Short, medium or long distance ferries
A short-distance ferry trip is definitely more appreciated than a longer one. When traveling with a vehicle, however, the boarding, parking and disembarkation procedures are undoubtedly the same regardless of the length of the route (to learn more, click on the previous link). When the duration of the crossing is a few hours or a few tens of minutes, just sit in an armchair in the lounges or on the seats of the external decks of the ships that are used on local routes and that’s it. The discourse becomes different on medium and long distances when the physiological needs of hunger and sleep inevitably trigger. It is no coincidence that on boats used for long-term journeys frequently in the category cruise ferry there are inevitably additional services in addition to the classic bar, such as restaurants, self-service buffets, lounges with recliners, berths and cabins, designed to meet these needs. But not only that: you can also find swimming pools, gyms, discos, cinemas. In any case, we have prepared a list of 10 things to do by ferry, with valid advice for routes of different length.
Steps of a ferry trip
At check-in, which is done just before boarding the ship’s ramp, you must have your tickets, paper or digital as they are, your personal documents and possibly those of the vehicle, in addition to those now needed to travel by ferry at the time of Covid-19. Once on board you need to access the appropriate areas through the special entrances set up for passengers and marked by signs of various kinds. If you have a seat assigned you must first reach it; otherwise, you can sit on the seats of the most suitable lounges or outdoor spaces. For short journeys the allocation of seats is not organized by the companies, while in the other cases such a situation will be found only for those who have booked on the bridge. In fact, for bookings of medium and long distances there are several alternatives: deck passage, armchair or cabin. You can see at the link here what are the differences.
At the beginning of the trip the on-board loudspeakers will broadcast messages concerning the marine weather conditions, the duration of the navigation, the location of the life jackets and lifeboats, as well as further information relating to safety. Then you can dedicate yourself to relaxing or playful activities of which we have proposed an interesting series in the article on things to do on the ferry, linked in the previous paragraph. Of course, whenever possible, you can let yourself be served by the staff in charge of the cafeteria and drinks, the gastronomic and catering services.
Usually, one hour before arrival at the port of destination, it will be necessary to leave the cabin, berth or armchair (when you booked one of those) and go to the salons or internal decks. This obviously will not happen when there are no assigned seats or when the bridge passage has been chosen. This message, as well as that which is broadcast when arriving at intermediate or terminal airports, is propagated through the loudspeakers. All that remains is to arrange, if you have not already done so, all your personal effects and follow the instructions of the Command on board, who will not let anyone approach the landing ramps before completing the mooring operations.
Depending on whether or not they have a vehicle in tow, passengers may have to follow different routes at this point to get off the ground.
