Two new ships : ALBA NOVA & AZURA
In spring 2027, La Méridionale will welcome two new vessels to its fleet: Alba Nova, serving the Marseille–Ajaccio route, and Azura, operating between Marseille and Porto-Vecchio.
Created to offer a new way to experience the journey between Marseille and Corsica, these sister ships combine refined design and a high level of comfort with a new generation of propulsion technology, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 50%.
Step aboard and discover what’s new.
A nEW TRAVEL expErience TO CORSICA
Aboard our two new vessels, the journey between Marseille and Corsica takes on a new dimension.
The interiors have been designed with passenger well-being in mind, bringing together comfort, sustainability and refined aesthetics. Guests will enjoy a wider choice of cabins, including a new Balcony Suite category, offering an even more comfortable and personalised onboard experience.
Equipped with the latest technologies and powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Alba Nova and Azura also mark a new milestone in La Méridionale’s environmental commitment, with CO₂ emissions reduced by more than 50% compared with the reference vessel.
Route operated by Alba Nova
Route operated by Azura
Onboard facilities and services
Restaurants
Aboard Alba Nova and Azura, the restaurant serves carefully prepared cuisine to be enjoyed with views of the sea. Looking for more flexibility? Our new Click & Collect service, featuring eight self-service ordering kiosks, lets you choose your meal in just a few moments and enjoy it in a spacious dining area.
Lounge bar
The lounge bar on Alba Nova and Azura is a place where passengers of all ages can relax and enjoy the journey. Settle in with a refreshing drink as the ship leaves port, or watch a sporting event on the large screens.
Younger passengers can enjoy a dedicated play area within sight of their parents, while older children and teenagers can head to the arcade room for some entertainment.
Outdoor bar and terrace
Craving some fresh air? Head to the outdoor bar and terrace, with a refreshing drink in hand and views of the sun and the Mediterranean stretching out before you.
A dedicated outdoor play area gives younger passengers their own space to enjoy, so every member of the family can make the most of the crossing in their own way.
Cabins
Between Marseille and Corsica, passengers can enjoy a level of comfort comparable to that of a three-star hotel. The cabins are finished with quality materials and feature individually adjustable air conditioning, a private shower room with toilet, a television, as well as bed linen and towels.
The different cabin types have been designed to suit every kind of traveller: solo guests and backpackers, couples heading away for a weekend, families travelling with children, and even newlyweds looking to make their first night together truly memorable.
Discover the brand-new Balcony Suites category, where you can step outside for some fresh sea air and wake up to uninterrupted views of the horizon, or choose the Interior Suite, featuring a large wall-mounted video screen.
Accessibility
The facilities aboard Alba Nova and Azura have been designed to make travel easier for passengers with reduced mobility, with adapted cabins and accessible public areas throughout the ships.
To request an accessible cabin, subject to availability, please contact our sales team at least 48 hours before departure.
Seat lounge
For travellers on a budget, Alba Nova and Azura also offer a dedicated reclining-seat lounge, a more affordable option for the crossing.
Settle into a comfortable seat and enjoy a relaxed shared space, particularly well suited to travellers trying to maximize their budget.
Wi-Fi
Stay connected with friends and family and share your favourite moments from the crossing with Wi-Fi available on board (charges apply).
Animaux de compagnie
Pour des raisons d'hygiène et d'allergies, les animaux domestiques ne sont pas acceptés dans les espaces passagers du navire (cabines, restaurant, salon, etc.). Ils voyagent obligatoirement au chenil dans l'un des box à disposition (service payant sur réservation) ou dans le véhicule de leur propriétaire pendant toute la durée de la traversée.
A strong environmental commitment
With Alba Nova and Azura, La Méridionale is taking a further step towards reducing its environmental impact.
Next-generation LNG / electric hybrid propulsion
Zéro polluting emissions while in port in Corsica or Marseille
Up to 50% fewer emissions
While in port, the vessels can operate using their batteries, with no smoke emissions. The goal is clear: to achieve “zero-smoke” port calls in Corsican ports, following the approach already in place in Marseille since 2017, where our vessels can connect to the shore-side electricity network (CENAQ).
A quieter présence for marine wildlife
The vessels also feature a quieter sailing mode, Silent-E mode, designed to reduce underwater noise — an important benefit for cetaceans, which are particularly sensitive to acoustic disturbance.
The refrigerants used for air conditioning and refrigeration on board have also been selected for their lower impact on the climate.
More responsible water management
A large proportion of the fresh water used on board is produced directly by the vessels through a system that converts seawater into drinking water. The onboard water systems have also been optimised to reduce waste
A smarter use of energy
The vessels are equipped with steerable electric propulsion pods, a more efficient propulsion system that can reduce energy consumption.
Another smart feature is the recovery of heat generated by the engines. Rather than being wasted, this energy is reused to help generate electricity on board.
Vessels specifications
Entry into service: 2027
Length: 180 m
Beam: 30.8 m
Maximum speed: 21.6 knots
Passengers: 935
Cars: 240
Cabins: 274
Reclining seats: 156
Rolling freight capacity (trailers, semi-trailers, trucks, etc.): 2,181 lane metres
