Sardinia Ferries from Mainland Italy
Dec 1st, 2009 | 12:11 PM
#1
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Sardinia Ferries from Mainland Italy
I've posted on passenger car ferries from Mainland Italy to Sicily, Spain, Malta and Tunisia, but I've saved "the best for last": ferries from Mainland Italy to Sardinia.
A couple of introductory observations:
1. There are five "ports of call" on Sardinia which have passenger car ferry service: Porto Torres (useful for Sassari and Alghero), Golfo Aranci, Olbia (these two useful for the Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena Archipelago), Arbatax and Cagliari.
2. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ENTRY PORT IS CAGLIARI. It is also the only port where there is no competition: Tirrenia Lines is currently the only operator, where it currently uses its oldest ferries.
3. There are both overnight and (during the tourist season) daylight crossings to Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci and Olbia. There are only overnight crossings to Cagliari and Arbatax. THE CHEAPEST TRANSPORTATION IS TO TAKE "DECK PASSAGE" ON ONE OF THE DAYLIGHT CROSSINGS.
4. The FASTEST crossings are: Piombino/Olbia 4 hrs. 30 mins.; Civitavecchia/Olbia 4 hrs. 45; Civitavecchia/Golfo Aranci 5 hrs. 15 mins.; Livorno/Olbia 6 hrs.; Livorno/Golfo Aranci 6 hrs. 30 mins. These are operated by Moby Lines (to Olbia) and Corsica Ferries (to Golfo Aranci). They are all daylight crossings, and don't operate during the winter.
5. Schedules are extremely seasonal, and they peak during July and August, when there are seven daily ferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia; and three daily ferries between Livorno/Olbia; Genova/Porto Torres and Genova/Olbia. During the winter, schedules are significantly reduced, but daily crossings continue to Porto Torres, Olbia, Golfo Aranci and Cagliari from at least one departure port on Mainland Italy.
6. Solo travellers on overnight crossings wishing to save money should consider accepting an airline-type reclining seat instead of a cabin. The FIRST class recliners on the Tirrenia ships to Olbia and Porto Torres are supposed to be quite comfortable. There is usually a steep supplement for the exclusive use of a cabin by one passenger, although it is also usually possible to book a bunk in a quad cabin shared with strangers of the same gender. The ship operator websites have photos of the cabins and recliners offered. The cabins all have private facilities (except for the older Tirrenia ships which also have "second class" cabins without facilities, used only during the peak of the summer season).
7. All these ships have cafeteria and bar service, as well as at least one public lounge. Most of the passenger ships also have a formal restaurant with tablecloth service, a movie theatre, a shopping arcade, and other public facilities. The large GNV passenger ferries have the most amenities. The Tirrenia ferries have the fewest. Not all amenities and/or facilities are open during the winter months.
8. IF YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME AND/OR DON'T LIKE FERRIES, FLY TO SARDINIA FROM MAINLAND ITALY!!!!! In some/many cases, you'll find low-cost flights for less than or around the same fare as a recliner on the ferry. And the trip will take under 60 minutes. However, you may save money by taking a DAYLIGHT ferry during the travel season.
9. Remember that these are FERRY SHIPS and NOT cruise ships!!! Even though some of the larger vessels are "luxurious" ferries, they are ferries nonetheless. Don't expect a cruise ship!!!
10. Advance reservations for cabins on OVERNIGHT crossings are ESSENTIAL during the SUMMER, although almost never needed from mid-September through late May. During the winter, there are very few passengers on most of the ferries, which cater primarily to freight operators, big-rigs, and truck drivers.
NOW, HERE ARE THE CROSSINGS:
