Frequently asked questions

The accommodation available varies by company and ship:

• Deck passage: the cheapest. Access to common areas, no assigned seat

• Reclining seat: an assigned seat in dedicated lounges

• Inside cabin: a private room without a porthole, usually 2–4 berths, private bathroom

• Outside cabin: a private room with a porthole or sea-view window, private bathroom

• Deluxe cabin / Suite: more space, premium services, balcony (on some ships)

• Family cabins: 4–6 beds, ideal for families

• Pet-friendly cabins: where pets are allowed

• Accessible cabins: equipped with an accessible bathroom

💡 For overnight crossings of more than 8 hours we always recommend a cabin: you will sleep better and arrive rested.

FAQ Category: On board

The assignment process varies depending on the company:

Assignment at check-in at the port

• Most companies assign the specific cabin or seat number at check-in

• The system takes into account:

  • Number of passengers per booking

  • Passengers' gender (for shared mixed cabins)

  • Presence of pets

  • PRM needs

  • Loyalty (regular customers may receive better accommodation)

Automatic assignment at booking

• Some companies assign the cabin/seat automatically at the time of booking

• The number appears directly on the confirmation

Booking a specific cabin (rare):

• On cruise-ferry ships, some "Suite Experience" packages let you choose your cabin

• On some long overnight routes you can request a cabin in a preferred position (e.g. away from the engines) via the call centre

For special needs:

• Adjacent cabins for groups or families: mention it in the notes field

• A quieter cabin (upper deck, away from the engines): request via the call centre

• PRM cabin: always to be requested via the call centre

💡 In high season, assignment is stricter to manage the flow of passengers: check in early to have more options.

FAQ Category: On board

Typical on-board services (they vary by ship):

• Catering: bar/snack bar, self-service, à la carte restaurant

• Shopping: duty-free shop, minimarket, newsagent

• Entertainment: TV, games room, cinema or evening shows

• Families: children's area, baby pit-stop

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (free or paid)

• Relaxation: solarium, terraces, on some ships a swimming pool

• Pets: pet areas, kennels

For the specific services of each ship, see the company's dedicated page on www.netferry.com.

FAQ Category: On board

Wi-Fi is available on most modern ships, but:

• Satellite connection: it depends on the weather and the ship's position

• Limited speed: suitable for chat, e-mail and basic browsing; not for video streaming

• Cost: some companies offer free Wi-Fi, others provide it only in higher-category cabins

Alternatives:

• Mobile data (4G/5G): works near the coast, drops in the open sea

• International roaming: within the EU usually with no surcharge; outside the EU it can be expensive

FAQ Category: On board

The catering on the main ships offers alternatives for the most common dietary needs, but availability depends on the company, the ship and the length of the crossing.

What to report when booking:

• In the booking's notes field, state each passenger's intolerances/allergies

• Specify whether it is a severe allergy (with anaphylactic risk) or an intolerance

Typical dietary menus available on board:

• Gluten-free (coeliac disease): dedicated bread, pasta, desserts (sometimes with a supplement)

• Lactose-free: plant-based alternatives

• Vegetarian and vegan

• Kosher and halal: only on some specific routes (e.g. Tunisia, Israel)

On board:

• At mealtimes, tell the restaurant staff about your intolerance

• Ask for the list of ingredients if in doubt

• For severe allergies, ask for confirmation about preparation free from cross-contamination

Practical tips:

• Bring your own snacks for emergencies (gluten-free bars, lactose-free biscuits, dried fruit and nuts)

• On short crossings (2–4 hours) you may not find specific menus: eat before or after

• If you have a severe allergy, carry your life-saving medication in your hand luggage

ℹ️ The specific details vary a lot: if you have particular needs, call us on +39 0831 564 257 before booking to check what your chosen company offers.

FAQ Category: On board

Each ferry company has its own lost property office with specific procedures and timescales.

