Barfleur has served Poole to Cherbourg since 1992. With that route ending in October 2026, Brittany Ferries is moving her to Rosslare to Cherbourg from 12 October 2026. She’s smaller than the rest of the fleet, with 900 passengers, 72 cabins, 295 reserved seats and a Club Lounge.
She takes her name from Barfleur, a small fishing village on the Normandy coast about 25 km from Cherbourg, her home port. Brittany Ferries describes her atmosphere as friendly and intimate, with French chefs and bilingual crew.
Poole to Cherbourg ends: where Barfleur sails now
On 30 September 2026 Brittany Ferries announced that it would end Poole to Cherbourg three weeks earlier than planned and move Barfleur to Rosslare to Cherbourg, with her first sailing from Rosslare on 12 October 2026. Brittany Ferries gave two reasons:
- it is selling the Cotentin, which sailed Rosslare to Cherbourg, so she had to be withdrawn by mid-October;
- the Commodore Clipper, which could have covered for her, was taken out of service with a serious gearbox failure. That had already brought forward the closure of Portsmouth to Le Havre.
Brittany Ferries says Rosslare to Cherbourg carries nearly a quarter of all its freight. It hasn’t said how long Barfleur will stay on the route.
If you were booked on Poole to Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries is offering travel from Portsmouth instead, or a refund. Portsmouth to Cherbourg continues, with up to two sailings a week each way. From Poole, Brittany Ferries’ Voyager fast craft still sails to Guernsey and on to St Malo.
Where is Barfleur now?
This live map shows the ship’s latest position and her track over the last 24 hours, from her AIS transmitter via VesselFinder. Tap or click the map to use it, and tap the ship for her speed, course and next port. From 12 October 2026 you’ll usually find her in Rosslare or Cherbourg, or at sea between them.
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9007130.
Positions can be a few minutes old. For delays and cancellations, check Brittany Ferries’ sailing updates or call 0330 159 7000.
Barfleur cabins, Club Lounge and reserved seats
All 72 cabins are en-suite, with or without a porthole. On daytime sailings Brittany Ferries sells cabins at a reduced rate.
| Cabin or seat | What you get |
|---|---|
| 4-berth outside | Bunk-style beds and a window |
| 4-berth inside | Bunk-style beds |
| 2 or 3-berth outside, wheelchair-accessible | Designed mainly for wheelchair users; few available, so book early |
| 2-berth outside, wheelchair-accessible | Designed mainly for wheelchair users; few available, so book early |
| Club Lounge seat | A large, comfortable seat in a stylish lounge for Club Lounge passengers only |
| Reserved lounge seat | Your own seat in a lounge; 295 on board |
| Cot in cabin | For infants up to 24 months; pre-book and it’s made up ready in your cabin |
There are no Commodore, Club or 2-berth standard cabins on Barfleur. The Club Lounge isn’t wheelchair-accessible.
Barfleur restaurant, café and bar
Opening times change through the year, so check on board.
Turquoise (deck 7)
The main restaurant is self-service, with dishes from around the world and French favourites, including minute steaks cooked to order. There’s a salad buffet, desserts, and wine and beer, and children’s meals are priced specially.
Les Alizés Bar
Towards the back of the ship, serving French wines, cocktails, hot and cold drinks and snacks, with TV screens for big matches and news.
Le Café snack bar
For something lighter: sandwiches, cakes, pastries and hot and cold drinks.
There are also vending machines.
Things to do on Barfleur
- Shopping (deck 6): wine, spirits, tobacco, perfume and cosmetics, plus toys, sweets, fashion, souvenirs, sunglasses and jewellery. Look out for promotions and tastings. Buy a case or two of wine and the crew will deliver it to your car for when you drive off. You can pay in euros or pounds, by cash or card, and mix the two.
- Children’s playroom (deck 7) for younger children, and a video games room (deck 7) for teenagers.
- Sun decks (decks 7, 8 and 9): best when the ship is coming in or out of port.
- Wi-Fi: four options to choose from.
- Baggage room (deck 7): ask at the information desk. It’s locked during the crossing and opens about 20 to 30 minutes before arrival, and you use it at your own risk.
Pets on Barfleur
On Barfleur, pets stay in your vehicle for the whole sailing. They aren’t allowed in cabins or any public areas, except registered assistance dogs.
- Before you leave the car: Brittany Ferries strongly recommends leaving a window open for ventilation, and some water. The car decks can feel warm when you park, but the temperature is regulated and checked once the ship is at sea.
