GNV Allegra ferry

GNV Allegra is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry owned by MSC Shipping and operated by the Italy-based company GRANDI NAVI VELOCI. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1458 passengers, 580 cars, and 62 trucks. The vessel was launched in 1987 and currently operates on the Italy–Sardinia route Genoa-Olbia (crossing time 12 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, GNV Allegra has a total of 479 cabins, all air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The ship also has wheelchair-accessible cabins (adapted for disabled passengers). Priority boarding is offered to all car drivers.

GNV Allegra staterooms are located on decks 5, 6, 8, and 9 and are in the following categories:

• Premium Suite (deck 8, Twin Outside with king-size double bed, TV, hairdryer, trouser press, minibar, fruit basket, tea/coffee making facilities, seating area, dedicated cabin steward, 10% shopping discount on selected products)
• 2-berth 5-Star Window Suite (deck 8, Twin Outside with double bed, TV, hairdryer, trouser press, mini-fridge, minibar, fruit basket, tea/coffee making facilities, seating area, complimentary breakfast in Berneval, dedicated cabin steward, 10% shopping discount on selected products)
• 4-berth 4-Star Window Cabin (deck 8, Quad Outside with 2 lower beds and 2 pull-down bunks, TV, hairdryer, trouser press, minibar, fruit basket, dedicated cabin steward)
• 2-berth 4-Star Window Cabin (decks 8-9, Twin Outside with 2 lower beds, TV, hairdryer, trouser press, minibar, fruit basket, dedicated cabin steward)
• 4-berth 3-Star Window Cabin (deck 5, Quad Outside with 2 lower beds and 2 pull-down bunks, TV)
• 4-berth 3-Star Cabin (decks 6-8-9, Quad Inside with 2 lower beds and 2 pull-down bunks, TV, no windows)
• 2-berth 3-Star Window Cabin (deck 6, Twin Outside with 2 lower beds, TV)
• 2-berth 3-Star Cabin (decks 6-8-9, Twin Inside with 2 lower beds, no windows)
• 4-berth 2-Star Window Cabin (decks 5-6-8, Quad Outside with 2 lower beds and 2 pull-down bunks)
• 4-berth 2-Star Cabin (decks 5-6-8, Quad Inside with 2 lower beds and 2 pull-down bunks, no windows)
• 3-berth 2-Star Cabin (decks 5-8, Triple Inside with 2 lower beds and 1 bunk bed, no windows)
• 2-berth 2-Star Window Cabin (decks 5-8, Twin Outside with 2 lower beds)
• 2-berth 2-Star Cabin (decks 6-8, Twin Inside with 2 lower beds, no windows)
• 2-berth Disabled Cabin (Wheelchair-accessible Outside, midship location close to the elevator, with wider entry door, 2 lower beds, adapted bathroom with wider door, raised toilet seat, grab bars, shower seat, adjustable showerhead).

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the GNV Allegra offers:

• "The Steakhouse" and "The Berneval" are à la carte (waiter-service) restaurants. Both venues feature extensive wine lists.
• The Steakhouse offers steaks (striploin, filet, ribeye, T-bone), seafood (scallops, prawns, crab claws), sauces and condiments, wide selections of beers and spirits, a cocktail menu, and gourmet desserts (ice creams, pudding, cheese platter).
• The Berneval offers a Continental buffet breakfast (chilled juices, cereals, cold meats, cheeses, fruit salad bar, onboard bakery with fresh-made breads, toasts, croissants, pastries), kids’ breakfast menu, dinner menu (3-course fixed price), and gourmet desserts (3-course fixed price – crème brûlée, fresh fruit, warm chocolate pudding, farm-made ice creams, homemade panna cotta, cheese board, Davidoff coffee, Valrhona chocolate).
• The Left Bank Brasserie is the ship’s buffet restaurant (self-service) with a wide selection of salads (including a create-your-own option), fruits, desserts, hot main dishes (EUR 10/12/14 per item), soups, burgers (prime beef and veggie), beverages, and light bites (sandwiches, tortilla wraps). A kids’ menu is available (EUR 8 per item). All food is freshly prepared using quality local produce.
• Cafe Lafayette (deck 7) is the ship’s cafeteria (self-service snack bar/patisserie/Costa Coffee bar). Snack options include croissants, panini, French bloomer sandwiches, 12-inch pizzas (extra toppings at EUR 1), baked muffins, homemade scones, fresh-baked pastries, yogurts, fresh fruit smoothies, sweet crêpe station, American pancake station, Belgian waffle station, and plenty of healthy and vegetarian options.
• Oscar’s Bar is a small piano bar furnished with leather armchairs and 4-seat tables. The bar also has two small gaming areas.
• Cinema De Cannes (deck 10) features two cinemas, each showing four different movies daily. Tickets can be purchased from the Information Desk.
• The Gaiety Bar Lounge (deck 7) is the main lounge with comfortable seating and a stage for live performances. Activities include treasure hunts, magic shows, kids’ disco, a music band, and solo performances. The “Wilde Nights” cabaret show is performed here in the evenings.
• The Merrion Bar Lounge (forward on deck 7)
• Conference Center, bookable for group meetings and conferences at sea
• The Happy Prince, a children’s play area (soft-play room with games and toys)
• Video Games Arcade (including driving simulators)
• Aelia (duty-free shop on deck 5), a boutique–convenience store selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, confectionery, fashion clothing and accessories, leather goods, branded jewelry, sunglasses, photo-video equipment, and electronics. Promotions vary by voyage. Brands onboard include Hugo Boss, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Cinque, Paco Rabanne, and Estée Lauder.
• Reclining Pullman seat lounges (deck 10)
• Freight Drivers Club Lounge (deck 6), an exclusive restaurant lounge for truck drivers
• Free Wi-Fi and Internet kiosks
• Hair and Beauty Salon (deck 5)
• Casino (gaming table area on deck 7, near the ship entrance)
• Reception Desk (deck 5) with adjacent Bureau de Change (ATM/cashier services)
• Sun Deck (outdoor areas on deck 11) served by an open-air bar (drinks and snacks)
• All lounges are fitted with large TVs (satellite reception)
• The ship’s Hospital is located aft-portside on deck 6
• All upper decks are accessible via four lifts (three forward, one aft)
• Deck 8 has a Promenade Deck (outdoor/open-air area accessible to passengers)

The Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge and the adjacent officers’ quarters are on deck 9.

Car passengers may bring as much luggage as their vehicle can carry. Foot passengers traveling between Ireland and the UK must check in bulky items and will not have access to them during the voyage. Foot passengers traveling between Ireland and France may bring only carry-on luggage, as check-in facilities are not available.

GRANDI NAVI VELOCI cruise deals

As on cruise ships, all GNV ferries offer passenger cabins with modern amenities, individually controlled air-conditioning, and en-suite facilities. Some suites have private balconies.

Occasionally, the largest GNV ships are also deployed on Mediterranean mini-cruises, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

• Onboard dining includes a wide variety of options. À la carte restaurants combine international, regional, and Mediterranean cuisine with signature 3-course menus. Self-service buffets provide an array of choices in an informal setting. Snack Bars serve fast-food classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Pizzeria opens in high season and offers fresh-baked Neapolitan pizzas with various toppings. On routes between Italy and Tunisia/Morocco, Halal meals are available.
• Ships’ boutique shops sell tobacco and alcohol (budget and premium wines and spirits) at discounted prices, as well as luxury-brand perfumes and cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, fashion clothing and accessories, sunglasses, and souvenirs.
• The shipboard Conference Centre supports the company’s “GNV MICE and INCENTIVE” program and offers five formats for group meetings, conventions, and corporate events at sea and in port: Full Charters, Part Charters (dedicated onboard areas), Mini-Cruises, Floating Hotel (ship hotel), and Corporate Events (onboard aperitifs, lunches, and dinners).

Children under 4 years of age travel free of charge on all GNV ships. Kids under 2 years of age travel free of charge on Tunisia and Morocco routes.

Cots, high chairs, bottle warmers, changing tables, and cot sides are provided on request, free of charge.

Car decks

GNV Allegra has two vehicle decks with an internal ramp accessing the upper car deck.

All vehicles carried must have documentation and valid insurance. Having the vehicle’s technical data sheet facilitates boarding checks. When booking, the vehicle’s model, length, and height must be specified. Car-ferry passengers must arrive at the departure port 90 minutes prior to departure.

Follows a list of car deck–related safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship’s Information Desk.
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
• From your vehicle, take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck/stairway number before leaving the car deck.
• Access to the ship’s vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The ship charterer Grandi Navi Veloci (fleet, founded in 1992, headquartered in Genoa, Italy) is an Italian ferry company operating routes between mainland Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Albania, France, Morocco, and Tunisia.