Ferrry between Malta and Sicily

Route

Virtu Ferries between Valletta (Malta) and Catania (Sicily). Return weekend trip. Euro Class.
This trip consists of a Ferry ride from Valletta to Pozzallo. From Pozzallo you board a coach to Catania. This review is only for the Ferry. 

Scheduled Duration

90 minutes.

On time departure and arrival

Departed and arrived on time on both journeys.

Booking a ticket

Virtu Ferries have a website that you can use to make a booking. It was easy enough to use. You need to fill in your preferred dates and passport details. The site does not have a secure payment page and I did not feel comfortable supplying my credit card details. I sent them an email and confirmed that I will come in to their office to make the payment. This can be a problem if you are making the booking from outside of Malta. You can use a travel agent to make the booking but they are likely to be  more expensive. You can buy the ticket on the day of travel.

Check-in and seat selection

You must be at the Port at least an hour before departure to check in. After check in you need to go to the boarding queue and present your ticket and passport.

Luggage

Hand luggage is restricted - "passengers may take to their seats or allotted places only one item of hand luggage of not more than H 37cm x W 45cm x L 25cm in measure and 5 Kg in weight"

Checked luggage  - "Maximum 3 pieces of baggage per person.  Any one piece of baggage must not exceed H 50cm x W 40cm x L 80cm (170 linear cm).  Excess Baggage: A charge of € 20.00 per piece applies"

Crew

The crew was friendly and helpful. Most spoke Maltese, English or Italian.

Boarding procedure

After check in, you need to go to "Passport control". Your passport and ticket are checked against each other. If all is in order you can board the vessel. Just before you reach the boarding staircase, there is a luggage van where you hand in your luggage.

Seating

This ferry had 2 classes, Euro and Club.  You pay extra for club class.

On Board

There is a cafe, some shops and a mini casino on board.The selection of food and their prices at the cafe is reasonable.

Entertainment

A movie is shown on the overhead screens.

Charging points for electronic devices

None that I am aware off.

Toilets

The toilets were kept clean. There were some problems with flushing.

Disembarking

People who boarded with vehicles were asked to go back to their vehicles.
Club class disembarked first, then euro class. 

After leaving the vessel, you need to collect your luggage from the van.

Overall opinion

What I liked
 The Ferry is spacious and comfortable.

Not so good
The website is not a secure site for bookings.
No Wi-Fi.
 

Seating at a table

Seating in Euro class

Seating and screen in Euro class

Casino area

Toilets