Cruise Ausonia ferry

MS Cruise Ausonia is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Italy-based company GRIMALDI LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,821 passengers and 649 cars. Launched in 2002, she currently serves the Italy-Sicily ferry route Livorno-Palermo, with a crossing time of 18 hours.

Since October 17, 2022 (maiden crossing), the vessel has also been deployed on the Naples-Palermo route, with three weekly crossings and a travel time of approximately 10 hours. Departures from Naples are at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from Palermo on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. During the summer, Palermo-Naples crossings increase to six times weekly from both homeports.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Cruise Ausonia features 198 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Cabins can accommodate up to 4 passengers and are available in both interior and exterior options.

Accommodation categories include:

• L2 Deluxe-LUX (2-bed / Double Outside) – available for single occupancy with a 50% supplement
• A2 (2-bed / Double Outside) – single occupancy also available with a 50% supplement
• AB2 (2-bed / Double Inside)
• A3 (3-bed / Triple Outside)
• AB3 (3-bed / Triple Inside)
• A4-Family (4-bed / Quad Outside)
• AB4-Family (4-bed / Quad Inside)
• DOR (Dormitories / separate sleeping quarters for men and women)
• ATS (Airtype Seats) – located on Deck 8, a reserved seating lounge (113 m² / 1200 ft²) with aircraft-style reclining leather armchairs

All staterooms include en-suite bathrooms (with washbasin, shower, and toilet). Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. Some cabins are wheelchair-accessible and adapted for disabled passengers.

Pet-friendly staterooms are available and must be booked as full cabins (double/triple/quad), not per bed. Pets must be in cages; dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Pet cabins are 4-bed Inside and Outside rooms, available as Doubles, Triples, or Quads. Single occupancy incurs a 50% supplement.

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

Shipboard Dining and Entertainment

Facilities onboard Cruise Ausonia include:

• Deck 7: A La Carte Restaurant, Self-Service Restaurant, FLOCAFE Bar, Cafeteria, Driver's Lounge, Lobby Reception, Boutique, Shop, Casino, Disco Nightclub, Outdoor Promenade Deck
• Deck 8: Sun Deck, Reserved Seating Lounge, Couchettes, Cabins
• Deck 9: First Aid/Infirmary, Cabins
• Deck 10: Bar, Swimming Pool, Dog Kennels
• Deck 11: Heli Deck with helipad for emergency helicopter landings
• Wi-Fi service and ATM (next to the Information Desk on Deck 7)

Emergency instructions are displayed in all staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster (assembly) stations. Life jackets are located at muster stations. Elevators are not to be used in emergencies.

GRIMALDI Ferry and Cruise Deals

Grimaldi ferries feature passenger cabins with modern amenities, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites offer private balconies. Occasionally, the largest ships are used for mini-cruises, particularly during Christmas and New Year holidays.

• Themed cruises (e.g., sports, art, music, religion) can be arranged by travel agencies or event organizers using adaptable event spaces onboard.
• 2-day mini-cruises are available on Rome-Barcelona routes.
• “Ad hoc” religious pilgrimages are organized to destinations in Spain (Barcelona), France (Lourdes, Carcassonne).
• GRIMALDI FREIGHTER CLUB members (min. 2 crossings) receive a 5% discount.
• Group discounts are available for 20+ passengers, including students, sports teams, music bands, and religious groups.
• “Nave Piu Hotel” packages offer ferry and accommodation combos for Sardinia and Sicily.
• A shuttle bus service (EUR 24 pp each way) connects Naples and Civitavecchia (except Sundays).

Discounts include:

• 20% off early bookings (January–April 30) for routes to Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece
• 20% off departures to/from Palermo (January–April 30)
• 20% off bookings made within 7 days of departure (January–April 30)
• 20% off for seniors (60+), includes Inside Cabin without single supplement
• 20% off campers on Spain-Italy return crossings
• 20% off return tickets on low-season Italy-Greece routes
• 20% off return tickets on Italy-Tunisia and Tunisia-Italy
• 20% off return tickets on Italy-Morocco and Morocco-Italy
• 30% off low-season Italy-Greece crossings with combined Grimaldi and Minoan Lines bookings
• 50% off for kids aged 2–12; free for toddlers under 2 (max 2 kids per cabin)
• 100% off for children under 12 on Sicily routes (roundtrips, subject to availability)
• 100% “SARDI DOC” and “SICILIANI DOC” discount for Sardinia/Sicily residents (free car and no single supplement, limited availability)
• 100% off cars on Civitavecchia–Sardinia routes (early booking through April 30)
• 100% off cars/motorbikes on Spain–Italy return crossings (not all departures)
• Special Wednesday rates on Civitavecchia–Barcelona and return
• Special couple rates on Spain routes (2 passengers in same cabin)
• Discounted child fares on all routes connecting Italy with Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, and Greece
• “Superfamily and Friends” offer: 4 passengers in the same cabin pay for 2 (3rd and 4th travel free). Valid for Spain-Italy return routes, combinable with other offers.

Note: All discounts exclude fixed port charges and government taxes.

The “Weekend a Bordo” program allows a weekend stay in Barcelona aboard Cruise Roma or Cruise Barcelona.

• Saturday (12:00 am): Depart from Civitavecchia
• Sunday (8:00 pm): Arrive in Barcelona, overnight stay onboard
• Monday: Free day in Barcelona, depart at 10:15 pm
• Tuesday (7:00 pm): Arrive back in Civitavecchia
• Full access to onboard amenities including spa, gym, casino, solarium, entertainment, restaurants

Grimaldi also offers affordable honeymoon cruises:

• Package includes Junior Suite, roundtrip ferry for 2 with 1 car, wellness center access, spa treatment per person, meals, in-cabin dining, port fees and taxes
• Available on Cruise Roma and Cruise Barcelona
• Rates per couple: EUR 640 (low), EUR 740 (mid), EUR 920 (high season)

Pets on the Ship

Pets are allowed on all GRIMALDI ships. Dogs and cats have dedicated lodgings; small animals (rabbits, birds, hamsters) must be kept in personal carriers.

• Pets are not allowed in cabins, lounges, or indoor public areas. They are permitted only on outer decks.
• When booking, select “Pet up to 6 kg” for animals in cages or “Pet over 6 kg” for kennel space (advance reservation required).
• Owners must feed and clean up after their pets. Water is provided onboard.

Guide dogs for visually impaired passengers are allowed in cabins and travel free of charge. Assistance dogs for disabled passengers are also permitted.

Car Decks

Safety guidelines for car decks (Decks 1–6):

• Passengers needing assistance should visit the Information Desk (24-hour service)
• Apply handbrake, engage gear, switch off ignition and alarms, lock the vehicle
• Turn off gas cylinders, lights, and all electronics
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage from the vehicle
• Note your car’s location and deck/stairway before leaving
• Access to car decks is prohibited during the voyage
• Smoking is forbidden on car decks, in cabins, and lounges
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle

To minimize air pollution, do not start your engine until instructed.

Grimaldi Lines (fleet), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Civitavecchia-Rome, is an Italian ferry company operating exclusively on Mediterranean routes, connecting mainland Italy with Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and Tunisia.