Moby Lines

Who they are

Moby Lines is an Italian ferry company instantly recognisable by the giant cartoon whales painted across the hulls of its ships — a marketing decision that turned a mid-sized car-ferry operator into one of the most visually distinctive brands in the Mediterranean. The livery is intentionally playful and family-facing; Moby has carved out a strong reputation as the ferry of choice for summer holidaymakers heading to Sardinia and the Tuscan island of Elba.

The company is part of the Onorato Group, which also owns Tirrenia, giving the group combined coverage of most of the major Italian island connections. Moby's focus is on shorter and medium-length routes — the Elba crossing, for instance, is under an hour — and on high-frequency, car-friendly services that suit the Italian summer holiday pattern of families loading a car and crossing to an island for a week or two.

Network and main routes

Moby Lines' network covers three island destinations.

Sardinia is the major route. Sailings run from Genoa and Livorno to Olbia in the north of the island and, on some services, to Porto Torres. Olbia is the entry point for the Costa Smeralda and the beaches of the north-east, making it heavily demanded in July and August. The Genoa crossing runs overnight; Livorno–Olbia is shorter (around 6–8 hours depending on the service).

Corsica adds an international dimension to Moby's network. Sailings from Livorno and Genoa reach Bastia and Ajaccio on the French island. Corsica is popular with Italian and French travellers alike; the crossings are relatively short and Bastia makes a convenient gateway for a car-based exploration of the island.

Elba is the most accessible destination in the network. The Piombino–Portoferraio route is a high-frequency short crossing of around 60 minutes, operating many times daily in summer. It is the main way to reach Elba by car and one of the busiest short ferry routes in the Tyrrhenian.

Fleet and on board

Moby's fleet spans conventional ro-pax ferries on the overnight routes and dedicated short-crossing vessels on the Elba service. The branding is consistent — whales everywhere — and the family-friendly tone extends to the on-board experience.

On the overnight Sardinia and Corsica routes, accommodation includes reclining seat lounges, shared cabins and private en-suite cabins. For the Genoa–Olbia overnight in particular, a cabin is a practical investment. Ships include cafeterias, a restaurant, bars, a shop and outdoor deck space. The standard is solid rather than luxurious; Moby's pitch is accessibility and good value.

On the Elba route, the shorter vessels are straightforward car ferries — board, cross, disembark — with limited on-board facilities beyond a small café. The frequency more than compensates: there are crossings throughout the day, so missing one is not a major problem.

Booking and tips

Moby Lines routes, particularly Sardinia, face high demand in July and August. The Genoa–Olbia and Livorno–Olbia sailings are popular with northern Italian families and sell out quickly during the school holiday weeks (late July to mid-August). Book vehicle space early — foot-passenger tickets are easier to get last-minute, but a car space on a peak sailing can disappear weeks in advance.

For Elba, the Piombino–Portoferraio crossing runs frequently enough that last-minute travel is usually manageable, but the morning sailings on Saturday and Sunday in peak summer still book up fast. If you are travelling with a larger vehicle or a caravan, check for dedicated loading slots.

For Corsica, Moby competes directly with Corsica Ferries on the Livorno routes; compare both for the best combination of timing and price. The crossings are short enough that cabin class matters less — a seat and a coffee on deck is adequate for a 4-hour daytime sailing.