ferry Marie Curie Fred Olsen
ferry Marie Curie
âš“ The Marie Curie is one of the most modern and sustainable ferries in the Mediterranean, and Baleària's fourth smart ship equipped to run on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). At 186.5 metres long and with room for 880 people and 608 vehicles, she links the Iberian Peninsula with the Canary Islands from Huelva, and also works the Balearic routes. She is a sister ship to the Hypatia de Alejandría, both built at the Italian Cantiere Navale Visentini yard and brought into the fleet for a combined investment of €200 million.
She was delivered to Baleària in July 2019 and has since worked some of the operator's longest and most demanding routes, above all the Huelva–Tenerife–Gran Canaria link (run jointly with Fred. Olsen Express) and the Mediterranean routes to the Balearics. Her dual LNG/fuel propulsion, the thorough digitalisation of her onboard services and her generous accommodation put her at the forefront of the Spanish fleet.
A tribute to science the world over
The ship is named after Marie Curie (Warsaw, 1867 – Passy, 1934), a Polish-born, naturalised French physicist and chemist who pioneered the study of radioactivity. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize (Physics, 1903, shared with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) and the only person in history to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines (Chemistry too, in 1911). During the First World War she drove the creation of the first mobile field radiology units, popularly known as the petites Curies.
Baleària has named several of its most innovative ships after pioneering women as part of its commitment to equality and to the empowerment of women, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
History and background of the ship
The Marie Curie is the second of a pair of P362-class sister ships, built at the Visentini shipyard in Porto Viro (Italy) as build number 225. She was launched in February 2018 and delivered to Baleària in July 2019 at a build cost of €200 million. She entered service that same month on the Barcelona–Ibiza, Barcelona–Palma, Valencia–Ibiza and Valencia–Palma routes. At the end of the summer season she moved to the links between Huelva, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a route run jointly with Fred. Olsen Express, whose livery the ship carries. She takes her name from the French-Polish physicist and chemist Marie Curie, the only person ever to have received the Nobel Prize in two different scientific disciplines.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Ro-Pax ferry (passengers and rolling freight) |
| Length overall | 186.5 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Maximum speed | 25 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 880 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 608 cars (or 2,194 linear metres of freight) |
| Propulsion | Dual LNG/fuel engines · 20,600 kW in total · 2 shafts |
| Passenger accommodation | 3 seating lounges + 120 cabins |
| Accessible cabins | 2 cabins adapted for reduced mobility |
| Shipyard | Cantiere Navale Visentini (Italy) |
| Entered the fleet | July 2019 |
| Flag | Cyprus |
| IMO number | 9498767 |
| Investment (with sister ship) | €200 million (Marie Curie + Hypatia de Alejandría) |
| Sister ship | Hypatia de Alejandría |
| Jacuzzis on deck | Yes (open deck) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Huelva → Tenerife | ~36–40 h | Tue and Fri |
| Huelva → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | ~36–42 h | Tue and Fri |
| Tenerife → Huelva | ~36–40 h | Thu and Sun |
| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria → Huelva | ~36–42 h | Thu and Sun |
| Barcelona → Ibiza | ~8–9 h | Depending on the season |
| Valencia → Ibiza | ~4–5 h | Depending on the season |
| Valencia → Palma de Mallorca | ~8 h | Depending on the season |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season, ship allocation and availability. The Huelva–Canary Islands route is run jointly with Fred. Olsen Express. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The Huelva–Canary Islands route: what you need to know
The route between Huelva and the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) is the longest Baleària runs from mainland Spain, taking between 36 and 42 hours at sea. It is operated jointly with Fred. Olsen Express under the Canary Bridge Seaways banner, with two round trips a week. For a crossing of this length the Marie Curie is particularly well equipped: she has 120 cabins with a private bathroom, jacuzzis on the open deck, an à la carte restaurant, a café and a self-service restaurant, which turns the journey into something closer to a short cruise.
If you are travelling with a vehicle, we recommend arriving at the port of Huelva at least 2 hours beforehand. As a foot passenger, 60–90 minutes is enough. In high season (summer) it is worth booking weeks ahead, as the route is very popular with Canary Island residents.
Fares, discounts and how to book
The price of a standard seat on the Huelva–Canary Islands route varies with the season and how far ahead you book. Cabin fares are higher but are strongly recommended for crossings of more than 36 hours. On the Balearic routes, seat fares start at roughly €40–60 depending on the crossing and the season.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: 75% off the base fare on routes to the Canaries. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Balearic resident: 75% off the base fare on routes to the Balearics.
