ferry Elizabeth Russ Fred Olsen
ferry Elizabeth Russ
âš“ The Elizabeth Russ is the newest ferry in the Fred Olsen fleet and one of the most advanced rolling-freight vessels working between the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. She joined the fleet in 2022 and links the port of Huelva with the islands of Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Tenerife (Santa Cruz) and La Palma on a crossing of roughly 40 hours, making her the most direct sea link between Andalusia and the Canary archipelago for passengers and vehicles.
The Elizabeth Russ was built at the Chinese yard Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and represents a commitment by Fred Olsen to renew the Huelva–Canary Islands service with a larger, more fuel-efficient ship offering better comfort for passengers. She carries the name Elizabeth Russ, in keeping with the Norwegian operator's tradition of naming its ships after women of the Olsen family or female figures important to the company.
Fred Olsen has been operating in the Canary Islands for more than 170 years, making it one of the shipping groups most deeply rooted in the archipelago. The Huelva–Canary Islands service matters particularly to Canary Islands residents who prefer to travel by sea when moving vehicles, goods and household effects between the mainland and the islands.
History and background of the ship
The Elizabeth Russ (IMO 9186429) is the identical sister ship to the Caroline Russ, built almost in parallel at the J.J. Sietas Schiffswerft yard in Hamburg (yard number 1189) and delivered in May 1999. Owned by Ernst Russ, she spent her early years on charter to large Scandinavian companies — Transfennica among them — running scheduled heavy-freight routes in the Baltic, frequently linking the ports of Hanko (Finland) and Lübeck (Germany). She later sailed the North Sea and the western Mediterranean on charter contracts for the motor industry and general cargo.
Fred. Olsen Express took her on charter to work hand in hand with her sister the Caroline Russ. Her job was to strengthen the freight-only service between Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, freeing up the holds of the passenger trimarans and keeping inter-island supplies flowing. Once her contracts in the Canaries ended, she returned to her owner's international charter circuits. She now sails under the Portuguese (Madeira) flag on commercial services in the Mediterranean for multinational shipping companies.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Ro-pax ferry (passengers and rolling freight) |
| Length overall | 199.9 m |
| Beam | 26.8 m |
| Draught | 6.5 m |
| Service speed | ~20 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 594 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 600 lane metres of freight |
| Cabins | 156 cabins (inside, outside, suite) |
| Decks | 9 |
| Propulsion | Diesel, MAN engines |
| Shipyard | Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), China |
| Year built | 2022 |
| IMO number | 9837523 |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Operator | Fred Olsen S.A. |
| Call sign | C6EO5 |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Huelva → Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) | ~40 h | Check timetable |
| Huelva → Santa Cruz de Tenerife | ~43 h | Check timetable |
| Huelva → Santa Cruz de La Palma | ~46 h | Check timetable |
| Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) → Huelva | ~40 h | Check timetable |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Huelva | ~43 h | Check timetable |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact times in our search engine.
The port of Huelva: how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Elizabeth Russ sails from the passenger terminal at the port of Huelva, on the Muelle de Levante quay. Huelva lies about 90 km from Seville and roughly 100 km from the Portuguese Algarve, and is reachable by motorway from Madrid (the A-49) and from southern Portugal. The port has secure parking and a waiting area for vehicles.
If you are coming from Madrid, the usual connection is by road (about 6 hours) or by train to Huelva changing at Seville. From Seville, Huelva is about 80 minutes away by car on the A-49. We recommend arriving at the port at least 2 hours beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle, and 1 hour beforehand if you are travelling as a foot passenger, since loading freight onto a ro-pax of this size takes time to organise.
For Canary Islands residents, the Huelva–Canary Islands service is especially useful for moving cars, vans or goods between the mainland and the archipelago, as vehicle fares tend to be more competitive than on other mainland routes.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Prices on the Elizabeth Russ vary with the accommodation you choose, the season and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, reclining seat tickets start at around €90–120 each way, while inside cabins range from €160 to €280 depending on occupancy and season. Suites and higher-category outside cabins can go above €400.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to discounts on domestic sea services. Check the conditions in force for each season with Fred Olsen.
