The Genoa-Olbia route is one of the main maritime routes between Northern Italy and Sardinia. It is a particularly important connection for thousands of passengers who choose to take the ferry to the island with their cars, motorcycles, RVs, or simply with a lot of luggage.
But what is the experience like for passengers boarding the Moby ferries from Genoa to Olbia?
We have compiled several reviews posted by Moby passengers, focusing in particular on experiences related to the Genoa-Olbia route. A complex picture emerges: alongside very satisfied travelers—especially on the newer ships—there are several reports regarding delays, cabins, cleanliness, maintenance, air conditioning, disembarkation procedures, and the balance between price and service quality.
It would be incorrect to use a few negative reviews to form a general opinion about the company or the route. However, these reviews can still be useful for identifying the issues passengers perceive and understanding where, in their view, there is room for improvement.
Negative reviews from passengers on the Moby ferries between Genoa and Olbia
Online reviews do not constitute a statistical survey of service quality. People who have a particularly negative experience may be more motivated to leave a review than those who have a trouble-free trip.
That is why we have chosen not to present the individual testimonials as a snapshot of the entire Moby fleet, but rather as individual accounts that help identify certain recurring themes.
Delays: When the Crossing Takes Longer Than Expected
One of the issues reported concerns travel times.
A review published on September 1, 2026, describes the experience of a passenger who claims to have traveled three times on the Moby Orli over the course of a year, complaining of delays of at least one hour on each occasion. The same passenger criticizes the relationship between ticket price and quality of service.
“Moby Orly is always slow and late,” writes the traveler, adding that she has accumulated “at least a 1-hour delay per trip.”
Of course, we can’t determine the average punctuality of the Genoa-Olbia route based on a single report. But delays are a particularly pressing issue on overnight crossings: a late arrival can disrupt the schedules of those who need to pick up a rental car, check into a hotel, or continue their journey to another destination.
Timely and accurate communication about delays could therefore at least help reduce the perceived inconvenience.
Moby Orli: Criticism of the Ship’s Conditions
The Moby Orli frequently appears among the ships associated with the most critical reviews.
A review of the Genoa-Olbia voyage in July 2026 describes a particularly noisy cabin that was not properly cleaned and had issues in the bathroom as well. The passenger also reports having encountered difficulties as early as the boarding process.
In an even more recent account, published in September 2026, a passenger reports having traveled on the Orli three times in the past year and criticizes, above all, the delays and the ship’s overall conditions.
“A very old, run-down, disorganized ship with a tiny and truly dirty cabin,” writes a passenger, referring to a trip from Genoa to Olbia.
This is, of course, a personal assessment and not a technical inspection of the ship’s condition. But the fact that various accounts point to the same type of issue makes this a matter worthy of attention.
Cabins: When Passengers Expect Something Extra
Ferry cabins are one of the most sensitive issues, because they are a service for which passengers pay an extra fee and which is intended to allow them to travel comfortably overnight.
A review of a trip from Genoa to Olbia on August 16, 2026, describes a rather problematic situation: in a cabin booked for four people, only two beds were initially available, while the other two had to be set up by the staff.
The passenger also reports having had to repeatedly ask the staff to take action and notes that the condition of a mattress was unsatisfactory.
“If I pay for a four-person cabin, the beds should already be made or ready to use right away, without having to beg for a service that’s included,” writes the traveler.
This is a very valid criticism: anyone who books a cabin for four people reasonably expects to be able to use it without having to ask repeatedly for all the beds to be made up.
Cleaning: Reports on the Condition of the Premises
Another recurring theme in the reviews is cleanliness.
A passenger report dated August 25, 2026, describes dirty carpeting, problems in the restrooms, and unpleasant odors coming from the tap water. This is, once again, the account of a single passenger and not an independent assessment of the ship’s condition.
In another review of the Moby Orli, a passenger reported finding hair on the cabin table, unchanged sheets, and a strong odor coming from the bathroom.
It is precisely these reports that suggest a possible course of action: more thorough inspections of the cabins before boarding, with particular attention paid to linens, mattresses, bathrooms, and surfaces.
