Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If you book through these links we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Portsmouth St Malo Ferry Onboard Facilities: Complete 2026 Guide
This complete Portsmouth St Malo ferry facilities guide covers everything onboard both ships operating this route in 2026 — from restaurants and bars to Wi-Fi packages, entertainment, duty-free shopping, and pet facilities. Whether you’re sailing on the MV Saint-Malo (primary vessel, launched February 2025) or the Armorique (seasonal sailings), here’s what to expect during your Portsmouth St Malo ferry crossing.
Last updated: February 2026 | All facilities, prices, and services verified.
🚢 The Two Ships – Facilities Overview
Two Brittany Ferries cruise ferries operate the Portsmouth St Malo route in 2026. Which ship you sail on depends on your booking date. Here’s how they compare:
Feature
MV Saint-Malo
Armorique
Year Built
2024 (Feb 2025)
2009
Passengers
1,310
1,500
Cabins
386
247
Vehicles
470 cars
470 cars
Decks
10
9
Restaurants
2
2 (self-service)
Cinemas
❌
✅ 2 cinemas
Premium Lounge
✅ CClub Lounge
❌
When does each ship operate? MV Saint-Malo is the primary vessel year-round. Armorique typically covers early-season (February/March). Your booking confirmation will state which ship you’re sailing on.
Both Portsmouth St Malo ferries offer French cuisine prepared by French chefs using locally sourced ingredients. The dining facilities differ significantly between the two ships, with MV Saint-Malo offering more variety including an exclusive à la carte option.
🍽️ MV Saint-Malo Dining
Le Littoral
Brasserie-style restaurant | Deck 7
Beautiful sea views and classic French cuisine. The menu features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and changes throughout the year to showcase the freshest produce. Children’s menus available for ages 4–12. Pair your meal with carefully chosen local wines.
Le Jardin
Plant-focused dining | Deck 8
A brand-new concept for Brittany Ferries ships. Light and airy restaurant with contemporary market garden vibe, serving healthy plant-focused meals with meat and plant-based options. Tasty dishes showcase produce from Prince de Bretagne brand, sourced directly from local farms. Savoury and sweet crêpes available.
🍽️ Armorique Dining
Le Restaurant
Self-service restaurant | Deck 7
Wide choice of dishes from around the world alongside French favourites including minute steaks cooked to order – a customer favourite. Salad buffet, desserts, wines and beers. Spacious dining area with panoramic views. Children’s soft play area nearby, ideal for families.
Le Café
Café | Deck 6
Sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot and cold drinks. Relaxed atmosphere with flat-screen TVs and plenty of seating. Located next to the reserved seating lounge – a great place to relax with fellow passengers.
🍴 What to expect: French chefs prepare dishes using locally sourced ingredients on both ships. The signature minute steaks are cooked to order. Wine delivery to your car is available if you purchase wine from the restaurant or boutique. Payment accepted in Sterling or Euros, by cash or card. Children’s menus available for 4–12-year-olds on all restaurants.
Bars & Lounges
🍷 MV Saint-Malo Bars & Lounges
Breizh ma Bro Bar
Discover the vibrant energy of contemporary Brittany in the Breizh ma Bro bar on Deck 8. Infused with Breton spirit in its black and white décor, inspired by the region’s gwenn ha du flag, the bar is a great place to relax with a gin, wine, beer, cocktail, or soft drink. Soak up the ambience under the magnificent glass roof and enjoy live entertainment. Large-screen TVs let you catch your favourite sports games and matches.
CClub Lounge ⭐
Exclusive premium lounge – Deck 8. Panoramic sea views in a uniquely stylish and comfortable space. Head chef Patrice Pantalini and his team have created an entirely new gastronomic experience: on evening sailings, a refined dinner to remember; on morning crossings, a generous breakfast buffet including English breakfast. Contemporary art pieces complement the stunning seascape. Relax on comfy sofas and armchairs in this peaceful, private lounge. Complimentary hot/cold drinks, snacks, and hot/cold dishes throughout the day on daytime sailings. Entry can be paid on board – advance booking recommended due to limited occupancy.
La Plage
Beach-themed relaxation space with incredible sea views. Perfect escape for unwinding with friends or family. Read a book, step onto the outdoor terrace for fresh air, or grab a summertime smoothie from the beach-hut counter. Wi-Fi available. Deck 7.