- Large families: official discount according to category (general or special). You must present your large-family card.
- Children under 4: travel free in most types of accommodation when they do not occupy a place of their own.
- Fred Olsen Club: loyalty scheme with benefits and discounts for the operator's regular customers.
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 lowest price | Reclining seat |
| Alone or as a couple, wanting to sleep in privacy | Double inside cabin |
| As a family (parents + 1-2 children) | Four-berth inside cabin |
| Looking for sea views and natural light | Outside cabin |
| On a special trip, or after maximum comfort | Suite / superior cabin |
| With a pet | Pet-friendly cabin (check availability) |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted accessible cabin |
ferry Elizabeth Russ · Accommodations
Reclining seat · Standard
The cheapest option on the ship. Comfortable seats with reclining backs in a shared lounge. Ideal if price comes first and you do not need privacy on this long-distance crossing. Access to all the ship's public areas.
✓ Reclining back with headrest
✓ Access to all public areas
✓ Lockers available for luggage
✓ Sockets for your devices
Inside cabin · Double / four-berth
A private cabin with no outside window, available as a double or a four-berth. The best way to rest in privacy on a crossing of more than 40 hours. It has its own bathroom and bunks or a double bed depending on the layout.
✓ Private cabin with a key
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Bunks or a double bed (depending on type)
✓ Individually controlled air conditioning
✓ Sockets and TV
Outside cabin · With window
A private cabin with a porthole or window to the outside, so you get natural light and views of the Atlantic during the crossing. Available as a double. The favourite among travellers who want privacy without losing sight of the sea.
✓ Window or porthole with sea views
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Double bed or bunks
✓ Individually controlled air conditioning
✓ Sockets and TV
Suite · Superior category
The most complete accommodation on the Elizabeth Russ. More floor space, a separate sitting area, a window or balcony and premium fittings. Ideal for couples on a special trip or passengers who expect maximum comfort on a long ocean crossing.
✓ Most space and the highest comfort
✓ Separate sitting area
✓ Spacious bathroom with bath or shower
✓ Window or outside balcony
✓ Premium amenities and minibar
Adapted accessible cabin · Reduced mobility
A cabin designed specifically for passengers with reduced mobility. Wider door, adapted bathroom with grab rails and a step-free shower. Located on a deck with easy access from the public areas and the car deck.
✓ Widened entrance door
✓ Adapted bathroom with grab rails
✓ Step-free accessible shower
✓ On an easily reached deck
ferry Elizabeth Russ · On-board services
Restaurant and café
The Elizabeth Russ has a main restaurant and a café to make a voyage of 40 hours or more a comfortable, well-provided experience. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner menus of Spanish cooking, while the café stays open for most of the day with sandwiches, snacks, cold and hot drinks and breakfast options. As the longer crossings include at least two nights on board, the catering is scaled to cover every meal of the day.
Open deck
The Elizabeth Russ has an open deck so that passengers can enjoy the Atlantic views during the crossing. Sailing between the mainland and the Canaries offers ocean scenery you get nowhere else, especially as the ship moves away from the African coast and as it approaches the islands. The open deck is also a fine place to be as the sun goes down over the Atlantic.
Onboard shop
Travelling with a dog on board
Fred Olsen accepts pets aboard the Elizabeth Russ on the Huelva–Canary Islands route. Animals must travel with the required health documentation (an up-to-date vaccination record, the rabies jab in particular) and may need a place of their own. You must declare your pet when you book and check the exact conditions, the extra cost and any restrictions on species or size in force that season with the operator.
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Elizabeth Russ is fitted with lifts between decks, access ramps and cabins adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, with a wider door, an accessible bathroom with grab rails and a step-free shower. As a modern ship (2022), she complies with European accessibility rules for sea transport. If you have particular needs, we recommend telling Fred Olsen when you book so that the most suitable spaces can be allocated to you.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
As a ship built in 2022, the Elizabeth Russ carries the most modern energy-efficiency technology available in her class for a conventionally diesel-powered ro-pax ferry:
- High-efficiency MAN engines: designed to cut fuel consumption per nautical mile compared with earlier generations of marine diesel engines.