1. TO CAGLIARI (Tirrenia only; all OVERNIGHT; all Year-Round)
1.1 From Civitavecchia (14.5 hrs.): DAILY (twice weekly calling at Arbatax; 16 hrs.)
1.2 From Napoli (16 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY (twice weekly in August only)
1.3 From Palermo (14.5 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY
1.4 From Trapani (11.5 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY
2. TO OLBIA (Year-Round):
2.1 From Civitavecchia (4.5 to 10 hrs.): THREE to SEVEN DAILY on Moby, SNAV and Tirrenia
2.2 From Livorno (6 to 9 hrs.): ONE TO THREE DAILY on Moby
2.3 From Piombino (4.5 to 6.5 hrs): FIVE TO SIX WEEKLY on Moby
2.4 From Genova (9.5 to 12 hrs): THREE WEEKLY (winter) to THREE DAILY (summer) on Tirrenia, Moby and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV)
3. TO GOLFO ARANCI (Corsica Ferries only)
3.1 From Civitavecchia (5 to 10 hrs.): UP TO SIX WEEKLY from April through September only
3.2 From Livorno (6.5 to 10 hrs.): ONE TO TWO DAILY Year-Round
4. TO PORTO TORRES (Year-Round)
4.1 From Genova (10-12 hrs.): ONE TO THREE DAILY on Tirrenia, Moby and GNV
5 TO ARBATAX (Year-Round; Tirrenia only)
5.1 From Civitavecchia (10.5 hrs.): TWICE WEEKLY
5.2 From Genova (14.5-18 hrs.): TWICE WEEKLY
Here are the websites:
www.tirrenia.it
www.moby.it
www.gnv.it
www.snav.it
www.corsicaferries.com
NOTE: There used to be a summer-only daylight fast ferry between Fiumicino and Arbatax operated by Tirrenia, but it is unclear whether it continues into 2010.
My next posting will hyperlink to some representative photographs of the ferries typically used on the Sardinia routes.
A couple of introductory observations:
1. There are five "ports of call" on Sardinia which have passenger car ferry service: Porto Torres (useful for Sassari and Alghero), Golfo Aranci, Olbia (these two useful for the Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena Archipelago), Arbatax and Cagliari.
2. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ENTRY PORT IS CAGLIARI. It is also the only port where there is no competition: Tirrenia Lines is currently the only operator, where it currently uses its oldest ferries.
3. There are both overnight and (during the tourist season) daylight crossings to Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci and Olbia. There are only overnight crossings to Cagliari and Arbatax. THE CHEAPEST TRANSPORTATION IS TO TAKE "DECK PASSAGE" ON ONE OF THE DAYLIGHT CROSSINGS.
4. The FASTEST crossings are: Piombino/Olbia 4 hrs. 30 mins.; Civitavecchia/Olbia 4 hrs. 45; Civitavecchia/Golfo Aranci 5 hrs. 15 mins.; Livorno/Olbia 6 hrs.; Livorno/Golfo Aranci 6 hrs. 30 mins. These are operated by Moby Lines (to Olbia) and Corsica Ferries (to Golfo Aranci). They are all daylight crossings, and don't operate during the winter.
5. Schedules are extremely seasonal, and they peak during July and August, when there are seven daily ferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia; and three daily ferries between Livorno/Olbia; Genova/Porto Torres and Genova/Olbia. During the winter, schedules are significantly reduced, but daily crossings continue to Porto Torres, Olbia, Golfo Aranci and Cagliari from at least one departure port on Mainland Italy.
6. Solo travellers on overnight crossings wishing to save money should consider accepting an airline-type reclining seat instead of a cabin. The FIRST class recliners on the Tirrenia ships to Olbia and Porto Torres are supposed to be quite comfortable. There is usually a steep supplement for the exclusive use of a cabin by one passenger, although it is also usually possible to book a bunk in a quad cabin shared with strangers of the same gender. The ship operator websites have photos of the cabins and recliners offered. The cabins all have private facilities (except for the older Tirrenia ships which also have "second class" cabins without facilities, used only during the peak of the summer season).
7. All these ships have cafeteria and bar service, as well as at least one public lounge. Most of the passenger ships also have a formal restaurant with tablecloth service, a movie theatre, a shopping arcade, and other public facilities. The large GNV passenger ferries have the most amenities. The Tirrenia ferries have the fewest. Not all amenities and/or facilities are open during the winter months.
8. IF YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME AND/OR DON'T LIKE FERRIES, FLY TO SARDINIA FROM MAINLAND ITALY!!!!! In some/many cases, you'll find low-cost flights for less than or around the same fare as a recliner on the ferry. And the trip will take under 60 minutes. However, you may save money by taking a DAYLIGHT ferry during the travel season.
9. Remember that these are FERRY SHIPS and NOT cruise ships!!! Even though some of the larger vessels are "luxurious" ferries, they are ferries nonetheless. Don't expect a cruise ship!!!
10. Advance reservations for cabins on OVERNIGHT crossings are ESSENTIAL during the SUMMER, although almost never needed from mid-September through late May. During the winter, there are very few passengers on most of the ferries, which cater primarily to freight operators, big-rigs, and truck drivers.
NOW, HERE ARE THE CROSSINGS:
1. TO CAGLIARI (Tirrenia only; all OVERNIGHT; all Year-Round)
1.1 From Civitavecchia (14.5 hrs.): DAILY (twice weekly calling at Arbatax; 16 hrs.)
1.2 From Napoli (16 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY (twice weekly in August only)
1.3 From Palermo (14.5 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY
1.4 From Trapani (11.5 hrs.): ONE WEEKLY
2. TO OLBIA (Year-Round):
2.1 From Civitavecchia (4.5 to 10 hrs.): THREE to SEVEN DAILY on Moby, SNAV and Tirrenia
2.2 From Livorno (6 to 9 hrs.): ONE TO THREE DAILY on Moby
2.3 From Piombino (4.5 to 6.5 hrs): FIVE TO SIX WEEKLY on Moby
2.4 From Genova (9.5 to 12 hrs): THREE WEEKLY (winter) to THREE DAILY (summer) on Tirrenia, Moby and Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV)
3. TO GOLFO ARANCI (Corsica Ferries only)
3.1 From Civitavecchia (5 to 10 hrs.): UP TO SIX WEEKLY from April through September only
3.2 From Livorno (6.5 to 10 hrs.): ONE TO TWO DAILY Year-Round
4. TO PORTO TORRES (Year-Round)
4.1 From Genova (10-12 hrs.): ONE TO THREE DAILY on Tirrenia, Moby and GNV
5 TO ARBATAX (Year-Round; Tirrenia only)
5.1 From Civitavecchia (10.5 hrs.): TWICE WEEKLY
5.2 From Genova (14.5-18 hrs.): TWICE WEEKLY
Here are the websites:
www.tirrenia.it
www.moby.it
www.gnv.it
www.snav.it
www.corsicaferries.com
NOTE: There used to be a summer-only daylight fast ferry between Fiumicino and Arbatax operated by Tirrenia, but it is unclear whether it continues into 2010.
My next posting will hyperlink to some representative photographs of the ferries typically used on the Sardinia routes.
Dec 1st, 2009 | 12:11 PM
#2
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Now comes the fun part. Below are hyperlinks (which will hopefully work) to the TYPICAL ferries utilized by the various operators on crossings to Sardinia. The following points should be kept in mind:
1. Actual ship assignments do vary from time to time, as different ships are rotated into service according to operational requirements, seasonality, and the occasional accident or breakdown.
2. In some cases, the substituted ship can be very different from the regularly assigned ship. A case in point are the Tirrenia ferries between Cagliari and Napoli/Palermo/Trapani, where both a hybrid ship and an older-model passenger ferry are used at different times of the year. Another example are the Corsica Ferries between Livorno and Golfo Aranci, where a much older and smaller ship is typically used during the winter months.
3. The websites of the various operators have photos of the cabins, reclining seats, and public facilities of these ferries. With the exception of the oldest Tirrenia ferries (typically used between Civitavecchia/Cagliari and Genova/Olbia), all cabins have private facilities. Some of the reclining seats (e.g. the FIRST class seats on the newest Tirrenia ferries) are reputed to be quite comfortable, even for the overnight crossings.
4. Public facilities vary widely. Grandi Navi Veloci and, to a lesser extent, Corsica Ferries and Moby, have excellent facilities, including a formal restaurant, movie theatre, and swimming pool. Tirrenia and, to a lesser extent, SNAV, have less fancy facilities (but good nevertheless).
TIRRENIA:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sharden_2005_b_3.htm
A class of five ships, used primarily between Civitavecchia/Olbia, Genova/Olbia and Genova/Porto Torres, in service between 2001 and 2005. 40,000 tons, 702 feet by 87 feet, 28 knots, 3000 passengers, 1085 autos, 320 cabins, 952 recliners (of which 304 first class). These are the largest Tirrenia ships.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/clodia_1980_b_9.htm
A class of six ships, in service between 1979-1981, of which three radically transformed in 1992 with the addition of two top decks with cabins. Internally upgraded in 2002. Used primarily between Civitavecchia/Cagliari and Genova/Olbia. Currently the oldest class of ships in the Tirrenia fleet. 14,800 tons, 485 feet by 76 feet, 19.5 knots, 2280 passengers, 645 autos, 414 cabins (of which 295 with private facilities), 459 recliners. Beginning to show their age.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/toscana_1994_b_4.htm
A hybrid, sui generis freighter, in service since 1994, recently internally upgraded. Used primarily between Cagliari and Napoli/Palermo/Trapani. Currently the only hybrid freight/passenger ferry in the Tirrenia fleet. 13,885 tons, 545 feet by 72 feet, 19 knots, 600 passengers, 300 autos, 119 cabins, 126 recliners. Cafeteria and bar, but no restaurant or movie theatre.
