Guillaume de Normandie: Ship Guide & Deck Plan

Guillaume de Normandie is one of two ships operating the Portsmouth to Caen ferry route, alongside the Mont Saint-Michel. Brittany Ferries’ newest hybrid-LNG vessel made her maiden voyage in April 2025, directly replacing the much-loved Normandie after more than 30 years on this crossing. This guide covers the full deck plan, every cabin type including the unique Couchette Plus and allergy-friendly options, restaurants, the CClub Lounge, bars, entertainment, Wi-Fi, travelling with pets, and accessibility — everything you need to know before you sail.

Last updated: June 2026 | All specifications verified from official Brittany Ferries sources and ship registry data

Guillaume de Normandie Ship Guide Brittany Ferries. GdN at sea. Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable

🚢 Guillaume de Normandie at a Glance

2025

Maiden voyage

1,310

Passengers

386

Cabins

470

Cars

23 kn

Service speed

38,500

Gross tonnage

✅ Route: Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) — alongside Mont Saint-Michel
✅ Dining: Riva Bella (brasserie) · Le Jardin (plant-forward) · Les Planches bar
✅ Lounge: CClub Lounge — panoramic sea views (closed on overnight sailings)
✅ Sun deck: Outdoor gym, kids’ play area, helideck — deck 10
✅ Cabins: Commodore, Club, allergy-friendly, pet-friendly, wheelchair-accessible, plus Couchette Plus
✅ Type: Hybrid-LNG, E-Flexer class — second of Brittany Ferries’ hybrid ships

Check Availability & Book Now

About the Guillaume de Normandie

Guillaume de Normandie is named after William the Conqueror — Guillaume le Conquérant — who is buried in Caen, the French port at the other end of this route. The name reflects Brittany Ferries’ long-standing connection with Normandy, and the ship’s interiors carry that theme throughout, with bright colours inspired by the region’s coastline, countryside and the architecture of its glamorous seaside resorts.

She is the second of Brittany Ferries’ hybrid-LNG ships (after her near-sister Saint-Malo) and the final E-Flexer class vessel delivered to the fleet. Built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, and chartered from Stena RoRo, she made her first commercial sailing on 18 April 2025, directly replacing the Normandie — which had served the Portsmouth to Caen route since 1992. Some decorative touches from the old Normandie were carried across to her successor, including the name of one of the restaurants.

Compared to her sister ship Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie has one fewer passenger deck but one additional garage deck — a design choice that reflects this route’s heavier freight traffic. She is one of the two largest hybrid ferries currently operating in Europe.

Guillaume de Normandie Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail	Specification	Detail
Maiden Voyage	18 April 2025	Gross Tonnage	38,500 GT
Length (LOA)	194.7 m	Beam	27.8 m
Service Speed	23 knots	Draught	6.5 m
Passenger Capacity	1,310	Car Capacity	470 vehicles
Cabins	386 (21 pet-friendly)	Decks	10
Engine Power	27,480 kW (2x Wärtsilä dual-fuel)	Depth	9.65 m
Shipyard	China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai	Flag / Registry	France, Morlaix

Guillaume de Normandie Deck Plan

Guillaume de Normandie has five main passenger decks — decks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 — with the garage decks below. The first digit of your cabin number tells you which deck you are on: cabin 7236 is on deck 7, cabin 8147 is on deck 8.