- Hydrodynamically optimised hull: the hull of the Elizabeth Russ is shaped to reduce drag and therefore fuel consumption on the Atlantic route.
- Intelligent onboard energy management: control systems for the electrical consumption of the ship's installations, to keep total energy use down.
- Compliance with IMO 2020: the ship meets the global sulphur limits for marine fuel (0.5% m/m) set by the International Maritime Organization.
Fred Olsen is working towards cleaner propulsion across its fleet, although the Elizabeth Russ currently runs on conventional diesel. The company has stated its commitment to cutting emissions in its corporate communications.
Frequently asked questions about the Elizabeth Russ
Which routes does the Elizabeth Russ ferry operate?
She works the Huelva–Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Huelva–Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Huelva–Santa Cruz de La Palma routes for Fred Olsen. She is the most direct sea link between Andalusia and the Canary Islands for passengers and vehicles.
How long does the Elizabeth Russ take from Huelva to the Canary Islands?
The duration depends on the destination: roughly 40 hours to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 43 hours to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 46 hours to Santa Cruz de La Palma. These times are indicative and can vary with the sea and the ports of call.
Does the Elizabeth Russ carry cars and other vehicles?
Yes. The Elizabeth Russ is a ro-pax ferry with room for 600 lane metres of freight, so she can carry cars, vans, lorries and goods. She is one of the favourite options among Canary Islands residents for moving vehicles between the mainland and the archipelago.
What accommodation does the Elizabeth Russ offer?
She has reclining seats (the cheapest choice), double and four-berth inside cabins with a private bathroom, outside cabins with a window or porthole, superior-category suites and adapted accessible cabins for passengers with reduced mobility.
Is there Wi-Fi on board the Elizabeth Russ?
The Elizabeth Russ has Wi-Fi connectivity on board. Availability and speed can vary depending on where the ship is, as the Huelva–Canary Islands route crosses open Atlantic waters. Check the exact terms of the service with Fred Olsen.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount?
Residents of the Canary Islands can access discounts on domestic sea services. Check the conditions and requirements in force with Fred Olsen or in the I Love Ferry search engine.
Are pets allowed on the Elizabeth Russ?
Fred Olsen accepts pets on the Elizabeth Russ. You must say so when you book and carry valid health documentation (an up-to-date rabies vaccination). Conditions on species, size and extra cost can vary. Check with the operator before you buy your ticket.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. The Elizabeth Russ has lifts between decks, access ramps and adapted accessible cabins with a widened door, an accessible bathroom with grab rails and a step-free shower. We recommend flagging any particular needs when you book.
How much does it cost to travel on the Elizabeth Russ?
Prices are indicative: reclining seats start at roughly €90–120 each way. Inside cabins range between €160 and €280. Suites can exceed €400. Prices vary a great deal with season and how far ahead you book. Compare real-time prices here.
How early should I get to the port of Huelva?
With a vehicle: at least 2 hours beforehand. As a foot passenger: 1 hour is enough. Boarding a ro-pax of this size takes time to organise the loading of vehicles and goods.
When was the Elizabeth Russ built?
The Elizabeth Russ was built in 2022 at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) yard in China. She is the most modern Fred Olsen ferry on the Huelva–Canary Islands service, with IMO number 9837523 and the Bahamas flag.
Does the Elizabeth Russ have a restaurant?
Yes. She has a main restaurant serving lunch and dinner menus, and a café open for much of the voyage with breakfasts, snacks and drinks. As this is a crossing of more than 40 hours, the catering covers every meal of the day.
Which mainland port do the Fred Olsen ferries to the Canary Islands leave from?
The Elizabeth Russ sails from the port of Huelva (Muelle de Levante, passenger terminal). Huelva is about 90 km from Seville and around 100 km from the Portuguese Algarve, reachable on the A-49 from Madrid and from the south of the country. Other operators such as Naviera Armas and Trasmediterránea sail from Cádiz and other ports; compare all the options on I Love Ferry.
