fast ferry Cecilia Payne Balearia
fast ferry Cecilia Payne
âš“ The Cecilia Payne is the third fast ferry in the series of five that Baleària is building at the Armon shipyard in Gijón, and the direct successor to the Margarita Salas. She shares with her sister ships dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion and room for up to 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, which makes her one of the most sustainable, most modern fast ferries in service in the Mediterranean. She sails under the Baleària flag and forms part of the most ambitious renewal of a fast fleet the Spanish operator has ever undertaken.
The ship is named after Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (Wendover, United Kingdom, 1900 – Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1979), the British-American astronomer and astrophysicist regarded as one of the most brilliant scientists of the twentieth century. Her 1925 doctoral thesis — described as "the most brilliant PhD thesis ever written in astronomy" — showed that stars are made up mainly of hydrogen and helium, a finding that transformed our understanding of the universe. She was the first woman to reach the rank of professor in Harvard University's Department of Astronomy. With this name, Baleària continues its tradition of honouring pioneering women scientists across its latest generation of fast ferries.
The Cecilia Payne is the third ship in the series that began with the Eleanor Roosevelt (2021) and continued with the Margarita Salas (2024). The last two ships in the series will have electric propulsion with zero emissions, and all five will be in service by 2028. Building each vessel creates more than 200 direct jobs at the Gijón yard, and the programme is part-financed through the European Union's Next Generation funds.
History and background of the ship
The Cecilia Payne was built by Austal Ships in Henderson (Western Australia) at a cost of 29 million Irish pounds. Launched in February 1999 and delivered in May that year, she entered service in July 1999 under the name Jonathan Swift for the operator Irish Ferries, running without a break on the Dublin–Holyhead route for almost two decades.
On 30 January 2018, Irish Continental Group announced the sale of the ship to Baleària Eurolineas Marítimas for 15.5 million euros. Delivered in April 2018, she was renamed Cecilia Payne at that point in tribute to the British astrophysicist of the same name.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Fast ferry catamaran |
| Length overall | 123 m |
| Beam | 28 m |
| Maximum speed | 35 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,200 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 425 cars |
| Propulsion | 4 dual-fuel LNG engines · high output |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| OPS system | Yes (shore power connection in port) |
| Construction material | High-strength aluminium |
| Shipyard | Armon Gijón |
| Position in the series | 3rd of 5 (Baleària–Armon series) |
| Financing | EU Next Generation funds (RRF) |
| Operating company | Baleària |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Alcúdia (Mallorca) | ~3 h 30 min | On request |
| Alcúdia (Mallorca) → Barcelona | ~3 h 30 min | On request |
| Barcelona → Ciutadella (Menorca) | ~5 h 15 min | On request |
| Ciutadella (Menorca) → Barcelona | ~5 h 15 min | On request |
| Ceuta ↔ Algeciras | ~35 min | Several sailings |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season, year of entry into service and availability. Confirm exact times in our search engine.
The port of Alcúdia: getting there and what to bear in mind
Like her sister ships, the Cecilia Payne works out of Port d'Alcúdia, in the north of Mallorca, some 55 km from Palma (roughly 50 minutes by car). If your final destination is Palma or the south of the island, you will need to allow for that extra leg. To reach the port of Palma directly from Barcelona, see our Balearic ferry routes on conventional ferries.
If you are travelling by car, we recommend arriving at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand. Foot passengers can allow 45 minutes. In high season (July and August) it is worth adding extra time.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Fares on the Cecilia Payne follow the pricing structure of the rest of Baleària's fast ferries on the Barcelona–Balearics route. Prices vary with the season, how far ahead you book and the type of accommodation you choose. We recommend booking in advance, particularly in July and August.
