GRIMALDI LINES    Northern Europe      - The Mediterranean      - West Africa      - South America       An introductory word by the steamship line:       "Grimaldi, a family owned company, is one of Italy’s leading shipowners. In the early 1950s we introduced our transatlantic passenger liner service, and since 1989 we have been offering passenger services on our cargo liners as well.

Currently 32 of our 50+ car- and container-carriers take passengers on our regular, frequent sailings from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, South America and West Africa.       All ships, with the exception of two, fly the Italian flag and are run by Italian captains and senior officers. The two exceptions fly the Swedish flag.       Accommodations offered vary from inside upper- and lower-berth cabins to more spacious Owners’ double bed, side-facing cabins with separate sitting rooms.       One of the great features our freighters are able to offer is the capability of also carrying passengers’ own vehicles (family cars, caravan-cars, motorcycles, etc.). On a freighter, freight always has priority. Passengers are, in a certain way, paying guests, who have to adapt to this fact. The service on board is simple, and sometimes cabins may not be made up in the most timely fashion. During peak working periods, the Captain and crew may not have much time to spare to look after the passengers.       Port times vary according to cargo requirements; they may be short or long or happen during the day or night. Nevertheless traveling on our freighters will provide you with many pleasures. You’ll become a part of a team and enjoy the voyage on the high seas. Just make sure to have your passport with you and check the visa requirements.       Our passengers come from all Continents. They appreciate the warm welcome they always receive on board our freighters. And we look forward to welcoming you soon".

"Very attractive voyages include frequent port calls, all in one climate zone with almost continuous views of land and vessel traffic. Excellent variety of well prepared Italian food".       Weekly departures, year-round, offer five-, four- and two-week itineraries:

Day  Port   01  Southampton, UK   06  Salerno, Italy   09  Piraeus, Greece   10  Izmir, Turkey   12  Alexandria, Egypt   13  Limassol, Cyprus   15  Ashdod, Israel   20  Salerno, 2nd call   21  Savona, Italy   24  Setubal, Portugal   27  Bristol/Portbury, UK   28  Cork, Ireland   31  Esbjerg, Denmark   32  Wallhamn, Sweden   34  Antwerp, Belgium   35  Southampton, 2nd call

Day  Port   01  Southampton, UK   02  Flushing, Holland   03  Antwerp, Belgium   05  Bristol/Portbury, UK   08  Setubal, Portugal   11  Valencia, Spain   12  Livorno, Italy   13  Civitavecchia, Italy   14  Salerno, Italy   16  Piraeus, Greece   18  Gemlik, Turkey   19  Yenikoy, Turkey   22  Salerno, 2nd call   24  Valencia, 2nd call   28  Southampton, 2nd call

Day  Port   01  Monfalcone, Italy   03  Piraeus, Greece   05  Ashdod, Israel   07  Izmir, Turkey   08  Gemlik, Turkey   12  Ravena, Italy   13  Koper, Slovenia   14  Monfalcone, 2nd call

€3,680 per person double, €5,520 single occupancy for the Owner’s side-facing double bed suite.       €3,680 for a single side-facing cabin, €2,885 pp double occupancy (2nd person using convertible sofa).       €1,840 per person double, €2,960 single occupancy for an inside upper- and lower-berth cabin, and €2,345 per person double, €3,070 single occupancy for an inside two lower-berth cabin.       The Grande Mediterraneo and Scandinavia type of vessel; built in 1998-2001, carrying 12 passengers, 4,650 cars, and 716 containers.

€2,420 per person double, €2,235 per person triple, and €3,085 single occupancy, side-facing cabin.       The Grande Italia and Spagna type of vessel; built in 2001-2005, carrying 8 passengers and 4,500 cars.

Typical upper- & lower-berth cabin       €1,065 per person, double; €1,645 single occupancy for an upper- and lower-berth, side-facing cabin.       The Fides and Spes vessels; built in 1993, carrying 12 passengers, 2,400 cars and 504 containers.

Grande Scandinavia Typical Owner's cabin and a single cabin

Sailing approx. every week, a 33-day voyage to West Africa (no passenger accompanied vehicles), and 53-day voyage to South America, alternating between the two itineraries - Passengers with accompanied vehicles, only, Passengers without accompanied vehicles, only:

Day  Port   00  Hamburg, Germany   01  Amsterdam, Holland   02  Tilbury, England   04  Antwerp, Belgium   15  Cotonou, Benin   17  Lagos, Nigeria   20  Abidjan, Ivory Coast   33  Hamburg, 2nd call

Day  Port   01  Hamburg, Germany   03  Antwerp, Belgium   14  Dakar, Senegal   22  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   24  Santos, Brazil   32  Montevideo, Uruguay   41  Dakar, 2nd call   53  Hamburg, 2nd call

Day  Port   00  Tilbury, England   02  Hamburg, Germany   05  Antwerp, Belgium   14  Dakar, Senegal   28  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   32  Santos, Brazil   34  Paranagua, Brazil   41  Dakar, 2nd call   53  Tilbury, 2nd call

€3,935 pp double, €5,900 single occupancy, Owner’s side-facing double bed suite.       €3,075 per person double, €3,935 single occupancy for a side-facing twin-bedded cabin.       €2,030 pp double, €2,805 single occupancy for inside twin or upper- and lower-berth cabin.       The Grande Africa and Nigeria type of vessels; built in 1998-2002, carrying 12 passengers, 3,500 cars, and 1,300 containers.

