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 a strong reputation as a ferry for summer holidaymakers heading to Sardinia, Corsica and the Tuscan island of Elba.

Moby belongs to the Onorato family. The group also controls Tirrenia (through CIN, Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione) and the Tuscan regional operator Toremar, giving it coverage of many of the main Italian island connections. After a court-supervised restructuring, MSC's Aponte family took a 49% stake in Moby, but under commitments agreed with the Italian competition authority MSC handed the stake back to the Onorato family in October 2025. In December 2025 five of the group's ships, including Moby Aki and Moby Wonder, were sold at auction to an MSC company to repay MSC's loan; Moby keeps Moby Aki and Moby Wonder on a long-term charter-back.

Network and main routes

Moby Lines' network covers three island destinations.

Sardinia is the major route. Moby sails from Genoa and Livorno to Olbia in the north-east of the island, the entry point for the Costa Smeralda. Livorno–Olbia takes about 7.5 hours by day and about 9 hours overnight. The Genoa crossing runs overnight. Moby's booking site also sells the Tirrenia routes Genoa–Porto Torres and Civitavecchia–Olbia.

Corsica adds an international dimension. Livorno–Bastia takes about 4 hours, and a seasonal Genoa–Bastia daytime sailing (roughly late May to late September) takes about 5 to 5.5 hours. From northern Sardinia, the short Santa Teresa Gallura–Bonifacio crossing takes about 50 minutes and is also served by Ichnusa Lines.

Elba is the most accessible destination in the network. The Piombino–Portoferraio route takes about 1 hour and runs year-round, with many sailings a day in summer. Moby also sails from Piombino to Rio Marina and Cavo on Elba's east coast.

Fleet and on board

Moby's fleet spans large ro-pax ferries on the Sardinia and Corsica routes and smaller car ferries on the Elba service. The branding is consistent, with whales everywhere, and the family-friendly tone extends to the on-board experience.

On the overnight Sardinia 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 (drive on, cross, drive off) 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 weekend morning sailings in peak summer still book up fast. If you are travelling with a larger vehicle or a caravan, book ahead.

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