Cruise Olbia ferry

Former names: Europa Palace, Bimini Superfast, Superfast VI

Cruise Olbia ferry current position

The current location of Cruise Olbia ferry is in West Mediterranean (coordinates 39.99011 N / 12.26858 E) cruising at speed of 19 kn (35 km/h | 22 mph) en route to ITNAP. The AIS position was last reported 1 minute ago.

Current Position

Specifications of Cruise Olbia ferry

Year of build2001  /  Age: 24
Flag state Italy
Builder(HDW) Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (Kiel, Germany)
Classcruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship)
Ferry route / homeportsLivorno-Olbia Sardinia
Speed29 kn / 54 km/h / 33 mph
Length (LOA)204 m / 669 ft
Beam (width)25 m / 82 ft
Gross Tonnage32728 gt
Passengers1608
Crew86
Cars712
Freight vehicles140
Seats48
Beds842
Decks10
Cabins240
Decks with cabins3
Last Refurbishment2021
Sister-shipsCap Finistere
Former namesEuropa Palace, Bimini Superfast, Superfast VI
OwnerGRIMALDI GROUP
OperatorGRIMALDI LINES

Cruise Olbia ferry Review

Review of Cruise Olbia ferry

Cruise Olbia ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Italy-based company GRIMALDI LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,608 passengers and 712 cars (or 140 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2001, she currently operates on the Italy-Sardinia ferry route LivornoOlbia (crossing time: 8 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Cruise Olbia has 240 cabins (including 8 Superior cabins) with a total of 842 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, with en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/washbasin, hairdryer), lower and upper wall-mounted bunk beds, bedside table/cabinet with stool or chair, mirrored vanity (small writing table with chair or stool), phone, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided by the ferry company.

Outside cabins feature bay windows. Superior cabins additionally include a TV (with satellite reception), mini-bar, double bed, and a 2-seater sofa. Two cabins are wheelchair-accessible, adapted for disabled passengers. The ship also offers 48 reclining seats (aircraft-style in reserved lounges), available for pre-booking.

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

Cruise Olbia ferry ship (GRIMALDI LINES)

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Onboard facilities on the Cruise Olbia include:

  • Two main restaurants – A La Carte Restaurant and Self-Service (Buffet) Restaurant – both with panoramic (floor-to-ceiling) windows and menus created by Italian master chefs. Personalized menus with gluten-free options are available. Advance online booking offers up to 50% off onboard prices.
  • Three fixed-price dining menus – Standard, Business, Premium – for breakfast and lunch/dinner.
  • Premium menu (available only at the A La Carte Restaurant) includes 1 starter, 1 first course, 1 second course, 1 side dish, 1 dessert or fruit, and 1 drink (0.5 L bottled water, 330 ml domestic beer, 370 ml wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage).
  • Standard and Business menus are served only at the Buffet Restaurant.
  • Standard menu includes breakfast (1 hot drink, 1 croissant or 2 butter and jam sandwiches, 1 glass of juice); lunch (1 first course, 1 main course, 1 side, 1 bread, 1 seasonal fruit, 1 drink); dinner (same format as lunch).
  • Business menu includes breakfast (1 hot drink, 1 juice, 2 butter and jam sandwiches or 1 croissant + 1 yogurt); lunch and dinner (1 appetizer, 1 first course, 1 main course, 1 side, 1 bread, 1 seasonal fruit, 1 dessert, 1 drink).
  • Three bars, including a year-round Snack Bar (Cafeteria/Patisserie) offering sandwiches, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot/cold beverages.
  • Children’s Room – an indoor play area with TV (cartoons), bean bags, small furniture, toys, games, ball pit, and supervised activities.
  • Disco (nightclub), casino (slot machines), video games room, piano bar (live music), reserved lounges with Pullman-style reclining seats and large TVs, and two exclusive truck driver lounges (restaurant, bar lounge).
  • Shopping area with boutiques and mini-market offering discounted alcohol, tobacco, branded perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, fashion, footwear, watches, bags, sunglasses, hygiene products, travel essentials, snacks, toys, books, electronics, and gifts.
  • ATM (Lobby Deck) next to Reception/Information Desk. Wi-Fi is available for a fee, with packages purchasable online or onboard.
  • Wellness Center with Reception, Spa Bar Lounge, saunas, locker rooms, jacuzzi, relaxation area, massage rooms, beauty salon, and fitness gym (Technogym). Entry permitted only to adults and teens aged 14–18 (with adult supervision).
  • Sun Deck with loungers, deckchairs, tables, and TVs.

