Message posted by joocy on 17 June 2004 at 12:02am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
joocy
Hi,
I am a new user, and would first like to congratulate everyone on congregating to gether and forming this wicked forum-----nice one.
Anyway I am doing a spot of travelling this year around SE asia and europe.
i just booked a flight from bristol to venice for £30 on the 11th august on easyjet which i am quite happy about.
anyway the plan is to take a ferry from venice to corfu, and the back again for a return flight from venice to bristol around the 7th september. I have a few queries if anyone can help me.
1. Would it be cheaper to try and get a return ferry ticket?,
2. what about booking in advance,is it worth it?
3. How much am i looking to pay for these merry boat rides, i am on a tight budget and will travel in the lowest economy available.
i had a look on a few ferry websites, but to be honest couldnt relly make head or tale of it. and would really appreciate any help.
joocy.
Message posted by Sailor on 17 June 2004 at 12:49am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
Hi Joocy.
Take a look at the following link for the Minoan Ferries from Venice To Corfu. This link gives timetables and price lists, both single trip and round trip.
you can get what they call an aircraft ticket on minoan lines where you dont have a cabin just crash in a chair or on the deck, excellant in good weather, horrendous when its bad! cheap as chips though!!!
Mark
Message posted by joocy on 17 June 2004 at 10:36am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
joocy
sailor.
cheers mate, a real help with that link. even a monkey could naviagte it. then again a monkey could probably use the internet (hint).
thanks again, and enjoy your travels.
Joocy.
Mark.
"just crash on a chair" sounds like my kinda thing, and hey if the weathers sh*t, the weathers sh*t what can you do.
cheers mate. enjoy your travels.
joocy
Message posted by Corfoitbabe on 17 June 2004 at 10:51am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Corfoitbabe
Have a look on the Via Michelin driving directions (this also includes ferrys) route finder type in what you want to do in the relevant boxes and it gives you the best option they can think of.I cant find the e-mail .Sorryxxxxxxxx
Message posted by MartynG on 17 June 2004 at 10:56am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Following up on what Mark says, there is a differnce between aircraft seats and being a deck passenger. With aircraft seats (which you book in advance and pay extra for) you have a allocated seat in a separate lounge. There's lots of leg room and the seat recline a long way, so are reasonably comfortable. If you book one of these, take a sleeping bag or blanket with you as the aircon is VERY efficient, with the effect that it can get very cold during the night. (This is what we do.)
Deck passengers have no spot to call their own and must find somewhere to sleep. You won't be able to use the lounges/bars for sleeping, but there are various corners where people bed down. Another favorite is the sun deck (on Minoan) just above the swimming pool. Although outside, this area has huge glass walls, is parially covered and if you get close to the bridge structiure you will be sheltered from the wind - remember that these ferries belt along at over 30 knots, so even on a hot day, the generated breeze can be quite cooling and overnight, with no sun.....
The pool area has a covered bar that serves snacks and drinks (incluing tea and coffee) but, like all ferries, can be a bit on the expensive side.
In my experience, it's often cheaper to book your round trip in advance as you will get a discount on the return leg.
Be careful of check in times. With the car, we have to check in about 3 hours before sailing - it may not be the same for foot passengers, but do check. Also, you generally have to check in at the ferry company office, which may be a little way away from the ferry itself - I don't know the lay - out at Venice as we usually travel from Ancona, but the procedures are broadly similar, wherever you are.
Hope some of this helps and have a great trip.
Martyn
Message posted by Sailor on 17 June 2004 at 11:06am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
Hi Martyn.
This may sound a daft question, but I noticed on the link I gave in my post, the two prices for the ferries, one way, and round trip. I take it the round trip price is added to the one way price as a return ticket.
Cheers, and Best Wishes.
Message posted by MartynG on 17 June 2004 at 11:20am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Yes - you're spot on. Take the deck passenger fare from Venice at high season. The one way fare is Euro 83 and the return is Euro 53 (total for the trip is Euro 141 but only if you book both elements at the same time). If you book each element seperately, it will cost you Euro 166 (83 x 2).
I'm sure the prices are quoted in Euro's? - but you get the idea.
Martyn
Message posted by Roseanne on 17 June 2004 at 1:45pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Hi Martyn and Sailor last year I went to book this tripe in Corfu to Venice but because I was going alone I was unsure about the travel arrangements and didn’t want to put myself in a vulnerable situation.( I’m a bit of a scaredy cat although I have an adventure spirit )I read your post and would love to take this tripe, can you tell me from your experience ( if I were your sister ) what advise making this tripe would you give me? Also the fare seams more reasonable then the fare I was quoted last September
Many thanks
Best regards
Roseanne
Message posted by Roseanne on 17 June 2004 at 1:53pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Message posted by Sailor on 17 June 2004 at 1:57pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Sailor
Hi Roseanne.
I have not taken a trip on these ferries as yet, but it has been an option of mine to get to Corfu using this method of transport. However, I would imagine being a widely used system of getting to and from Corfu to Venice, I would honestly say (if you were my sister), it would be safe, and friendly. It appears that lots of people use the ferries. So I would say go for it. I think Martyn will be able to give you are more valid word on this subject.
Best Wishes.
Message posted by MartynG on 19 June 2004 at 2:20pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Following on from Sailors comments above, I don't think you have anything to worry about on the ferries from a personal safety point of veiw - I would certainly have no concerns with my wife, Lynn, travelling alone (don't have sister, but I'm sure that i'd feel the same anyway).
Of course, the general advice to travellers always applies inthat you should always be aware of your surroundings as much as possible and stick to busy areas. Remember, these ferries are usually very busy, so there will always be people around and the main bars seem to be open all night as does the reception/pursers desk. My only word of caution to young ladies is that, as there are peoples from a wide variety of ethnic and religeous backgrounds on the ferries it's best not to dress provocatively, lest you should offend someone.
