Minoan Lines Venice to Corfu

Minoan Lines operate the route from Venice to Corfu.

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Minoan Lines Reviews

Reviews from genuine passengers of this service.

Seven of us have just returned from a wonderful fortnight in Corfu where we have a house. The trip down was less wonderful however. We usually book with Anek Lines from Venice to Corfu, but decided to try Minoan Lines (which has for the past three years belonged to Grimaldi). What a mistake. The outbound leg was cancelled just nine days prior to sailing, apparently due to an annual inspection (so much for their planning!). We were offered an upgrade to compensate for the inconvenience, but this was an upgrade on an Ancona to Patras ferry. Hardly convenient when we had booked a Venice hotel and wanted to get off on Corfu, so we requested full reimbursement. We then had to scramble to make last minute alternative arrangements and booked a passage with Anek Lines, which is what we should have done in the first place.

The return leg however was again with Minoan Lines and it was hell. We boarded the ship with 7 coach-loads of teenagers on a Jupiter People Spring Break. Their sole purpose is apparently to party, as we found out when, late in the evening, the corridors and an inside cabin near our own outside berth were occupied by loud (and largely drunk) youths. From 2.00 am until 4.30 we were disturbed by constant comings and goings, shouting and banging on their door. We told them twice to be quiet and at around 3.00 am, I phoned reception to complain. I was told something would be done. It wasn’t and an hour later I walked down to reception. To do so, I had to pass youths lounging along the corridors (one frothing at the mouth). The person at reception wasn’t helpful. I asked why staff couldn’t clear the corridors and move the youths to the reception area, which was very peaceful and empty. He just shrugged, said he’d tried and looked at the floor until I left. No apology was made. It wasn't just the disturbance that was unfortunate, but also our first impressions of Minoan staff. If they cannot (or will not) enforce discipline it sends a very bad impression that they are not in control either of the situation or the ship.

We didn't sleep much that night and two of us had a long drive ahead of us (why pay for a cabin when we could have slept better beside the reception... or on deck?!). The other three of us had to catch a train. Our ferry docked a full hour later than announced on the booking form, so they missed the train and were forced to repurchase their tickets from Venice to Milan. They then had to endure a 12 hour train ride back home, as opposed to the 6.5 hours they had expected. One of the party was 82 years old. When I mentioned this, Minoan didn't appologise but said that it states quite clearly in their General Terms and Conditions that arrival time is at the port entrance - or pilot house. I checked, the General Terms and Conditions that appear when you book online does most definitely not say this and even if it is mentioned somewhere in the small print, what is the point of giving the port entrance as the arrival? Do they expect passengers to swim to shore?

My advice therefore is the following. if you are planning to travel to Corfu, then leaving from Venice is the best alternative as the ferry docks there directly (there is no waiting around in Igoumenitsa to board another local ferry) and the view of Venice itself is wonderful from the deck (the motorway to Venice is also a lot easier than the one going to Ancona). If you do go from Venice then go with Anek Lines. Their boats may be older than Minoan's, but their cabins are more spacious (especially the A2 Outside which also come with proper beds - they also have cabins with double beds, a fridge and a TV), the food is soooooooo much better and their reservation service and onboard staff have always been helpful and pleasant. Lucie Wuethrich, Switzerland.

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