Can passengers go ashore during the stopover?
'Sosta' — SOS-ta. Two syllables; stress on the first. It means stop or pause.
Ask when your ferry stops at an intermediate port and you want to know whether you can disembark temporarily while the ship reloads passengers and cargo.
'Si può' is the impersonal form of 'potere' — one can. 'Scendere a terra' means to go ashore — 'terra' (land/earth) as opposed to 'mare' (sea). 'Durante' (during) + 'la sosta' (the stopover) is the time complement. This phrase combines three useful travel structures.
Quanto dura la sosta?
How long is the stopover?
Helps you plan whether it's worth getting off.
Devo portare il biglietto quando rientro?
Do I need to bring my ticket when I re-board?
Practical question before going ashore.
C'è qualcosa da vedere vicino al porto?
Is there anything to see near the port?
Asks for local recommendations during the stop.
Some Italian coastal ferries stop at intermediate ports for 1–4 hours to unload/load cargo and passengers. This is common on routes along the Sicilian coast or the Aeolian Islands route from Milazzo. It is essentially a free shore excursion if you pay attention to departure time.