Available discounts:
- Balearic resident: 75% off the base fare. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a valid certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Youth card (Carnet Joven): reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30. Check availability when you book.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them against future bookings.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Sirena seat |
| With family or a group of friends | Sirena Table seat |
| Looking for extra comfort and rest | VIP or VIP Plus lounge |
| On business or holding a private meeting | Executive Lounge |
| With a pet | Sirena + pet place |
| With small children | Sirena Table (near the children's area) |
fast ferry Cecilia Payne · Accommodations
Sirena seat · Standard
The cheapest option on the ship. Comfortable seats in a shared lounge with access to every area on board. Perfect for travellers whose priority is price but who do not want to give up comfort on a three-and-a-half-hour crossing.
✓ Reclining, with headrest
✓ Sockets for chargers
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
✓ TV in the shared lounge
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Sirena Table seat
A version of the Sirena with a built-in table for four. Ideal for families, groups of friends or anyone who wants to eat, work or play during the crossing without leaving their seat.
✓ Shared table for 4 people
✓ Reclining, with headrest
✓ Sockets for chargers
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
VIP lounge · Premium
A restricted-access lounge with top-of-the-range seats that recline fully at the touch of a button. It comes with a footrest, its own café with table service and a drink included. The best comfort-for-money on board.
✓ Exclusive-access lounge
✓ Reclining seat with automatic footrest
✓ Its own café and service in the lounge
✓ Cold or hot drink and a snack included
VIP Plus · Front row
The seats with the most legroom on the whole ship. Set in the front row of the VIP lounge, they include all its services plus extra room to stretch out in complete comfort during the crossing.
✓ Front row of the VIP lounge
✓ Maximum legroom
✓ All VIP lounge services included
Executive Lounge · Private
The most exclusive accommodation on the Cecilia Payne. A private lounge for up to six passengers, with its own bathroom in one of the versions. Perfect for business meetings, VIP groups or travellers who expect the highest standard on board.
✓ Private lounge for up to 6 passengers
✓ Catering, minibar and a dedicated attendant
✓ Sofa, table and private TV
✓ Own bathroom (in the version that offers it)
✓ Priority disembarking
fast ferry Cecilia Payne · On-board services
Café, shop and places to eat
The Cecilia Payne keeps the catering offer of the series, with places to eat on both passenger decks: a café serving cold and hot food, a fresh juice bar and an open-air food truck on deck. The onboard shop sells snacks, souvenirs and travel goods throughout the crossing.
Outside terrace
The Cecilia Payne's stern terrace keeps the enlarged design introduced on the Margarita Salas, with an open-air area of covered chill-out sofas and a snack and drinks service. The perfect place to enjoy the Mediterranean on every crossing.
Children's area
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Cecilia Payne follows the accessibility standard set across the series, with lifts from the car deck up to the passenger decks and special wheelchair anchorages, which makes her one of the most accessible fast ferries in service in the western Mediterranean.
Technical comfort on board
The Cecilia Payne carries the comfort technologies refined over the course of the series:
- Active stabilisation system: considerably reduces the ship's movement, especially on windy days or in a swell.
- Elastically mounted superstructure: high-technology insulation that minimises vibration and noise on board for greater passenger comfort.
- Real-time sensors: monitor fuel consumption and engine efficiency, feeding into Baleària's Control Tower project to optimise consumption and comfort on every crossing.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
On board the Cecilia Payne you have access to Baleària's SmartB platform, the most complete digital system in the fleet:
- Free WiFi throughout the crossing
- Completely free WhatsApp without using up your mobile data
- On-demand series and films from your smartphone
- Digital magazines through the entertainment platform
- Free Spanish and international newspapers via PressReader
- Digital boarding pass with online seat selection
- Real-time journey information on your phone
- Pet CCTV viewable from your own device
Sustainability: LNG propulsion and environmental impact
The Cecilia Payne is the third fast ferry in the world in her class with dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion, following the Eleanor Roosevelt and the Margarita Salas. Her environmental impact compared with conventionally powered ferries is markedly lower:
−30%
COâ‚‚ emissions
−85%
NOx emissions
−100%
Sulphur and particulates
The ship also has an OPS (Onshore Power Supply) system, allowing her to plug into the mains while alongside and cut emissions in port to nothing. She is built from high-strength aluminium, a material that reduces overall weight and fuel consumption and is highly recyclable at the end of her working life.
