Mooring right in the heart of the action where one can literally disembark the ferry and walk into town and head for the tourist sights, why would you want to endure the rig-moral of flying and endure lengthy airport transfers?
GNV Ferries berths across the road from the restaurants, shops and bars of Naples Italy and Palermo Sicily enabling you to spend more of your time actually on holiday plus, as the ship offers a wide selection of facilities your holiday doesn't stop whilst you travel.
For this journey A2B via Sea® travelled aboard GNV Blu, a family friendly, bright & vibrant ship where your holiday ashore continues as you cruise to your next destination.
Although arguably lacking any good looks externally with her 'shoe box' appearance of angular sides, her interior is of the highest of standards with a vast array of facilities seemingly designed with the family in mind.
A2B via Sea® journey starts in the Italian city of Naples, a sprawling city of two halves.
The southern end is more industrial and the location of the wet and dry dock yards; the neighbouring areas of the city are less touristy and more residential with only localised restaurants and hotels and beautiful architecture of the old buildings but does benefit from having numerous street markets in the maze of narrow cobbled streets just waiting to be explored.
The northern end however is more cosmopolitan with a vast array of pavement restaurants, bars and gift shops plus, many hotels cascading back from the ferry and cruise terminals.
This area of the city is far more 'hilly' so if you have walking difficulties you may wish to take advantage of the public transport on offer.
The northern end of Naples also offers a vibrant nightlife so, if you can spend a few days here to enjoy all it has to offer - I did and had a great time!
An extremely busy road divides the ferry terminals from the city - keep a tight hold of children and those with walking difficulties and only use designated crossing points which (should) stop traffic - but is often ignored!
A shuttle bus operates between Naples Airport, city railway station and the GNV ferry terminal. The bus costs around 5 Euros with payment by both cash and card permitted.
For those of you on a road trip, the port car park can be found opposite the GNV ferry terminal.
Let's get aboard GNV Blu and head to Palermo, Sicily
The southbound overnight voyage aboard GNV Blu takes around 14.5hrs departing at 2000hrs on the day of my sailing with a scheduled arrival time of 1030hrs the next morning - great times allowing a full day ashore in Naples and an ideal mid-morning arrival in Sicily.
The GNV terminal is located right next to the cruise terminal in Naples.
The GNV ferry terminal consists of a small area of check-in desks but no lounge to wait in. It's not possible to make a ferry booking in advance within the terminal - it must be done online or through an agent however, making my online booking on my modest mobile phone through the GNV website was very easy and only took a few minutes with confirmation being received instantly.
Numerous trucker style café's and bars can be found a short walk away within the port, many of which welcome backpackers like myself as it's a novelty for the staff who are keen to hear your stories.
Be warned, the heat during mid-summer is enhanced owing to the vast amount of concrete and the sun's reflection off the sea so, seek some shelter.
Naples ferry port is a large sprawling complex with numerous seemingly abandoned buildings, vast expanses of open quayside and a continuous flow of juggernauts and tourist vehicles heading towards one of the ferry berths with random solo backpackers and family groups milling around.
Let's get aboard
GNV Blu is, at the time of writing, 38 years old and maybe better known as the former KONINGIN BEATRIX which operated across the North Sea between Hoek van Holland and Harwich before being transferred to the Irish Sea as the mainstay of the Fishguard to Rosslare route.
In 2005 she was massively rebuilt under the name Stena Baltica before being transferred to the warmer climate of the Mediterranean and Aegean under the name SNAV Adriatico; her heritage is still evident aboard.
Having checked-in at the terminal by showing my online confirmation and passport, foot passengers congregate around the corner on the pavement.
Once vehicle check-in is well underway foot passengers are called forward to embark single file through a gate leading into a small porta cabin where a security officer checks your ID and boarding pass which were issued to you at the neighbouring terminal.
Very polite security personnel chat to passengers whilst ID's are checked - even calling passengers by their first name. The process takes less than a minute then one walks towards the ships bow where its heritage can clearly be seen beneath the layers of white paint.
A relatively lengthy walk follows as foot passengers walk towards the ships' stern along the quayside where boarding cards are scanned by a member of ship's crew.
Passing the ships' super structure, glancing up you can still clearly see the former cabin windows of Decks 5 & 6, sealed since the overhaul of 2005, which now conceal vehicle decks.
Top tip, if the weather is poor ensure you have an umbrella as you will be outside for quite some time before actually boarding.
Eventually, foot passengers embark via the stern vehicle ramp.
Once onboard foot passengers walk along the ships lower vehicle deck and ascend in an elevator to the passenger decks.
Whilst transiting the vehicle deck eagle eyed passengers may notice old signage which remains when the ship was owned by SNAV.
GNV Blu is easy to navigate with cabins forward and public amenities astern.
Clear signage & information boards are positioned in prime areas.
Being a relatively lengthy voyage the first thing you may want to do is find your accommodation, whether it's a suite with double bed, lounge and ensuite facilities or a comfortable budget friendly reclining seat.
Although the deck plans will help you locate it, the friendly personnel within the ships' reception can give you further assistance.
GNV Blu is decorated to a high standard which continues into the cabin corridors - this area was once the former disco, bar and casino at the stern of Deck 6 behind the reception desk when she operated as Koningin Beatrix.