Heat and Air Conditioning: A Critical Issue That Should Not Be Underestimated
During the summer of 2026, another issue also arises: the temperature on board and the operation of the air conditioning.
Here, it is necessary to make a distinction. Not all reviews reporting problems with the air conditioning concern the Genoa-Olbia route. However, the issue appears in several accounts of Moby trips taken during the summer and deserves attention precisely because the heat—or, conversely, excessive air conditioning—can turn a comfort issue into a significant inconvenience.
A review posted on August 23 describes a passenger who, unable to find a cabin, traveled in a seat and complained about the extremely low temperature:
“We traveled in 15-degree weather,” the passenger writes, adding that she asked for the air conditioning to be turned down but didn’t get a response.
In other cases, however, the problem was exactly the opposite: some passengers complained that the cabins were too hot due to problems with the air conditioning.
This issue deserves attention because, on a summer crossing lasting many hours, the air-conditioning system is no small matter—especially for those traveling in the cabin or in the ship’s interior areas.
Leaving the cabin before arrival: when an early departure becomes an inconvenience
Another issue that comes up in the reviews concerns the early release of cabins and, more generally, the way passengers are woken up before arrival.
It is entirely understandable that a shipping company must organize disembarkation operations well in advance. A ship about to arrive in port must prepare the common areas, coordinate staff, organize the disembarkation of passengers and vehicles, and, where necessary, begin preparing the cabins for the next group of passengers.
The problem arises when these operations are scheduled well in advance of the arrival time, especially if the ship is already delayed.
A review published in August 2026, for example, mentions a passenger who pointed out that cabins must be vacated two hours before disembarkation, even though the ship had arrived late and the passengers had been left waiting.
Even more telling is a review of a trip on the Genoa-Olbia route, where the arrival was scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and the staff reportedly began urging passengers to vacate their cabins as early as 7 a.m. The same account also complains about the constant announcements made over the loudspeakers.
“It docked at 9:15 a.m., and as early as 7 a.m., the staff were shouting outside the door to clear the cabins,” the passenger said.
The problem, however, becomes even more apparent when the ship is already running late.
In a review dated August 19, 2026, a passenger reported being forced to leave their cabin about two hours before arrival and finding themselves in the hallways, while the ship was reportedly running more than an hour behind schedule.
That same review prompted a response from Moby, which explained that the early cabin check-out procedures are implemented to allow for the necessary cleaning and preparation of the cabins for subsequent crossings. And this is a point on which we can understand the company’s position.
Moby certainly needs to prepare the ship for disembarkation. It’s not realistic to think that operations can begin only after all passengers have already disembarked. But it is equally reasonable to ask whether it is necessary to always apply the same lead time, regardless of the actual arrival time.
If a ship is on schedule and is due to dock at 7:00, a specific time window for cabin check-out can facilitate onboard operations.
If, on the other hand, the arrival has been delayed, why wake the passengers even earlier than the new scheduled time?
This is precisely where a better balance between the airline’s operational needs and those of its passengers could be found.
For those who have traveled all night—perhaps after paying a surcharge for a cabin—being able to rest for a few more minutes isn’t just a minor detail. It’s part of the overall quality of the trip.
One solution could therefore be to adjust, whenever possible, the time at which cabins are made available to reflect the actual progress of the crossing, thereby avoiding waking passengers too early when the ship is already running late.
Staff: Very Mixed Reviews
Reviews are also mixed when it comes to the staff’s behavior.
In his account regarding the four-person cabin on the Genoa-Olbia route, the passenger described a crew member’s behavior as haughty and unhelpful.
But there is also an example that is the exact opposite.
A passenger who traveled on the Moby Aki on the Genoa-Olbia route on August 10, 2026, reports having had a problem in his cabin and highlights how quickly a crew member stepped in to resolve it.
Despite the ship’s delays, the review received five stars.
“He solved the problem right away without wasting any time; I’m very pleased to have met such a professional and kind person,” the passenger writes.
This is probably one of the most interesting findings in the entire collection. In fact, a problem on board does not necessarily lead to a negative experience: the crew’s ability to respond quickly can completely change a passenger’s opinion.