🍷 Armorique Bars & Lounges
Le Bar
Main lounge bar offering finest French wines, cocktails, and hot/cold drinks. Open plan feel with quiet zone. Light and airy area ideal for relaxing over a drink and enjoying terrific views. Flat-screen TVs showing sports matches and news updates. Deck 7.
Reserved Seating Lounge
Comfortable reserved seats (336 total) spread throughout the ship for passengers without cabins. Relaxed atmosphere with flat-screen TVs and plenty of space. Deck 6.
Shopping – Les Boutiques & Duty Free
Both ships offer onboard boutiques (Les Boutiques) selling a wide range of duty-free goods at competitive prices. Perfect for gifts, souvenirs, or treating yourself during the crossing. Brittany Ferries is France’s 3rd largest perfume retailer.
🛍️ What’s Available
Spirits & Wines
Budget and premium wines, spirits, whisky, gin. Large wine cellar. Look out for special promotions, wine tastings, and talks about specialty products and brands.
Perfumes & Cosmetics
Luxury brand perfumes and cosmetics. Sample fragrances or indulge in tastings of exquisite spirits to find your perfect match.
🚗 Wine delivery service: Purchase a case (or two!) of wine and Brittany Ferries will deliver it directly to your car when you disembark – no need to carry it yourself.
🍇 Delicatessen (Saint-Malo): Just outside the boutique, find a delightful delicatessen brimming with fresh regional products. Stock up on gourmet gifts or grab a cold drink and sandwich for your onward journey.
Payment: Euros or Sterling accepted (cash or card). You can combine payment methods. Prices shown in both currencies. Locations: Deck 6 (Armorique), Deck 7 (Saint-Malo). Opening times: ~15 minutes after departure until shortly before arrival.
Entertainment & Activities
🎬 Cinemas (Armorique only)
Armorique features 2 onboard cinemas showing the latest films, including options for children. Tickets go on sale at the Information Desk 15 minutes after departure. Check cinema listings on board for current films and pricing. Located on Deck 6. MV Saint-Malo does not have onboard cinemas – entertainment on Saint-Malo is centred around the bar, live acts, and the Exhibition Gallery.
👧 Children’s Entertainment
🐻 Pierre le Bear
Look out for Pierre le Bear – Brittany Ferries’ beloved mascot – especially during school holidays! Children are in for a treat with activities, magicians, competitions, and games led by Pierre. He has his own song and dance, loves to meet children, and plays lots of fun games (but can be a little cheeky too!). Have your photo taken with Pierre, but please be gentle with him.
Seasonal programme: Entertainment adapted for each crossing during summer and autumn school holidays. Collect your sailing entertainment programme from the Information Desk or see the display board at the main bar.
Children’s Playroom
Soft play area for younger children featuring digital and interactive games, arts and crafts, and physical activities. Complimentary children’s entertainment programme with dedicated supervisors. Located within or near dining areas on both ships – great for families.
Games Planet
Video games area featuring the latest games, air hockey table, and foosball. Challenge family and friends to nostalgic battles on vintage arcade games. Keeps teenagers and older children entertained throughout the crossing. Deck 6 on both ships.
🚀 Ferrynauts App
Ages 7–13: Download the Ferrynauts app before you travel and embark on a special quest around the ship. Find and scan 15 hidden stickers to play with Molly (marine biologist), Louis (marine engineer), and Sofia (travel blogger) in augmented reality. Complete all challenges to win a prize!
Outdoor Play Area
Outdoor playground on Saint-Malo’s sun deck (Deck 10) with climbing equipment and space for kids to burn off energy in the fresh sea air. Perfect when the sun is shining.
📚 For Adults
Reading Lounge
Relax in comfortable chairs with panoramic sea views while enjoying your latest novel or favourite newspaper. Calm, peaceful atmosphere perfect for unwinding. Deck 7 on both ships.
Outdoor Decks
Plenty of deck space on both ships to stretch your legs and enjoy the sea air. Sun deck on Saint-Malo (Deck 10) includes an outdoor gym, sunbathing areas with deckchairs, canopy-shaded seating, and an outdoor play area for children. Incredible views when entering or leaving port.
Exhibition Gallery
MV Saint-Malo only. Collection of ~1,000 artworks including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and photographs celebrating Breton culture. Features paintings by Scottish artist Alexander Goudie. Miniature replica of Saint-Alexis statue on display. Street art by Retro Graphitism on outside decks. Deck 6.
