GNV Excelsior ferry

GNV Excelsior ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Italy-based company GRANDI NAVI VELOCI. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2253 passengers and 760 cars or 150 trucks (semi-trailers). Launched in 1999, she currently operates on the Italy-Spain-Morocco and Italy-Tunisia routes (Genoa-Barcelona-Tangier or Tunis) during the low season, and on the Italy-Sicily route (Genoa-Palermo) in summer.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, GNV Excelsior has 429 cabins (on decks 7 and 8, including 38 Suites) with a total of 1415 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/washbasin, hairdryer). Suites additionally offer TV (satellite reception), radio, phone, mini-bar, and large porthole windows. Double Suites are for 2 people (1 double bed). Family Suites accommodate 3 people (1 double bed + 1 sofabed). Cots for children under 2 years are available upon request.

The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Four cabins are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers). Pet-friendly cabins are also available.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities on GNV Excelsior include:

• (Deck 6) À La Carte Restaurant “The Swordfish,” also serving kids’ menus.
• (Deck 6) Self-Service / Buffet Restaurant “The Transatlantic” – kids’ menus available.
• (Deck 6) Snack Bar / Café (year-round) offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, hot and cold drinks.
• (Deck 6) Seasonal Pizzeria serving fresh-baked Neapolitan pizzas with traditional toppings.
• Library, Reading Lounges, and Conference Centre (Meeting Room).
• Children’s Play Area – indoor playground with TV (cartoons), coloring tables, games, and toys. Supervised summer activities are provided free of charge.
• Arcades and Casino (slot machines, located on Deck 6 near the bar lounge).
• Photographer (seasonal).
• Wedding Chapel.
• (Deck 6) The Magnifica (lounge bar, bow location).
• (Deck 6) Plaza Arcade (piano bar, midship).
• (Deck 9, midship) Four Seating Lounges with Pullman seats, reclining leather armchairs, and large TVs, available to passengers without booked cabins.
• Shopping Centre with boutiques selling gifts, souvenirs, alcohol (spirits, wines), tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, personal care products, clothing, sunglasses, jewelry, accessories, snacks, books, and magazines at discounted prices.
• Free Wi-Fi and ATM (next to Reception/Information Desk).

The vessel features ample outdoor deck space, including a swimming pool on the Sun Deck.

The Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge is located forward on Deck 6.

The top deck is Heli Deck with a helipad for emergency use.

The ship has a large cargo area for vehicles, spread across 4 decks and accessible via 3 rear ramps.

She is equipped with 6 closed lifeboats, 1 rescue boat, 1 semi-rigid lifeboat, and multiple liferafts.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are provided at muster stations. In emergencies, elevators are not to be used.

GRANDI NAVI VELOCI cruise deals

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

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

• Dining options include à la carte restaurants with international, regional, and Mediterranean cuisine, self-service buffets with informal choices, Snack Bars serving fast-food classics, and seasonal Pizzerias with Neapolitan pizzas. On Italy–Tunisia/Morocco routes, Halal meals are available.
• The Shopping Centre offers tobacco, alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, clothing, accessories, sunglasses, souvenirs, toys, and books at discounted prices.
• The onboard Conference Centre hosts the company’s “GNV MICE and INCENTIVE” program, providing charters, part charters, mini-cruises, floating hotel services, and corporate events.

Children under 4 travel free on all GNV ships, while kids under 2 travel free on Tunisia and Morocco routes.

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

Car decks

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and leave the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Switch off ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage/stairway number before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges.
• Wait for announcements before returning to vehicles.

To prevent air pollution, engines must not be started until instructed.

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.