The ship’s top deck features a Heli Deck with a helipad for emergency helicopter landings.

The vessel offers ample outdoor deck space. The infirmary (ship hospital) provides 24-hour nurse service.

All emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TVs, and at muster (assembly) stations. Life jackets are issued at these stations. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

 

GRIMALDI ferry and cruise deals

Like cruise ships, all Grimaldi ferries offer cabins with modern amenities, air conditioning, and en-suite facilities. Some suites have private balconies.

Grimaldi’s largest ships occasionally operate mini-cruises, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

  • Crossings can be customized for theme cruises (sports, art, culture, history, music, religion), organized by travel agencies and event planners.
  • 2-day mini-cruises are available on Rome–Barcelona routes.
  • "Ad hoc" programs offer religion-themed cruises for pilgrim groups, with itineraries including Italy (Civitavecchia, Porto Torres), Spain (Barcelona – Sagrada Familia), France (Lourdes – Grotto), and Carcassonne (Cathedral, Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse).
  • GRIMALDI FREIGHTER CLUB offers a 5% discount for passengers who have completed at least two crossings.
  • Group travel discounts for groups of 20+ passengers (with or without vehicles), including students, sports fans, pilgrims, campers, music bands, etc.
  • "Nave Piu Hotel" packages for Sardinia and Sicily include ferry travel plus hotel stays, arranged via local partnerships.
  • Shuttle bus service (EUR 24 pp/each way) between Naples and Civitavecchia, available daily except Sundays. Times: Naples at 4 pm (boarding at 3:30 pm), Civitavecchia at 8:30 pm (boarding at 8 pm).

GRIMALDI offers various ferry travel discounts:

  • 20% early booking discount for departures through April 30 (to/from Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece).
  • 20% discount on Palermo routes (bookings and departures through April 30).
  • 20% discount for bookings within 7 days of departure (valid for Sardinia, Spain, Livorno–Palermo routes).
  • 20% discount for seniors (60+), includes Inside Cabin with no single supplement. Subject to availability.
  • Spain: 20% discount on campers returning from Barcelona to Civitavecchia or Porto Torres.
  • Greece: 20% discount on return low-season tickets for Brindisi–Igoumenitsa, Brindisi–Corfu, Brindisi–Patras (also valid in reverse).
  • Tunisia/Morocco: 20% discount on return tickets.
  • Greece: 30% discount on low-season crossings with Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines combined bookings.
  • 50% discount for kids aged 2–12; 100% for toddlers under 2 (max 2 kids per cabin; not combinable with "Superfamily and Friends").
  • 100% discount for kids under 12 on Sicily routes (roundtrips only, subject to availability).
  • “SARDI DOC” and “SICILIANI DOC” 100% discounts for Sardinia/Sicily residents, including free car/motorbike transport and single cabin without supplement (limited availability).
  • 100% discount on cars with early booking (through April 30) on Civitavecchia–Sardinia routes (combinable with SARDI DOC).
  • 100% discount on return car/motorbike crossings from Spain to Italy (not all departures).
  • Spain: Special rates on Wednesday departures on Civitavecchia–Barcelona route.
  • Spain: Special rates for couples sharing the same cabin (subject to availability).
  • Special child rates on all Italy-Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, and Greece routes.
  • Spain: “Superfamily and Friends” rates for 4 passengers in the same cabin – 2 pay full fare, 3rd and 4th travel free (return crossings only; combinable with other offers).