At other times of the year, an unmodified sister ship of #2 above is substituted.
MOBY:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_wonder_2001_b_8.htm
Like this ship? A class of three, in service between 2001-2005, used primarily between Livorno/Olbia and Genova/Olbia. 36,000 tons, 574 feet by 91 feet, 29 knots, 2200 passengers, 750 autos, 320 cabins, recliners.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_otta_1976_b_5.htm
This older ship and its sister, originally in service since 1975, is used primarily between Genova/Porto Torres and Civitavecchia/Olbia. 21,545 tons, 605 feet by 87 feet, 27 knots, 1900 passengers, 500 autos, 400 cabins, recliners
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_tommy_2002_b_3.htm
The largest ship in the Moby fleet, originally in service since 2002, is used primarily between Piombino and Olbia. 28,000 tons, 695 feet by 82 feet, 30 knots, 2200 passengers, 1000 autos, cabins and recliners.
GRANDI NAVI VELOCI (GNV):
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/excellent_1998_b_3.htm
Together with its sister, this ferry, in service since 1998, crosses between Genova/Porto Torres and Genova/Olbia. 39,500 tons, 665 Feet by 88 feet, 24 knots, 2253 passengers, 760 autos, 387 cabins, recliners.
SNAV:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sn...ardegna_1989_b_4.htm
I find this ship unattractive. Together with a sister and near-sister, originally in service since 1989, this ferry is used between Civitavecchia and Olbia. 35,000 tons, 590 feet by 82 feet, 21 knots, 1700 passengers, 575 autos, cabins and recliners.
CORSICA FERRIES:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/me...s_three_2001_b_5.htm
A stunning ship, in service since 2001. Together with five near-sisters, it typically crosses between Livorno and Golfo Aranci. 27,000 tons, 695 feet by 82 feet, 30.5 knots, 2100 passengers, 650 autos, 370 cabins, recliners.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sa..._regina_1972_b_6.htm
Together with its sister, this older ship, in service since 1972, is used during the winter between Livorno and Golfo Aranci, as well as between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci. 13,000 tons, 481 feet by 68 feet, 19 knots, 1700 passengers, 400 autos, 223 cabins, recliners. An elegant albeit fading beauty queen.
1. Actual ship assignments do vary from time to time, as different ships are rotated into service according to operational requirements, seasonality, and the occasional accident or breakdown.
2. In some cases, the substituted ship can be very different from the regularly assigned ship. A case in point are the Tirrenia ferries between Cagliari and Napoli/Palermo/Trapani, where both a hybrid ship and an older-model passenger ferry are used at different times of the year. Another example are the Corsica Ferries between Livorno and Golfo Aranci, where a much older and smaller ship is typically used during the winter months.
3. The websites of the various operators have photos of the cabins, reclining seats, and public facilities of these ferries. With the exception of the oldest Tirrenia ferries (typically used between Civitavecchia/Cagliari and Genova/Olbia), all cabins have private facilities. Some of the reclining seats (e.g. the FIRST class seats on the newest Tirrenia ferries) are reputed to be quite comfortable, even for the overnight crossings.
4. Public facilities vary widely. Grandi Navi Veloci and, to a lesser extent, Corsica Ferries and Moby, have excellent facilities, including a formal restaurant, movie theatre, and swimming pool. Tirrenia and, to a lesser extent, SNAV, have less fancy facilities (but good nevertheless).
TIRRENIA:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sharden_2005_b_3.htm
A class of five ships, used primarily between Civitavecchia/Olbia, Genova/Olbia and Genova/Porto Torres, in service between 2001 and 2005. 40,000 tons, 702 feet by 87 feet, 28 knots, 3000 passengers, 1085 autos, 320 cabins, 952 recliners (of which 304 first class). These are the largest Tirrenia ships.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/clodia_1980_b_9.htm
A class of six ships, in service between 1979-1981, of which three radically transformed in 1992 with the addition of two top decks with cabins. Internally upgraded in 2002. Used primarily between Civitavecchia/Cagliari and Genova/Olbia. Currently the oldest class of ships in the Tirrenia fleet. 14,800 tons, 485 feet by 76 feet, 19.5 knots, 2280 passengers, 645 autos, 414 cabins (of which 295 with private facilities), 459 recliners. Beginning to show their age.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/toscana_1994_b_4.htm
A hybrid, sui generis freighter, in service since 1994, recently internally upgraded. Used primarily between Cagliari and Napoli/Palermo/Trapani. Currently the only hybrid freight/passenger ferry in the Tirrenia fleet. 13,885 tons, 545 feet by 72 feet, 19 knots, 600 passengers, 300 autos, 119 cabins, 126 recliners. Cafeteria and bar, but no restaurant or movie theatre.
