Tanit arriving at Marseille
In the bus crossing Marseille's port (due to her too large dimensions, Tanit is berthed at Cap Janet, on the Eastern port : the ferry terminal is 6 kilometers far) the main part of the passengers are aware that we will embark on Tanit, Tunisia Ferries' newest unit.
"The biggest ferry over the Mediterranean !", a child exclaims. Not, but not far ! She belongs to the seven largest car-ferries over the world, which is a nice perform for the Tunisian company.
It was definitely expected that all the passengers would recognize the giant when the bus would be in vicinity. It must be said that the communication was very important for the event : for several months, we could meet placards on the flats in Tunis and La Goulette, or aboard Carthage ; there has even been TV reports. Finally, everybody was waiting for the Tanit, as good as medias, people in Tunisia or Tunisian living in France.
"The biggest ferry over the Mediterranean !", a child exclaims. Not, but not far ! She belongs to the seven largest car-ferries over the world, which is a nice perform for the Tunisian company.
It was definitely expected that all the passengers would recognize the giant when the bus would be in vicinity. It must be said that the communication was very important for the event : for several months, we could meet placards on the flats in Tunis and La Goulette, or aboard Carthage ; there has even been TV reports. Finally, everybody was waiting for the Tanit, as good as medias, people in Tunisia or Tunisian living in France.
Sundeck and funnel
At about half past 12, we embark and we reach our cabin, located on deck 7 forwards. While walking across the vessel, we have a quick overview about the 48 next hours. The stateroom is comfortable and well-designed. Tanit is so recent, that the P&A passes the Korean songs which were used to test the system in the DSME shipyard.
The CTN ship orders are rare. The lastest are Carthage (1999) and Habib (1978).
The CTN ship orders are rare. The lastest are Carthage (1999) and Habib (1978).
Leaving from Marseille
At 4 PM, Tanit departs from Cap Janet berth 6. Proceeding to the Port of Marseille entrance, we are passing along cruise ships : MSC Fantasia, Costa Serena and Norwegian Epic.
Tanit is full, and we feel it on the exterior decks : a lot of children are profiting of the swimming pool and its little basins. The discovery of deck 12 is one of this journey's best surprises. Before the delivery, this place was expected to not be accessible ; actually the latest vessels we recently visited (Spirit of France, Piana, etc) are fitted with a few outdoor places.
Tanit is full, and we feel it on the exterior decks : a lot of children are profiting of the swimming pool and its little basins. The discovery of deck 12 is one of this journey's best surprises. Before the delivery, this place was expected to not be accessible ; actually the latest vessels we recently visited (Spirit of France, Piana, etc) are fitted with a few outdoor places.
At sea
Five hours later, we leave our cabin, we cross the corridors until the poop (distant from about 200 meters) and then we go up two decks to reach the Halfside self-service. Adopting a style present on the cruise vessels, it provides a very good flexibility : it is fitted with a large room, spending the whole beam of the ship. This area can be divided in two spaces (one with 285 seats, the other with 365) having each an independent service area. Depending on the affluence, one area, the other or both can be opened.
A warm atmosphere is provided here, with wood tones and bright colors (red, yellow, etc). A close attention was paid to the diversity of the tables available : the large families can have diner around eight-seats tables, while passengers on their own can occupy the bar, which gives a large view at sea thanks to a window bay spending the whole deck height.
The Halfside name refers to the Berber dynasty which governed Ifriqiya, a territory in the North of Africa including Tunisia, from XIIIth to XVIth cent.
A warm atmosphere is provided here, with wood tones and bright colors (red, yellow, etc). A close attention was paid to the diversity of the tables available : the large families can have diner around eight-seats tables, while passengers on their own can occupy the bar, which gives a large view at sea thanks to a window bay spending the whole deck height.
The Halfside name refers to the Berber dynasty which governed Ifriqiya, a territory in the North of Africa including Tunisia, from XIIIth to XVIth cent.
(in blue) situation of self-service - Copyright PassengerShips.Eu
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The dishes are prepared aboard with fresh products, and are proposed with more than acceptable prices ! From a meal to another, anything is not the same. The idea is to provide the choice between meat and fish at anytime, and to vary the daily menu (contrary to the usages of many companies). This evening, roasted chicken is proposed with rice and chips.
The meal
Some other passengers select the Dar el Bey "à la carte" restaurant, whose name means literally "the Bey house" : this refers to the place guesting the Bey, which designs the ex-Tunisian monarchs. One hundred fifty guests can be welcomed, which is a quite large capacity for this type of restaurant. The food is rather from an international inspiration.
Our evening takes end around a coffee in the Berbère lounge, located just above. The atmosphere is very enjoyable, and the decoration is as refined as as what we can find on cruise ships. Also here, the area is segregated in two parts : the first is more intimate and calmer than the second. Both are fitted with a reference to the Islamic-influenced architecture, the moucharabiehs (a sort of decorative window allowing the air to circulate).
Location of Berbère Bar (in blue) - Copyright PassengerShips.Eu
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Around a quarter of the vessel's capacity is assumed by the gigantic seating lounges.
Then we return to our stateroom, in order to rest before the next day arrival (forecast at 11 local time).
Location of Mezzanine Bar (in blue - Copyright PassengerShips.Eu
 El Borj |  El Borj |
At 6 AM, the passengers are waking up one after one and walk in the ship. We reach the El Borj Mezzanine Bar; where the information of yesterday are diffused on a giant screen. This area ranges on decks 9 and 10. It is one of the ship's main places, it can welcome 700 people. For our breakfast, the self-service is once again a good, cheap and sufficient option.
Later, we admire the perfect weather on deck 12, which is ideal to savor the holidays atmosphere (these are beginning for mostly).
Later, we admire the perfect weather on deck 12, which is ideal to savor the holidays atmosphere (these are beginning for mostly).
We get an exceptional appointment at 10 in the bridge, just an half hour before our arrival in the port of La Goulette.
In the bridge
For safety reasons during the maneuver, we go back to the exterior decks to watch the arrival in Tunisia. The heat is stifling, so that a few passengers are still out of the ship, the majority preferring the indoors air-conditioned areas.
While turning to ease the disembarkation of the 1,060 cars, and to make faster the departure in the afternoon, Tanit is raising the vase of the green calm waters in the port.
While turning to ease the disembarkation of the 1,060 cars, and to make faster the departure in the afternoon, Tanit is raising the vase of the green calm waters in the port.
 Arriving at La Goulette |  Arriving at La Goulette |
Location of the Guest relations - Copyright PassengerShips.Eu
It is a bit more than 11 when we leave Tanit, from the guest office (deck 7), to reach La Goulette's terminal. This way is rare in the Mediterranean : the foot passengers generally disembark by the car decks. We will spend some hours here, before to go back on the Tanit. Rendezvous on the next week to discover the article about the return.
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Reportage realized in collaboration with Compagnie Tunisieene de Navigation. We particularly thank Raja K. and Fayçal BS.