These photographs were taken after disembarkation had commenced in Palermo as I couldn't gain entry prior to them being occupied but, they give a good impression of the space you can enjoy if occupying a cabin.
Numerous budget friendly reclining seat lounges can be found around the ship if you wish to partake in 'Deck Class', like me.
Some lounges offer more privacy being tucked away offering a more peaceful environment.
Whilst others are more open plan adjacent to the main thoroughfare.
The largest lounge is located at the stern of Deck 6 and offers plenty of space, a huge bank of luggage racks and muted lighting which is particularly handy as there are no curtains on the windows to keep the natural light out.
For those ferry enthusiasts amongst you this area was formally the nightclub, casino and bar when this ship was known as Koningin Beatrix.
Top tip, a shower room is located in close proximity to this lounge, but is not shown on any deck plan. There is no charge to gain entry - just don't forget to bring a towel and soap.
For those of you travelling with your four legged fury friend a dedicated pet friendly exterior deck with kennels is available.
Time for a bite to eat
Aboard GNV Blu there are three main dining rooms, conveniently located on a single deck, ranging from a pizzeria to a formal a la carte restaurant - everyone is catered for.
The later is periodically open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The restaurant lacks any direct natural light owing to its position within the ship hidden behind full height oak framed walls with inlaid decorative metallic panels and frosted glass windows.
However, its interior is very bright and airy with chalk white fixtures and fittings and muted splashes of colour from the royal blue patterned carpet and beige upholstery creating a very relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
The adjacent self service option again is open periodically during the voyage.
Positioned at the stern of Deck 7, it benefits from having windows on three sides allowing natural light to flood in and with the colour pallet of royal blue and sandy tones creates a relaxed beach vibe.
Hard flooring creates a thoroughfare through the dining room from its entrance to the servery counter whilst localised carpeting effectively zones the seating
A wide array of hot dishes and cold snacks are available which although may not be presented too beautifully on your plate will certainly fill you up as the portions are large.
For those of you travelling with children or looking for something a little more naughty to eat the centrally located pizzeria is the place to go.
Offering a counter service, the servery is open plan capable of accommodating large crowds at peak times.
The seating area is vast, brightly decorated and divided from the main thoroughfare by a glazed wall to enhance the spaciousness.
Those of you with an eagle eye will note the resemblance to the décor found aboard Stena Line ferries - perhaps the interior has little changed from when this ship was operating with Stena Line as the Stena Baltica?
Numerous seating types are available to suit all group sizes from American style 'diner booths', stools and free standing chairs positioned on localised [very] deep pile carpeting.
Patterned floor tiles effectively zones these areas from the queuing area for the servery.
Top tip, a bar can be found adjacent to the servery which is open all night - perfect for those of you who are early risers or, like me, are too excited to sleep as we're heading off to a new country.
If travelling with young children they'll love the playroom with toys and games.
Parents and guardians can relax in an adjacent chair safe in the knowledge their children are safe and enjoying themselves.
Banks of power sockets are located nearby to charge electrical devices whilst surfing the web and, of course, following my adventures on Instagram & reading my website blogs.
GNV Blu offers a truly massive shopping centre, far larger than I had expected,
dominating the entire central section of Deck 8.
You'll find a large selection of summer clothing, fragrances and souvenirs making perfect gifts for friends and family. Plus, if you are looking for something specific the friendly personnel will assist you.
The main entertainment hubs are located on Decks 8 and 10.
Open from embarkation until around 2300hrs you'll find the main bar on Deck 8; a 'U' shaped facility with the bar at the furthest point with seating on the sides.
Urban style sofas and 'swivel' chairs are positioned on localised carpeting adjacent to the hard flooring thoroughfare allowing groups to sit together and make new friends with fellow passengers.
An excellent singer serenaded passengers from the corner positioned stage whilst passengers danced the night away on the adjacent dancefloor.
Direct access to the bare metal stern exterior deck and smoking area plus exterior 'disco bar' on Deck 10 can be obtained from here.
The exterior 'disco bar' is positioned at the highest point of the ship and offers a truly memorable way of travelling with overhead disco lights beneath a canopy pounding to the beat of the music which was being blasted out through the speakers.
Some passengers sipped cocktails, beers and spirits whilst others danced the night away under a beautiful sunset bidding farewell to Naples.
Don't forget, when the bars close the bar adjacent to the pizzeria is open throughout the night.
GNV Blu Offers a large amount of exterior decks on differing levels and well worth exploring.
After a very enjoyable southbound voyage the beautiful coastline of Sicily comes into view.
Foot passenger disembarkation can be rather slow as it's necessary for vehicles to disembark first therefore, top tip, to save uncomfortably standing around in the halls grab a cuppa before the facilities close and relax on the exterior deck until you are called down to the vehicle deck to disembark.
The great thing about travelling by ferry is the (GNV) ferry literally moors across the road from the town centre of Palermo and, if you fancy a stroll, just head east where you'll find the beautiful old town & fantastic marina with localised bars and restaurants plus a myriad of narrow streets filled with small boutique shops - why endure the
rig-moral of flying, land miles away then face a lengthy transfer? - Take the ferry!
Palermo, click for larger view
Here is my journey vlog.
Why not grab a cuppa, curl up and virtually come aboard
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More blogs can be found on
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