Catania ferry

MS Catania is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry operated by the Italy-based company GRIMALDI LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 938 passengers, 480 cars, and 132 trucks (trailers). Launched in 2003, it currently serves ferry routes between Italy and Tunisia (Civitavecchia-Tunis, crossing time 20 hours), Italy and Sicily (Salerno-Palermo, crossing time 10 hours), and the combined Italy-Sicily-Tunisia route (Salerno-Palermo-Tunis, crossing time 23.5 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, MS Catania offers 93 cabins, including 89 Inside and Outside cabins, 2 Superior Suites, and 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins. All staterooms are air-conditioned and soundproof, featuring en-suite bathrooms (toilet, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), upper and lower bunk beds (wall-mounted), bedside cabinets, mirrored vanity with armchair, telephone, TV, and reading lamps. Linens, towels, and toiletries are provided.

Outside cabins have a bay window. Superior Suites include satellite TV, a mini-bar, a double bed, and a double sofabed. Two cabins are wheelchair-accessible. The ship also features 62 reclining seats (aircraft-style) available in reserved seating lounges and bookable in advance.

All passengers must vacate their cabins 30 minutes prior to homeport arrival.

Shipboard Dining and Entertainment Options

Onboard amenities include:

• Self-Service (Buffet) Restaurant with panoramic windows offering quick meals prepared by Italian chefs. Personalized gluten-free menus available. Booking meals in advance online provides up to 50% off onboard prices.
• Two dining menus (Standard and Business), each with fixed pricing for breakfast and lunch/dinner.
• Standard menu includes a hot drink, croissant or butter/jam sandwiches, fruit juice for breakfast; lunch and dinner include a first course, main course, side, bread, fruit, and one drink.
• Business menu adds an appetizer, dessert, and yogurt to meals, with similar drink options.
• Vesuvio Club Bar / Snack Bar offers sandwiches, pastries, yogurts, ice cream, and hot/cold drinks year-round.
• Children’s Room with large TV, toys, bean bags, ball pit, and supervised activities.
• Sun Deck with loungers, outdoor seating, and glass windbreaks.
• Casino with slot machines and gaming tables; Video Games Room with arcade machines.
• Two Reserved Seating Lounges (Economy-Class and Club-Class) with Pullman seats and large TVs. Two exclusive lounges for truck drivers (restaurant and bar).
• Shops include boutiques and a Mini Market selling alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, fashion, electronics, snacks, and souvenirs.
• ATM located near the Reception Desk. Wi-Fi is available for purchase online or onboard at the Reception. Coverage is available fleetwide.

The top deck features a Heli Deck with a helipad for emergency use. There is also a ship infirmary offering 24-hour medical service. Emergency instructions are provided in all cabins, on TVs, and at muster stations. Life jackets are distributed at muster stations. Elevators are not to be used in emergencies.

GRIMALDI Ferry and Cruise Deals

Grimaldi ships offer modern cabins with air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites have private balconies. Occasionally, the largest ships operate Mediterranean mini-cruises during the holiday season.

• Crossings can be customized for events. Popular themes include sports, art, music, religion, and culture.
• Mini-cruises from Rome to Barcelona (2-day) are available.
• "Ad hoc" religious cruises include pilgrimages to Spain (Sagrada Familia), France (Lourdes), and Carcassonne.
• GRIMALDI FREIGHTER CLUB offers a 5% discount after two crossings.
• Group discounts available for 20+ passengers, including students, fans, bands, and more.
• "Nave Piu Hotel" packages for Sardinia and Sicily combine ferry tickets with hotel stays.
• Shuttle bus between Naples and Civitavecchia costs EUR 24 per person, bookable with ferry tickets or onboard. Operates daily except Sunday.

Discounted ferry travel deals include:

• 20% off early bookings (Jan–Apr 30) for Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece.
• 20% off Palermo routes during the same period.
• 20% off if departing within 7 days of booking (select routes).
• 20% off for seniors (60+) with no single supplement.
• 20% off camper returns from Barcelona to Italy.
• 20% off return tickets on low-season Italy-Greece and Tunisia/Morocco routes.
• 30% off combined Grimaldi/Minoan low-season Italy-Greece tickets.
• 50% off for kids 2–12; free for children under 2 (max 2 per cabin, roundtrips only).
• Free travel for kids up to 12 on Sicily routes (roundtrips only).
• “SARDI DOC” and “SICILIANI DOC” offers include free vehicle transport and single cabin without supplement (for Sardinian/Sicilian residents).
• 100% off cars on early bookings to Sardinia; combinable with resident discounts.
• 100% off car/motorbike returns from Spain to Italy (limited sailings).
• Wednesday discounts on Civitavecchia-Barcelona sailings.
• Special rates for couples and families traveling to/from Spain.
• “Superfamily and Friends” rates for 4 passengers sharing a cabin (2 pay, 2 free) on Spain-Italy returns.

Note: Fixed fees (port charges, taxes) are not included in discount rates.

The “Weekend a Bordo” program offers passengers a weekend in Barcelona with return travel:

• Saturday midnight: depart Civitavecchia
• Sunday 8 pm: arrive in Barcelona (overnight stay on ship)
• Monday: free day, depart 10:15 pm
• Tuesday 7 pm: return to Civitavecchia
• Full ship services are available during crossings.

Honeymoon cruise packages include a Junior Suite, roundtrip ferry (for 2 people and 1 car), spa access with 1 free treatment per person, meals, port fees, taxes, and in-cabin breakfast with fruit and sparkling wine. Available on Cruise Roma and Cruise Barcelona with prices per couple: EUR 640 (low), EUR 740 (mid), EUR 920 (high season).

Pets on the Ship

Pets are allowed on all GRIMALDI ferries. Dogs and cats have designated onboard lodgings. Small animals must be in owner-provided carriers.

• Pets are not allowed in cabins, lounges, or bars. They are only allowed on outdoor decks.
• During booking, select “Pet up to 6 kg” for small animals in cages; “Pet over 6 kg” for those needing kennels (advance booking required).
• Owners are responsible for feeding and cleaning up after their pets. Water is provided by crew.

Guide dogs travel free and are allowed in cabins. Assistance dogs may accompany passengers with reduced mobility.

Car Decks

GRIMALDI ships carry semi-trailers, lorries (with/without drivers), cars, motorcycles, caravans, camper vans (without drivers), containers, machinery, and boats.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers should notify the Information Desk (open 24/7).
• Apply handbrake, place vehicle in park/1st gear, turn off engine and alarm. Gas cylinders must be shut off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only essentials and valuables. Note your parking location and deck/stairway number.
• Vehicle decks are off-limits during voyages.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in lounges.
• Wait for announcements before returning to your vehicle. Do not start the engine until instructed.

Grimaldi Lines (fleet, founded 1999, headquartered in Civitavecchia-Rome) is an Italian ferry operator offering services across the Mediterranean, connecting mainland Italy with Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and Tunisia.