Find your crossing

Since Brittany Ferries became the sole operator on the route in October 2025 (after Stena Line's withdrawal), the Cherbourg–Rosslare service runs daily, year-round — 7 sailings per week in each direction. It's an overnight crossing: you board in the evening, sleep in a cabin, and arrive the next morning or early afternoon. The current schedule is bookable until Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Rosslare → Cherbourg

Departures typically leave between 16:45 and 21:00 (most often in the 17:00–20:00 window), arriving in Cherbourg the following day between 12:00 and 14:00. The crossing takes roughly 16–18 hours depending on the ship and conditions. You'll have time for dinner, a drink, and a full night's sleep before you arrive in Normandy.

Cherbourg → Rosslare

Departures from Cherbourg typically run between 15:00 and 21:00, arriving in Rosslare the following day between 06:00 and 13:30. Some afternoon departures get you into Rosslare by early morning — perfect if you want to start driving straight away.

The ships

Brittany Ferries rotates several vessels on this route. You might sail on the MV Cotentin (the year-round RoPax workhorse), one of the E-Flexer cruise ferries — MV Galicia, MV Salamanca, or MV Santoña — or the MV Armorique, which joined the rotation in November 2025. From March 2026, the chartered RoRo NORBAY reinforces the schedule to keep 7 weekly rotations running through the peak season. Each ship has cabins, dining and bar facilities — the newer E-Flexers offer the most modern cabins and restaurants.

Crossing time

Most sailings take around 17–18 hours. The fastest crossings clock in at roughly 16 hours on the E-Flexer vessels. Either way, it's an overnight journey — you won't notice the difference when you're asleep.

The timetable above is representative, but it's not fixed in stone. A few things worth knowing:

• Schedule horizon: The current Brittany Ferries timetable is published and bookable up to 1 November 2026. The 2026/27 winter schedule is normally released a few weeks before that.
• Summer (June–September): Busiest period. More sailings may be added, and popular crossings fill up weeks in advance. Book early if you want a cabin with a window.
• Winter (November–February): The service runs year-round, but some days may have adjusted departure times or a different ship rotation.
• Bank holidays: Irish and French public holidays often see higher demand. Friday and Sunday sailings tend to be the most popular.
• Weather: Occasionally, heavy weather in the Celtic Sea can cause delays or cancellations. Brittany Ferries will contact you directly if your sailing is affected.

The golden rule: always check the live timetable before making other travel plans — the operator's own schedule on brittany-ferries.ie is the authoritative source.