European Ferryliners

Daedalus, a Minoan lines car and passenger ferry, offers year-round service between Venice, Italy and Patras, Greece with a stop in Corfu.

Most visitors to Europe know that ferries connect Britain with continental Europe, but few are aware that long-distance ferryliners offer regular service on dozens of routes throughout European waters. This is unfortunate, because an overnight cruise on a modern car and passenger ferry can be a delightful experience--and one that's far more "real" than a packaged sun-and-fun cruise in the Caribbean.

On a ferryliner, part of the enjoyment is knowing that you aren't just being hauled around in a floating resort. You're actually going somewhere, and your fellow passengers represent a cross-section of Europe's population: business travelers, families, truck drivers, school groups, seasonal workers, and savvy European tourists. When you reach your destination, it isn't just the place you left--it's a port hundreds of miles away, in another country where the locals speak a different language. There's a sense of excitement and discovery not unlike that of the transatlantic crossings of a generation ago.

Berths for every budget

Most long-distance ferryliners offer accommodations in a variety of price ranges, such as:

Deck passage - Available on many routes in Southern Europe, especially those that serve North African or Middle Eastern ports. You pay a low fare and doss down where you can.

Reclining seats - Similar to airline seats, and common on ferries in the Mediterranean and Aegean.

Couchettes - The shipboard equivalent of a youth hostel. The cabins have curtains rather than doors, accommodate six or more passengers, and come with blankets instead of linens. Toilets and showers are down the hall. (This is the least expensive class on many Northern European ferries.)

Standard cabins - Comfortable rooms for two to four passengers, with sinks and (usually) toilet and shower. Inside cabins without portholes are cheaper than outside cabins.

Deluxe cabins - Side-by-side beds instead of bunks, large windows, a steward or stewardess on call, and sometimes a Continental breakfast.

Northern European ferryliners are generally one-class ships, which means that all passengers share the same amenities. In Southern Europe, you may encounter ships with separate first-class lounges and deck space.

Continued on page 2

Copyright © 1996-2008 Durant and Cheryl Imboden and their licensors.
All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy