MartÃn i Soler Balearia
MartÃn i Soler
âš“ The Martín i Soler is a cruise ferry operated by Baleària with room for 1,164 passengers and 540 lane metres of vehicles. Built at the Galician yard Hijos de J. Barreras and winner of a Shippax Award for best interior design, she stands out for her generous choice of cabins and lounges, which make her a very comfortable option for overnight sailings. In 2021 she was converted to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), joining the operator's fleet of greener vessels. She currently works the Almería–Melilla route.
The ship is named after the Valencian composer Vicente Martín i Soler (1754–1806), a contemporary of Mozart and a key figure in eighteenth-century European opera, whose work was a triumph at the courts of Vienna and St Petersburg.
History and background of the ship
The Martín i Soler was built as hull number 1,655 at the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard in Vigo for Baleària, as part of the "Baleària+" programme that ordered four ferries from the same Galician yard. She was launched on 5 June 2008 and delivered on 15 January 2009, at a build cost of 89 million euros. She is the first of the four ships in the programme and won a Shippax Award in the best interior design category.
She entered service in January 2009 under the Spanish flag with her home port in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, working initially on the Barcelona–Balearics and Valencia–Balearics routes. In 2021 she was converted to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), with her original engines replaced by two dual-fuel Caterpillar MaK 9M46DF units. She now works the Almería–Melilla route. She takes her name from the Valencian composer Vicente Martín i Soler (1754–1806), a contemporary of Mozart and a leading figure in eighteenth-century European opera.
Full technical specifications
| Shipyard | Hijos de J. Barreras, Vigo (Spain) |
| IMO number | 9390367 |
| Type | Ro-Pax ferry / cruise ferry |
| Length overall | 165.0 m |
| Beam | 25.60 m |
| Maximum draught | 5.70 m |
| Gross tonnage | 24,760 GT |
| Propulsion | 2 × Caterpillar MaK 9M46DF engines (diesel or LNG) |
| Power output | 17,370 kW (23,617 hp) |
| Service speed | 21 knots (38.9 km/h) |
| Passenger capacity | 1,164 passengers + 36 crew |
| Cabins | 46 (40 four-berth + 6 two-berth) |
| Vehicle lane metres | 540 lane metres |
| Range | ~3,200 nm (diesel) / ~750 nm (LNG) |
| Flag | Spain |
| Home port | Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Almería → Melilla | ~6–7 h | Check timetables |
| Melilla → Almería | ~6–7 h | Check timetables |
* Indicative timetables, subject to seasonal changes. Check real-time availability and prices on I Love Ferry.
The ports of Almería and Melilla: how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Martín i Soler sails from the Almería ferry terminal, right in the city centre and well connected to the airport and the motorway network. In Melilla, the ship berths at the Port of Melilla, just minutes from the town centre. We recommend arriving at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle, and 45 minutes if you are a foot passenger.
Fares, discounts and how to book
The price of a standard seat varies according to the season and how far in advance you book. Cabins cost extra depending on the type and occupancy. Booking ahead is advisable, especially in summer and during the Operación Paso del Estrecho, the annual summer crossing operation to North Africa.
Available discounts:
- Melilla resident: discount applied to the base fare. You must prove residency.
- Youth card (Carnet Joven): reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip.
- Large families: discount applied under the rules in force.
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 | Reclining seat |
| As a couple or with a friend, wanting a proper rest | Two-berth inside cabin |
| With children | Four-berth inside cabin |
| Looking for sea views and extra comfort | Two-berth outside cabin |
| With a pet | Cabin + pet place |
| On business, or wanting maximum comfort | Premium outside cabin |
MartÃn i Soler · Accommodations
Reclining seat · Standard
The cheapest option on the ship. Reclining seats in a shared lounge, with access to every area on board.
✓ Reclines, with headrest
✓ Sockets for chargers
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Two-berth inside cabin
A cabin without a window for two people, with a private bathroom and individual climate control.
✓ For 2 people
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual climate control
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
Four-berth inside cabin
An inside cabin for four people, ideal for families. Four berths, a private bathroom and access to all the public areas.
✓ For 4 people, with bunk berths
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual climate control
✓ The most affordable option for families
Two-berth outside cabin
A cabin for two people with a window or porthole facing the sea. More daylight and views over the Mediterranean.
✓ For 2 people, with sea views
✓ Outside window or porthole
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual climate control
Four-berth outside cabin
The best choice for families who want to combine comfort with sea views. Four berths, a private bathroom and an outside porthole.
✓ For 4 people, with sea views
✓ Outside window or porthole
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual climate control
MartÃn i Soler · On-board services
Café and food on board
The Martín i Soler has a café and dining area open throughout the crossing, serving breakfasts, hot dishes, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The onboard shop sells snacks, travel essentials and souvenirs.
Passenger lounges and public areas
The Martín i Soler has spacious passenger lounges with reclining seats, rest areas and televisions. The public areas leave plenty of room to move around during the crossing.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Martín i Soler has accessibility features to make boarding, disembarking and moving around on board easier for passengers with reduced mobility. If you have particular needs, we recommend contacting Baleària before you book to confirm the services and spaces available.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
On board the Martín i Soler you have access to Baleària's SmartB platform, the most complete digital system in the fleet:
- Free WiFi throughout the crossing
- Completely free WhatsApp that does not use your mobile data
- On-demand series and films on your smartphone
- Free Spanish and international press via PressReader
- Digital boarding pass with online seat or cabin allocation
- Real-time journey information on your phone
Vicente Martín i Soler: the composer behind the ship's name
The Martín i Soler honours the memory of Vicente Martín i Soler (Valencia, 1754 – St Petersburg, 1806), a Spanish composer of operas and chamber works who enjoyed extraordinary success across eighteenth-century Europe. A contemporary of Mozart — who quoted him by name in the third act of Don Giovanni — he triumphed in Vienna under the patronage of Emperor Joseph II and at Catherine the Great's imperial court in St Petersburg. His most famous opera, Una cosa rara (1786), briefly eclipsed Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro when it premiered.
Frequently asked questions about the Martín i Soler
Which routes does the Martín i Soler ferry operate?
She currently works the Almería–Melilla route for Baleària.
How long does the Martín i Soler take from Almería to Melilla?
The Almería–Melilla crossing takes roughly 6–7 hours.
Does the Martín i Soler carry cars?
Yes. She has a large vehicle deck with room for around 540 lane metres of vehicles. We recommend arriving at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle.
What accommodation does the Martín i Soler offer?
Reclining seats, two-berth inside cabins, four-berth inside cabins, two-berth outside cabins and four-berth outside cabins. Every cabin has a private bathroom and climate control.
Is there free WiFi on the Martín i Soler?
Yes. Baleària's SmartB platform offers free WiFi, free WhatsApp that does not use your data, on-demand series and films and a digital boarding pass.
Are pets allowed on the Martín i Soler?
Yes. She has a dedicated pet area. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. The ship has accessibility features for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend contacting Baleària before booking to confirm the services available.
Why is the Baleària ship called Martín i Soler?
The ship is named after the Valencian composer Vicente Martín i Soler (1754–1806), a contemporary of Mozart and one of the most influential Spanish musicians of the eighteenth century. His opera Una cosa rara was so popular that Mozart quoted it in Don Giovanni.
