Shipping line
Grimaldi Lines
The Italian family line on the way to Tunis: company, ship, routes, check-in, vehicles and dogs.
- Passenger brand of the Naples-based Grimaldi Group, family-owned since 1947
- Three routes to Tunis from Civitavecchia, Salerno and Palermo, year-round
- Check-in at least 4 hours before departure, with or without a vehicle
Company profile
About Grimaldi Lines
Table of Contents
About Grimaldi Lines
Grimaldi Lines is the passenger brand of the Naples-based Grimaldi Group. The group began in 1947, when Guido Grimaldi and his brothers Luigi, Mario, Aldo and Ugo bought a Liberty cargo ship and founded the Fratelli Grimaldi shipping company. From 1970 the business shifted towards transporting cars and rolling cargo, and from the 1980s onwards towards ferries. In the mid-1990s the brothers split the company: the Naples branch under Guido Grimaldi became today's Grimaldi Group, while the Genoa branch went its own way. According to the company, the group is wholly owned by the Grimaldi family, is led by Gianluca Grimaldi, Emanuele Grimaldi and Diego Pacella, and operates around 130 ships across 150 ports in 50 countries, with about 18,000 employees and 20 of its own port terminals. The group also owns the ferry brands Minoan Lines and Finnlines.
Ship to Tunis
According to the timetable data, Grimaldi Lines deploys the Catania on the three Tunisia routes, a ro-pax ferry of 25,995 GT, 186 metres long, with a cruising speed of 21.4 knots. It carries 934 passengers: in four-berth inside and outside cabins with an en-suite bathroom, in four superior cabins with single beds, a television and a minibar, in two suites, and on 62 reclining seats. The garage deck holds 2,500 lane metres. On board there is a self-service restaurant, an à la carte restaurant, cafés and an onboard shop; WiFi is available as a paid satellite service.
Routes on this site
Grimaldi Lines links Tunis with mainland Italy and Sicily: Civitavecchia - Tunis from the port of Rome, Salerno - Tunis from Campania and Palermo - Tunis as the shortest crossing from Sicily. All three arrive at the port of La Goulette on the doorstep of Tunis. The route pages cover the terminal, life on board and onward travel, and the exact departures are shown in the timetable.
Check-in, vehicle and pet
On the Tunisia routes you must check in at least four hours before departure, with or without a vehicle; after that there is no longer any right to travel, even with a valid ticket. Everyone travelling, including children, needs a valid passport. Vehicles are parked on the garage deck as directed by the crew, and the driver receives a note with the deck number; the garage stays closed during the crossing, so take everything you need up with you. Gas-powered vehicles must be declared when boarding and park in dedicated areas. For vehicles heading to Tunisia, registration on the Smart Traveller customs platform before departure is mandatory; you present the QR code on arrival in La Goulette. Details for campers are covered in the guide Taking a motorhome to Tunisia.
Register pets on the ticket. Dogs and cats travel in the onboard kennels or, with the paid Pet in Cabin service, in your cabin; up to three animals per cabin are allowed, along with a bedding set and final cleaning. On outdoor decks pets may come along on a lead and with a muzzle, and indoors only in a carrier and at the crew's discretion. Guide dogs travel free. What Tunisia and the return to the EU require is explained in the guide Taking your dog to Tunisia.
Tickets
Grimaldi Lines sells the crossing from deck passage through reclining seats to cabins, and advertises year-round special fares as well as time-limited offers, for example for campers with meals included or with a child discount. Tickets arrive by email; rebooking and cancellation go through the call centre or by email request. How prices are structured by season, accommodation and vehicle is shown in the price overview, and the price for your date in the route's booking window.
Grimaldi Lines FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Grimaldi Lines and the ferries to Tunis
Which routes does Grimaldi Lines sail to Tunisia?+
Three connections to Tunis (La Goulette): Civitavecchia - Tunis from the port of Rome, Salerno - Tunis from Campania, and the short crossing Palermo - Tunis from Sicily. The exact departures are in the timetable.
Which ship does Grimaldi Lines use to Tunis?+
According to the timetable data, the Catania sails: 186 metres long, room for 934 passengers in inside and outside cabins, superior cabins and suites, plus 62 reclining seats, along with 2,500 lane metres for vehicles, self-service, an à la carte restaurant and an onboard shop.
When do I need to be at the port for Grimaldi Lines?+
On the Tunisia routes, at least 4 hours before departure, with or without a vehicle. Arriving later means losing the right to travel, even with a valid ticket. Everyone travelling needs a passport; an ID card is not enough.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck; the deck stays closed during the crossing, and gas-powered vehicles must be declared when boarding. For vehicles heading to Tunisia, registration on the Smart Traveller customs platform before departure is mandatory. More in the guide Taking a motorhome to Tunisia.
Can my dog travel on board?+
Yes, once registered on the ticket. Dogs and cats travel in the onboard kennels or, with the additional Pet in Cabin service, in your cabin, up to three animals per cabin. A lead and muzzle are required on deck, and guide dogs travel free. What Tunisia and the return journey require is in the guide Taking your dog to Tunisia.
How much does the crossing with Grimaldi Lines cost?+
The price depends on season, accommodation (deck passage, reclining seat, cabin) and vehicle; Grimaldi Lines advertises year-round special fares and time-limited offers. The price overview gives an outline, and the booking window on the route page shows the price for your date.