Deck by Deck — What’s Where

Deck	Primary Use	Key Facilities
10	Sun Deck	Outdoor sun deck with canopy-shaded seating, sunbathing area with deckchairs and loungers, an outdoor gym, and an outdoor children’s play area. This deck doubles as a helideck for emergency use.
9	Cabins	Predominantly cabins, including a number of inside and outside grades.
8	Le Jardin, Les Planches, CClub Lounge, Games Planet, Kids’ Play Area, Boutique, Cabins	Le Jardin — plant-forward restaurant with a market-garden feel. Les Planches — beach-themed bar with a glass roof and live entertainment. CClub Lounge — panoramic sea-view lounge (closed on overnight sailings). Games Planet — vintage arcade games room. Kids’ play area with digital interactive games. Boutique & delicatessen — duty-free shopping at the heart of the ship. Cabin numbers 8101–8338.
7	Riva Bella, Pet Area, Information Desk, Cabins	Riva Bella — large brasserie-style restaurant with a coastal theme and sea views. Pet exercise area and kennel access — pets travelling on board are escorted via this deck. Information Desk. Accessible toilets and lift access. Cabin numbers in the 7101–7338 range.
6	Cabins, Couchette Plus	Couchette Plus cabins numbered 6001–6079, either side of the Couchette Plus communal lounge area. The lowest passenger deck — generally the most stable position for those susceptible to seasickness.

Deck Plan Image

The full Guillaume de Normandie deck plan below shows decks 6 to 10, including all cabin locations, restaurants, bars, the CClub Lounge, sun deck and passenger access routes.

Guillaume de Normandie Cabins

On the overnight sailing, a cabin or Couchette Plus berth is compulsory — the vehicle deck is sealed for the entire crossing. On daytime sailings, accommodation is optional but available at a reduced rate. All 386 cabins are en-suite with free Video on Demand (VOD) on the cabin TV, and Guillaume de Normandie introduces Brittany Ferries’ newest cabin category — allergy-friendly cabins — alongside her pet-friendly and wheelchair-accessible options.

🔌 Sockets: Guillaume de Normandie is the only ship on this route with UK 3-pin, EU 2-pin, USB-A and USB-C sockets in every cabin — no travel adaptor needed. This is a notable upgrade over the Mont Saint-Michel, which has continental 2-pin sockets only.

👑 2-berth Commodore

From £55 day / £157 night · Private terrace (14.3m²), en-suite, VOD, comfy beds. The most premium cabin on board.

⭐ 2-berth Outside Club

Comfortable Club-class cabin with everything needed for a relaxing sailing. En-suite, VOD.

🌿 2-berth Outside Club, allergy-friendly

Club-class cabin with tea/coffee facilities, Wi-Fi and VOD — finished throughout with allergen-free materials.

🛏️ 4-berth Outside

Porthole, bunk-style beds, en-suite. Comfortable and good value for parties of up to four.

🐾 4-berth Outside, pet-friendly

Porthole cabin adapted for pets — one of the most in-demand cabins for families travelling with a dog.

🌿 4-berth Outside, allergy-friendly

Porthole cabin with allergen-sensitive toiletries and fittings throughout.

🛏️ 4-berth Inside

No window, bunk-style beds, en-suite. Privacy and value without the premium of an outside cabin.

🐾 4-berth Inside, pet-friendly

Inside bunk-style cabin adapted for pets — a popular and slightly lower-cost pet option than the outside grade.

🌿 4-berth Inside, allergy-friendly

Inside bunk-style cabin with allergen-sensitive toiletries and fittings.

♿ 2-berth Inside, wheelchair access

Twin-bed configuration, no window, adapted for wheelchair users.

♿ 2-berth Outside, wheelchair access

Porthole cabin with the views and comfort of an outside cabin, adapted for wheelchair users.

💺 Couchette Plus

From £12 · Deck 6 · A comfortable, affordable berth for cost-conscious travellers — unique to Guillaume de Normandie on this route. Wheelchair-accessible version also available.

Full Cabin Guide →

Cots (infants up to 24 months):

Cots can be pre-booked for infants up to 24 months — select the infant passenger option when booking and the cot option appears at the accommodation step. Maximum one cot per cabin; the cot will be made up and waiting in your cabin on arrival.

⏳ Book early: Commodore, pet-friendly and allergy-friendly cabins sell out first, particularly on the overnight sailing where accommodation is compulsory. Book your cabin or Couchette Plus berth at the same time as your crossing.

