet-friendly cabins or the onboard kennels. They are strictly forbidden in standard cabins and all interior public areas. Taking a pet into a non-pet-friendly cabin results in a deep cleaning charge of €193.68, rising to €387.36 for repeat offences. Dogs must be muzzled in the outdoor exercise area – failure to comply incurs a €200 fine (€400 for subsequent offences). Guide dogs are exempt from kennel restrictions.

Is Wi-Fi available in cabins?

Yes – Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship including in cabins. All cabins on both ships offer free and paid Wi-Fi options. The free session is limited to approximately one hour, after which paid packages are available. Wi-Fi is satellite-based and will be slower than home broadband. Importantly: turn off mobile data roaming before boarding – the offshore maritime network charges significantly more than standard UK rates and your phone may connect to it automatically.

What does the Commodore cabin include on the Portsmouth to St Malo route?

On the MV Saint-Malo, Commodore cabins include: a queen-size bed (or twin beds on some configurations), sea view porthole, luxury Phytomer toiletries, minibar (soft drinks), tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer, premium bed linen and towels, TV with Video on Demand, and complimentary access to the Les 8 Trésors private lounge, with breakfast and complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks. On overnight sailings you can choose a continental breakfast served in your cabin instead. Commodore cabins are not available on Armorique.

What plug sockets are in the cabins?

MV Saint-Malo cabins have UK, European, and USB A+C sockets – no adaptor needed for UK passengers. Armorique has continental 2-pin sockets (220v) and a 110v shaving socket. UK passengers on Armorique will need a travel adaptor. Adaptors can be purchased from the onboard boutique, subject to availability – it is strongly recommended you bring your own.

What time do I need to check in for the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Check-in at Portsmouth opens approximately 2 hours before departure and closes a minimum of 45 minutes before sailing – allow time for check-in, vehicle marshalling, and boarding. If you are travelling with a pet, check-in closes 90 minutes before departure to allow time for kennel or pet cabin arrangements. The ferry departs Portsmouth at around 20:15, so most passengers aim to arrive at the port no later than 18:30–19:00. Arriving closer to the check-in deadline is not recommended – leave a comfortable margin in case of traffic delays on approach to the port.

How much does a cabin cost on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Portsmouth St Malo ferry cabin prices start from around £50+ for a 2-berth inside wheelchair-accessible cabin, £70+ for a standard 4-berth inside cabin, £100+ for a 2-berth inside Club cabin or 6-berth outside cabin, £140+ for a Commodore cabin with Les 8 Trésors lounge access, and £440+ for the 27m² Admiral suite. Prices vary significantly by sailing date, season, and demand – peak season (July-August) and Friday/Saturday departures cost considerably more than midweek low-season sailings. Pet-friendly cabins typically cost £20-50 more than standard equivalents. The cheapest prices are available when booking 6-12 months in advance. Note that cabin prices are per cabin, not per person – a 4-berth cabin at £70+ works out to just £17.50 per person, making larger cabins excellent value for families.

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