Guillaume de Normandie is Brittany Ferries’ second hybrid-LNG ferry and sails Portsmouth to Caen. She carries up to 1,300 passengers in 220 cabins and two Couchette Plus lounges. She has two restaurants, a glass-roofed bar, a CClub Lounge, and better options for pets, with kennels and pet-friendly cabins.
She’s named after William the Conqueror, known in France as Guillaume le Conquérant. Brittany Ferries calls him Normandy’s favourite son, and he’s buried in Caen. The ship is themed on Normandy from top to bottom: the art, cabins, restaurants and lounges draw on the region’s coast, countryside and seaside resorts. Her first commercial sailing was on 18 April 2025, when she took over from the Normandie, which had sailed for Brittany Ferries since 1992.
Where Guillaume de Normandie sails
Guillaume de Normandie sails Portsmouth to Caen, landing at Ouistreham, 15 km north of Caen. She shares the route with the Mont St Michel, and between them they run up to three sailings a day each way:
- a morning and an afternoon crossing, each taking around 6 hours;
- an overnight crossing, taking an average of 7 to 8 hours, so you arrive early in the morning.
Which ship you get depends on the sailing, and times vary, so check live times and the ship for your date. See the Portsmouth to Caen guide for the timetable.
Check Guillaume de Normandie sailings and fares
Where is Guillaume de Normandie 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. You’ll usually find her in Portsmouth or Ouistreham, or crossing the Channel between them.
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9946324.
Positions can be a few minutes old. For delays and cancellations, check Brittany Ferries’ sailing updates or call 0330 159 7000.
Guillaume de Normandie cabins and Couchette Plus
Every cabin has an en-suite bathroom, comfy beds and free video on demand. Brittany Ferries says the beds are bigger and more comfortable than on its older ships. There are pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible and allergy-friendly cabins.
| Cabin | What you get |
|---|---|
| 2-berth Commodore | The top grade on board, with a more luxurious finish |
| 2-berth outside Club | Club-class cabin with a window |
| 2-berth outside Club, allergy-friendly | Tea and coffee making, Wi-Fi and video on demand included, with allergen-sensitive fittings |
| 4-berth outside | Bunk-style beds and a porthole, for up to four people |
| 4-berth outside, pet-friendly | A porthole and room for your pet; one of Brittany Ferries’ most in-demand cabins |
| 4-berth outside, allergy-friendly | A porthole, with allergen-sensitive toiletries and fittings |
| 4-berth inside | Bunk-style beds; the cheapest way to get a private cabin |
| 4-berth inside, pet-friendly | Bunk-style beds, adapted for pets |
| 4-berth inside, allergy-friendly | Bunk-style beds, with allergen-sensitive toiletries and fittings |
| 2-berth outside, wheelchair access | Wheelchair-accessible cabin with a window |
| 2-berth inside, wheelchair access | Wheelchair-accessible, twin beds |
| Couchette Plus | An affordable berth in a lounge, without the cost of a cabin |
| Couchette Plus, wheelchair-accessible | The same, with wheelchair access |
| Cot in cabin | For infants up to 24 months; pre-book and it’s made up ready in your cabin |
There are no regular 2-berth inside or outside cabins: the 2-berth options are Commodore, Club, or a wheelchair-accessible cabin. For two people on a budget, a 4-berth inside cabin or Couchette Plus is the way to go. Brittany Ferries sells cabins on daytime sailings at a reduced rate, which is handy for a nap or with small children.
Check Guillaume de Normandie cabin prices
Guillaume de Normandie restaurants, bar and CClub Lounge
All the restaurants have children’s menus for 4 to 12 year olds. Opening times vary through the year, so check on board.
Riva Bella (deck 7)
A big brasserie with a coastal theme and sea views. It serves a classic French menu that changes with the seasons, built on local produce, with local wines picked to go with it.
Le Jardin (deck 8)
A bright restaurant with a market-garden feel, focused on healthy, plant-based dishes, with meat options too. The vegetables come from the Prince de Bretagne brand, grown on the farms of Brittany Ferries’ shareholders.
CClub Lounge (deck 8)
A quiet, private lounge with sea views. Entry includes drinks, snacks and food. You pay to get in, and places are limited, so Brittany Ferries recommends booking ahead. It’s closed on overnight sailings.
Les Planches bar (deck 8)
Named after the famous boardwalks of Normandy’s seaside resorts, the bar has a glass roof, live entertainment and big TV screens for sport. Family entertainment here includes children’s activities, silent discos and live acts.
Things to do on Guillaume de Normandie
- Sun deck (deck 10): sea views, with an outdoor gym and an outdoor play area.
- For children: indoor playrooms with interactive digital games, a games room of vintage arcade games, and the Ferrynauts app, a quest around the ship. Look out for Pierre le Bear, Brittany Ferries’ mascot.
- Exhibition gallery, in a ship whose public spaces are themed on Normandy’s landscapes.
- Shopping: a boutique with tastings, and a delicatessen just outside it.
- Free video on demand: films and TV on your own device over the Wi-Fi, or on your cabin TV. There’s no cinema on this ship.
