ferry Poeta Lopez Anglada Balearia
ferry Poeta Lopez Anglada
âš“ The Poeta López Anglada is a conventional ferry in the Baleària fleet working the Strait of Gibraltar, linking Ceuta with Algeciras in about 1 hour 15 minutes. She is one of the longest-serving and most recognisable ships on the Strait run, valued for her reliability and for interiors that make a short crossing comfortable.
The ship is named after Luis López Anglada (Ceuta, 1919 – Madrid, 2003), a Spanish poet, writer and army officer born in the autonomous city of Ceuta. He was a leading figure in twentieth-century Spanish literature, the author of more than forty collections of poetry and a repeat winner of the Premio de la Crítica. Naming a ship after him reflects the historical and cultural ties between Baleària and the cities it serves in the Strait.
The Poeta López Anglada was built at the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard in Vigo and belongs to the part of the Baleària fleet assigned to routes across the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest sea passages in the world. Baleària runs the Ceuta–Algeciras line with several sailings a day in each direction, carrying both passenger and vehicle traffic and covering public service obligation routes subsidised for residents of Ceuta.
History and background of the ship
The Poeta López Anglada was built in 1984 by Chantiers Dubigeon in Nantes under the name Champs Élysées for SNCF services across the English Channel between Calais and Dover. In 1990 she passed to the Société Propriétaire des Navires (SPN) and worked the Newhaven–Dieppe route. In 1992 she was chartered by Sealink Stena Line as Stena Parisien, and in 1997 she entered service for SeaFrance on Dover–Calais under the name SeaFrance Manet, where she remained in active service until 2008 and as a relief ship until 2009.
In July 2009 she was bought by Stena Line, refitted and renamed Stena Navigator for the Belfast–Stranraer route, until she was withdrawn in November 2011. In February 2012 she was bought by Baleària, repainted at the Astander yard in Santander and put into service as Daniya on routes from Dénia to Palma and Barcelona. In November 2013 she was given her permanent name, Poeta López Anglada — in honour of the Spanish poet Luis López Anglada — and assigned to the Algeciras–Ceuta route, where she still works today. In 2016 a new bow ramp was fitted at the Astilleros del Guadalquivir yard in Seville.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Conventional Ro-Pax ferry |
| Length overall | 126 m |
| Beam | 20 m |
| Service speed | ~18 knots |
| Passenger capacity | ~1,100 people |
| Vehicle capacity | ~280 cars |
| Propulsion | Diesel engines |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| Shipyard | Hijos de J. Barreras (Vigo) |
| Flag | Spain |
| IMO number | 9232829 |
| Operating company | Baleària |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Ceuta → Algeciras | 1 h 15 min | Several sailings a day |
| Algeciras → Ceuta | 1 h 15 min | Several sailings a day |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact timetable in our search engine.
The Strait of Gibraltar: getting there and what to bear in mind
The Poeta López Anglada sails between the port of Ceuta and the port of Algeciras, two of the busiest harbours in the Strait of Gibraltar. Algeciras is the main gateway to mainland Spain, with direct motorway access from Málaga, Seville and Madrid. Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city in North Africa, lies barely 14 km from the Andalusian coast but sits on the African continent.
If you are travelling by car, we recommend arriving at the harbour at least 60 minutes beforehand. In summer and during the Operación Paso del Estrecho (the July–August Strait crossing operation), traffic at the port of Algeciras can be very heavy and it is best to allow at least 2 hours. Ceuta–Algeciras is one of the busiest ferry routes in Europe, with dozens of sailings a day across all the operators that work the Strait.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Foot passenger tickets on Baleària's Ceuta–Algeciras route start at very affordable prices, thanks to the high frequency and strong competition across the Strait. Prices vary with the season, how far ahead you book and the type of accommodation you choose.
Available discounts:
- Ceuta resident: an official subsidised discount for residents of the autonomous city of Ceuta. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Carnet Joven (youth card): 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 discounts on future bookings.
- Cars and lorries: specific rates for cars, vans and freight vehicles. Check the current rates in the search engine.
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, on a short crossing | Standard seat |
| With family or in a group | Seat with table |
| Looking for extra comfort and privacy | VIP lounge (where available) |
| With a pet | Standard seat + pet place |
| With reduced mobility | Accessible seat (ask when booking) |
ferry Poeta Lopez Anglada · Accommodations
Standard seat
The cheapest option on board. Comfortable seats in a shared lounge, with access to all areas of the ship. Perfect for the crossing of just over an hour between Ceuta and Algeciras.
