Ferry operator
Grandi Navi Veloci
The Italian operator with Algeria routes from France and Italy - cross the Mediterranean by cabin to Algiers, Béjaïa and Annaba
- Three Algeria routes - Sète - Algiers, Sète - Béjaïa and Civitavecchia - Annaba
- 26 ships on 33 routes in eight countries - part of the MSC Group since 2010
- Cabins, halal restaurants, a prayer room and pet cabins on every Algeria sailing
About Grandi Navi Veloci
Table of Contents
About Grandi Navi Veloci
Grandi Navi Veloci, or GNV for short, is an Italian ferry operator based in Genoa. Founded in 1992, the company has been part of the MSC Group since 2010, where it forms the ferry division together with a sister operator. With 26 ships, GNV serves 33 routes in eight countries: Italy, Spain, France, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malta. Its chairman is Pierfrancesco Vago, and its CEO is Matteo Catani.
GNV has sailed to Algeria since April 2025, when the operator launched the lines from Sète to Algiers and Béjaïa; alongside these runs the summer line Civitavecchia - Annaba, the only ferry connection between Italy and Algeria.
Ships and fleet
On Civitavecchia - Annaba, GNV deploys the GNV Cristal, while the Sète lines are served by ferries such as the GNV Sealand. On board there are cabins in several categories - including cabins for passengers with reduced mobility - reclining seats and deck passage; you're catered for in the restaurant, the pizzeria, the self-service area and the snack bar, with halal dishes and children's menus. There's also a prayer room, children's play areas, shops and the Sea-Fi WiFi.
Routes to Algeria
From Sète in southern France, GNV sails to Algiers and to Béjaïa, each taking around 20 hours overnight and usually once a week, more frequently in peak season. From Italy, Civitavecchia - Annaba connects Rome's port with north-eastern Algeria in around 24.5 hours - a summer line with two round trips a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The timetable shows the specific sailings.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
In Sète, GNV asks foot and vehicle passengers to be at the Gare Maritime Orsetti four hours before departure; check-in closes 60 minutes before departure. In Annaba it opens ten hours before departure and closes five hours beforehand. For Algeria you need a passport valid for at least six months with a free page, plus a visa applied for before departure. Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck, which stays closed during the crossing; vehicles running on LPG must be declared when boarding. Dogs and cats travel in pet-friendly cabins or in the ship's pet areas, which have their own outdoor spaces; bring a pet passport, vaccination records, a lead and a muzzle.
Tickets
GNV offers refundable fares and cheaper, non-refundable ones. Rebooking your date, accommodation or passenger numbers is possible against the price difference, though outbound and return legs booked together can only be changed together. The cancellation fee rises in stages, and there's no refund at all from six days before departure. The booking window shows prices for your date, and the price overview gives context.
Grandi Navi Veloci FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about GNV and the ferry connections to Algeria
Which routes does GNV sail to Algeria?+
GNV sails from Sète to Algiers and Béjaïa - both since April 2025, taking around 20 hours - as well as, in summer, from Civitavecchia to Annaba, the only ferry connection between Italy and Algeria. Dates are shown in the timetable.
Who is Grandi Navi Veloci?+
Grandi Navi Veloci was founded in Genoa in 1992 and has been part of the MSC Group since 2010. Its fleet of 26 ships serves 33 routes in eight countries - Italy, Spain, France, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malta.
Which ships does GNV use on the Algeria routes?+
The GNV Cristal sails on Civitavecchia - Annaba; GNV serves the Sète lines with ferries such as the GNV Sealand. All offer cabins in several categories, reclining seats, a restaurant, a pizzeria and self-service catering with halal dishes, a prayer room, shops and the Sea-Fi WiFi.
When do I need to be at the port for check-in?+
In Sète, GNV asks foot and vehicle passengers to be at the terminal four hours before departure, and check-in closes 60 minutes beforehand. In Annaba, check-in opens ten hours before departure and closes five hours beforehand. For Algeria you need a passport with six months' remaining validity and a visa applied for in advance.
Can I travel with a car, motorhome and pet?+
Yes. Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck, which stays closed during the crossing. Dogs and cats travel in pet-friendly cabins or in the pet areas on board; a pet passport, lead and muzzle are compulsory.
What are GNV's fares and cancellation terms?+
GNV sells refundable fares as well as cheaper, non-refundable ones; rebooking is possible against the price difference, and cancellation fees rise in stages as the departure date approaches. Prices depend on season, cabin and vehicle and are calculated during booking.