Operator
Grandi Navi Veloci
The Italian operator with the long Morocco lines - from Barcelona, Sète and Genoa with a cabin across the Mediterranean
- Six Morocco routes from Spain, France and Italy to Tanger Med and Nador
- 26 ships on 33 routes across eight countries - part of the MSC Group since 2010
- Cabins, halal restaurants, a prayer room and pet cabins on every Morocco crossing
About Grandi Navi Veloci
Table of Contents
About Grandi Navi Veloci
Grandi Navi Veloci, known as GNV, is an Italian ferry operator based in Genoa. Founded in 1992, the company has been part of the MSC Group since 2010, forming its 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. The president is Pierfrancesco Vago, and the managing director is Matteo Catani.
GNV has been active in Morocco since 2008 and has expanded its network since - the Barcelona - Nador line was added in 2017, and the Algeria routes from Sète followed in 2025. That makes GNV the operator with the most Morocco links from France, Italy and Catalonia - a useful option if you're travelling from any of those three countries rather than only from Spain.
Ships and fleet
On the Morocco lines, GNV mainly deploys the Excellent-class ferries - Excellent, Excelsior, Fantastic and Majestic - along with the newer GNV Cristal, GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo. All offer inside and outside cabins, suites, reclining seats and deck passage; on board you'll find an à la carte restaurant, a self-service restaurant, a pizzeria and bars, with halal dishes and children's menus. There's also a prayer room, children's areas, shops and Sea-Fi Wi-Fi.
Routes to Morocco
From Barcelona, GNV sails to Tanger Med (around 31 hours, roughly twice a week) and to Nador (around 27-31 hours, roughly weekly). From Sète in southern France, the operator's longest lines run to Tanger Med and Nador - around 40-45 hours with two nights on board, sometimes with a stop in Barcelona. From Italy, Genoa - Tanger Med links Liguria with northern Morocco, and from Andalusia GNV runs the overnight Almería - Nador ferry. All lines operate year-round, and between June and September GNV increases frequency for the summer season.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
On the international routes from Sète, GNV asks foot and vehicle passengers to be at the terminal four hours before departure, with check-in closing 60 minutes before sailing; from Barcelona, the operator also recommends around four hours' lead time if you're travelling with a vehicle. In Nador and Tanger Med, check-in opens nine hours before departure and closes four hours before. You need a valid passport for Morocco - an ID card is not enough.
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck; vehicle dimensions determine the fare, and LPG-powered vehicles must be declared at boarding. Dogs and cats travel under the "Pets Welcome on Board" programme in daily-disinfected pet cabins or the ship's animal areas, with their own exercise zones on deck; leads and muzzles are required in communal areas. Bring your pet passport, vaccination records, bowls, food and waste bags.
Tickets
GNV offers refundable and cheaper, non-refundable fares. Rebooking dates, accommodation or passenger numbers is possible against the price difference; outbound and return legs booked together can only be changed together. The cancellation fee rises in stages, and from six days before departure there's no refund at all. Booking early and outside the summer holidays gets you the best price; the booking window shows the fares for your date.
FAQ Grandi Navi Veloci
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about GNV and the ferry links to Morocco
Which routes does GNV run to Morocco?+
GNV runs six Morocco routes: from Barcelona to Tanger Med and Nador, from Sète to Tanger Med and Nador, from Genoa to Tanger Med, and the overnight Almería - Nador ferry. All lines run year-round, with more sailings in summer.
Who is Grandi Navi Veloci?+
Grandi Navi Veloci was founded in 1992 in Genoa and has been part of the MSC Group since 2010. The fleet comprises 26 ships serving 33 routes across eight countries - Italy, Spain, France, Albania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malta.
Which ships does GNV use on the Morocco routes?+
On the Morocco lines you'll find the Excellent-class ferries (Excellent, Excelsior, Fantastic, Majestic) as well as the newer GNV Cristal, GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo. All offer inside and outside cabins, suites, reclining seats, restaurants with halal dishes, a prayer room and Sea-Fi Wi-Fi.
When do I need to be at check-in?+
On the international routes from Sète, GNV asks travellers to be at the terminal four hours before departure; from Barcelona, the operator also recommends around four hours' lead time if you're travelling with a vehicle. In Nador and Tanger Med, check-in opens nine hours before departure and closes four hours before. Exact departure times are in the timetable.
Can I travel with a car, motorhome and pet?+
Yes. Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the garage deck, and your boarding card shows your parking spot. For the night on board, a cabin is worth booking; pets travel in pet-friendly cabins or the ship's animal areas - what applies for entering Morocco with a dog or cat is covered in our guide.
What are GNV's fares and cancellation terms?+
GNV sells refundable fares and cheaper, non-refundable ones; rebooking is possible against the price difference, and cancellation fees rise in stages as departure approaches. Fares depend on season, cabin and vehicle and are calculated at booking.