- Wi-Fi: free and paid options.
- Information kiosks with ideas for your trip, an information desk, and baby changing.
- Priority disembarkation, if you want to be among the first off.
Pets on Guillaume de Normandie
She has far better pet options than the Mont St Michel, the other ship on the route, where pets stay in your vehicle. On Guillaume de Normandie your pet can travel in one of three ways: in a pet-friendly cabin with you, in a kennel (dogs), or in your vehicle.
- Pet-friendly cabins: 4-berth outside and 4-berth inside. They’re in high demand, so book early.
- Kennels: large kennels suit breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors, Dalmatians, Boxers, Pointers and Setters; small kennels suit Toy Poodles, King Charles Spaniels, Terriers and Jack Russells.
- Muzzles: your dog must be muzzled at all times whenever it’s outside your vehicle or its cabin or kennel, including in the pet exercise area.
- Boarding: once you’ve parked, take your pet up to deck 7 in the lift or by the purple stairs. Crew will meet you and take you to your kennel or cabin.
- Arrival: about 30 minutes before arrival you’ll be called back to your vehicle with your pet.
- Bad weather: pets must stay in their cabin and the exercise area closes.
- Pre-check: from 96 hours before departure, you can check your pet’s documents online with Brittany Ferries’ free pre-check.
- Paperwork: your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an animal health certificate. Coming back to Great Britain, it needs tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival.
Pets aren’t allowed in other cabins or public areas, except registered assistance dogs.
Accessibility on Guillaume de Normandie
There are wheelchair-accessible 2-berth outside and 2-berth inside cabins, the inside one with twin beds, and a wheelchair-accessible Couchette Plus berth. If you need special assistance, check in at least 60 minutes before departure.
A hybrid ship
Like her sister ship Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie is an LNG-electric hybrid. She can run on liquefied natural gas, on battery power, or on both. As she enters Portsmouth Harbour she switches to battery power, so she gives off no exhaust emissions in port. She was the last of five new ships Brittany Ferries brought into service in five years, its largest fleet renewal.
Guillaume de Normandie specification
| First commercial sailing | 18 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Power | LNG-electric hybrid |
| Length | 194.7 m |
| Width | 27.8 m |
| Draught | 6.6 m |
| Gross tonnage | 36,668 |
| Decks | 10, of which 5 are passenger decks |
| Passengers | 1,300 |
| Cabins | 220, plus 2 Couchette Plus lounges |
| Crew | 100 |
| Speed | 23 knots |
| IMO number | 9946324 |
She has a spacious garage, but on busier sailings a small number of vehicles may be parked in an open area on deck.
Guillaume de Normandie deck plans
Brittany Ferries publishes a Guillaume de Normandie deck plan (PDF) showing the cabins and facilities. In short: Riva Bella and the pet reception point are on deck 7; Le Jardin, the CClub Lounge and Les Planches bar are on deck 8; and the sun deck, outdoor gym and outdoor play area are on deck 10.
Other ships on Brittany Ferries’ routes to France: Saint-Malo, Pont-Aven and Armorique. See the whole Brittany Ferries fleet.
Book a crossing on Guillaume de Normandie
Guillaume de Normandie Ferry Guide FAQs
Which route does the Guillaume de Normandie sail?
Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham), alongside the Mont St Michel. The route has up to three sailings a day each way: morning, afternoon and overnight. Daytime crossings take around 6 hours and overnight crossings 7 to 8 hours.
Where is the Guillaume de Normandie 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 9946324. For delays and cancellations, check Brittany Ferries' sailing updates.
Who is the Guillaume de Normandie named after?
William the Conqueror, known in France as Guillaume le Conquérant. Brittany Ferries calls him Normandy's favourite son, and he is buried in Caen.
When did the Guillaume de Normandie enter service?
Her first commercial sailing was on Friday 18 April 2025. She replaced the Normandie, which had sailed for Brittany Ferries since 1992, and completed the company's renewal of five new ships in five years.
Is the Guillaume de Normandie a hybrid ship?
Yes. She is Brittany Ferries' second hybrid-LNG ship, after her sister Saint-Malo. She runs on liquefied natural gas, battery power or both, and switches to battery power as she enters Portsmouth Harbour.
Can I take my dog on the Guillaume de Normandie?
Yes. Your pet can travel with you in a pet-friendly cabin, in a kennel (dogs) or in your vehicle. Dogs must wear a muzzle at all times when they are outside your vehicle or their cabin or kennel, including in the pet exercise area.
What is Couchette Plus on the Guillaume de Normandie?
A budget berth for travellers who want to lie down without paying for a cabin. Brittany Ferries describes it as a comfortable and affordable option, and there is a wheelchair-accessible version.
Is the CClub Lounge open on overnight sailings?
No. On the Guillaume de Normandie the CClub Lounge is closed on overnight sailings. On day sailings, entry includes drinks, snacks and food. Places are limited, so Brittany Ferries recommends booking ahead.
Does the Guillaume de Normandie have a cinema?
No. Instead there's free video on demand, which you can watch on your own device over the ship's Wi-Fi or on the TV in your cabin.