GNV Antares ferry

GNV Antares (fka "Pride of Bruges") is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry owned and operated by the Italy-based company GRANDI NAVI VELOCI. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1250 passengers, 850 cars, or 180 trucks (semi-trailers). She was launched in 1987 (as Norsun) and currently serves the Italy-Sicily route Naples-Palermo (crossing time 10-11 hours).

In mid-February 2021, both Pride of Bruges and Pride of York/GNV Aries, then deployed in the North Sea, were put up for sale. Built in 1987 and among the largest passenger ferries in the UK, they were retired after P&O FERRIES terminated the England-Belgium service Hull-Zeebrugge (13 hours) in January 2021. The service was deemed "loss-making" after demand dropped significantly, largely due to COVID- and Brexit-related travel restrictions and complications.

In mid-April 2021, P&O announced the sale of both ferries to GNV.

Following the acquisition, the ship (IMO 8503797) was reflagged from Holland (MMSI 244387000) to Italy (MMSI 247435800) and registered in Naples.

The ship's namesake is the Nile River cruise vessel MS Antares (2007-built hotelship).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Pride of Bruges offered passenger cabins, all air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. Standard cabins are available as 2-berth or 4-berth (with bunk beds), either inside or outside with sea view.

Premier-class cabins are also offered as 2-4-5-berth, inside or outside, with sea view. Club-class cabins all have sea views and the best deck locations. They are larger and feature extra amenities such as TV, phone, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee making facilities.

The ship also has wheelchair-accessible cabins adapted for disabled passengers.

Shipboard dining and entertainment

Main passenger facilities include:

The Kitchen (Green Deck 4, casual restaurant serving international cuisine and traditional British fare)

The Brasserie (Green Deck 4, French restaurant offering gourmet dining and fine wines), patisseries (coffee shops with light snacks, pastries, hot and cold drinks)

Starbucks Coffee Bar (Red Deck 5)

The Flying Dutchman Bar (Blue Deck 6)

Casino (Red Deck 5)

Show Lounge (Red Deck 5)

Cinema (Blue Deck 6) – tickets available at the Information Desk

The Lounge (Blue Deck 6)

The Reserved Seating Lounge is a Club-class bar lounge with leather seating. Reserved seats are available for pre-booking, inclusive of complimentary beverages (champagne, tea, coffee, soft drinks) and newspapers.

The family lounge offers comfortable seating and its own bar (snacks and beverages). In summer, an outdoor alfresco bar operates.

Onboard shops offer brand-name products at discounts compared to UK high street prices. Discounts include up to 40% on luxury perfumes, skincare, cosmetics, and up to 30% on alcohol (spirits, wines, beers). Shops (Red Deck 5) also sell books, newspapers, magazines, toys, and games.

The ferry has children’s areas, including a playroom and a movie room. During school holidays, the company organizes supervised kids’ entertainment programs with activities such as arts, crafts, drawing, and treasure hunts.

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

Occasionally, the largest GNV ships operate Mediterranean mini-cruises, especially during Christmas and New Year.

• A la carte restaurants combine international, regional, and Mediterranean dishes, with signature 3-course meals. Self-service buffets offer varied choices in a casual setting. Snack Bars serve fast-food classics, while the Pizzeria (open in high season) offers fresh Neapolitan pizzas. On Italy-Tunisia-Morocco routes, Halal meals are available.
• Boutique shops sell tobacco, alcohol (wines, spirits), luxury perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, clothing, accessories, sunglasses, souvenirs, and toys at discounted prices.
• The ship’s Conference Centre supports the "GNV MICE and INCENTIVE" program, offering formats such as Full Charters, Part Charters, Mini-Cruises, Floating Hotel, and Corporate Events (onboard aperitifs, lunches, and dinners).

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

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

Car decks

Safety procedures for car decks include:

• Emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are distributed at muster stations. Elevators may not be used during emergencies.
• Passengers requiring assistance should visit the 24-hour Information Desk.
• Vehicles must be parked with handbrake on, in park/1st gear. Ignition, alarm, electrical systems, and lights must be switched off. Gas cylinders must be closed. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage from your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and lounges.
• Wait for the announcement before returning to your vehicle.

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

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