Note: Port fees and government taxes are excluded from discount fares.

The “Weekend a Bordo” program offers weekend stays in Barcelona (Saturday–Tuesday), using Cruise Roma and Cruise Barcelona as hotel ships:

  • Saturday (midnight): Departure from Civitavecchia
  • Sunday (8 pm): Arrival in Barcelona, overnight stay onboard
  • Monday: Free day in Barcelona, 10:15 pm departure
  • Tuesday (7 pm): Arrival in Civitavecchia
  • While onboard, passengers can enjoy spa, gym, casino, solarium, pool, live music, bars, lounges, and restaurants.

Grimaldi also offers honeymoon cruises at affordable prices:

  • Fare includes Junior Suite, roundtrip ferry cruise (2 passengers + 1 car), free Wellness Center entry (plus 1 spa treatment per person), dinner at the onboard restaurant, port fees and taxes, in-cabin breakfast, fruit basket, and sparkling wine.
  • All services and amenities are included in both travel directions.
  • Honeymoon cruises are offered on Cruise Roma and Cruise Barcelona, with prices per couple: EUR 640 (low season), EUR 740 (mid-season), EUR 920 (high season).

Cruise Olbia ferry ship (GRIMALDI LINES)

Pets on the ship

Pets/domestic animals are allowed on all GRIMALDI ships. Dogs and cats have designated onboard lodgings. Other animals (rabbits, birds, hamsters, etc.) must be kept in passenger-owned carriers.

  • Pets are not allowed in cabins, lounges, or public indoor areas. They are only allowed on outer decks and must be supervised by their owners.
  • During booking, select “Pet up to 6 kg” for small animals in cages; “Pet over 6 kg” for those requiring onboard kennels (advance booking required).
  • Owners are responsible for feeding their pets during the voyage. Water is provided by the crew. Owners must clean up after their animals.

Guide dogs travel for free and are allowed in cabins. Disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility may travel with assistance dogs.

Car decks

GRIMALDI ships transport freight, including semi-trailers, lorries (with or without drivers), cars, motorcycles, caravans, camper vans, cargo containers, mobile machinery, boats (on cradles), and industrial products.

Car deck safety procedures:

  • Disabled passengers or those needing assistance should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
  • Apply handbrake, put the vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off ignition, alarms, electronics, and headlights. Shut off gas cylinders and lock the vehicle.
  • Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from the vehicle.
  • Note the vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway.
  • Access to car decks is prohibited during the voyage.
  • Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in lounges.
  • Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To reduce air pollution, engines should not be started until instructed.

ferry company GRIMALDI LINES logo - CruiseMapper

Grimaldi Lines (fleet, founded 1999, 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.

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Cruise Olbia ferry Wiki

The vessel was launched on March 11, 2000, delivered to Attica Group on February 6, 2001, and entered service on March 2, 2001. She was previously operated under the names Superfast VI (2001–2013 by SUPERFAST FERRIES, a subsidiary of Attica Group), Bimini Superfast (2013–2016 by Bimini Superfast Ltd, a subsidiary of GHK-Genting), and Cruise Olbia (since 2016 by Grimaldi Group).

The ferry was initially deployed on the Italy-Greece route Ancona–Igoumenitsa–Patras (2001–2013). From 2013 to 2016, she operated on the USA Florida–Bahamas route MiamiBimini Island, with her maiden voyage on June 20, 2013, and final voyage on November 28, 2013. Bimini Superfast offered 2- and 3-night mini-cruises with roundtrips from PortMiami (travel distance 50 mi / 80 km).

The ship is powered by four Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (model NSD-ZA-V40S) with a combined power output of 46 MW. The propulsion system includes two shafts with pitch propellers and four azimuth thrusters (three at the bow and one at the stern).