AF Mia

AF Mia in Ancona
History
Name	(1997–2001): Ikarus (2001–2016): Ikarus Palace (2016–2023): Cruise Smeralda (2023–present): AF Mia
Owner	(1997–2016): Minoan Lines (2016–2023): Grimaldi Group (2023–present): Adria Ferries S.p.A.
Operator	(1997–2016): Minoan Lines (2016–2023): Grimaldi Lines (2023–present): Adria Ferries
Port of registry	(1997–2016): Heraklion, Greece (2016–2023): Palermo, Italy (2023–present): Naples, Italy
Route	Ancona – Durrës Former: Patras – Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Venice / Ancona Former: Livorno / Savona – Barcelona – Tanger Med
Ordered	1995
Builder	Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder A/S (Rissa, Norway) Bruce Shipyard (Landskrona, Sweden; hull)
Yard number	66 / 362
Laid down	1997
Launched	5 May 1997
Completed	December 1997
Acquired	December 1997 (as Ikarus) 2016 (by Grimaldi Lines) October 2023 (by Adria Ferries)
Maiden voyage	December 1997
In service	1997
Identification	IMO number: 9144811 Call sign: IBNQ MMSI number: 247343200
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class & type	Fosen Fast Cruise Ferry (Ikarus Class)
Tonnage	29,968 GT 5,150 DWT
Length	200.65 m (658 ft 4 in)
Beam	25.80 m (84 ft 8 in)
Draught	6.80 m (22 ft 4 in)
Decks	9
Ramps	Two vehicle loading ramps, one passenger ramp
Installed power	4 × MAN-B&W 8L58/64 diesel engines (total 44,480 kW / 59,650 hp)
Propulsion	2 × KaMeWa controllable pitch propellers
Speed	27.0 knots (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph) (max) / 24.0 knots (44.4 km/h; 27.6 mph) (service)
Capacity	1,528 passengers (197 cabins / 713 beds, 181 armchairs) 1,950 lane metres for vehicles (~800 cars)
Crew	80

AF Mia is a RO/PAX ferry operated and owned by Adria Ferries. The ship was built as Ikarus in Fosen Mek Verksteder A/S, Norway for Minoan Lines in 1997, and later renamed Ikarus Palace. She has a sister ship Jean Nicoli now with Corsica Linea.

Minoan Lines Career

Ikarus Palace

Ikarus made her career for Minoan Lines in 1997 and worked the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Venice route for many years with her sister ship Pasiphae. In 2001 both ships were renamed Ikarus Palace and Pasiphae Palace respectively. They worked together for many years on the same route until Pasiphae Palace was sold to SNCM and renamed Jean Nicoli. Ikarus Palace also made worked the Piraeus-Heraklion route replacing another ship of her company. After the arrivals of the newest ships MS Cruise Europa and MS Cruise Olympia, Ikarus Palace was laid-up in Patras and then joined the Patras-Igoumenitsa–Ancona route and subsequently replacing HSF Knossos Palace and HSF Kydon Palace on Piraeus-Heraklion route.

Chartered to Grimaldi Lines

Cruise Smeralda in Savona in 2018

Ikarus Palace then chartered for Grimaldi Lines. The ship when chartered for Grimaldi Lines began the Livorno–Barcelona–Tangier route. The ship also came many times in Greece to replace other ships of her company. The ship made her last route Patras–Igoumenitsa–Ancona route in 2016 and then sold to Grimaldi Lines and named Cruise Smeralda.

Sold to Adria Ferries

Cruise Smeralda was sold to Adria Ferries in 2023 and was renamed AF Mia.

Route

AF Mia currently operates in the following route between Italy and Albania:

• Ancona–Durrës