Dining on Guillaume de Normandie

Guillaume de Normandie offers two restaurants and the exclusive CClub Lounge, all serving children’s menus for ages 4–12. The two restaurants take very different approaches — one a classic French brasserie, the other a newer plant-forward concept introduced specifically for this ship.

🍽️ Riva Bella

Brasserie restaurant | Deck 7 | Coastal theme, sea views

A large, coastal-themed brasserie on deck 7 with sea views, serving a classic French menu built around locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the freshest produce, paired with a selection of local Normandy wines. The name carries a link to the previous Normandie’s restaurant.

🌱 Le Jardin

Plant-forward restaurant | Deck 8 | Market garden concept

A brand-new concept for the Brittany Ferries fleet — a light, airy restaurant with a contemporary market-garden feel, serving both meat and plant-based dishes. Every dish showcases produce from the Prince de Bretagne brand, sourced directly from Brittany Ferries’ shareholder farms.

⭐ CClub Lounge

Deck 8 | Premium lounge | Closed on overnight sailings

A private lounge on deck 8 with panoramic sea views, contemporary art and comfortable sofas and armchairs. Access includes complimentary hot and cold drinks plus a selection of hot and cold food throughout the day. Occupancy is limited — book in advance to guarantee a space, though entry can also be paid for on board. Note: the CClub Lounge is closed on overnight sailings.

🍷 Good to know: Restaurant and CClub Lounge opening times vary throughout the year and adjust per sailing — check once you’re on board. A pre-purchased Food Pass gives 5–15% extra credit across all restaurants and cafés on the crossing.

Onboard Facilities Guide →

Bars & Things to Do On Board

🏖️ Les Planches Bar

Deck 8 | Beach-themed bar | Glass roof

Inspired by the elegant beachfronts and boardwalks of Normandy’s seaside resorts. Drinks include gin, wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks, served beneath a striking glass roof. Live entertainment and large screens for sports and matches.

🖼️ Exhibition Gallery

Throughout the ship | ~1,000 artworks

An onboard collection of around 1,000 artworks — paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photographs — displayed throughout the public areas, reflecting the art and culture of Normandy.

🎮 Video Games Room

Deck 8 — Games Planet | Vintage arcade games

Challenge family or friends to a nostalgic battle on classic arcade games — a fun way to pass time on the crossing for older children and adults alike.

👧 Indoor Playroom & Outdoor Play Area

Deck 8 (indoor) + deck 10 (outdoor)

An indoor playroom with digital interactive games, plus an outdoor play area on the sun deck for letting off steam in the sea air. Keep an eye out for Pierre le Bear, who makes appearances for younger passengers.

📱 Ferrynauts App

Free download

Young passengers can download the Ferrynauts app and embark on a special quest around the ship — a self-guided adventure that keeps children engaged throughout the crossing.

🛍️ Boutique & Delicatessen

Deck 8 | Duty-free

Duty-free shopping with up to 40% savings versus UK high street prices on perfumes, cosmetics, skincare, fashion, souvenirs, toys, beers, wines, spirits and champagnes. Right outside the boutique, a delicatessen offers fresh regional products, gourmet gifts, sandwiches and cold drinks for your onward journey.

Onboard Facilities Guide →

Free and payable Wi-Fi options are available throughout Guillaume de Normandie via satellite link. Connect to the network named ‘Brittany Ferries Connected’ — this is the only network you should select on board. The ship also offers a shipwide Video on Demand (VOD) service — a library of films, radio and TV — accessible on your own device via the Wi-Fi or directly on the smart TV in your cabin.

