I am trying to get a ferry schedule from Naples to the Aeolian Islands. I have the names of two companies, SiremaR and SNAV. I am having a devil of a time getting through to them. Does anyone know how often the boats run? I will be there in early September. I also want to know if I need a reserervation. Any ideas?

I've posted previously on this topic. You'll find my postings by doing a search. Here are the schedules for September:<BR><BR>Hydrofoil (SNAV Lines)<BR><BR>Morning DAILY Service:<BR><BR>Dep. Napoli Mergellina Dock: 8:30<BR>Ar. Stromboli: 12:30<BR>Ar. Panarea 13:05<BR>Ar. Lipari 13:30<BR><BR>Second DAILY Service:<BR><BR>Dep. Napoli: 14:30<BR>Ar. Stromboli: 18:30<BR>Ar. Panarea: 19:05<BR>Ar. Salina: 19:35<BR>Ar. Vulcano: 20:10<BR>Ar. Lipari: 20:30<BR><BR>Both these hydrofoil cease operating on September 30. They are apt to being cancelled for inclement weather. Fares are Euro 57 for Stromboli, 65 for Panarea, 71 for Salina, and 75 for Lipari and Vulcano. Reservations are probably not necessary for early September. Nevertheless, it's not a bad idea to check availability locally in Naples a couple of days before your departure. You can request further information by e-mail: [email protected]<BR>Web site: www.snavali.com<BR><BR>The OVERNIGHT car ferry is operated by Siremar Lines, a subsidiary of Tirrenia Lines. Departures are at 21:00 from the Stazione Marittima five days a week in September. Arrival in Stromboli at 5:00, then on to Panarea, Salina, Lipari (ar. 9:35), Vulcano and Milazzo. Note that the ferry takes twice as long as the hydrofoil. Fare to Lipari is approx. 40 Euros for a reclining seat (less for Stromboli). An optional berth in a cabin is a 20 Euro supplement. Cabins should be reserved. Full schedules and fares can be found at<BR>www.siremar.ch (Swiss site, in German only).<BR><BR>It's a good idea to bring Dramamine with you on these services.<BR><BR>

Here are the Siremar Car Ferry Schedules from Napoli to the Aeolian Islands for the month of September 2002:<BR><BR>Tuesday, Friday, Sunday at 21:00: m/n Vittore Carpaccio (4.700 tonnes)<BR><BR>Monday and Thursday at 21:00: m/n Pier della Francesca (2.800 tonnes)<BR><BR>Note that slightly different circuits operate depending on the day of departure (but all go to Stromboli and Lipari). The Tuesday ship also goes out to Filicudi, so the circuit to Lipari is two hours longer.<BR><BR>www.siremar.ch

Correction to previous postings: just returned from a week on Lipari, and took the overnight ferry from Lipari to Naples: 13 hours. Main ship Vittore Carpaccio is currently being overhauled in Palermo and the second ship, Pier della Francesca is currently serving the route. I highly recommend reserving a sleeping cabin (of which there are only 77), as the seating accommodations are not particularly comfortable (nor plentiful: only about 100 seats in the indoor salon), and Pier della Francesca does NOT have reclining seats. Many young travelers sleep on the open top deck in sleeping bags. Can answer specific questions about this service.

The new Siremar web site is up and running: www.siremar.it