What to do straight away:

• If you notice on board: go straight to the ship's reception or the purser

• If you notice just after disembarking: go back to the company's desk at the port

• If you notice later: write to the company's customer service (each company has a dedicated contact)

Details to provide:

• Booking code and/or ticket

• Ship and travel date

• Cabin or area where it was lost

• A detailed description of the item (brand, colour, contents)

• Photos if possible

How to contact the lost property offices (indicative):

• Grimaldi Lines: oggetti.smarriti@grimaldi.napoli.it

• Moby / Tirrenia: dedicated customer service on moby.it

• GNV: online form on gnv.it

• Other companies: contacts in the booking confirmation e-mail

If you have trouble making contact:

• Write to info@netferry.com with your booking code and a description

• We will act as an intermediary with the company

Timescales:

• If the item is found, you will be contacted to collect it (at the port, or shipped at the customer's expense)

• After 30–60 days, unclaimed items are usually donated to charity or destroyed

💡 To reduce the risk: photograph your cabin before leaving it, as a reminder of where you put important items.

FAQ Category: On board

In the vast majority of cases, the price of the ferry ticket does not include food and drinks.

What is NOT included in the standard ticket:

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Drinks at the bar

• Snacks, coffee, ice cream

• Cabin service (where available)

What IS generally included:

• Use of the common areas (lounges, decks, TV room)

• The accommodation chosen (cabin, seat, deck passage)

• Toilet facilities and fresh linen in the cabin

• On some ships: free limited Wi-Fi

Exceptions with meals included:

• Suites / Deluxe cabins: some companies include breakfast or dinner on some long routes

• "All inclusive" packages: rare in the ferry sector, more typical of cruises

• Pre-purchased meals: when booking you can add prepaid meals (often cheaper than on board)

Indicative prices on board:

• Self-service breakfast: €8–15

• Self-service lunch/dinner menu: €15–25

• À la carte restaurant: €25–50 per person

• Sandwich/pizza at the bar: €5–10

• Drink: €2–5

Prices in euros: on nearly all ships in the Mediterranean you pay in euros. On routes to the UK, pounds sterling may also be accepted.

💡 On short daytime crossings, many passengers bring food from home. On long overnight crossings, eating on board is almost unavoidable: consider pre-purchased meals to save money.

FAQ Category: On board

Many ferry companies let you prepay meals together with your ticket, often at a discount compared with on-board prices.

How it works:

• When booking, after choosing your accommodation, the "Extra services" or "Meals on board" section appears

• Select the meals you want for each passenger

• The cost is added to the total

• At boarding you will receive a voucher, or a note on your ticket, to use them

Typical options:

• Breakfast: around €6–10 (self-service)

• Lunch/dinner menu: around €12–20 (self-service or simple à la carte)

• Children's menu: reduced prices with family-friendly options

• Special menus: gluten-free, vegetarian (on request)

Advantages:

• An average discount of 10–20% compared with the on-board price

• Less stress and fewer queues on board

• Price locked in at the time of booking

• On some routes, a pre-purchased meal gives you priority seating in the restaurant

If the option is not visible online:

• With some companies, prepaid meals can be added only via the call centre

• Call us on +39 0831 564 257: we can add them to your existing booking

💡 Ideal on long overnight crossings (Greece, Spain): you save money and are sure to be able to dine on board even in high season.

FAQ Category: On board

The payment methods accepted on board vary slightly by company and ship.

Always accepted on most ships:

• Cash in euros

• Visa and Mastercard credit cards

• Debit cards on international networks

Often accepted:

• American Express (check first)

• Apple Pay / Google Pay (on the more modern ships)

• Prepaid cards on the Visa/Mastercard networks

Rarely or never accepted:

• Bank cheques

• Cryptocurrencies

• Debit cards on domestic-only networks

On non-euro routes (UK, Tunisia, Morocco):

• On ships on routes to the United Kingdom: pounds sterling and euros accepted (sometimes at less favourable rates)

• On ships on routes to Tunisia/Morocco: usually only euros accepted on board; Tunisian dinars/Moroccan dirhams can only be exchanged ashore

Practical tips:

• Always carry some cash in euros for small expenses (tips, coffee at the bar)

• Check that your card is enabled for use abroad if travelling outside the EU

• For cash withdrawals on board: some ships have ATMs (with variable fees)

• Invoices for on-board services can be requested directly at the restaurant/reception

💡 You have already paid for your NetFerry ticket online: on board you will only pay for optional extras (non-prepaid meals, bar, shops, games).

