ferry La Suprema GNV
ferry La Suprema
âš“ La Suprema is one of the highest-capacity and most recognisable ferries in the GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) fleet. She links Barcelona with Genoa on crossings of roughly 18 hours, one of the most popular international ferry routes in the western Mediterranean. With room for more than 2,500 passengers and over 600 vehicles, she stands out for the breadth of her accommodation, catering and onboard entertainment, all designed to turn the crossing into part of the holiday.
Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo and added to the fleet in 2003, La Suprema belongs to the generation of large liners GNV rolled out in the early 2000s to modernise its links between Spain and Italy. At 211 metres long and sailing under the Italian flag, she is one of the largest ships calling regularly at the port of Barcelona.
GNV is an Italian ferry operator founded in 1992 and part of the MSC group, running a network of routes that connects Italy with Spain, France, Morocco, Tunisia and Sicily. In Spain, La Suprema is the company's flagship on the Barcelona–Genoa route, one of the oldest and best-established international ferry links in the Mediterranean.
History and background of the ship
La Suprema (IMO 9221279) is the direct sister ship of La Superba, built at the same Nuovi Cantieri Apuania yard in Marina di Carrara (hull number 1221) and delivered in May 2003. Her entire commercial career has been spent with GNV alone, working the Genoa–Palermo line as a fixture. After the tragic fire aboard La Superba in January 2023, La Suprema became the company's outright flagship in the Tyrrhenian.
Her sheer number of cabins — 567 private cabins including 31 suites with a jacuzzi — makes her indispensable during the Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE), the summer crossing operation to North Africa, covering the long-haul Barcelona–Tanger Med and Sète–Tanger Med runs.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Passenger and vehicle ferry (Ro-Pax) |
| Length overall | 211 m |
| Beam | 29.7 m |
| Draught | 6.8 m |
| Gross tonnage (GT) | 54,200 GT |
| Service speed | 23 knots |
| Top speed | 27 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 2,558 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 661 cars (or the equivalent in lorries) |
| Passenger decks | 10 |
| Propulsion | 4 MAN diesel engines · conventional diesel propulsion |
| Shipyard | Fincantieri, Palermo (Italy) |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Flag | Italy |
| IMO number | 9247145 |
| Ferry operator | GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) — MSC Group |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Genoa | ~18 h | ~11:00 |
| Genoa → Barcelona | ~18 h | ~11:00 |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact departure in our search engine.
The ports of Barcelona and Genoa: how to get there
La Suprema sails from the Ferry Terminal at the Port of Barcelona, specifically from the Sant Bertomeu quay (the international terminal). Getting there from the city centre is straightforward: by car along the Ronda Litoral, taking the port exit, or by public transport combining the metro (line L3, Drassanes stop) with a bus or taxi to the terminal. If you are travelling by car, you should arrive at least 90 minutes before departure.
In Genoa the ferry berths at the Stazione Marittima, right in the city centre, a few minutes' walk from the old town and from Genova Piazza Principe railway station. Rail connections from there to Milan, Turin, Rome and the rest of Italy are very easy.
Fares, discounts and how to book
A standard seat on the Barcelona–Genoa route starts from roughly €50–70 one way in low season, and can go above €100–150 over the summer. Cabins carry a supplement that varies with the type and the time of year. It is worth booking ahead, particularly in July and August.
Discounts and special fares available:
- Resident fare: GNV applies discounts for residents of certain Spanish regions on routes with public service obligations. Check availability when you book.
- Child fare: children aged 4 to 12 get a substantial discount. Under-4s travel free (without an allocated seat).
- Youth fare: a discount for passengers aged 12 to 25 on selected dates and fares.
- Senior fare: a discount for over-60s available on selected dates.
- GNV Club: the operator's loyalty scheme, with exclusive benefits for regular customers.
- Early booking: the lowest prices come from booking months ahead. Early Bird fares can save you up to 30%.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone, looking for the lowest price | Reclining seat |
| As a couple or with friends, wanting to rest | Double inside cabin |
| With family and children | Four-berth inside cabin |
| Looking for sea views and more light | Outside cabin with window or porthole |
| On business, or wanting maximum comfort | Suite or Comfort cabin |
| On a very tight budget | Seat or deck place (where available) |
| With a pet | Pet-friendly cabin + pet place |
| With reduced mobility | Adapted accessible cabin |
ferry La Suprema · Accommodations
Reclining seat · Standard
The cheapest option on board. Reclining seats in a shared lounge, with access to all the ship's facilities. Ideal for travellers who put price first on an overnight crossing.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Access to every area of the ship
✓ Sockets available in the shared lounge
✓ Access to the café, restaurant and outside deck
Inside cabin · Double
A cabin without a window for two people, with bunks or single beds, a private bathroom and storage space. The most popular choice for couples or for anyone who wants a decent night's sleep on the overnight crossing.
✓ Bunks or single beds for 2 people
✓ Private bathroom with shower and WC
✓ Television and sockets
✓ Wardrobe and mirror
✓ Individually controlled air conditioning
Outside cabin · With window
A double cabin with a window or porthole facing the sea. Brighter than the inside cabin and ideal if you want to enjoy the Mediterranean views. Everything the inside cabin has, plus natural light.
✓ Window or porthole facing outwards
✓ Bunks or single beds for 2 people
✓ Private bathroom with shower and WC
✓ Television, sockets and individual air conditioning
✓ Sea views throughout the crossing
Four-berth cabin · Family
A cabin for up to 4 people with bunks on two levels. The most comfortable and affordable solution for families with children or groups of friends travelling together.
✓ Bunks for 4 people
✓ Private bathroom with shower and WC
✓ Television and sockets
✓ Individually controlled air conditioning
Suite / Comfort cabin · Premium
The most exclusive accommodation on the ship. More floor space, a double bed, better-quality furnishings and prime sea views. Designed for business travel or for guests who expect the highest standard on board.
