ferry Venezia Grimaldi Lines
ferry Venezia
âš“ The Venezia is one of the largest and most modern ferries in the Grimaldi Lines fleet, and the flagship of the Barcelona–Civitavecchia (Rome) route, one of the longest and most spectacular sea links in the western Mediterranean. With room for more than 3,000 passengers and close to 700 vehicles, the Venezia is a cruise megaferry designed to offer a complete travel experience over the 20-hour or so crossing between the Catalan capital and Rome's main port. Her size, her facilities and the sheer range of accommodation make her one of the best-appointed ferries in the Mediterranean in her segment.
The Venezia was built at the Fincantieri yard in Castellammare di Stabia (Italy) and handed over to Grimaldi Lines in 2017. Together with her sister ship, the Catania, she forms the most advanced class in the Grimaldi fleet on long-distance routes. She sails under the Italian flag and her name pays tribute to the city of Venice, in keeping with the Grimaldi Lines tradition of naming its big ferries after emblematic Italian cities.
At 218 metres long with a beam of 26 metres, the Venezia is one of the biggest passenger ferries working in the western Mediterranean. Her facilities include restaurants, cafés, swimming pools, shops, an entertainment area and a wide choice of accommodation running from reclining seats to luxury suites with a private terrace.
History and background of the ship
The Venezia (IMO 9304631) was built in 2004 at the Cantiere Navale Visentini yard in Porto Viro under the name Golfo degli Angeli for Lloyd Sardegna. Her most notable Spanish chapter ran from 2010 to 2019, when she was taken on charter by Trasmediterránea and renamed first Albayzin and then Ciudad de Cádiz. For almost a decade she was a mainstay of Spain's domestic connectivity, working the long Atlantic run between Cádiz and the Canary Islands and covering the scheduled Strait services to Melilla.
In 2019 she was bought outright by the Grimaldi Group, transferred to its Minoan Lines subsidiary and renamed Venezia in 2020. The operator moved her to the Adriatic to strengthen international freight transport. She now works the daily scheduled Venice–Ancona–Igoumenitsa (Greece) service as a fixture.
The name Venezia evokes Venice, the iconic Italian city built on water and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The choice reflects the Italian cultural identity of Grimaldi Lines and its Mediterranean calling. Just as Venice is a destination unlike any other, the Venezia sets out to be a travel experience apart from conventional ferries: not merely a way of getting there, but a destination in her own right for the hours of the crossing.
Grimaldi Lines, part of the Naples-based Grimaldi Group, is one of the largest shipping operators in Europe, with a fleet of more than 130 ships and a presence in over 140 countries. In the passenger ferry segment it runs some of the longest routes in the Mediterranean, linking Spain, Italy, Greece, Tunisia and Morocco.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Ro-Pax ferry for passengers and rolling freight |
| Length overall | 218 m |
| Beam | 26 m |
| Draught | 6.7 m |
| GT (gross tonnage) | ~49,900 GT |
| Service speed | ~23 knots |
| Passenger capacity | ~3,000 people |
| Vehicle capacity | ~700 cars (equivalent) |
| Freight capacity (lane metres) | ~2,800 lane metres |
| Passenger decks | 9 decks |
| Cabins | ~300 cabins in various categories |
| Propulsion | Diesel engines · 2 controllable-pitch propellers |
| Shipyard | Fincantieri · Castellammare di Stabia (Italy) |
| Year built | 2017 |
| Sister ship | Catania |
| IMO number | 9710464 |
| Flag | Italy |
| Ferry operator | Grimaldi Lines |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Civitavecchia (Rome) | ~20 h | ~19:00 |
| Civitavecchia (Rome) → Barcelona | ~20 h | ~19:00 |
| Barcelona → Porto Torres (Sardinia) | ~12 h | ~19:00 |
| Porto Torres (Sardinia) → Barcelona | ~12 h | ~08:00 |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The port of Civitavecchia: Rome's gateway by sea
The Venezia calls at the Port of Civitavecchia, the main passenger port on the Lazio coast and the natural sea gateway to Rome. Civitavecchia lies some 80 km north-west of central Rome, which works out at about an hour by train or car. The train link is particularly convenient: direct services run frequently from Civitavecchia station to Roma Termini, taking between 60 and 90 minutes.