✓ Reclining seat
✓ Access to the café and shop
✓ SmartB WiFi on board
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Seat with table
Seats grouped around a built-in table, ideal for families or groups who want to spend the crossing together with room to eat or work along the way.
✓ Shared table for 4 people
✓ Reclining seat
✓ SmartB WiFi on board
VIP lounge · Premium
A restricted-access lounge with more comfortable seating, set apart from the main passenger areas. It comes with dedicated service and a calmer crossing.
✓ Exclusive-access lounge
✓ More comfortable seating
✓ Greater peace and privacy
✓ SmartB WiFi on board
ferry Poeta Lopez Anglada · On-board services
Café and food service
Even though the crossing lasts little more than an hour, the Poeta López Anglada has a café on board with a full range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and ready meals. It is a service designed for people who travel often between Ceuta and Algeciras and need breakfast, lunch or a coffee along the way.
Travelling with pets
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Poeta López Anglada has accessible entrances and reserved areas for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend telling Baleària when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged for boarding, for the crossing itself and for disembarkation. The crew is trained to look after passengers with special requirements.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
On board the Poeta López Anglada you have the run of Baleària's SmartB platform, available across the whole fleet:
- Free WiFi throughout the crossing
- Completely free WhatsApp, without using your data allowance
- Series and films on demand on your smartphone or tablet
- Digital magazines through the entertainment platform
- Free Spanish and international newspapers via PressReader
- Digital boarding pass with online seat allocation
- Real-time journey information on your phone
The Strait route: one of the busiest in the world
The channel of the Strait of Gibraltar, just 14 km wide at its narrowest point, is the sea passage that separates Europe from Africa and the Atlantic from the Mediterranean. Ceuta–Algeciras is one of the busiest ferry routes in Europe, carrying millions of passengers a year across all the operators that work the Strait.
Beyond the usual tourist traffic, the route is vital for residents of Ceuta who travel regularly to mainland Spain, for trade between the autonomous city and the continent, and for the Operación Paso del Estrecho, Europe's biggest summer exodus, during which tens of thousands of people of North African origin living in Europe cross to North Africa in July and August.
Frequently asked questions about the Poeta López Anglada
Which routes does the Poeta López Anglada ferry operate?
She runs the Ceuta–Algeciras and Algeciras–Ceuta route for Baleària, with several sailings a day in each direction all year round.
How long does the Poeta López Anglada take from Ceuta to Algeciras?
The crossing takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. The time can vary with the weather and the state of the sea in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Does the Poeta López Anglada carry cars?
Yes. She has car decks for around 280 vehicles. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the harbour at least 60 minutes beforehand; in summer, allow 2 hours.
What accommodation does the Poeta López Anglada offer?
Standard seats, seats with a table (for families and groups) and a restricted-access VIP lounge with extra comfort and privacy.
Is there free WiFi on board?
Yes. Baleària's SmartB platform includes free WiFi, WhatsApp without using your data, on-demand entertainment, free digital newspapers through PressReader and a digital boarding pass.
Is there a discount for residents of Ceuta?
Yes. Residents of Ceuta are entitled to a subsidised discount off the ticket price, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are pets allowed on the Poeta López Anglada?
Yes. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket and show a valid vaccination record. Small pets in a carrier may travel in the passenger areas; larger animals stay in the dedicated area.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has accessible entrances and reserved areas for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend telling Baleària when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged for boarding, the crossing and disembarkation.
How early should I get to the harbour?
By car: at least 60 minutes beforehand. As a foot passenger, 30 minutes is enough. In July and August, during the Operación Paso del Estrecho, allow 2 hours if you have a vehicle.
What is the Operación Paso del Estrecho?
The Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) is the summer operation that manages the mass crossing of migrants living in Europe towards North Africa in July and August. During the OPE the port of Algeciras sees very high traffic peaks. We recommend booking ahead and getting to the harbour with time to spare.
Why is the ship called Poeta López Anglada?
The ship pays tribute to Luis López Anglada (Ceuta, 1919 – Madrid, 2003), a Spanish poet and writer born in Ceuta, author of more than forty collections of poetry and a leading figure in twentieth-century Spanish literature. The name reflects Baleària's ties with the cities it serves in the Strait.
How many daily sailings are there on the Ceuta–Algeciras route with Baleària?
Baleària runs several sailings a day on the Ceuta–Algeciras route. The number varies with the season, rising sharply in summer. Check current timetables in our search engine.
