GNV La Superba ferry

GNV La Superba ferry (2002-built/2024-scrapped) was a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned and operated by the Italian company GRANDI NAVI VELOCI. The ship had a maximum capacity of 2920 passengers and 984 cars or 185 trucks (semi-trailers).

The vessel was launched in 2002 and last served on the Italy-Sicily and Italy-Tunisia ferry routes Genoa-Palermo and Genoa-Tunis (crossing times 21 and 24 hours, respectively).

GNV La Superba (IMO 9214276) was Italy-flagged (MMSI 247056100) and registered in Palermo. In 2024, she was dismantled at Aliaga, Turkey.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, La Superba had a total of 567 cabins, including 37 Suites (31 Double and 6 Presidential Balcony). All staterooms were air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/washbasin, hairdryer). Suites additionally offered TV (satellite reception), radio, phone, mini-bar, and large porthole windows. The ferry company provided bed linens, towels, and toiletries.

The ship also had 940 reclining seats (aircraft-style) available for pre-booking in Reserved Seating Lounges. Four cabins were wheelchair-accessible, adapted for disabled passengers.

• Double Suites accommodated 2 people (1 double bed).
• Family Suites were triple cabins (capacity 3 passengers, with 1 double bed and 1 sofabed).
• Presidential Suites were the ship's largest accommodations, featuring separate living and sleeping areas, a walk-in wardrobe, and a whirlpool bath. The private balcony was furnished with a table and 2 loungers.

All passengers were required to vacate their staterooms 30 minutes before homeport arrival.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities on GNV La Superba included:

• Le Chandelier / À La Carte Restaurant (404 seats, deck 7), also serving kids’ menus.
• Capriccio / Self-Service Buffet with adjacent Mosaico Italiano Restaurant (402 seats) – kids’ menus available.
• Snack Bar (year-round) and seasonal Pizzeria, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with light snacks, sandwiches, salads, fruits, yogurt, ice cream, and traditional Neapolitan pizzas.
• Grand Palais Hall – the ship’s Atrium with Piano Bar (live music) and floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
• Two spiral staircases leading to Coral Deck (deck 8) with Theatre and banqueting area.
• 6 Bars, one with floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Sky Club Disco (176-seat nightclub, Lido Deck).
• Library, Reading Lounges, Conference Centre (Meeting Room, Sky Deck 9).
• Children’s Play Area – indoor playground with TV, coloring tables, games, toys, and supervised summer activities.
• Gaming and gambling venues – Arcades and Casino (slot machines).
• Cinema Room – free of charge (unlike most ferries).
• Lido Deck pool (seasonal), Jacuzzi, gym, and fitness area with verandah access.
• Photographer (seasonal).
• Wedding Chapel.
• Reserved Seating Lounges with reclining Pullman seats and leather armchairs.
• Shopping Centre with boutiques offering discounted gifts, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, fashion, watches, sunglasses, hygiene products, travel essentials, confectionery, books, and magazines.
• Free Wi-Fi and ATM (next to Reception/Information Desk).

The vessel featured extensive outdoor deck space. The top deck was Heli Deck, with a helipad for emergency use.

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

GRANDI NAVI VELOCI cruise deals

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

Occasionally, GNV’s largest ships were also used for Mediterranean mini-cruises, especially during Christmas and New Year holidays.

• A la carte restaurants offered international, regional, and Mediterranean cuisine with 3-course meals. Buffet dining provided varied informal choices. Snack Bars served fast-food classics, while the Pizzeria (seasonal) offered fresh Neapolitan pizzas. Halal meals were available on Italy–Tunisia/Morocco routes.
• Boutiques sold tobacco, alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and toys at discounted prices.
• The onboard Conference Centre supported the company’s “GNV MICE and INCENTIVE” program with options for charters, part-charters, mini-cruises, floating hotel services, and corporate events.

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

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

Car decks

Car deck safety procedures included:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance had to visit the Information Desk (deck 7, open 24 hours).
• Apply handbrake, leave vehicle in park/1st gear, switch off ignition, alarms, and electrical equipment. Gas cylinders must be off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Note vehicle location and garage/stairway number before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage was prohibited.
• Smoking was forbidden on vehicle decks, in cabins, and lounges.
• Wait for onboard announcement before returning to vehicles.

To avoid air pollution, engines were not to be started 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.