💆 Wellness Room
MV Saint-Malo only. Ultimate onboard relaxation. Eco-friendly, sea-based skincare treatments by Phytomer. Facials (from €42), pampering foot treatments, manicures using O.P.I nail polishes, and massage therapy (Amma massage and massage chair). 10% off cosmetics with treatments. Deck 7.
🎵 Live Entertainment: Entertainment is adapted for each crossing. In the main bar, expect children’s activities, interactive quizzes, games, silent discos, live acts, and vocal sets from the ships’ singers. Collect your entertainment programme from the Information Desk.
Wi-Fi & Connectivity
Both Portsmouth St Malo ferries offer onboard Wi-Fi provided by satellite. Four packages are designed to suit your needs, including a free option. The service won’t be as fast as home or work Wi-Fi due to satellite limitations – downloading media before you travel is recommended.
Package
Price
Duration
Description
Surf Free
Free
1 hour
Browsing, chat, and email
Surf Small
€3.50
1 hour (Pausable)
Browsing, chat, and email
Surf Medium
€9.00
3 hours (Pausable)
Browsing, chat, email, and social media
Surf One Way
€15.00
Unlimited
Browsing, chat, email, social media (streaming enabled)
Prices apply to: Armorique, Barfleur, Cotentin, Guillaume de Normandie, Mont St Michel, and Saint-Malo (France routes). Video on Demand (VOD): Free throughout the ship on Saint-Malo. Connect your device using onboard Wi-Fi, settle in with earphones, and enjoy films, radio, and TV shows. Also available on your in-cabin TV.
Accessibility & Passenger Services
Both ships are designed with comfort and accessibility at the forefront. Services are available to assist all passengers throughout their journey.
♿ Wheelchair Access
Lifts access all decks on both ships. Wheelchair-accessible cabins available (8 on Saint-Malo). Disabled toilets on Decks 6 and 7. Visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours) for specific assistance.
Baby changing rooms located on Decks 6 and 7 on both ships. Cots available for infants (must be pre-booked when selecting infant passenger). Children’s menus for ages 4–12 available in all restaurants.
🧳 Baggage Room
Locked baggage storage available. Enquire at the Information Desk. The room is locked during crossing and opened ~20–30 minutes before arrival. Located on Deck 6 on both ships.
ℹ️ Information Desk
Centrally located on board. Staff assist with cabin enquiries, lost property, onboard facilities, and travel information about your destination. Cinema tickets sold here. Open 24 hours.
💳 ATM / Cash Machine
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) available on board both ships, located next to the Information Desk / Reception.
⚡ Priority Disembarkation
Saint-Malo: Admiral and 2-berth Commodore cabins only. Armorique: 4-berth Club Plus cabins only. Must arrive at port by required check-in time.
Pet Facilities
Brittany Ferries is a DEFRA (UK and EU) approved pet carrier under the Pet Travel Scheme (ET140). Pets can travel in pet-friendly cabins or onboard kennels.
🐕 Important Pet Rules:
Pets must stay in pet-friendly cabins or kennels – not allowed in standard cabins or interior public areas
Dogs must be muzzled and leashed when in the outdoor exercise area (Deck 7)
Dedicated crew greet pet-carrying vehicles in the car deck and escort owners to/from cabins
At check-in, dog’s chip is scanned and passport checked. A sticker is placed on your windscreen – do not remove during voyage
Guide dogs are exempt from kennel restrictions
Exercise and toilet your dog before boarding
In bad weather, pets must remain in cabins – access to exercise areas forbidden for safety
Pet-Friendly Cabins
Saint-Malo: 28 pet-friendly cabins (2-berth Commodore, 4-berth inside, 4-berth outside). Vinyl flooring. Armorique: Pet-friendly cabins available (2-berth inside, 4-berth inside, 4-berth outside). Laminate flooring. Book early – very limited availability.
Kennels
Saint-Malo provides 12 dog kennels (small and large sizes). Must be pre-booked. Small kennels: Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Terrier, Jack Russell. Large kennels: German Shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pointer, Setter.
Exercise Areas
Designated outdoor pet exercise area on Deck 7 (both ships). Dogs must be muzzled and leashed at all times in this area. Access restricted in bad weather for safety.
