Which ferry Italy to Igoumenitsa

[Wyvern]

Hi folks, looking for the collective wisdom of the inmates. We normally drive down to Greece in the spring however, this year we will be attending a wedding in Tuscany before heading off. We like the idea of using the van as our accommodation whilst in transit.

Any recommendations for the best route and carrier?

Kind regards

 

[TheTurnips]

Hi Wyvern. We shipped friday Bari to Igoumenitsa. Camping deck with 6m motor home, Me the goodlady & Bonzo 240 euro. Anek also sail from Ancona. Nowadays Anek & Superfast are affiliated. And Minoan lines & Grimaldi are affiliated. We bkd direct with Anek online.

 

[Wyvern]

Thanks Turnips…very much appreciate the info.

 

[nicholsong]

We did our first Italy-Greece crossing with the MH this year.

We chose to use Anek's 'Open Deck' Camping -on-Board in the MH. They run this on certain ships. We sailed from Ancona to Patras(I think all vessels on all routes also stop at Igoumenitsa) We were on M/V Superfast II which has a deck partly open to the sky although we were under cover.

For the return we could only initially get a booking Patras-Bari, but did not fancy the long drive up Italy. We had booked through Viamare and they were great. We wanted to come back via Venice or Ancona but all were showing full for our dates. However Dale at Viamare, an American but living in London since '90s, managed to find a free 6m space to Venice - our MH is 7m, but he persuaded them to take us. I doubt if that would have been possible booking direct.

We returned to Venice which was a two-night voyage (2359 -0700) on M/V Olympic Champion. The 'Open Deck' was only open at the sides so was all under cover so not so airy Of the two vessels for that reason and for the excellent screw and very good food , especially seafood, in the self-serve we preferred the Superfast II. Anyway you would not be using Venice after the wedding.

I think Anek/Superfast are the only operator offering Camping-on-Board. Minoan offer a MH package but in that case you get a free cabin but have no access to the MH during the crossing.

As I said we used Dale at Viamare and everything was spot on including 2/3 reservation changes FOC, which involved collecting tickets at check-in but all smooth. We also took the MH to Patmos island on Blue Star Ferries which he booked for us and we got 30% discount because we had the Ionian crossing combined - not sure that would be available if booking online as it is different companies.

I have read one comment that Viamare are more expensive than booking direct, but also have had them recommended by many MH regulars to Greece. I would certainly endorse their service 100% and there was no 'I will call you back' - Dale knows the market well, went straight into his computer links and was reading out what he found "Ancona full on your dates, Venice 6m available - give me 1/2 hour" Called back in 20 mins "you are on" Confirmation e-mail 10 mins later. I am prepared to pay for that level of service.

Both our vessels had EHU for everyone, although for Superfast II one needed one;s own cable and the socket was normal Continental two-pin. On the Olympic Champion had a cluster of pull-down cables every 10 metres in the deck roof, for which one borrowed the pole with a hook to pull down a conventional EHU blue plug to attach to one's MH EHU socket, so no cable needed.

Any other questions please ask.

Geoff

 

[Wyvern]

Thank you so much for taking the time to set this out….very helpful and will defo be giving Dale a call…nothing like local knowledge to iron out the wrinkles for our first crossing.

Cheers

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[Franticek2252]

Hi, on the Ancona to Igoumenista crossing can a pet dog stay with you in the m/home or do they have to be in a kennel?

 

[TheTurnips]

If your camping onboard with Anek Lines from Ancona or Bari to Igoumenista your pet stays with you in the motorhome. You have electric hook up included. Access to showers on camping deck level. And access to go upstairs to explore the ferry.

 

[Lenny HB]

We used Viamare to book when we went, brilliant company to deal with and they will find you the best deal.

 

[Hotelman]

Another one to say ‘Viamare’ are brilliant , I made may amendments to our reservations, and no problem.