At other times of the year, an unmodified sister ship of #2 above is substituted.
MOBY:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_wonder_2001_b_8.htm
Like this ship? A class of three, in service between 2001-2005, used primarily between Livorno/Olbia and Genova/Olbia. 36,000 tons, 574 feet by 91 feet, 29 knots, 2200 passengers, 750 autos, 320 cabins, recliners.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_otta_1976_b_5.htm
This older ship and its sister, originally in service since 1975, is used primarily between Genova/Porto Torres and Civitavecchia/Olbia. 21,545 tons, 605 feet by 87 feet, 27 knots, 1900 passengers, 500 autos, 400 cabins, recliners
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/moby_tommy_2002_b_3.htm
The largest ship in the Moby fleet, originally in service since 2002, is used primarily between Piombino and Olbia. 28,000 tons, 695 feet by 82 feet, 30 knots, 2200 passengers, 1000 autos, cabins and recliners.
GRANDI NAVI VELOCI (GNV):
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/excellent_1998_b_3.htm
Together with its sister, this ferry, in service since 1998, crosses between Genova/Porto Torres and Genova/Olbia. 39,500 tons, 665 Feet by 88 feet, 24 knots, 2253 passengers, 760 autos, 387 cabins, recliners.
SNAV:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sn...ardegna_1989_b_4.htm
I find this ship unattractive. Together with a sister and near-sister, originally in service since 1989, this ferry is used between Civitavecchia and Olbia. 35,000 tons, 590 feet by 82 feet, 21 knots, 1700 passengers, 575 autos, cabins and recliners.
CORSICA FERRIES:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/me...s_three_2001_b_5.htm
A stunning ship, in service since 2001. Together with five near-sisters, it typically crosses between Livorno and Golfo Aranci. 27,000 tons, 695 feet by 82 feet, 30.5 knots, 2100 passengers, 650 autos, 370 cabins, recliners.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sa..._regina_1972_b_6.htm
Together with its sister, this older ship, in service since 1972, is used during the winter between Livorno and Golfo Aranci, as well as between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci. 13,000 tons, 481 feet by 68 feet, 19 knots, 1700 passengers, 400 autos, 223 cabins, recliners. An elegant albeit fading beauty queen.
Dec 1st, 2009 | 12:46 PM
#3
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Let's try the last three hyperlinks once again:
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/snav_sardegna_1989_b_4.htm
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/mega_exp...e_2001_b_5.htm
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sardinia...a_1972_b_6.htm
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/snav_sardegna_1989_b_4.htm
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/mega_exp...e_2001_b_5.htm
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sardinia...a_1972_b_6.htm
Dec 1st, 2009 | 02:24 PM
#4
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There are also services by Di Maio Lines in summer from Napoli to Cagliari, Golfo Aranci and Palau (http://www.dimaiolines.it) and by Grimaldi Lines from Civitavecchia to Porto Torres (http://www.grimaldi-lines.com).
Dec 1st, 2009 | 04:17 PM
#5
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Geoff: damn good catch. You put me to shame!!!
In similar vein, I should correct a mistake in my posting: Civitavecchia/Olbia during the winter is TWICE daily (not three times daily). Only Tirrenia and SNAV run ferries during the winter season on this route.
In similar vein, I should correct a mistake in my posting: Civitavecchia/Olbia during the winter is TWICE daily (not three times daily). Only Tirrenia and SNAV run ferries during the winter season on this route.
Dec 1st, 2009 | 06:52 PM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
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You did notention the fast tragetto from Fiumicino to Olbia, which operates in the summer. It may also operate at other times, but I have taken the Fiumicino-Olbia August. In addition, I have flown from Leonardo Da Vinci to Olbia many times. The trouble with this is that invariable, I wait longer for my luggage than the flight time between Olbia-Rome. I have always flown Meridiana, and their luggage service is for the birds. Speaking of birds, one great play on words is the name for Air One Airlines. You can interpret it as "AIR ONE", or interpret it as "AIRONE", which means HERON in Italian. I love that.
