Passenger favourite STENA EUROPE is to be replaced on the Rosslare – Fishguard route this summer. The veteran ferry, which was delivered in 1981, and has been at Fishguard since 2002, is currently undergoing maintenance at Cammell- Laird in Birkenhead. STENA EUROPE is to be replaced by the STENA NORDICA, a vessel which has regularly operated on the Irish Sea in the past. The latter is currently undergoing rebuilding in Poland to make her more suitable for her new Irish Sea role.
Refurbished and enlarged
While in Poland, an additional accommodation block has been added in the area previously occupied by STENA NORDICA’s helideck. We have learned that this will house a new Stena Plus lounge, two cinemas, and a Hygge reclining seat lounge.
STENA NORDICA’s existing public areas have been ripped out and replaced, and the layout adjusted. NIFS understands that the restaurant footprint has been enlarged and now also occupies the area which previously housed the Met Bar. A new bar area has been fitted in the space previously occupied by reclining seats behind guest services. STENA NORDICA‘s new living room lounge is housed in the space previously used by Stena Plus on the starboard side of the ship, and the shop opposite has been enlarged into the space previously occupied by the children’s play area. As with STENA EUROPE, a range of different passenger cabins will be available to book on STENA NORDICA.
This refit work will bring STENA NORDICA’s passenger facilities up to the high standards on the rest of the Irish Sea fleet, while also providing the Fishguard route with more modern tonnage. The transfer of STENA NORDICA to Rosslare this summer will coincide with the introduction of the cruiseferry STENA VISION as a second ship on the Rosslare – Cherbourg route ahead of the summer peak in June.