The Baleària–Armon fast ferry series: the five sisters
The Cecilia Payne is part of the most ambitious series of fast ferries ever built in Spain. These are the five ships that make up the fleet:
| Ship | Position | Year | Propulsion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eleanor Roosevelt | 1st | 2021 | LNG |
| Margarita Salas | 2nd | 2024 | LNG |
| Cecilia Payne | 3rd | Under construction | LNG |
| 4th ship (name to be confirmed) | 4th | Expected ~2027 | Electric |
| 5th ship (name to be confirmed) | 5th | Expected 2028 | Electric |
Frequently asked questions about the Cecilia Payne
Which routes does the Cecilia Payne fast ferry operate?
She works the Barcelona–Alcúdia (Mallorca) and Barcelona–Ciutadella (Menorca) routes for Baleària. Depending on the season she may also cover the Ceuta–Algeciras route. Check up-to-date availability in our route search engine.
How long does the Cecilia Payne take from Barcelona to Mallorca?
The Barcelona–Alcúdia (Mallorca) crossing takes roughly 3 hours 30 minutes. The crossing to Ciutadella (Menorca) takes roughly 5 hours 15 minutes.
Does the Cecilia Payne call at the port of Palma?
No. She works out of Port d'Alcúdia, in the north of Mallorca, some 55 km from Palma (50 minutes by car). To reach Palma directly you need a conventional ferry.
Does the Cecilia Payne carry cars?
Yes. She has a car deck for up to 425 vehicles. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand. In July and August it is worth allowing extra time.
What accommodation does the Cecilia Payne offer?
Five types: the Sirena seat (standard), Sirena Table (with a table for four), VIP (an exclusive lounge with footrest and its own café), VIP Plus (the VIP front row with extra room) and Executive (a private lounge for up to six with catering and Priority disembarking).
Is there free WiFi on the Cecilia Payne?
Yes. Baleària's SmartB platform includes free WiFi, WhatsApp without using up your data, on-demand series and films, digital newspapers through PressReader and a digital boarding pass.
Is there a Balearic resident discount?
Yes. Residents of the Balearic Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are pets allowed on the Cecilia Payne?
Yes. She has a climate-controlled area with access to water and a CCTV system so that owners can check on their animals from their phones. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has lifts from the car deck to the passenger deck and special wheelchair anchorages, in line with the accessibility standard of the Baleària–Armon series.
What fuel does the Cecilia Payne use?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG), through four high-output dual-fuel engines. It cuts COâ‚‚ by 30% and NOx by 85%, and removes sulphur and particulate emissions entirely compared with conventional propulsion.
How early should I get to the port?
By car: at least 90 minutes beforehand. As a foot passenger: 45 minutes is enough. In July and August we recommend allowing extra time.
Who was Cecilia Payne and why is the ship named after her?
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (1900–1979) was a British-American astronomer and astrophysicist whose 1925 thesis — regarded as "the most brilliant in the history of astronomy" — showed that stars are made up mainly of hydrogen and helium. She was the first woman professor in Harvard's Department of Astronomy. Baleària honours her by continuing its tradition of naming its fast ferries after pioneering women scientists.
Is the Cecilia Payne part of a series?
Yes. She is the third ship in a series of five fast ferries Baleària is building at the Armon shipyard in Gijón. The first two — the Eleanor Roosevelt (2021) and the Margarita Salas (2024) — are already in service. The last two will be electric fast ferries with zero emissions, in service by 2028.
What is the difference between the Cecilia Payne and the Margarita Salas?
The Cecilia Payne is the direct successor to the Margarita Salas and carries the improvements accumulated across the series. She shares its 123 m length overall, capacity for 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles, LNG propulsion and two passenger decks.
Does the Cecilia Payne have a children's area?
Yes. She has a children's area with interactive digital games designed to keep youngsters entertained for the whole crossing, in line with the standard set across the series.