✓ Double bed or large twin beds
✓ Spacious private bathroom with shower or bath
✓ Panoramic window
✓ Large-screen TV, minibar and desk
✓ Welcome amenities and priority service
Adapted cabin · Accessible
A cabin designed specifically for passengers with reduced mobility, with wheelchair access, an adapted bathroom with grab rails and extra room to manoeuvre.
✓ Wheelchair access
✓ Adapted bathroom with grab rails
✓ Extra room to manoeuvre
✓ Located on an easily accessible deck
ferry La Suprema · On-board services
Self-service restaurant and café
La Suprema has a large self-service restaurant with a wide choice of hot and cold dishes, salads, pizzas, desserts and drinks. It opens for the main lunch and dinner sittings during the crossing. The café, meanwhile, stays open for practically the whole trip, serving breakfasts, light bites, snacks and hot and cold drinks.
Outside deck and deck bar
La Suprema has generous outside decks for enjoying the Mediterranean in the open air. The main outside deck has a promenade area, loungers and, in season, a deck bar serving drinks and snacks. It is the ideal spot to watch the ship leave Barcelona or come into Genoa.
Children's area and entertainment
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
La Suprema is fitted with lifts and ramps to make it easier for passengers with reduced mobility to move between decks. She has adapted accessible cabins with an accessible bathroom, grab rails and room to manoeuvre a wheelchair. We recommend telling GNV about any special requirements when you book, so that the best possible assistance can be arranged at boarding and on board.
Sustainability and the environment
GNV is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its fleet as part of the shipping industry's decarbonisation targets. In the case of La Suprema, built in 2003 with conventional diesel engines, the operator has brought in a number of measures to improve her energy efficiency:
- Low-sulphur marine fuel (VLSFO): La Suprema runs on very low sulphur fuel oil (a maximum of 0.1% in the Mediterranean ECA zones), meeting the IMO 2020 rules and cutting SOx emissions significantly.
- Efficient speed management: routes and sailing speeds are optimised to reduce fuel consumption and COâ‚‚ emissions.
- Waste management system: an onboard waste policy with separate collection and disposal in port in line with MARPOL rules.
- Waste water and bilges: treated on board to international standards for the protection of the marine environment.
GNV has a fleet renewal programme under way that includes new-generation ships with alternative propulsion (LNG and methanol) and better energy efficiency. The newest GNV ships (such as GNV Polaris and GNV Orion, both LNG-powered) represent the future of the fleet and cut COâ‚‚ emissions by up to 30% compared with conventional diesel vessels.
Frequently asked questions about La Suprema
Which route does the La Suprema ferry operate?
La Suprema works the Barcelona–Genoa route all year round for GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci). It is an international crossing of roughly 18 hours linking Spain and Italy across the western Mediterranean.
How long does La Suprema take from Barcelona to Genoa?
The Barcelona–Genoa crossing takes roughly 18 hours. The usual departure from Barcelona is around 11:00, arriving in Genoa the following morning. Exact times vary with the season. Check the exact timetable here.
Does La Suprema carry cars and lorries?
Yes. She has room for up to 661 vehicles on her garage decks and also takes lorries and freight vehicles. If you are travelling by car, get to the port at least 90 minutes before departure.
What accommodation does La Suprema offer?
Six types of accommodation: reclining seat (the cheapest), double inside cabin, outside cabin with window, four-berth family cabin, suite/Comfort (the most exclusive) and an adapted accessible cabin for passengers with reduced mobility.
Is there a restaurant on board La Suprema?
Yes. She has a large self-service restaurant, a café, a bar and an outside deck bar (in season). The café stays open for practically the whole crossing.
Are pets allowed on La Suprema?
Yes. Pets travel in the onboard kennels or in specific pet-friendly cabins. You must book a place for your pet when you buy your ticket and present an EU pet passport with a current rabies vaccination and a microchip.
Is La Suprema accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has adapted accessible cabins, lifts between decks and access ramps. We recommend telling GNV about any special requirements when you book so the best possible assistance can be arranged.
Is there Wi-Fi on board La Suprema?
La Suprema offers paid Wi-Fi on board. Coverage can vary over the course of the crossing. It is worth downloading content offline before you board to make the 18 hours more comfortable.
How much does it cost to travel on La Suprema?
A seat starts from roughly €50–70 one way in low season. Cabins carry a variable supplement. In July and August prices can exceed €100–150. Booking ahead secures the best fares. Compare real-time prices here.
How early should I get to the port?
By car: at least 90 minutes before departure. Without a vehicle: 60 minutes is enough. In July and August, allow extra time to avoid queues at the port entrance.
Where does La Suprema berth in Barcelona and in Genoa?
In Barcelona she operates from the Ferry Terminal at the Port of Barcelona (Sant Bertomeu quay). In Genoa she berths at the Stazione Marittima, right in the city centre, minutes on foot from the old town and with easy rail links to the whole of Italy.
Are there any discounts for travelling on La Suprema?
GNV offers a child fare (4–12), free travel for under-4s, a youth fare (12–25), a senior fare (over-60s) and Early Bird advance-booking discounts of up to 30%. The GNV Club scheme rewards regular customers.
When was La Suprema built?
La Suprema was built in 2003 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo (Italy). She is 211 metres long, measures 54,200 GT and sails under the Italian flag. Her IMO number is 9247145.
What documents do I need to travel by ferry from Barcelona to Genoa?
Spanish (and other EU) citizens need only a valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or passport. No visa is required. If you are travelling with children, make sure you bring their identity documents too. For vehicles: the registration document, valid insurance and a driving licence. For pets: an EU pet passport with a current rabies vaccination.
