Ferry to Corsica - Livorno to Bastia

[DBK]

I am going to book a ferry to take us to Corsica by the above route, chosen because at about 4 hours it is the shortest crossing which suits us with a dog. We will cross in May, stay about 4 weeks then return after exporing as much of Corsica and Sardinia as we can in such a relatively short time.

Looking at a ferry website I've discovered a huge difference in price depending on the day and time of sailing. Choosing the cheapest is about £250 return but the most expensive was around £950! The explanation is to avoid crossing to Corsica on a Friday afternoon - so we won't!

My reason for posting is to ask if anyone has any experience of this crossing, for example is booking ahead even required if we choose off-peak times? But is booking ahead likely to be cheaper? My instinct suggests it might be but the tickets don't seem to be flexible so booking ahead ties us to specific dates and we lose the ability to extend or shorten the trip.

Any input would be welcome.

 

[Parrot Face]

Not done Corsica but we went to Sardinia via Livorno. Booked in advance and got the cheapest deal. The boat was really dog friendly. There was talk of either having to use a muzzle or put him in one of their kennels. Neither was the case. He merely stayed on his lead on the upper outside deck and could walk around on lead. Just used the customary dog bag. If weather is good you take your loungers up to upper deck and enjoy the cruise. The return leg when it was hot was a laugh. The boat was an ex cruise ship and they filled the swimming pool up we just sat and watched the Italians pose at the side of the pool. Really enjoyed Sardinia, some of the best beaches I've ever seen but heard that Corsica was even nicer. If you are interested I have a blog that covers the trip with some really good photos and tips , I could give you the link.

 

[DBK]

Not done Corsica but we went to Sardinia via Livorno. Booked in advance and got the cheapest deal. The boat was really dog friendly. There was talk of either having to use a muzzle or put him in one of their kennels. Neither was the case. He merely stayed on his lead on the upper outside deck and could walk around on lead. Just used the customary dog bag. If weather is good you take your loungers up to upper deck and enjoy the cruise. The return leg when it was hot was a laugh. The boat was an ex cruise ship and they filled the swimming pool up we just sat and watched the Italians pose at the side of the pool. Really enjoyed Sardinia, some of the best beaches I've ever seen but heard that Corsica was even nicer. If you are interested I have a blog that covers the trip with some really good photos and tips , I could give you the link.

Thank you! I would be very interested in your blog - please send me the link by PM if you prefer not to publish it on here.

 

[Parrot Face]

Thank you! I would be very interested in your blog - please send me the link by PM if you prefer not to publish it on here.

Here is the main link for the blog the second one should take you to the beginning of the Sardinia trip, at the end of the trip I give a brief summary. Obviously if you click on the photos they enlarge. Journey started in May 2012. Hope its helpful.
http://lightningtours.blogspot.com/
http://lightningtours.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-09T06:15:00-07:00&max-results=7

 

[DBK]

Here is the main link for the blog the second one should take you to the beginning of the Sardinia trip, at the end of the trip I give a brief summary. Obviously if you click on the photos they enlarge. Journey started in May 2012. Hope its helpful.
http://lightningtours.blogspot.com/
http://lightningtours.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-09T06:15:00-07:00&max-results=7

Thank you again. Interesting you were there in July, early August and didn't find it too busy. We will be there end of May into June so hopefully even quieter.

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[Onemanandhisdog]

I have done that crossing a couple of times with my two Ridgebacks. The dogs can go on deck with you, certainly on Moby, not sure about Corsica ferries. I booked in advance, but I did amend the return to come back about a week earlier and there was a minimal charge, about 20 euro's I think, but you don't get anything for nowt these days!

One word of warning if you do go, as you leave the port the first few roundabouts have underpasses for cars and motorbikes to make a speedy getaway, there are height warning above the road and all you need to do it go around the roundabouts, but it can be quite manic getting off the ferry and out of the port and even with all the warnings, some people still don't get it ......

 

[Parrot Face]

Thank you again. Interesting you were there in July, early August and didn't find it too busy. We will be there end of May into June so hopefully even quieter.

No we set off 5th May 2012 . You might be looking at the wrong section.

 

[DBK]

I have done that crossing a couple of times with my two Ridgebacks. The dogs can go on deck with you, certainly on Moby, not sure about Corsica ferries. I booked in advance, but I did amend the return to come back about a week earlier and there was a minimal charge, about 20 euro's I think, but you don't get anything for nowt these days!

One word of warning if you do go, as you leave the port the first few roundabouts have underpasses for cars and motorbikes to make a speedy getaway, there are height warning above the road and all you need to do it go around the roundabouts, but it can be quite manic getting off the ferry and out of the port and even with all the warnings, some people still don't get it ......

oops..!

 

[DBK]

No we set off 5th May 2012 . You might be looking at the wrong section.

No we set off 5th May 2012 . You might be looking at the wrong section.

Ah, OK, I'll have another look!

Just done that and found where it starts. Thanks. I was thrown by the dates of some of the entries. I'll make a note of the places you stayed at as some of them look very good.

 

[DBK]

Bitten the bullet and booked the ferries today. Crossing over 18 May returning 20 Jun at a cost of £251 return. The timings are amendable (for a fee) so we can always stay another week or so if we wish.

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[Onemanandhisdog]

Nice one, I love Corsica, so much so I've never made it over to Sardinia! First flew there and hired a yacht, so only saw it from the sea or harbour, but been back twice in the van since.