Package	Price	Duration	Devices	Best for
Surf Free	Free	1 hour	1	Browsing, email, messaging
Surf Small	€3.50	1 hour (pausable)	1	Email and light browsing
Surf Medium	€9.00	3 hours (pausable)	2	Social media and extended browsing
Surf One Way	€15.00	Whole sailing	2	Streaming and heavy use

⚠️ Turn off mobile data roaming before boarding. In the Channel, your phone may connect to an offshore maritime network with significantly higher charges than standard UK rates. Use only the ship’s ‘Brittany Ferries Connected’ network. Club Voyage members save 50% on the Surf One Way package — ask at the Information Desk before purchasing.

Priority Disembarkation

Priority Disembarkation lets vehicle passengers be among the first off the ship — saving time in the garage, bypassing the queue of vehicles, and getting you to Border Control and onto the road faster. On Guillaume de Normandie, this service costs from £15 each way per vehicle.

⏱️ Check-in time: To guarantee Priority Disembarkation on Guillaume de Normandie, you must check in at least 1 hour 45 minutes before departure — longer than the 1 hour 15 minutes required on ships such as the Armorique or Mont Saint-Michel. Your required arrival time is shown on your ticket; late arrival means the service cannot be guaranteed.

Priority Disembarkation is not available to passengers travelling with pets, requiring special assistance, or with reduced mobility (including those needing lift access). Motorcycles are not eligible. From 2 November 2026, the service becomes more flexible — available across more departures and vehicle types without requiring a premium cabin, though spaces remain limited and booking early is recommended.

Travelling with Pets on Guillaume de Normandie

There are three ways for your pet to travel on Guillaume de Normandie: in a pet-friendly cabin, in your vehicle, or — for dogs — in an onboard kennel. Your dog must be muzzled at all times in the port and on board whenever outside your vehicle or your pet’s accommodation, including in the exercise area.

🏠 Pet-Friendly Cabins

Two grades: 4-berth outside (with porthole) and 4-berth inside. 21 pet-friendly cabins on board in total. Book early — these are among the first to sell out.

🐶 Kennels

Small and large kennels available, suitable for breeds from a Toy Poodle or Jack Russell up to a German Shepherd or Labrador. Must be pre-booked.

🚗 In Your Vehicle

Pets may remain in your vehicle for the crossing. Leave a window slightly open for ventilation and leave water — the garage temperature is regulated once underway. On daytime crossings, visits are allowed with a member of staff; no visits are possible on the overnight sailing. (Check the pet guide below for more information.)

🐕 What happens on board:

At check-in your pet’s chip is scanned and documentation checked. A windscreen sticker is applied — do not remove it until exiting your arrival port
Once parked on board, head to deck 7 via lift or the purple stairs with your muzzled dog — a crew member will escort you and your pet to your kennel or pet-friendly cabin
Pets are permitted in pet-friendly cabins and designated exercise areas only — not in other cabins or public areas (except registered assistance dogs)
Around 30 minutes before arrival, pet owners are asked to return to their vehicles. A crew member escorts you and your pet to the car deck via the purple stairs, where you wait together until disembarkation
In bad weather, pets must remain in their pet-friendly cabin — the exercise area will not be accessible
You will need an EU Animal Health Certificate (EU Pet Passports can no longer be used going from UK-EU unless a resident of an EU country or Northern Ireland). Use Brittany Ferries’ free online pet pre-check, available from 96 hours before departure

Full Pet Travel Guide →

Accessibility on Guillaume de Normandie

♿ Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair-accessible cabins available in both 2-berth inside and 2-berth outside grades, plus a wheelchair-accessible Couchette Plus berth. Lifts serve all passenger decks. Notify requirements at booking and again at check-in.

🍼 Baby Facilities

A baby changing area is provided on board. Cots are pre-bookable for infants up to 24 months (maximum one per cabin), and children’s menus are available in both restaurants for ages 4–12.

ℹ️ Information Desk

Bilingual staff available throughout the crossing for any passenger needing assistance, directions or information about facilities.

For passengers with reduced mobility, declare your requirements at the time of booking so the right arrangements can be made in advance. Bring your own wheelchair if possible — any wheelchairs at the ports are for emergency use only.