- Visits: on daytime sailings you can check on your pet with a badge from the information desk, where you leave your passport or driving licence. Visits are for one person per vehicle, for up to 15 minutes, with a crew member, and your pet must stay in the vehicle. Visits depend on the weather and the captain can cancel them.
- No visits on overnight sailings.
- Muzzles: dogs must be muzzled whenever they’re outside your vehicle.
- Pre-check: from 96 hours before departure you can check your pet’s documents online with Brittany Ferries’ free pet travel pre-check.
Accessibility on Barfleur
- Cabins: there are 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins, each with 2 bunk-style berths, an alarm, a telephone and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom with shower. They’re limited, so book early.
- Lifts: Brittany Ferries says lifts reach all decks, with a lift from deck 5.
- Public areas: all are wheelchair-accessible except the Club Lounge. Accessible toilets are on decks 6, 7 and 8. Bring your own wheelchair if you need one on board.
- Check in 60 minutes before departure if you’ve told Brittany Ferries about a disability or reduced mobility. With a vehicle, the marshal puts a sticker on your windscreen so the crew can try to park you near a lift.
- On foot: port staff can usually go with you on and off the ship. When you arrive, go to the information desk and the crew will arrange for you to be collected.
Barfleur history and specification
Brittany Ferries ordered Barfleur in 1990 to add capacity on Poole to Cherbourg. She was built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, and while she was being built the route was growing so fast that she was lengthened by nine metres from her original design. After sea trials she entered service between Cherbourg and Poole in April 1992.
She was originally commissioned for Truckline, Brittany Ferries’ freight arm. In 1999 she began running as a traditional passenger ferry and was repainted in Brittany Ferries’ passenger colours. Brittany Ferries had sailed Poole to Cherbourg since 1986, and Barfleur was the route’s ship until it ended in October 2026.
| Launched | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Shipyard | Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Helsinki |
| Length | 157.65 m |
| Beam | 23.03 m |
| Maximum draught | 5.8 m |
| Gross tonnage | 20,131 |
| Service speed | 19.5 knots |
| Passengers | 900 |
| Cars | 590 |
| Cabins | 72, with 200 berths |
| Reserved seats | 295 |
| Crew | 50 |
| IMO number | 9007130 |
On busier sailings a small number of vehicles may be parked in an open area on deck.
Barfleur deck plans
Brittany Ferries publishes a Barfleur ship guide with deck plans (PDF) and an accessibility guide (PDF). The ship guide dates from 2019, so some details may have changed. In short: the shop is on deck 6; Turquoise, the playroom, the video games room and the baggage room are on deck 7; and the sun decks are on decks 7, 8 and 9.
Other ships on Brittany Ferries’ routes to France: Guillaume de Normandie, Mont St Michel, Saint-Malo, Pont-Aven and Armorique. See the whole Brittany Ferries fleet.
Check Brittany Ferries sailings to Cherbourg
Barfleur Ferry Guide FAQs
Does the Barfleur still sail Poole to Cherbourg?
No. Brittany Ferries is ending Poole to Cherbourg three weeks earlier than planned, in October 2026, and moving the Barfleur to Rosslare to Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries is offering affected passengers travel from Portsmouth instead, or a refund.
What route does the Barfleur sail now?
Rosslare (Ireland) to Cherbourg, from 12 October 2026. Brittany Ferries hasn't said how long she'll stay on the route.
Where is the Barfleur now?
You can see her live position, and her track over the last 24 hours, on the map on this page, which uses VesselFinder's AIS data. Her IMO number is 9007130.
Why is the Barfleur moving to Rosslare?
Brittany Ferries is selling the Cotentin, which sailed Rosslare to Cherbourg, and its back-up ship, the Commodore Clipper, was taken out of service with a gearbox failure. The Barfleur is covering the route, which Brittany Ferries says carries nearly a quarter of all its freight.
Can I take my dog on the Barfleur?
Yes, but your pet stays in your vehicle for the whole sailing. On daytime sailings one person per vehicle can visit for up to 15 minutes, with a badge from the information desk. There are no visits on overnight sailings.
Does the Barfleur have cabins?
Yes, 72 en-suite cabins: 4-berth inside and outside cabins with bunk-style beds, and wheelchair-accessible outside cabins. There are also 295 reserved lounge seats and a Club Lounge.
Who is the Barfleur named after?
Barfleur, a small fishing village on the Normandy coast about 25 km from Cherbourg.