We are thinking of going to Sicily starting in Catania next year (Spring time). We would likely fly roundtrip to Naples, stay there two nights, and then head to Catania to join a tour because we don't want to drive. Here are my questions:

1. Is it possible to go directly from Naples to Catania by ferry in April and May?

2. I assume that it is necessary to make reservations to have a sleeping compartment on the ferry. I have browsed the TTT ferry site and found it frustrating. Has anyone used
their phone service?

3. Is there a hotel at or near the Naples airport that has a shuttle service to the airport for the return home?

I know that Fodorites must have done trips to Sicily and should be able to advise me.

Pat

You're right down my alley. We have taken TTT Lines from Naples to Catania. We went through traghettionline.it but they allowed it to be booked on a day TTT wasn't running and then never notified me. I found out by accident. In the busy season they run every evening, but in the fall and early spring they go every other day. Try calling. They're usually very helpful and will try to get someone that speaks English. Yes you can get a room, the food is good. The ships are small but clean. You have a nice evening and then fall asleep. When you get up, you're in Sicily. If you wake up early you will see them go through the straits of Messina and then later you will see Etna smoking in the early morning magnificent sky. Memories I will never forget.

Have your hotel's phone number with you if you have a phone so you can call them and ask them to send a taxi. One or two taxis might be at the port in Catania...we were lucky....but other times when we have taken ferries from Naples to Palermo there were no taxi's. If you don't have a phone, arrange it with you hotel ahead of time.

On the ferries you will see that there aren't many Americans. Depending on the day of the week you may even get a lot of commuters who go to or from Naples and Sicily for the week and return home for the weekend.

The taxi ride from Naples to the airport is very short. I haven't stayed at a hotel that has a shuttle, but the taxis are cheap. It isn't like Fiumicino to Rome. It's very close.

Thank you Ann1. This information is very helpful. My guidebooks are very vague on ferry transportation, particularly to Catania.

Here is more information on the overnight car ferry between Naples and Catania:

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...693#1371012693

I always strongly encourage Fodorites who pass through Catania to make a pilgrimage to the Tomb of Vincenzo Bellini in the Cathedral, to pay homage to Sicily's greatest musician and one of the greatest opera composers of all times. Nearby, you'll also find Bellini's birth home, which is a museum of memorabilia, a treature trove for operaphiles. Listen to one of his operas (Norma, Puritani, Sonnambula, etc.) while on the ferry between Naples and Catania to set the mood!!!

I just clicked on the thread GAC gave. Make sure it's every day now. When we went at this time of year it was every other day. It could be different now. It isn't a large ship like a cruise ship. I guess it's like a very small cruise ship. You do have the choice to take AirOne which is a wonderful airline. At least it was before Alitalia merged with it. Hopefully it still is. I've taken that to Germany from Rome. But you will miss the enjoyment of the ferry. If you are facing the water at Molo Beverello turn to the left and either walk or take a taxi....we walked....to Molo Angioino. They're all in the same port area.

HINT: The twin hybrid ferries used by TTT Lines have only 78 cabins, plus 198 reclining seats (info from their web site). This means that advance cabin reservations are essential to assure a comfortable night's sleep in a horizontal position. Otherwise, the reclining seats approximate those in transatlantic air economy class, and might not be sufficiently comfortable after a long, tiring but fruitful day in Naples (or Catania, as the case may be).

These newish car ferries represent the latest Italian project of hybrid ships designed to transport passengers, autos, trucks, and big rigs. Virtually identical ships operate between Salerno and Messina, Salerno and Palermo, and Livorno and Palermo (all on different carriers). Service is maintained throughout the year to accommodate the needs of commuters as well as freight forwarders and trucking companies wishing to avoid the long haul on the Autostrada del Sole between Italy and Sicily.

While I have not taken TTT Lines, I have taken other Italian car ferries, and find that the overnight experience, together with the marvels of arriving in the early morning in a beautiful port city like Naples, can indeed be quite memorable. And I agree with Ann that the food on the ferry can be described as good.

Thank you all so much. This forum is a gold mine of information. I started using the forum as a reader only years ago and the help given by contributors has been invaluable.

I look forward to seeing the sights of Sicily and Naples.

Pat