€5,185 per person double, €7,775 single occupancy for the Owner's double bed side-facing cabin.       €4,027 per person double, €5,185 single occupancy for a twin-bedded side-facing cabin       €2,760 per person double, €3,865 single occupancy for an inside upper- and lower-berth cabin.       The Grande Francia and Brasile type of vessel; built in 2002-2004, carrying 12 passengers, 3,500 cars and 1,321 containers.

General Information       All passenger accommodations and common facilities, such as the dining room, TV/bar lounge, small exercise room and self service laundry are located on the Captain’s Deck, one below the bridge. All cabins have private facilities with shower (a bathtub in most Owners’ cabins). The electrical current is 220/50 AC, requiring a two-prong round adapter and converter for North American appliances.

There is an elevator on board, nevertheless passengers must be fully mobile and those aged 79 and over must have a Medical Certificate of Good Health. The age limit is 85.

Dress code is casual and meals reflect the preferences and needs of the young officers and crew. A limited selection of wines and spirits is available in the ship's store. Onboard expenses may be paid for with cash in €. Tipping is at the passenger’s discretion; €3-5 pp per day is recommended. Telephone, fax and email connections are available through the Captain’s office.

Reservations can be made by completing a Registration Form and providing a 25% deposit. The balance of the fare is payable 70 days before departure.       The fare may be paid for by check or wire (by exception only, credit cards may be accepted) in either the basic tariff currency, as quoted by the steamship line, or in USD/CAD at the prevailing exchange rate, subject to a final adjustment at the time the ticket is issued, a few weeks before departure.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the anticipated return date. Visa may be required depending on the voyage and nationality.       Cancellation fees are as follows: over 60 days, loss of deposit; 30-59 days, 50% of the fare. No refund will be made within 30 days of departure. To protect your investment, Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Travelex Insurance packages, covering you from the moment you buy the policy, are available to all Maris customers, worldwide, on our website page "Before You Sail". Passenger Stories by:       Massimo Brandinali, 2012       Brian McKay, 2009 and Cecil Scaglione, 2007

Reservations

Thanks to the support received from our customers, as well as from the steamship lines and media, including the following comments, today's Maris is one of the leading independent freighter cruise specialists:

	"Maris is sailing with fair winds and following seas under your command." John Carrick Editorial writer Sydney, Australia Sep/99

	"Q: It has always been my dream to take a long voyage on a cargo ship. Can you tell me if this is possible any more? - A: Maris in New York offers such voyages on a daily basis." Sunday Times London July 1/01

	"Maris Freighter Cruises website, as well as the newsletter which illustrates itineraries, ships, prices etc., is a good place to learn about this type of cruise and travel." New York Times May 18/03

	"We are very appreciative of the work you have undertaken on our behalf for many years and the effort you have put into making our passenger service a success ... Our sincere and grateful thanks." Richard Mellor P&O Nedlloyd London Jan/05

	"As a faithful reader of your Seaworthy News publication, I wish to compliment you and your staff on the informativeness and thoroughness, setting forth in honest and detailed manner descriptions of this means of travel." Martin Ems Retired Manager Passenger Services, American President Lines - Feb/07

	"I just wanted to send you my thanks for the beautiful news publication you produce all these years. I hope you'll keep freighter travel as your primary focus always, as it sets you apart." Alison Senter (Member since '95) New Lisbon, NJ Jan/10

	"Since 1971, when my three young children and I travelled up the West Coast of Africa, I have had the pleasure of occasional freighter voyage. A wonderful way to see, and enjoy the peace of the watery parts of, our world. Thank you so much and your family for choosing to run your freighter cruise agency." Jean Washington San Diego, CA Apr/2016

	"Hopefully, when the dust (and Covid) has settled, we'll be able to envisage a new adventure. With renewed gratitude for your unfailing support and guidance, kindest regards." Jacques Carrio Vienna, Austria Oct/2020

Become a member of Maris Freighter Travel Club Int'l - or give a gift membership Take advantage of the knowledgeable advice that comes from our vast experience. Find the freighter voyage that's right for you and you'll get an automatic discount, up to $800, depending on the steamship line and length of voyage. Please see the Special Discounts page.

To subscribe simply pay the fee by credit card. You'll also receive our online newsletter called Seaworthy News, featuring passenger firsthand stories and news, issued periodically as it happens. It's a well-illustrated e-mail publication often being the only one available anywhere for many of these voyages.

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