If Rome is your destination, the Venezia plus train combination is a very popular and sustainable alternative to flying, especially if you are travelling with a car or a lot of luggage. The port of Civitavecchia is large and well equipped, with an air-conditioned waiting area, left-luggage facilities, cafés and shuttle buses into town.
If you are travelling with a car, we recommend arriving at the port of Barcelona at least 2 hours beforehand to get through check-in and vehicle boarding. As a foot passenger, 60 minutes is enough in low season; in July and August, allow extra time.
Fares, discounts and how to book
A reclining seat (the cheapest accommodation) on the Barcelona–Civitavecchia route starts at roughly €60–80 one way in low season, and can go above €150 in high season (July and August) or with a cabin. Prices vary a great deal with how far ahead you book, the season and the type of accommodation you choose.
Discounts commonly offered by Grimaldi Lines:
- Early booking: savings of up to 30% if you book far enough ahead, especially outside high season.
- Families: reduced fares for children under 12 accompanied by adults.
- Groups: special prices for groups of more than 10 people. Ask Grimaldi directly.
- Resident fare (Sardinia): applies on routes to Sardinia for accredited residents.
- Grimaldi Loyalty Club: a loyalty scheme that collects points and discounts towards future bookings.
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 or as a couple, looking for the lowest price | Reclining seat |
| And want to sleep without sharing a cabin | Single or double inside cabin |
| As a couple, looking for comfort and privacy | Outside cabin (window or porthole) |
| As a family with children | Family cabin (4 berths) |
| Looking for the most comfort and space | Suite or Superior cabin with terrace |
| With a pet | Pet-friendly cabin (limited availability) |
| On business | Deluxe cabin or Suite |
ferry Venezia · Accommodations
Reclining seat · Standard
The cheapest option on the Venezia. Comfortable reclining seats in a shared lounge, with access to all the ship's facilities. Ideal if price comes first on an overnight crossing. Each seat has a headrest and a footrest.
✓ Fully reclining seat with headrest
✓ Access to every area of the ship
✓ Ideal for overnight crossings
✓ The most affordable fare on board
Inside cabin · Private
A private cabin without a window, available with 2 or 4 berths. It comes with a private bathroom with shower, air conditioning and storage space. The best choice if you want to sleep in privacy at the keenest cabin price.
✓ Private cabin that locks with a key
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual air conditioning
✓ 2 or 4 berths depending on the layout
✓ Mirror, desk and wardrobe
Outside cabin · With sea views
A private cabin with a window or porthole looking out over the Mediterranean. Available for 2 or 4 people. It offers everything the inside cabin does, plus natural light and sea views, which makes it the favourite for anyone who wants to take in the seascape.
✓ Window or porthole with sea views
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ Individual air conditioning
✓ Natural light during the day
✓ Ideal for couples or small families
Family cabin · 4 people
A roomy cabin with 4 berths designed for families. Some are laid out with double bunks to sleep two adults and two children in comfort. It has a private bathroom and extra storage space. One of the best ways to travel as a family in comfort on a long crossing.
✓ 4 berths for families
✓ Private bathroom with shower
✓ More storage space
✓ Individual air conditioning
Suite · Every comfort
The most exclusive accommodation on the Venezia. A spacious cabin with a double bed, a separate lounge, a full bathroom and, in the higher categories, a private terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. It includes welcome amenities and priority access to the ship's restaurants.
✓ Double bed
✓ Separate lounge
✓ Full bathroom with bath or shower
✓ Private terrace with sea views (higher categories)
✓ Welcome amenities
✓ Flat-screen TV and minibar
ferry Venezia · On-board services
Restaurant and food on board
The Venezia offers several places to eat during the crossing. The main restaurant serves à la carte menus of Italian and international cooking, while the self-service buffet is the quicker option and the one passengers tend to favour. There is also a café-bar open for much of the sailing, serving drinks, snacks and pastries, and an onboard shop stocking travel goods, souvenirs and everyday essentials.
Swimming pool and open-air areas
One of the hallmarks of the Venezia is her open-air pool on deck, available during the summer season. Ringed with sun loungers and a solarium, it is one of the spaces passengers value most on daytime sailings and through the summer months. The Barcelona–Civitavecchia crossing brings hours of sailing in fine weather, turning the open deck into a genuine meeting point.
