Livorno to Palermo Ferry

[benellioldman1]

Is this ferry really as bad as the Tripadvisor posts say it is. Has anyone used it. and are there any alternatives for 7.5m long 3m height motorhome. We are trying to cut the long drive by road to the Messina, at least one way.

 

[sallylillian]

I will be interested in the responses to this.
Michael

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Only been to Corsica from Livorno, the 4 and a bit hours was bearable with Moby.

 

[DBK]

We did Livorno to Corsica on Moby this year. The ship's bow doors were stuck shut so everyone had to reverse off, which was fun for those with caravans. Inside the seats were very uncomfortable, it was crowded and the staff grumpy. For a short trip it was bearable but it did arrive an hour and half late. I could say the organisation in Livorno port was a bit chaotic but it was normal for Italy. It isn't a country to visit if mad traffic winds you up.

Which is probably no help but I suspect the longer ferry to Palermo may be no different. I think I would use the ferry from Genoa if I wanted to avoid the drive.

I described our trip to Sicily in the link below. There is a lot to see on the drive to the Toe and the motorways generally good and not expensive.

Two Go To Sicily

Our delayed trip to Sicily is only a few days away now. We board the ferry to Roscoff on Tuesday evening and the following morning we will commence the 1600 miles, or thereabouts, trek to Sicily. The plan is to take 10 to 14 days to get there, we won't be rushing but we won't be doing a lot of...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[spitfire]

We have gone from Genoa to Palermo and was excellent but that was a few years ago . Not sure when f that route is any good to you . Think it was Grimaldi line And with 8m van

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[benellioldman1]

Thanks for all your replies I may think of the Genoa ferry but the wife has noticed that the duration is 20 hrs and I have had trouble trying to find the price out on their website does not seem to like the extra length in fact some ticket companies clearly state i have to contact them. May go to the port of Civitavecchi
either going or coming back. Our long term destination after Sicily is Pesaro on the Adriatic so may drive down and come back via the Palermo to Civitavecchia. Still concerned about the Grimaldi Lines their seaworthy record is not good also with many incidents. If I was going on a short journey with them not so bad but 15 hours from Livorno to Palermo could test my patience

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

their seaworthy record is not good also with many incidents

Well if it's more than 15 or 20 minutes I doubt you'll be swimming back. I did the Livorono Corsica route in 2014 and 2016, both on time no dramas, one was made more interesting by a crew member that wasn't terrified of my dogs and played up to them each time he passed, only trouble was, they were all in uniform/boiler suits and they wanted to play with all passing engineers!!

 

[sallylillian]

As our plan is Sicily I am not fussed about the route and as we are driving down through France has anyone been on the French routes, Toulon to Sicily for example?
Michael

 

[spitfire]

Had friends who did Toulon to Corsica twice with no problems . Don’t know if same ferry company . Don’t know if that helps !

 

[flatpackchicken]

the Genoa ferry great ferry like a cruise liner, used it many times myself to palermo 20 hours over night leaves about 23.00 and arrives about 19.00. My mh is 8m and I usually have a presidenta suite (treat myself once a year ) cost about £350 each way and about the same cost as driving down the 750 miles in diesel and tolls and the Messina ferry at about £70 each way but it saves about 4 days traveling too .
Ferry company GNV I think
Phone +39 010 2094591 very helpful operators and will book you on ok
Online GNV.it

https://ssl.gnv.it/Home/SceltaTratta?Lingua=en-US

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[sallylillian]

the Genoa ferry great ferry like a cruise liner, used it many times myself to palermo 20 hours over night leaves about 23.00 and arrives about 19.00. My mh is 8m and I usually have a presidenta suite (treat myself once a year ) cost about £350 each way and about the same cost as driving down the 750 miles in diesel and tolls and the Messina ferry at about £70 each way but it saves about 4 days traveling too .
Ferry company GNV I think
Phone +39 010 2094591 very helpful operators and will book you on ok
Online GNV.it

https://ssl.gnv.it/Home/SceltaTratta?Lingua=en-US

Thanks, I was looking at that route, but then as I was traveling both ways through France via Roscoff I thought I could enjoy a drift down the Brittany coast on the way down in late August and avoid the mountains on the way back in November if we went from say Toulon. There is a problem that the Toulon ferry stops late September. Your point is well made however and I suspect that failing a suitable alternative from the French Riviera Genoa will be our port.
Michael

 

[Emmit]

I will be interested in the responses to this.
Michael

So would I.