Grimaldi Lines

Overview

Grimaldi Lines is the Adriatic arm of Italy’s Grimaldi Group, legally operated by Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A., headquartered in Palermo. Unlike Minoan Lines – also part of the Grimaldi Group, but positioned as the premium brand – Grimaldi Lines runs a volume operation aimed squarely at drivers, families and motorhome travellers, with fares that consistently sit below the market on the routes it serves.

What makes Grimaldi’s Greek service unusual is that it does not always sail its own ships. On some departures, the vessel flying the Grimaldi timetable is the Kydon Palace, registered to the Greek carrier Minoan Lines. A combined booking across Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines routes even earns its own 30 percent discount, a sign of how closely the two brands work together on this market. For how Grimaldi compares with the other five operators, see our ferry companies overview.

Routes and Seasons

Brindisi–Igoumenitsa and Ancona–Igoumenitsa run year-round with close to daily departures: Brindisi leaves at 13:00 and reaches Igoumenitsa at 22:00 the same day, while a second, overnight departure at 22:30 arrives at 09:00 the next morning. Ancona–Igoumenitsa is the longer of the two, departing at 19:30 and arriving at 18:00 the following day, a crossing of roughly 22.5 hours.

Brindisi–Corfu and Ancona–Corfu are a different story: these run only around Easter, a handful of dates in early June, and then a regular Thursday-to-Saturday (Brindisi) or Thursday/Friday (Ancona) pattern from early July to mid-September. If Corfu is your destination outside that window, check our Italy–Corfu route guide for who else sails there.

The Fleet

Grimaldi’s route pages do not always name a ship. The clearest confirmation is for Ancona–Igoumenitsa, where a ship-selector widget lists Venezia (26,302 GT, 186 m, 22 knots, 946 passengers, 1,600 lane metres of garage) and Cruise Bonaria, the largest and fastest of the group at 36,825 GT, 214 m and 28 knots, carrying up to 2,500 passengers and 2,550 lane metres of vehicles.

For the night departures on Brindisi–Igoumenitsa and for both directions of Brindisi–Corfu, Grimaldi’s own vehicle-embarkation page names the Kydon Palace – owned by Minoan Lines, not Grimaldi – a 37,550 GT ship built for 31 knots with 1,718 passenger berths. Which vessel covers the remaining departures, including Ancona–Corfu, is not stated on the pages checked for this profile; Corfù, the fourth ship in Grimaldi’s Greece-linked fleet, appears in the general fleet listing without a confirmed route.

Cabins and Seats

Grimaldi’s accommodation page sets out a clear ladder: Deck passage, the cheapest option with no assigned seat but free access to outdoor decks, pools, lounges and bars; Armchair, a numbered reclining seat in an air-conditioned lounge; then Inside and Outside cabins, Superior outside cabins, and Junior Suites at the top. PMR cabins for passengers with reduced mobility are available on request.

Every cabin, regardless of category, comes with sheets, towels and a shower kit included, and cabins are for the exclusive use of the booking party – there is no bunk-in-a-shared-cabin model here. Camping on board, in the sense of sleeping in your own vehicle, is not part of the offer: the garage decks stay closed for the entire crossing, and Grimaldi’s FAQ confirms access is denied for safety reasons on every route including Greece. What camper travellers do get is “Camper & Meals”, a 30 percent discount on à la carte and self-service restaurant meals for any booking that includes a motorhome or minibus, valid on departures through 17 December 2026. For how this compares with cabin options on other operators, see our cabin guide.

Fares and Discounts

Children under 3 travel free (maximum two per cabin), and children aged 3 to under 12 get 50 percent off the passage fare, both applied automatically and year-round. Passengers 60 and over get 20 percent off, and travellers aged 12 to 26 get the same 20 percent, both excluding fixed fees, the EU-ETS charge and on-board spending, and valid for bookings and departures from 4 February through 31 December 2026 on all four Greek routes.

The return-ticket discount is 20 percent off the return leg, applied to the passage, cabin or armchair supplement, pets and vehicles as long as those were also included in the outbound booking – but only when both tickets are issued together. A separate 30 percent discount applies to bookings that combine a Grimaldi Lines and a Minoan Lines route, and a 30 percent restaurant discount comes with any camper or motorhome booking, as noted above. Since 1 January 2024, every ticket also carries a separate, non-discountable EU-ETS environmental surcharge.

Check-in

Grimaldi’s general terms require passengers – with or without a vehicle – to check in at least two hours before departure for Schengen-area routes, which covers Greece. On the Greek lines specifically, check-in is handled by staff at the Maritime Station rather than through the self-service “fast check-in” kiosks that Grimaldi uses on several of its Italian domestic routes, so budget a little extra time at the counter.

Bring your booking confirmation, a valid ID or passport, and vehicle documents if you are driving. If you are planning a motorhome trip and want to know how vehicle categories and lengths are typically priced, our camper fares guide covers that in more detail.

Travelling with Pets

Pets are welcome under EU regulation 2016/429, travelling either in a kennel where one is available on board, or – for an extra charge – in the cabin itself through the “Pet in Cabin” service. That service costs €10 per cabin per crossing, not per animal, and covers up to three pets sharing that cabin, including a bedding kit and end-of-crossing cleaning. A valid deworming or parasite-treatment certificate is recommended for cabin access; without one, dogs may be limited to the kennel for health and safety reasons.

On open decks, pets need a leash and muzzle at all times, and access to communal areas, restaurants and lounges is at the purser’s discretion and only in a suitable carrier. Guide and assistance dogs are exempt from these restrictions and travel free of charge. The breed restrictions Grimaldi applies elsewhere in its network (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Tosa, Mastiff, Boer Bull) apply only to the Tunisia lines, not to the Greek routes. Our guide to ferry travel with pets covers the documents you will need.

FAQ

Which Grimaldi Lines routes to Greece run all year?

Brindisi–Igoumenitsa and Ancona–Igoumenitsa run year-round, close to daily. Brindisi–Corfu and Ancona–Corfu are seasonal: a handful of Easter and early-June sailings, then a regular Thursday-to-Saturday pattern from early July to mid-September.

Can I stay in my camper during the crossing?

No. Grimaldi’s own FAQ states that garage access is not allowed during the voyage for safety reasons, on every route including Greece. Camper and motorhome bookings instead qualify for a 30 percent discount on restaurant meals on board, valid on departures through 17 December 2026.

How early do I need to check in?

At least two hours before departure, with or without a vehicle, according to Grimaldi’s general terms for Schengen-area routes. Check-in on the Greece lines is handled by staff at the Maritime Station rather than through the fast-check-in kiosks used on some Italian domestic routes.

How much does it cost to bring a pet?

The “Pet in Cabin” service costs €10 per cabin per crossing, not per animal, and covers up to three pets in that cabin. Where a kennel is available on board, kennel space itself is free, though availability is limited.

What is the return-ticket discount?

20 percent off the return leg when both tickets are booked together, applied to the passage, cabin or armchair supplement, pets and vehicles as long as those were also included in the outbound booking.