FAQ Category: On board

Under European law (EU Regulation 1177/2010), passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility are entitled to:

• Free assistance at the port and on board

• Reserved places and accessible cabins

• Assisted priority boarding and disembarkation

• Free transport of wheelchairs, walking frames and other mobility aids

How to request assistance:

• When booking, state the need for PRM assistance in the notes field

• Confirm directly with the company at least 48 hours before departure

• Arrive at the port at least 2 hours in advance

📞 For practical help: call us on +39 0831 564 257.

FAQ Category: On board

Personal medication:

• Always allowed in your personal luggage

• For life-saving medication, bring the medical prescription or the information leaflet

• For refrigerated medication (e.g. insulin), bring a cool bag

Medical devices:

• Wheelchairs, walking frames, CPAP machines, pacemakers: allowed

• For medical oxygen, battery-powered devices or critical electrical equipment, inform the company at least 48–72 hours in advance

• Some lithium-battery devices are subject to restrictions

FAQ Category: On board

The presence of medical staff on board is governed by Italian regulations (Ministerial Decree of 13/06/1986) and international rules:

Ships with more than 500 passengers:

• A doctor, and sometimes a nurse, must be on board

• A medical room equipped for emergencies and minor procedures

• First-aid medicines

• The service is generally chargeable for non-urgent consultations (variable fees)

• Emergencies are always free

Ships with fewer than 500 passengers:

• Medical staff are not compulsory

• A first-aid kit is available to the ship's crew

• In an emergency, the ship makes contact with:

  • The Coast Guard for rescue

  • Maritime medical advice centres (CIRM – the International Radio Medical Centre)

What you should do:

• If you have pre-existing conditions, bring with you:

  1. Enough medication for the whole journey

  2. The medical prescription and information leaflet

  3. A certificate from your doctor (especially for serious conditions)

• If you need specialised assistance during the voyage, tell reception at boarding

• If you feel unwell during the crossing, contact the ship's crew immediately

Serious emergencies:

• The ship may be diverted to the nearest port

• Helicopter rescue may be requested if life is at risk

• These are decisions for the ship's Master in coordination with the Coast Guard

💡 For long crossings (Greece, Spain, overnight), always check before booking whether the chosen ship has medical staff: useful information for elderly people and those with medical conditions.

FAQ Category: On board

Passengers with sensory disabilities (sight/hearing) are entitled to specific assistance under Regulation (EU) 1177/2010.

Blind or visually impaired passengers:

• Free assistance at the port (accompaniment from the car park to the check-in desk)

• Free assistance on the ship (accompaniment to the cabin, restaurant, decks)

• Lifts with Braille keypads and audio signals on modern ships

• The guide dog travels free and can go everywhere

• Menu available in an accessible format on request

Deaf or hearing-impaired passengers:

• Free assistance with communication during check-in and boarding

• Safety announcements in visual format (screens, signs)

• Some companies use simultaneous translation apps

• In an emergency, the ship's crew is trained to communicate with deaf passengers

How to request assistance:

• State your needs in the booking's notes field

• Confirm with the company at least 48 hours before (a legal requirement to activate the assistance)

• On arrival at the port, look for the PRM meeting point (usually indicated with dedicated signage)

• Arrive at least 90–120 minutes in advance so the assistance can be organised

Documents to have ready:

• Disability certification (to apply any discounts)

• The guide dog's documents (if applicable)

💡 If you have complex needs or want to check the accessibility of a specific ship, call us on +39 0831 564 257: we will contact the company on your behalf.

FAQ Category: On board