Cabins – Quick Overview
All cabins on both ships are ensuite and air-conditioned, with bed linen, towels, and toiletries provided. TV with Video on Demand available in all cabins. The cabin options differ significantly between the two ships:
🚢 MV Saint-Malo
386 cabins across 6 grades: Admiral suite (27m²), Commodore (Les 8 Trésors access), Club (2-berth), standard 4/6-berth, pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible, allergy-friendly. UK, EU, and USB A+C sockets.
🚢 Armorique
247 cabins across 5 grades: Club Plus 4-berth (breakfast included), Club 4-berth, standard 2/4-berth inside, pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible. Continental plug sockets (UK passengers need adaptors).
Portsmouth St Malo Ferry Facilities – Frequently Asked Questions
Is food included in my Portsmouth to St Malo ferry ticket?
On overnight sailings, your ticket includes 1x 3-course dinner and 1x continental breakfast served in Le Littoral or Le Jardin (Saint-Malo) or Le Restaurant (Armorique). On the daytime return sailing from St Malo to Portsmouth, no meals are included – but restaurants, cafés, and bars are open throughout the crossing where you can purchase food and drinks.
Is Wi-Fi free on the Portsmouth St Malo ferry?
Yes – 1 hour of free Wi-Fi is available on both ships (Surf Free package). This includes browsing, chat, and email. If you need more, paid packages are available: Surf Small (€3.50 for 1 hour, pausable), Surf Medium (€9.00 for 3 hours, pausable), or Surf One Way (€15.00, unlimited, streaming enabled). The Wi-Fi is satellite-based so won’t be as fast as home broadband.
Can I buy duty free on the Portsmouth to St Malo crossing?
Yes – both ships have onboard boutiques (Les Boutiques) selling duty-free wines, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, gifts, souvenirs, tobacco, and more at competitive prices. Payment accepted in Sterling or Euros. If you buy wine, Brittany Ferries will deliver it to your car when you disembark. Opening times: approximately 15 minutes after departure until shortly before arrival.
What entertainment is there for children on board?
Plenty! Armorique has 2 cinemas showing films for kids. Both ships have children’s playrooms with soft play and digital games, and a video games area (Games Planet) with air hockey and foosball. Pierre le Bear – Brittany Ferries’ mascot – makes appearances during school holidays with activities, magicians, and competitions. On Saint-Malo, children aged 7–13 can download the Ferrynauts app for an augmented reality quest around the ship.
Are there cinemas on the Portsmouth St Malo ferry?
Armorique has 2 onboard cinemas showing the latest films, including options for children. Tickets go on sale at the Information Desk 15 minutes after departure. MV Saint-Malo does not have onboard cinemas – entertainment on Saint-Malo is centred around live acts in the bar, the Exhibition Gallery, and Video on Demand available in all cabins and throughout the ship.
Can I take my dog on deck during the crossing?
Yes, but only in the designated outdoor pet exercise area on Deck 7. Dogs must be muzzled and leashed at all times in this area. Pets are not allowed in any interior public areas or on other outdoor decks. In bad weather, access to the exercise area is restricted for safety reasons and pets must remain in pet-friendly cabins. Guide dogs are exempt from these restrictions.
What plug sockets are available in the restaurants and lounges?
MV Saint-Malo has UK, European, and USB A+C sockets in public areas and cabins – no adaptor needed for UK passengers. Armorique has continental 2-pin sockets (220v). UK passengers on Armorique will need a travel adaptor for use in cabins and some public areas. Adaptors can be purchased from the onboard boutique but availability is not guaranteed – it’s strongly recommended you bring your own.
What is the CClub Lounge and can I access it?
The CClub Lounge is an exclusive premium lounge on MV Saint-Malo (Deck 8) offering panoramic 270-degree sea views, complimentary hot/cold drinks, snacks, and dishes throughout the day. On evening sailings, it features a refined gastronomic dining experience by head chef Patrice Pantalini. Passengers can pay for access on board, but with limited capacity, advance booking is strongly recommended. The lounge is not available on Armorique.
Continue Planning Your Portsmouth to St Malo Trip
🛏️
Cabin Guide
Complete cabin comparison – Admiral, Commodore, Club, pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible, and 6-berth family options
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. Please not this site also include affiliate links.
