For those considering the ferry between Sicily and Naples, here's some feedback from our recent trip. We took the overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples. We reserved a cabin and a spot for a car by calling ahead from the US (reconfirm before you leave as our first reservation mysteriously "expired"). <BR><BR>The day of sailing we went early in the morning to pay for and pick up our tickets (183 Euro for a double cabin and a car). The ship (Vincenzo Florio) is quite large and modern and the whole process is a breeze. You show your tickets, drive in, and are directed by an attendant to park You then take the stairs or an elevator to the reception area where you exchange your ticket for the cabin key.

Cabins are small of course, but functional. Beds were somewhat narrow but more comfortable than some of the hotel rooms we stayed in. I wasn't thrilled with the cleanliness of the bathroom but it wasn't filthy - just not spic and span. Next time I'll bring a bottle of alcohol to swab things down. I also used bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth etc as I didn't want to take a chance with the ship's water even though it looked okay. The cabin was air conditioned and you could control it by turning a valve on the ceiling. The ship had 3 choices for eating (coffee bar, self-serve cafeteria, and sit-down restaurant), a bar and lounge with tvs, game room, and card room/library. <BR><BR>I'm sure that the weather will have an impact on how much rocking you'll feel but this is a large ship and the motion on our trip was hardly noticeable. The most amazing thing is how quickly they get you off the ship in the morning. The ship docked at 6:30 am and by the time we arrived at the garage to get our car at 7:05, it was the only car left. <BR><BR>

The Florio and its twin sister Rubattino (Tirrenia LInes) are brand new, they displace 30,800 tons, measure 175 metres in length, 26 metres in width, and carry 1500 passengers and 800 vehicles, so they are large ships. They sail nightly at 20:45 between Naples and Palermo, 365 days per year, arriving the following morning at 6:30.

topping for James

Correction: the ships carry 1,378 passengers and 700 vehicles.

Tirrenia is the state-owned company, though this will change soon. There is a rival overnight service by SNAV with ships of a similar size (www.snav.it).

Good observation. The two SNAV ships, the CAMPANIA and the SICILIA, depart Naples earlier (19:30) and arrive in Palermo later (7:00) than do the Tirrenia ships, since they travel at 18 knots v. 23 knots for Tirrenia's newer ships. Otherwise, the SNAV vessels are nearly as big as those of the better known Tirrenia Line. It would be interesting to compare accommodations and services.

You can see photos of the interior of many of the Tirrenia ships in:<BR>www.navitirrenia.it (a non-official site)

Maddy, thanks for the info! is there a site in English? did you check the SNAV line?
thanks again

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

This is the link to the Tirrenia site in English. As you'll see, some of the translations are a bit fractured but you'll get the general idea:

http://www.gruppotirrenia.it/tirreni.../mainframe.htm

I don't remember doing any extensive research on SNAV at that time (pricing etc) because I thought they only had the fast ferry service which I didn't want to do. But certainly seems like it's worth comparing the two lines. I'd just be careful to check the age of the SNAV ships. I wouldn't want to be on a ship that wasn't reasonably modern and with air conditioning in the cabins in summer.

Shirley, on the Naples to Palermo run, the two Tirrenia Lines ships have the edge over the two SNAV ships, which are smaller, slower and less modern. However, SNAV does also operate the daily fast catamaran &quot;Sicilia Jet&quot; which connects the two cities in less than 4.5 hours. It runs only during daylight hours, from mid-April to mid-October, and actually costs less than reserving a cabin on the overnight car ferries (though you could also save money by reserving a reclining seat on the ferry). The catamaran is subject to cancellation because of rough seas. You can also take your rental car on the catamaran (as on the car ferry) for an additional fee. The catamaran is noisier and not as smooth as the big car ferries.

A minor point: during the month of August, Tirrenia doubles the runs between Naples and Palermo by adding a daylight car ferry crossing on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. (arrival at 18:00) from both cities. This daylight crossing is only on August weekends, and compliments the daily, year-round night crossing. One can save money by reserving a reclining seat on the day crossing (or for that matter, on the night crossing) rather than a sleeping cabin. Crossings during the month of August are likely to be overcrowded, with many passengers without reservations standing on the open decks, and competing for open seats in the lounges and common areas.

This old thread has resurfaced, and I want to make an important update: The SNAV daylight fast catamaran service referenced above between Naples and Palermo from April through October, was DISCONTINUED several years ago, and has never been put back in service (nor are there plans to do so).

Both SNAV and Tirrenia continue their respective daily, year-round overnight car ferry crossings. Both operators supplement these crossings with DAYLIGHT crossings on the WEEKENDS in AUGUST only (in both directions). Accommodations and fares are very similar, although the Tirrenia ships are a bit larger, newer and faster. Both operators offer inside and outside twin and quad cabins with private facilities, as well as reclining seats. The Tirrenia seats are reportedly quite comfortable. The ships have a formal restaurant with waiter service, self-service cafeteria, coffee bar (alcoholic drinks too), cinema, shopping arcade, large public salon, videogames, and a card/reading room.

In addition to the overnight crossings, consider also the possibility of FLYING: Alitalia/Air One and Air Italy (beginning May 2010) both have non-stop flights between Naples and Palermo). During certain times of the year, air fares can be very attractive, so check them out. Remember to add the cost (and time) of travel to and from both airports.

Finally, at least for the time being, there remains daily train service between Naples and Palermo, both by day and overnight, although the train ride is slow and rather monotonous, and the night train is much less comfortable than the overnight ferry. Fares for sleepers on the train are also not terribly competitive with the car ferry. The CHEAPEST fare, however, is an ordinary second class seat on the overnight train.

ADVICE: If travelling by night, take the car ferry. If you're in a hurry, fly. If you want some scenery, take the daylight train (or a daylight flight).

www.snav.it
www.tirrenia.it
www.alitalia.it
www.airitaly.it
www.ferroviedellostato.it