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Ferries from Italy: what do they mean by "Poltrona"? And how common are disruptions?

  • August 17, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 23 views
W

Hi there!

I’m a first-time interrailer, planning to cross from Ancona to Split by overnight ferry in about a month’s time. While I have travelled on ferries before, I’ve never slept on one, so I have a couple of questions:

  1. When going through the reservation process, I noticed that I could either book an internal cabin for EUR100 (pre-discount), or a “Poltrona” for EUR10. Now, google translate returns “armchair”, but that only tells me so much. I’m picturing something like an airline seat, in which a frugally-minded traveller could sleep with the use of a neck pillow or something similar. How accurate is this picture, and is this something people do on overnight ferries like this, or will I stick out like a miserly sore thumb?
  2. How often are ferries like this delayed or cancelled? I was running my plan past Mum and she pointed out that this connection in particular is a significant point of failure. How strong a contingency plan should I have in mind?

I have the ticket on freeze until the 20th, so any clarity before then would be greatly appreciated 😁

Thanks in advance,

Warr

2 replies

A
Full steam ahead
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  • Al_G
  • Full steam ahead
  • August 17, 2026

It will be a recliner seat in a room full of recliner seats. I’d recommend a proper bed for an overnight trip unless you are very keen to save money at the expense of privacy or a decent night’s sleep. You would not be alone in using seats on those routes. To see more I’d suggest looking at the operator website or searching for pics online under the ferry operator or ship name.

Ferries in that part of the world do not have the best reputation for timekeeping but without researching the actual operator that is speculation, I still wouldn’t rely on on it being on time for connections or other time sensitive arrangements. Also give a generous time for getting to/from the ports, the foot passenger arrangements can involve a lot of walking and are not nearly as regimented as you will find in Northern Europe.

    Dagi
    Railly clever
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    • Dagi
    • Railly clever
    • August 17, 2026

    If the seat is not mandatory and you want to save the money for a cabin, you might be better off without the seat. For example Corsica Ferries is always full of people sleeping on the floor or on benches of the various restaurants once they are closed (lots bring air mattresses and sleeping bags, surely more comfy than the seats)
    Anyways I’d take a cabin if you can afford it. 

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