To truly understand the full picture, however, we cannot limit ourselves to negative reviews. The positive feedback on the fleet’s newest ships is, in fact, an important factor in avoiding overly simplistic conclusions.
The Moby Fantasy and Moby Legacy, for example, are described in several reviews as modern, comfortable, and clean ships.
Even on the Moby Aki, despite criticism from other passengers, we find very positive reviews. For example, a review of a Moby trip on the Livorno-Olbia route praises the seats, the temperature on board, and the overall comfort, describing the service as very good.
Therefore, it would be wrong to draw a general conclusion about Moby or the Genoa-Olbia route based on a few negative experiences.
The picture that emerges is more complex: perceived quality seems to vary significantly depending on the ship, the voyage, and the specific experience had on board.
In fact, the positive reviews of the newest ships show that when passengers find modern, clean, and well-organized spaces, their overall impression can be very positive.
The question, therefore, is not whether Moby is a good or bad cruise line, but rather: How consistent are the service standards across its various ships and routes?
Price and Perceived Quality
Behind many of the negative reviews lies another factor: the relationship between the price paid and the perceived quality.
The passenger who describes the constant delays on the Moby Orli highlights this very point, arguing that the fare for the Moby ferry from Genoa to Olbia is expensive despite the service being deemed unsatisfactory.
Ferry prices, of course, vary depending on the date, type of accommodation, availability, and other factors. It would therefore be incorrect to judge whether a ticket is a good deal based on a single experience.
But for the passenger, the logic is simple: the higher the price paid, the higher the expectations for the service. A dirty cabin, a significant delay, or a problem with the air conditioning therefore become even more frustrating when the trip has cost several hundred euros.
What could Moby improve on the Genoa-Olbia route?
Reviews cannot replace a technical investigation and do not allow us to determine how frequently individual problems occur.
However, they can highlight certain areas where, according to passengers, improvements could be made.
- More thorough checks before boarding
Cabins, bathrooms, mattresses, linens, and facilities should be checked before passengers arrive.
- Greater Focus on Maintenance
Elevator malfunctions, problems with restrooms, or issues with the air conditioning can significantly impact the travel experience and, in some cases, theaccessibility of the ship.
- More timely information about delays
Knowing in advance that a ship will arrive late allows passengers to make arrangements and helps minimize the inconvenience, at least to some extent.
- A more balanced approach to the allocation of cabins
Cleaning and reorganizing the ship are necessary. However, it would be desirable to strike a balance between operational needs and the needs of the passengers, especially when the arrival has been delayed.
- Standards that are as uniform as possible
This is perhaps the most important point.
If a passenger is traveling on a Moby Lines and describes a very positive experience, while another passenger on the same line reports issues with cleanliness, maintenance, or air conditioning, the perceived difference can become quite significant.
The goal should be to ensure that the quality of the trip does not depend too heavily on the ship assigned to the route.
FerryFinder’s Perspective
Online reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. They do not represent the entire customer base and naturally tend to highlight particularly positive or negative experiences.
In Moby’s case, Trustpilot also notes that the company has not recently invited customers to leave reviews and therefore warns that the sample may not be representative. The page currently has over 1,500 reviews, 71% of which are one-star. This figure indicates a high number of negative reviews on the platform, but it cannot be interpreted as a percentage of dissatisfied customers.
At the same time, positive reviews of the newest ships and testimonials from satisfied passengers show that the issue cannot be reduced to a simple negative opinion of Moby.
In our opinion, a ship doesn’t necessarily have to be new to offer a good travel experience. It can also be a ship that has been in service for many years, as long as it is well-maintained, clean, efficient, and managed with care for its passengers.
Reviews collected on the Genoa-Olbia route therefore point to several areas where further improvement would be beneficial: punctuality, maintenance, cabin cleanliness, air conditioning, disembarkation procedures, and consistency in service standards.
And there is also a positive aspect worth highlighting: when staff respond quickly and professionally, even when faced with a problem, passengers’ perceptions can change completely. That is why the request is not simply to replace the older ships.
It is to ensure that anyone who purchases a Moby ticket—regardless of which ship they board—receives a level of service consistent with the price paid and with the expectations of those who choose the ferry to travel to Sardinia.