- Carnet Joven youth card: reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30.
- Children: a significant discount for under-12s (check the conditions in force).
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them for discounts on 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, short Balearic crossing | Standard seat |
| With the family, long crossing to the Canaries | Inside cabin (up to 4 people) |
| Looking for maximum comfort on a long crossing | Outside cabin or upper lounge |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted accessible cabin |
| With a pet, long crossing | Pet-friendly cabin + pet area |
| On business or in a small group | Upper lounge + single cabins |
ferry Marie Curie · Accommodations
Standard seat · Lounge
The cheapest option on the Marie Curie. Reclining seats in a shared lounge with access to every part of the ship. Perfect for the Balearic crossings, or for travellers who would rather move around freely on the longer routes.
✓ Reclining seat
✓ Access to the café, restaurant and deck
✓ SmartB entertainment platform
✓ Free WhatsApp throughout the crossing
Upper lounge · Ergonomic seat
The highest grade of seating on the Marie Curie. Fitted with fully reclining ergonomic seats, more space between rows and a quieter atmosphere. Ideal for the crossing to the Canaries if you would rather not book a cabin.
✓ Fully reclining ergonomic seat
✓ More space between seats
✓ A quieter, more exclusive atmosphere
✓ Access to every service on the ship
Inside cabin · Up to 4 people
The accommodation we most recommend for the 36-hour-plus crossing to the Canaries. A cabin without a window, sleeping up to 4 people, with a full private bathroom, air conditioning, WiFi and a Smart TV with digital entertainment included.
✓ Sleeps up to 4 people
✓ Full private bathroom
✓ Air conditioning
✓ WiFi and Smart TV with digital entertainment
✓ Bed linen, towels and toiletries included
Outside cabin · With window
The premium choice among the Marie Curie's cabins. Identical to the inside cabin in what it offers, but with a window or porthole for enjoying the seascape. Perfect for travelling with natural light and views over the Atlantic on the long crossing to the Canaries.
✓ Window or porthole with sea views
✓ Full private bathroom
✓ Air conditioning
✓ WiFi and Smart TV with digital entertainment
✓ Bed linen, towels and toiletries included
Adapted cabin · Reduced mobility
The Marie Curie has two cabins specifically adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, with wheelchair access, an adapted bathroom and all the comforts of a standard cabin.
✓ Adapted wheelchair access
✓ Accessible bathroom
✓ Air conditioning
✓ WiFi and Smart TV included
Pet-friendly cabin · With your pet
The Marie Curie has 18 cabins that allow pets inside, as well as dedicated areas — the so-called “casitas de calma”, or calm houses — with climate control, a dog toilet and access to water. Owners can keep an eye on their pets from their phones through cameras installed in the animal areas.
✓ Your pet allowed in the cabin
✓ Climate-controlled “calm house” area with a dog toilet
✓ Cameras for watching your pet from your phone
✓ You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket
ferry Marie Curie · On-board services
Café, restaurant and shop
For a crossing that can run beyond 36 hours, the Marie Curie offers one of the fullest food and drink line-ups in the Baleària fleet: a café, a self-service restaurant and an à la carte restaurant, plus an onboard shop with snacks, travel goods and souvenirs available throughout the crossing.
Open deck and jacuzzis
One of the Marie Curie's most distinctive features is her jacuzzis on the open deck, which turn the Atlantic crossing to the Canaries into something like a cruise. The open deck also has plenty of outdoor space for enjoying the seascape as you sail.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Marie Curie is fully adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. She has 2 accessible cabins with wheelchair access and an adapted bathroom, adapted seats in the lounge and a lift serving the different decks. She is one of the most accessible long-distance ferries working Spanish routes.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
The Marie Curie is a Baleària smart ship fitted with the SmartB digital platform, designed to improve the passenger experience throughout the crossing — which matters all the more on a journey of over 36 hours:
- Free text WhatsApp throughout the crossing, with no data used from your plan
- Internet access through prepaid bundles (paid web browsing)
- Digital entertainment platform: television, films, games and magazines from your smartphone
- Smart TVs in the cabins with the entertainment system included
- Digital signage throughout the ship with up-to-date trip information
- Cameras covering the pet area, viewable from your phone
- Self-service kiosks in the café and self-service restaurant for ordering without queuing
- QR-code cabin access
Sustainability: an LNG pioneer in the Mediterranean
The Marie Curie was Baleària's fourth smart ship equipped to run on LNG and one of the first newbuild gas-powered ferries in the Mediterranean. Her environmental footprint compared with conventional oil-burning ferries is markedly smaller:
−30%
COâ‚‚ emissions
−85%
NOx emissions
−100%
SOx and particulates
Baleària has been working on LNG projects since 2012 and is a founding member of the Spanish Natural Gas for Mobility Association (GASNAM). The Marie Curie and her sister ship the Hypatia de Alejandría were the first newbuild LNG ferries to operate in the Mediterranean, a landmark in the history of Spanish shipping.
