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So if I've got this correct, salient points are...
The only company offering 'camping on board' on the Venice route this year is Minoan.
The only companies offering 'camping on board' on the Ancona route this year are Anek and Superfast.
The Anek 'Camper special' on the Venice route and the Minoan 'All inclusive Camping' on the Ancona route options give an inside cabin for the price of 'deck passage', electric hook up, but no access to the van during the crossing.
In addition, Minoan also throw in a 'free meal' for each booking and interestingly, the Anek offer is valid 'all year'.
Pete
ps, the websites aren't the easiest to navigate through so no guarantees of accuracy, double check the info yourselves before booking.
we have just booked minoan ancona - igoumenitsa on the 6th august - 8 meter camper 2 adults, 2 youths and 1 child, 2 rooms and a meal each for £360
checked all other ferries on similar routes and couldn't get anything under £600 even with camping on board. we are very happy - also got a 20% discount for joining up to the minoan points card. we are very happy with that for the time of year we are going
Just to confirm PJ's post, I'll lifted this from Magbaz it might be a help to some:-
"So the season turned, clocks were put forward throughout Europe for 'Summer Time' and the end of March heralded the 'Camping on Board' season for ferries between Greece and Italy. Our thoughts turned to an April journey back across Europe, starting with a boat to Ancona. Three ferry lines operate this route: Superfast (Patras to Ancona or to Bari), Minoan (Patras to Ancona or to Venice) and ANEK (ditto).
Phoning the various agents in Patras, we learnt that for 2011 things have changed slightly. Superfast (generally the most expensive) still have Camping on Board between 1 April and 31 October and are offering reductions of 45% on early booking for vehicles up to 6m long (which doesn't help those of us in larger motorhomes). Minoan allow Camping on Board to Venice, but on their Ancona-bound ferries this is no longer possible – instead, they offer a free cabin to those travelling with a caravan, camper or motorhome. ANEK, on the other hand, still have Camping on Board to Ancona, but not to Venice – and they offer a free cabin, dinner and breakfast for campers etc taking this longer voyage. However, all this could be subject to change at any time! Check out the websites at: www.superfast.com , www.minoan.gr and www.anek.gr .
In addition to all this, flexible pricing now applies on some of these ferry lines, as on cross-Channel ferries. It is no longer advisable just to turn up at the terminal and buy a ticket (this was our previous recommendation). Booking online is also not recommended nor is it always possible – use the telephone well in advance to discover the best offer and lowest fare for you and your motorhome. Use the website to see what special offers there may be and then get the phone number nearest to you. In Greece, we always ring the numbers in Patras.
When all this becomes too much for our patience, we consider again driving to or from Greece overland. Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia et al, all beckon. Have a look at our article: To Greece by Sea of by Land."
Since booking with Anek in mid January for camping on deck from Venice to Patras, we were shocked to find on arrival at the port last week that this was not to be. We were given a cabin for no extra charge and electricity was provided for the van, but there is no access to vehicles during the voyage.
Anek are still advertising "Camping on Deck" but now also have the "Camper Special" which is what we had. The cabin was superb but having to pack clothes and food for a 30 hour passage, whilst waiting to board, did not go down well. Incidentally, there was a 220v continental socket in the cabin, which could have provided power for our kettle if we had known in advance. Food onboard is expensive and a cardboard cupful of hot water and a teabag costs €2.70. We are told that the return to Ancona will be "on deck" but who knows?
Another shock was the price of diesel in Greece. Before leaving, I had downloaded the AA report for April and we had been pleased to pay €1.145 a litre in Luxembourg. The AA said that Greece was €0.006 cheaper than Italy, so we entered with an empty tank. Not so: We paid €1.485 against €1.38 in Italy.
The ferry was a couple of hours late arriving and midnight in the ferry port was no place to sleep. Hoards of illegals were trying to break open lorry doors, so we went to two of Peejay's wildcamping sites close by. They were empty of vans but lots of swarthy young men were around. We finished up wilding in the Carrefour carpark.
We are now at Kato Alissos and last night were talking to someone from ACSI who had (somewhere else) negotiated the first Greek ACSI Card [MHF Link] deal. The ACSI Card [MHF Link] will work in Greece from next year.
Thanks all for the information. What a shame if camping-on-board goes altogether. It's a great experience. Is it because they can pack more vehicles in if there is no access during the voyage or what ?
The ACSI people we were talking to last night said that it depends on which flag the company sails under. Apparently the Greek shipping regulations are more relaxed and it has not yet been recognised as unsafe by them.
ANEK sail under the Greek flag like most of the ships operating the Italy - Greek route.
On the Venice route only the F/B KRITI II has the camping on board option that is according to the ANEK website.
I know that one of the new Minoan line boats on the same route does not have the camping on board facility.
It seems that some of the newer boats to not have the half open deck that is required for the camping on board. Also if the do have the half deck the refrigerated trucks and cattle floats take priority over motorhomes.
I think there might be a few more disappointed campers this year.
As Chris has said it is an experience especially sailing into Venice on a sunny spring morning.
Bye the way does anybody know where Peejay has got to? I know he retires this month but he has not logged on since the 1st May.
Have to say Minoan are excellent - just did Venice - Patras. Due to a phantom 12volt problem delayed my trip twice in three days - they quickly confirmed my new booking at no extra charge - rolled up for the tickets at Venice - not a problem.
Service with a smile - excellent voyage I will not hesitate to do again.
A week in the Pellopponesos thus far - lots for free camping Thank you Peejay plenty of sunshine Oyster IPCopter working like a dream!
I am off in a couple of weeks for an extended tour, I will be in Dubrovnik at the end of August and was thinking of crossing to Ancona then onto Patras, see a couple of Islands then back to Patras for a ferry to Venice and the drive home.
Is there a great saving to be made by booking ferry crossings in advance ( but, be tied to dates ) or just show up and get next available ferry. I see September is low season again.
I am off in a couple of weeks for an extended tour, I will be in Dubrovnik at the end of August and was thinking of crossing to Ancona then onto Patras, see a couple of Islands then back to Patras for a ferry to Venice and the drive home.
Is there a great saving to be made by booking ferry crossings in advance ( but, be tied to dates ) or just show up and get next available ferry. I see September is low season again.
Have you thought about driving via Montenegro and Albania. The coastal route through Albania is not a bad road now. We did it April/May 2010 ans they were improving the road then.
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