Entertainment area and bar
The Venezia has a show lounge with a programme of live entertainment in high season, a games room, a bar with music and a relaxed feel, and a quiet area to unwind. These spaces are designed to make the 20 hours of the crossing pass pleasantly for every passenger, whatever accommodation they have chosen.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Venezia has facilities to make sure every passenger can get around: lifts serving all the passenger decks, access ramps from the boarding terminal, adapted cabins for passengers with reduced mobility with extra space and an accessible bathroom, and staff on hand to help at boarding and disembarkation. We recommend flagging any special requirements when you book so that you get the best possible service.
Venezia vs. Catania: the Grimaldi Lines sister ships
The Venezia and the Catania are sister ships built by Fincantieri, with all but identical technical specifications. Both work Grimaldi Lines' long-haul routes in the western Mediterranean. The differences between them are minimal and come down mainly to small points of interior layout and decoration. In practical terms, the experience on either ship is much the same.
| Feature | Venezia | Catania |
|---|---|---|
| Shipyard | Fincantieri | Fincantieri |
| Year delivered | 2017 | 2017 |
| Length overall | 218 m | 218 m |
| Passenger capacity | ~3,000 | ~3,000 |
| Vehicle capacity | ~700 | ~700 |
| IMO | 9710464 | 9710476 |
| Named after | Venice (Italy) | Catania (Italy) |
Frequently asked questions about the Venezia
Which routes does the Venezia ferry operate?
She works mainly on the Barcelona–Civitavecchia (Rome) route all year round for Grimaldi Lines. Depending on the season she may call at or serve Porto Torres (Sardinia). Check up-to-date availability in our search engine.
How long does the Venezia take from Barcelona to Rome?
The Barcelona–Civitavecchia crossing takes roughly 20 hours. Ships usually leave in the late afternoon and arrive at dawn the next day. From Civitavecchia, Rome is some 80 km away (60-90 minutes by train).
Does the Venezia go straight to central Rome?
No. The Venezia berths at the port of Civitavecchia, some 80 km from Rome. You can carry on to Rome by direct train (60-90 min to Roma Termini) or by car. The ferry-plus-train combination is a very popular and convenient option.
Does the Venezia carry cars?
Yes. Her freight decks hold close to 700 car equivalents, taking cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and heavy goods vehicles. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 2 hours beforehand.
What accommodation does the Venezia offer?
Five categories: a reclining seat (the cheapest), an inside cabin (private, no window), an outside cabin (with a window or porthole), a family cabin for 4 people and a suite with a double bed, a lounge and a private terrace in the higher categories.
How much does a ticket on the Venezia cost?
As a guide, seat prices start at €60–80 one way in low season. In high season (July and August) they can go above €150 depending on the accommodation. Booking ahead is advisable. Compare prices here.
Are pets allowed on the Venezia?
Yes. Grimaldi Lines accepts pets on board the Venezia in pet-friendly cabins (limited availability) or in the designated area, depending on the size of the animal. You must say so when you book and carry valid health documentation (EU passport, rabies vaccination).
Is the Venezia accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has lifts between decks, access ramps, adapted cabins with an accessible bathroom and staff on hand to help. We recommend flagging any special requirements when you book.
Is there a swimming pool on the Venezia?
Yes. The Venezia has an open-air pool on deck, available during the summer season, with a solarium and sun loungers. It is one of the best-loved spaces on summer sailings across the Mediterranean.
Is there a restaurant on board the Venezia?
Yes. She has a full-service restaurant with an à la carte menu, a self-service buffet, a café-bar and a shop. There are also vending machines available 24 hours a day for something quick overnight.
How early should I arrive at the port?
By car: at least 2 hours before departure. As a foot passenger: 60 minutes in low season. In July and August we recommend allowing extra time, particularly at the port of Barcelona.
When was the Venezia built?
The Venezia was built at the Fincantieri yard in Castellammare di Stabia (Italy) and handed over to Grimaldi Lines in 2017. She has a sister ship, the Catania, with all but identical technical specifications.
Are there discounts for families or advance bookings?
Yes. Grimaldi Lines applies reduced fares for children under 12 and early booking discounts for reservations made well ahead (up to 30%). There is also the Grimaldi Loyalty Club, which collects points. Check the conditions when you book.
