Ferry to Sicily

Looking at the ticket search at http://www.gnv.it/en/ferries-destinations/palermo-ferries-sicily.html, my results seem pretty straight-forward and cheap, e.g., three adults in a 4-bed inside cabin, plus car, adds up to only 194 euros total for my June 10 test date, not including insurance options. Since Rick doesn't cover Sicily, I suggest the Lonely Planet guidebook for that area.

Is there any way that you can get rid of the car in Naples and fly? We flew on an inexpensive flight from Rome - Catania. I don't know what your Sicily plans are, but 8 hours on a ferry sounds like a waste of precious vacation time (?). I've 'done' Sicily twice without a car, and the regionale trains are clean, new, and have convenient schedles.

I flew into Catania, toured the East Coast (Taormina, Mt. Etna, Syracuse) based myself for a week in Taormina,enjoyed tremendously, with the Greek Theatre, Funicular to the sea - indulged myself in a local guide, then took the train to Cefalu -- took a rest at the beach, then took a train on to Palermo for the flight home. Next time I'm starting in Palermo and doing the "West" side, including Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, etc.

It's just a suggestion. If you're planning on doing the entire Island, it may be better to have the car the entire time, but check the flight prices to either Palermo or Catania on Kayak.com, check on renting a car at either of these airports (DONT DRIVE in either of these cities, tour first, then pick up the car) and see what makes the most sense.

Thank you both for the very detailed input. I did check out the ferry option and will relay that to my travel buddies.
And now I will see about the flight to Catania from Napoli. It may be about the same price, I'm guessing.

I've done the ferry and the flight, much prefer the flight. As suggested, you can rent a car in Catania or Palermo and save some travel time.