Love Sicily ferries from Naples!

A few years ago we travelled to Milazzo from Naples to visit Aeolians. Comfortable cabin, beautiful early morning on deck as we sailed amongst the islands, stopping at first one, then the next, then on to Milazzo. Because we were travelling in autumn and had a few days in Naples first, we didn't book ferry passage until Naples, where we just went to the ferry office at the docks. There were two ferry lines running the same route, Siremar and SNAV, I believe, with a large number of cabins between them so we figured no need to book in advance.

Earlier this year we took an overnight ferry from Naples to Palermo, operated by GNV. Loved it! Newer ship with very comfortable cabin and a good night's sleep, nice meal on board. Nicer, newer ferry than before, to Aeolians. GNV operates the Naples to Palermo route, not to Catania. Booked our tickets and cabin several months in advance online at http://www2.gnv.it/en.html

For Catania, look at TTT: http://www.tttlines.it/en/prices.php Haven't used TTT so can't comment on comfort or food.

There is someone who posts on Fodors, GAC, who has good info about ferries. You might do an advanced search for Catania ferries using his name.

Thank you Julia1. The site that you provided is related to the
one that I was looking at earlier but it is in English! I
was having a terrible time trying to translate from their
main site in Italian. I appreciate your reply very much.

Pat

If your destination in Sicily is Siracusa, you can take the overnight ferry operated daily year-round by TTT Lines, then walk to the bus stop near the Catania Port (Piazza Borsellino) to proceed to Siracusa by bus (6 Euros, buses every 30-60 minutes; 80-minute trip).

www.tttlines.it

www.interbus.it

Alternatively, you could FLY on Alitalia OR on Air Italy from Naples to Catania, then proceed to Siracusa directly from CTA Airport (same bus referenced above, which originates in central Catania and stops at the CTA Airport to pick up passengers).

www.alitalia.it

www.airitaly.it


Alternatively, you could take the Trenitalia daylight Intercity train from Naples to Siracusa (no changes or connections). If you book ahead (once schedules are posted), you can find very low promotional "SUPER ECONOMY" fares (e.g. 19, 29 Euros).

www.trenitalia.it


So, you have THREE choices: ferry, plane and train!!!!

The TTT Lines website is ALSO in English!!!!

Click on the Union Jack Icon at the top left of the home page.

At the moment, a twin inside cabin with private facilities costs 69 Euros PER PERSON (taxes included). The fares are much higher during EASTER WEEK.

As the website explains (see "FLEET"), there are ONLY 78 cabins on the ship. Therefore, advance bookings are essential (otherwise, you could end up in one of the 198 aircraft-type reclining seat for the overnight crossing). There is a restaurant, a cafeteria, and two bars on the ship, as well as a main salon with coffee tables, chairs and sofas. The crossing is usually very pleasant, and the relatively small number of passengers (fewer than 500 in the slow season) make the experience relatively hassle-free.

If you click on "GALLERY", you will find several color photos of the cabins and public facilities on the ship.

Travel insurance is also offered at 5 Euros per person in each direction of travel.

You make make booking directly on the TTT lines website.

You can also request more information at:

info@tttlines.it

www.tttlines.it

The twin ships used on this route are the TRINACRIA (ancient name for Sicily) and PARTENOPE (ancient name for Naples):


http://www.shipsandharbours.com/picture/number5125.asp


TTT Lines got some controversial publicity last year with a very "racy" (and sexist) advertising image supposedly depicting the fact that the company "unites" two volcanoes (VESUVIUS and ETNA). Here is the billboard ad which raised the controversy:

http://images.vogue.it/imgs/galleries/encyclo/moda/011456/02-4962510_0x420.jpg