Has anyone taken the ferry from Naples to Sicily? I am interested in the overnight ferry in particular and what the sleeping accomodation is like.

LONG LONG ago I took the ferry from Palermo to Naples. I remember that it was very pleasant. But I did not take it in the other direction. Instead I took a train from Naples to Messina, and it was many hours late.

I took the ferry a few years ago,and it was fine. We had a room w/ bunk beds & a small shower & toilet. I'm pretty sure it was one of the cheapest rooms (we were backpacking at the time) but it was clean and more than served the purpose. When the boat docks in Palermo, you aren't very close to most things - rental car agencies, the city, etc. - but there are plenty of cabs there. Agree on a price 1st.

The train is a few dollars cheaper and a couple of hours faster, but my friends who met us in Palermo thought the ferry was pretty comfortable. The benefit of the train is that it terminates in the middle of the city.

Took the ferry from Naples to Palermo and back a couple of years ago and found it to be a GREAT way to travel - for one, it's overnight so you sail while you sleep. Add to that a remarkable level of efficiency (we had a car that we brought on board) in getting people on and off the train. <BR> <BR>There are a few restaurants/bars/cafes (nothing particularly luxurious) and they showed a movie in a little theatre around 9 PM. <BR> <BR>All in all, a nice way to travel.

There are two daily overnight car ferries from Naples to Palermo, one operated by Tirrenia Lines, and the other by SNAV Lines. Tirenia's service uses more modern and faster ships. Service is year-round.<BR><BR>www.tirrenia.it<BR>www.snav.it