Marie Curie vs. Hypatia de Alejandría: Baleària's two LNG sisters
The Marie Curie and the Hypatia de Alejandría are all but identical in design and technical specification. These are the key similarities and differences:
| Feature | Marie Curie | Hypatia de Alejandría |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 186.5 m | 186.5 m |
| Passenger capacity | 880 | 880 |
| Vehicle capacity | 608 | 608 |
| Cabins | 120 | 120 |
| Propulsion | Dual LNG/fuel | Dual LNG/fuel |
| Power output | 20,600 kW | 20,600 kW |
| Shipyard | Visentini (Italy) | Visentini (Italy) |
| Year joined the fleet | 2019 | 2019 |
| Main route | Huelva–Canaries / Balearics | Bcn–Alcúdia–Ciutadella / Balearics |
Frequently asked questions about the Marie Curie ferry
Which routes does the Marie Curie ferry operate?
She mainly operates the Huelva–Tenerife and Huelva–Las Palmas de Gran Canaria routes jointly with Fred. Olsen Express, with two round trips a week. Depending on the season she also works Balearic routes such as Barcelona–Ibiza, Valencia–Ibiza and Valencia–Palma.
How long does the Marie Curie take from Huelva to the Canary Islands?
The crossing takes between 36 and 42 hours depending on conditions and the ports called at. For a crossing of that length we strongly recommend booking a cabin.
Does the Marie Curie carry cars?
Yes. She has room for 608 vehicles (2,194 linear metres of freight). If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 2 hours beforehand on the route to the Canaries.
What accommodation does the Marie Curie have?
Three kinds: the standard seat (shared lounge), the reclining ergonomic seat (upper lounge) and 120 cabins sleeping up to 4, with a private bathroom, air conditioning and a Smart TV. There are also 2 accessible cabins and 18 pet-friendly cabins.
Is there free WiFi on the Marie Curie?
The ship offers Baleària's SmartB platform with free WhatsApp throughout the crossing, internet through paid bundles, digital entertainment (films, TV, games, magazines) and Smart TVs in the cabins.
Are pets allowed on the Marie Curie?
Yes. She has 18 pet-friendly cabins and “calm houses” with climate control, a dog toilet and camera monitoring so you can see your pet from your phone. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has 2 adapted accessible cabins, adapted seats in the lounge and a lift serving the different decks.
What fuel does the Marie Curie use?
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or conventional fuel oil, through dual-fuel propulsion. LNG cuts COâ‚‚ by 30%, eliminates SOx and particulates entirely and reduces NOx by 85%. She is one of the most sustainable ferries working long-distance Spanish routes.
Is there a resident discount on the Marie Curie?
Yes. Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare on routes to the Canaries. Residents of the Balearic Islands get the same discount on routes to the Balearics. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Is there a restaurant on board the Marie Curie?
Yes. She has a café, a self-service restaurant and an à la carte restaurant, as well as an onboard shop. The wide choice is designed to see passengers through more than 36 hours at sea.
Does the Marie Curie have a jacuzzi?
Yes. She has jacuzzis on the open deck, which makes the long Atlantic crossing feel more like a short cruise. Subject to weather conditions.
How early should I arrive at the port?
By car: at least 2 hours. As a foot passenger: 60–90 minutes. In high season we recommend allowing extra time, particularly on the route to the Canaries.
When did the Marie Curie join the fleet?
She was delivered to Baleària in July 2019, built at the Italian Cantiere Navale Visentini yard. She is a sister ship to the Hypatia de Alejandría, and the combined investment in the two ships was €200 million.
What is the difference between the Marie Curie and the Hypatia de Alejandría?
They are all but identical sister ships in every technical respect: the same length (186.5 m), the same capacity (880 passengers, 608 vehicles), the same engines and the same shipyard. The difference lies in the routes each one works under Baleària's planning for the season. Check availability in our search engine.