Where is the Guillaume de Normandie now?

Track the Guillaume de Normandie live — the map below shows the exact position, speed and heading right now.

IMO 9946324 · MMSI 228457600 · Live data via VesselFinder

Guillaume de Normandie — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Guillaume de Normandie?

Guillaume de Normandie is a Brittany Ferries hybrid-LNG cruise ferry operating on the Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) route alongside the Mont Saint-Michel. Built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in China and chartered from Stena RoRo, she made her maiden voyage on 18 April 2025, directly replacing the Normandie. Named after William the Conqueror — who is buried in Caen — she carries up to 1,310 passengers and 470 vehicles across 386 cabins, with restaurants, a CClub Lounge, bars, a sun deck with outdoor gym and play area, and an onboard art collection of around 1,000 pieces.

Where is the Guillaume de Normandie?

Guillaume de Normandie operates on the Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) route, sailing year-round between Portsmouth International Port and Caen ferry port in Normandy, France. You can track her live position, speed and heading using the ship tracker above — her IMO number is 9946324 and her MMSI is 228457600.

Is there a deck plan for the Guillaume de Normandie?

Yes — the full deck plan image is shown above with a deck-by-deck breakdown alongside it. In summary: deck 10 is the sun deck with an outdoor gym and children’s play area; deck 9 is predominantly cabins (9139–9336); deck 8 has Le Jardin restaurant, Les Planches bar, the CClub Lounge, Games Planet, kids’ play area, the boutique and cabins (8101–8338); deck 7 has Riva Bella restaurant, the pet exercise area, the Information Desk and cabins (7101–7338); deck 6 has cabins (6001–6079) either side of the Couchette Plus communal lounge area. Your cabin number’s first digit tells you which deck you’re on.

What is Couchette Plus on the Guillaume de Normandie?

Couchette Plus is a comfortable, affordable berth available from £12, located in a communal lounge area on deck 6 — a unique option on this route, exclusive to the Guillaume de Normandie. It’s designed for cost-conscious travellers who want a proper berth on the overnight sailing without the cost of a full cabin. A wheelchair-accessible Couchette Plus berth is also available. See our full cabin guide

Does the Guillaume de Normandie have UK plug sockets?

Yes — every cabin on Guillaume de Normandie has UK 3-pin, EU 2-pin, USB-A and USB-C sockets, so no travel adaptor is needed. This is a notable advantage over the Mont Saint-Michel, the other ship on this route, which has continental 2-pin sockets only.

What is the CClub Lounge and is it open on the overnight sailing?

The CClub Lounge on deck 8 is a private, premium lounge with panoramic sea views, comfortable seating, and complimentary hot and cold drinks and food throughout the day. Access can be booked in advance or paid for on board, subject to availability. The CClub Lounge is closed on overnight sailings — it operates on daytime crossings only.

Can I take my dog on the Guillaume de Normandie?

Yes. Your pet can travel in one of 21 pet-friendly cabins, in an onboard kennel, or stay in your vehicle for the crossing. Dogs must be muzzled at all times outside the vehicle or pet accommodation. You’ll need an EU Animal Health Certificate (you can no longer use an EU pet passport unless a resident of an EU country or Northern Ireland), and should use Brittany Ferries’ free online pet pre-check from 96 hours before departure. See our full pet travel guide for documentation requirements.

How does the Guillaume de Normandie compare to the Mont Saint-Michel?

Guillaume de Normandie is the newer of the two ships on this route (maiden voyage April 2025 vs the Mont Saint-Michel’s 2002). Things unique to Guillaume de Normandie include: UK, EU and USB sockets in every cabin (vs continental 2-pin only on Mont Saint-Michel), Couchette Plus berths from £12, allergy-friendly cabins, the CClub Lounge and Le Jardin’s plant-forward menu. Your booking confirmation will show which ship you are on.