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Dec 1st, 2009 | 07:12 PM
#9
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Waldo: please furnish the website for this crossing you cite. Tirrenia Lines suspended its Fiumicino/Arbatax and Fiumicino/Golfo Aranci summer fast ferry crossings in 2009. I cannot find a separate Fiumicino/Olbia crossing.
Julia, yes you can cross from Nice to Bastia (Corsica Lines, SNCM or Moby), then Bonifacio to Santa Teresa di Gallura on www.saremar.it or www.moby.it (summer only).
There is also a crossing from Marseille to Porto Torres and Propriano (Corsica) to Porto Torres on www.lameridionale.fr
Julia, yes you can cross from Nice to Bastia (Corsica Lines, SNCM or Moby), then Bonifacio to Santa Teresa di Gallura on www.saremar.it or www.moby.it (summer only).
There is also a crossing from Marseille to Porto Torres and Propriano (Corsica) to Porto Torres on www.lameridionale.fr
Dec 2nd, 2009 | 12:39 AM
#10
Joined: Jan 2003
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Sorry, but the links I gave don't work as quoted. These are the correct versions:
www.dimaiolines.it
www.grimaldi-lines.com
The fast ferry from Fiumicino did not operate in 2009 and is unlikely to resume. Tirrenia's fast ferries were quite uneconomic, with a fuel consumption of around 14 tons an hour, and ran for increasingly short summer seasons until 2008. All six are now laid-up and available for sale.
www.dimaiolines.it
www.grimaldi-lines.com
The fast ferry from Fiumicino did not operate in 2009 and is unlikely to resume. Tirrenia's fast ferries were quite uneconomic, with a fuel consumption of around 14 tons an hour, and ran for increasingly short summer seasons until 2008. All six are now laid-up and available for sale.
Dec 2nd, 2009 | 04:27 AM
#11
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Geoff: again, you are correct about the Tirrenia fast ferries out of Fiumicino: they are indeed not economical, and cannot even be contemplated for use outside of July and August (thereby making them an exceptionally bad investment in equipment). This information has been confirmed to me by personnel of the shipping company.
But "the other side of the coin" is that Tirrenia has now been running THREE fast megaferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia during the summer months, which completely take away any remaining justification for the Fiumicino fast ferry crossings. These megaferries take merely one hour more than the much smaller uneconomical fast ferries (it's a five hour crossing); they accommodate 3000 versus 1800 passengers, have many more amenities (cafeteria, restaurant, shopping arcade, huge public lounge), and MOST IMPORTANTLY, they can transport twice the number of automobiles and can accommodate the largest big-rigs (which the smaller ships cannot). Consequently, these new megaferries have eclipsed the smaller (albeit faster) ships, further explaining the decision to suspend (eliminate?) the service out of the Port of Fiumicino.
I might also mention that Moby Lines uses a fast megaferry from April through September between Civitavecchia and Olbia which takes only 4 hrs., 45 mins. During the same timeframe, Corsica Ferries runs a fast megaferry between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci which takes only 5 hrs., 15 mins.
With the advent of these fast megaferries, we may have seen an end to crossings by smaller, less economical ships.
Furthermore, with the curtailment of government subsidies, ship operators must now be increasingly more aggressive in containing costs, making the "mezzi veloci" an easy target for cuts.
But "the other side of the coin" is that Tirrenia has now been running THREE fast megaferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia during the summer months, which completely take away any remaining justification for the Fiumicino fast ferry crossings. These megaferries take merely one hour more than the much smaller uneconomical fast ferries (it's a five hour crossing); they accommodate 3000 versus 1800 passengers, have many more amenities (cafeteria, restaurant, shopping arcade, huge public lounge), and MOST IMPORTANTLY, they can transport twice the number of automobiles and can accommodate the largest big-rigs (which the smaller ships cannot). Consequently, these new megaferries have eclipsed the smaller (albeit faster) ships, further explaining the decision to suspend (eliminate?) the service out of the Port of Fiumicino.
I might also mention that Moby Lines uses a fast megaferry from April through September between Civitavecchia and Olbia which takes only 4 hrs., 45 mins. During the same timeframe, Corsica Ferries runs a fast megaferry between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci which takes only 5 hrs., 15 mins.
With the advent of these fast megaferries, we may have seen an end to crossings by smaller, less economical ships.
Furthermore, with the curtailment of government subsidies, ship operators must now be increasingly more aggressive in containing costs, making the "mezzi veloci" an easy target for cuts.
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