Cruise Smeralda ferry

HSF Cruise Smeralda ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel (HSF = high-speed ferry) operated by the Italy-based company GRIMALDI LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,528 passengers and 819 cars (or 90 cars and 125 trucks/trailers). Launched in 1997, she currently operates on the Italy-Spain ferry route Savona-Barcelona (crossing time 17 hours) and on the Italy-Morocco route Savona-Barcelona-Tangier (crossing time 32 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Cruise Smeralda has 196 cabins (133 Inside, 49 Outside, 12 Superior). All staterooms are air-conditioned, soundproof, and feature en-suite bathrooms (toilet, shower, washbasin, hairdryer), lower and upper wall-mounted bunk beds, bedside table or cabinet with stool or chair, mirrored vanity (small writing table with chair or stool), telephone, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided.

Outside cabins have bay windows. Superior cabins offer additional amenities including a TV (with satellite reception), mini-bar, double bed, and 2-seater sofa. Two cabins are wheelchair-accessible and adapted for disabled passengers. The vessel also offers 181 reclining seats (aircraft-style) in reserved seating lounges, available for pre-booking.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes before arrival at the homeport.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Onboard facilities include:

• Two main restaurants: A La Carte and Self-Service (Buffet), both with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Meals are prepared by Italian chefs. Gluten-free options and online booking discounts (up to 50%) are available.
• Three dining menus: Standard, Business, and Premium. Each offers fixed pricing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Premium menu (served only at the A La Carte Restaurant) includes a starter, first and second courses, side dish, dessert or fruit, and a drink (0.5 L bottled water, 330 ml beer, or 370 ml wine/non-alcoholic beverage).
• Standard and Business menus are served at the Buffet Restaurant. Both include breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fixed options and drinks.
• Snack Bar (Cafeteria/Patisserie) is open year-round, offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, yogurts, ice cream, and drinks.
• Children's Room with TV, bean bags, tables and chairs, toys, ball pit, and supervised activities.
• Sun Deck with Solarium area, heated swimming pool (summer only), loungers, deckchairs, outdoor seating, and a pool bar. The area is protected by transparent glass walls.
• Disco (glass-dome nightclub), Casino (gaming tables and slots), Video Games Room, Piano Bar (live music), and Internet Cafe.
• 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 offering discounted alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, clothing, accessories, electronics, travel essentials, and gifts.
• ATM/cash machine next to the Reception Desk. Paid Wi-Fi is available for purchase online or onboard.
• The Wellness Center (on sisterships Cruise Roma, Cruise Barcelona, Cruise Europe, Cruise Olympia) includes a spa, saunas, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, massage rooms, beauty parlor, gym, and relaxation area. Access is limited to adults and teens aged 14–18 accompanied by adults.

The ship's top deck features a Heli Deck with a helipad for emergency use.

Ample outdoor deck space is available. The infirmary (ship hospital) offers 24-hour nurse service.

Emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TVs, and at muster stations. Life jackets are issued at muster stations. Elevator use is prohibited during emergencies.

GRIMALDI ferry and cruise deals

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

Grimaldi’s largest ships are occasionally used for Mediterranean mini-cruises, especially during Christmas and New Year holidays.

• Crossings can be customized for themed events (sports, art, history, music, religion).
• 2-day mini-cruise deals are available on Rome-Barcelona routes.
• "Ad hoc" programs include religion-themed cruises with pilgrimages from Italy to Spain, France, and Carcassonne.
• GRIMALDI FREIGHTER CLUB offers a 5% discount for passengers with at least 2 crossings.
• Group travel discounts apply for groups of 20+ people, including students, sports fans, campers, music bands, etc.
• "Nave Piu Hotel" packages for Sardinia and Sicily include ferry and hotel stays via partnerships with local accommodations.
• Shuttle bus service (Naples-Civitavecchia) is available daily except Sundays for EUR 24 pp each way. Subject to availability and changes.

Discounted ferry travel deals include:

• 20% off early bookings (Jan–Apr 30) for Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece.
• 20% off for Palermo routes (Jan–Apr 30).
• 20% off for bookings with departures within 7 days.
• 20% off for seniors (60+), includes Inside Cabin, limited availability.
• 20% off camper return trips from Barcelona to Civitavecchia/Porto Torres.
• 20% off return trips on Italy-Greece and Italy-Tunisia/Morocco routes (low season).
• 30% off low-season Italy-Greece trips with combined Grimaldi and Minoan bookings.
• 50% off for kids aged 2–12; 100% off for children under 2 (max 2 kids per cabin).
• 100% off for children up to 12 on Sicily routes (roundtrip only, limited availability).
• 100% “SARDI DOC” and “SICILIANI DOC” discounts for residents (car + cabin).
• 100% car discount for Civitavecchia-Sardinia bookings (early bookings only).
• 100% discount on car/motorbike return trips from Spain (limited departures).
• Special Wednesday rates on Civitavecchia–Barcelona routes.
• Couples discounts for Spain routes (2 passengers in same cabin).
• Children discounts up to age 12 on all Italy–Sardinia/Sicily/Spain/Tunisia/Morocco/Greece routes.
• "Superfamily and Friends" offers 4-passenger cabins for the price of 2 adults (3rd and 4th travel free) on Spain return trips. Offers combinable with other discounts.
• Note: Port fees and government taxes are not included in discount fares.

The "Weekend a Bordo" program lets passengers enjoy a weekend in Barcelona with the “Hotel on board” formula (ships Cruise Roma and Cruise Barcelona serve as hotel ships on Sunday).

• Saturday midnight – Departure from Civitavecchia (Rome)
• Sunday 8 pm – Arrival in Barcelona; overnight on ship
• Monday – Free time in the city; departure at 10:15 pm
• Tuesday 7 pm – Arrival in Civitavecchia (Rome)
• All shipboard amenities are available during the voyage (spa, gym, casino, solarium, pool, live entertainment, bars, lounges, restaurants).

Grimaldi also offers honeymoon cruises at affordable prices.

• Includes Junior Suite, roundtrip for 2 passengers and 1 car, wellness center access, 1 spa treatment/person, dinner, in-cabin breakfast, fruit, sparkling wine, and all port fees.
• Available both ways (outbound and return).
• Prices per couple: EUR 640 (low season), EUR 740 (mid-season), EUR 920 (high season).

Pets on the ship

Pets are allowed on all GRIMALDI ships. Dogs and cats have dedicated onboard lodgings. Other small animals must travel in passenger-owned carriers.

• Pets are not allowed in cabins, lounges, bars, or public rooms—only on outdoor decks.
• During booking, select "Pet up to 6 kg" for animals in cages or "Pet over 6 kg" for animals requiring kennel accommodation (must be pre-booked).
• Owners are responsible for feeding and cleaning up after their pets. Water is provided by the crew.

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

Car decks

GRIMALDI ships transport semi-trailers, trucks (with/without drivers), cars, motorcycles (without drivers), caravans, camper vans, containers, mobile machinery, and boats (on cradles).

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Passengers needing assistance should contact the Information Desk.
• Apply the handbrake, park in gear, turn off ignition and electronics, close gas valves, lock the vehicle.
• Take valuables and essential items only.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck/stairway.
• Access to car decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and lounges.
• Wait for announcements before returning to vehicles.

To reduce air pollution, do not start the 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.