The example price I quoted was taken from the Viamare website on the day I posted it - remeber though, that this was as adeck passenger, so you won't have a cabin. (If you book as deck passenger, it is possible to upgrade on board - at the pursers desk - and subject to availability. I don't know if it would be any cheaper than booking through, say Viamare, though.) Website link is quoted in my earlier posting. If you do book with them, check you tickets very carefully on reciept to make sure all of the details are correct.
As a trip in its own right, I would thoroughly recommend it - it's a mini cruise in itself. The Minoan ferries are huge (probably twice the size of uk cross channel ferries) and are bright, modern vessels with bars, restaurants, internet cafe, dico/nightclub and so on. There is also a GPS display at various spots around the ship which gives an up to the minute display of where the ship is and how long there is to go! This is very useful as it tells you when the ship is approaching Corfu. This is my favorite bit (albeit on the Ancona ferry, whic arrives just after dawn) as you stand and watch Corfu rise out of the sea and you feel like you're coming home again. It really is magical, particularly in that warm, pink glow of sunrise. Then, when the ship gets into the Corfu Channel, we stand on deck, picking out the landmarks - BBE (unfortunatley) Kassiopi, the windmill at San Stephanos, Koulora, Agni - you get a vey different perspective, being so high up!
I hope that this gives you a little of the flavour of what it's all about. If you need anything else, just let me know.
Martyn
Message posted by joocy on 20 June 2004 at 6:41pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
joocy
alright.
so your basically saying:
the aircraft seat is a little more comfy. the deck seat is the chepaest. and IT IS worth booking in advance. a return ferry from venice to corfu departing august coming back september is likely to cost around £100.
Right.
enjoy your travels,
joocy.
Message posted by alfatzaris on 20 June 2004 at 8:21pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
I travel every year with ferry from any of the Italian ports. I have to say that Venice's line is the more comfortable and friendly. As there is only Minoan Lines' ferry sailing from Venice (apart from something to Turkey this summer) and the terminal is used only by Minoan, you'll feel comfortable and not overcrowded.
The ferry themselves are spacious and new (built between Dec 1997 and Dec 2001), fast and you'll have the opportunity to see the wonderful city of Venice from the sea (for me it isn't a great news as I live only 100km far from Venice, but I can tell you that this sight/city is really stunning).
Concerning the accommodation, the ferries have (for very different fares...): deck passage, aircraft seats, 2/3/4 beds internal cabins, 2/3/4 beds external cabins, 2 beds lux cabins. I have to confess you that I highly recommend cabin accommodation for both privacy and comfort (greatly lacking in the other kinds of accommodation). Anyway the price for cabins is very high if compared to more economical tickets. And there is also to be noticed that high season's sailings are now almost all full and is difficult to find a free cabin yet (no problems generally for deck space and garage availability). You can have an idea of the availability (updated) visiting http://www.ferries.gr/booking/ or www.minoan.gr booking section.
This year's discounts are the following: - 20% for students in all accommodations (not LUX) also for their cars, - 30% on the return trip if booked with the inbound, - 10% for passengers over 60years old, - 10% for families with 3 or 4 people with car traveling in cabin, -20% for families of 4 people + car in deck class, free breakfast for people traveling in lux cabins. There offers of course can't be cumulated. i mean that they are calculated on the total price and only one of these discounts can be applied (in addition to the 30% discount for the return trip, that is always applied if you book the 2 trips together).
For those people who are interested, I am uploading to the gallery section some shots of Venice from the sea and of Minoan Lines' vessels. If you have any other questions concerning ferries you can contact me at miglio.daniele@libero.it. Feel free to ask everything you need.
Cheers,
Daniele
Message posted by alfatzaris on 20 June 2004 at 8:45pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
You can sleep the night in bed anytime: this is a holiday! In high summer I should not consider the overbooked cabins: take a comfy rug/bag and a picnic and be sociable. It is far too public to be anything but safe for you, but take a lockwire so that you can leave your luggage if you have not got a car (and as someone said, aircon and lights can be a bit random in the lounges).
I had paid for a boring seat, but in fact I spent a bohemian summer night on deck under the stars, wandering and dozing amongst people playing soft music, eating, drinking, sleepily talking and smoking .... breakfast at dawn was truly beautiful, the best time of the day, fresh and cool, and a magical beginning for a special holiday in Circe's island.
Enjoy!
(Taking two days back via the unlovely Igouminitsa may be too much of a good thing: if you haven't got a car, you might pick up a cheap seat straight home from Corfu airport on a Monday!)
Jeremy BR
Message posted by Roseanne on 21 June 2004 at 1:44am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Many thanks for taking the time in your detail replies I am delighted with the information you all have given me and now look forward in book this tripe when I am in Corfu.
Best regards,
Roseanne
Message posted by alfatzaris on 21 June 2004 at 12:03pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
By the way, if anyone is interested, I had today confirmation from Minoan Lines in Venice that the "Camping on board" facilities are still present on all Minoan's vessels on international routes. (from 1st of April to 31st of October). I was told that this service was discontinued, but maybe this was wrong. It seems that now only Superfast Ferries/Blue Star Ferries are no more offering this service, even if this seems so strange to me...
Cheers,
Daniele
If you wish to post a reply to this thread you must first Login
If you are not already registered you must first register
All Rights Reserved. No part of the Corfu Travel Guide web site may be reproduced without permission.
Infringement will be pursued.
The Corfu Travel
Guide and Lefkada Travel Guides are brought to you by Agni Travel.
Agni Travel is the sister company of Taverna Agni and also the sponsor of the Agni Animal Welfare Fund
Topic:
.jpg)
.JPG)
