A high standard company: Blue Star Ferries

The history of the group BLUE STAR SHIPPING starts in 1897 with cargo and passenger transportation between Piraeus, Patras, the Ionian islands and Italy. Between 1980s and 1990s, the development of the company was great and started to activate in ferry transportation between Greece and abroad. Actually 1992 was the year when Blue Star Ferries was founded.  

Presently, all the vessels of the company are new, modern and quick. They have all the facilities you may need during your trip and all the kind of luxurious facilities. Over the last years, the company has been certified for its high quality standars, which shows the quality of services provided. Moreover, the vessels of Blue Star Ferries have been awarded and the company became the first Greek company to get a certification for developing an Environmental Policy.
Traveling by Blue Star Ferries is the nicest way for cruising, but it also takes a little bit longer time that if you travel by another kind of vessels. I like it because of the sense of stability and space - on the smaller boats you're pretty much confined to your seat, whereas on the Blue Star you can move around, go out on deck, spend some time at the restaurant and many other things on the board. I also love the stops along the various islands, even though they add time to the journey, because of the chance to look at different places and take photos. 

The only problem on the Blue Star is boredom, but you can always bring a good book, a board game and some music. On board, it is also possible to rent DVDs (and DVD players) on the Blue Star. Last time I looked they had an enviable selection of movies. All perfect for my journey in Aegean Sea. 

Another time I took the 3:30 pm BLUE STAR FERRIES boat "Paros" to the Port of Pireaus. (The total travel time was around 8 hours). The pros were that the ferry stopped shortly in Naxos and Paros, so I could admire the former one more time and have a sneak peek on the latter. When approaching Paros I had the possibility one more time see one of the most beautiful sunsets. The boat had a café, which had quite a decent coffee, which could keep you awake to admire the beautiful sceneries mentioned above. In addition to the deck café, was also restaurants cafeteria to have a bite for those who didn’t stack for a trip. And the price (economy class ticket cost is around 33 euros) was very reasonable. 

If your budget permits, you can pay alot more for the VIP lounge, business class lounge, beds and it goes on and on. The lounges have letter designations A, B, C etc. I didn't know what was so I just picked B and it worked out. When you purchase the tickets, you need to designate a travel agency in which you would get your tickets. Better online. All you get to print out is a confirmation and reservation code. You take this document to your designated travel agency (in my case, in Fira) and they will give you your tickets for the ferry. Thewebsite indicates you all the details: should arrive at the ferry at least 1 hour ahead of your departure time and many others. 

P.S. You can get big discounts on any of the routes, if you book by http://www.ferries-booking.com/

Aegean Speed line

"The best shipping company of the year for its commitment and dedication to providing high quality services” – named by Lloyds List. 

 

Today, Aegean Speed Lines is one of the fastest growing companies in the industry with a key feature the care for the needs of the modern passenger and the development of the islands. Aegean Speed Line has been active in the Greek coastal market since 2005. Aegean Speed Lines provides its services from Port Piraeus to the islands of Cyclades – Serifos, Sifnos, Milos.   

 

Aegean Speed Lines uses three ultra-modern high-speed vessels: SPEEDRUNNER II, SPEEDRUNNER III, and SPEEDRUNNER IV which meet leading comfort, quality and safety requirements. It covers the transportation needs of the western Cycladic islands, because the company strongly believes that by offering a multitude of transportation solutions is catalytic to the growth and prosperity of all residents of the region – as to predict plan and offer on a daily basis, high standard services. In the sphere of security, Aegean Speed Lines follow the national and international security regulations.

 

The security of passengers is the main concern for every initiative and decision of the company. Every intervention on the boat aims at the improvement of the vessel's high standard security system. The boat staff has been designed in such a way so as for the crew to be effective in such conditions. All vessels are equipped with the finest navigational systems as well as with the most modern safety equipment. The vessel's security systems are double checked by specialized technicians when passengers embark or disembark the ship, checking from the start, everything, regardless the crew's prior inspections. All material used for the vessel's construction are fireproof and recyclable.

Since 2009, other than the routes of Piraeus-Western Cyclades (Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros), the fleet of Aegean Speed Lines have also been serving the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos, Piraeus-Thira-Ios and Sikinos whereas during 2010 it has also extended its operations to Piraeus-Paros-Naxos.

Traveling by ferry I prefer Aegean Speed Lines over other names, because the former is much larger and much less likely to make you sick. I have only been in their Economy class but it is fine - large comfortable train-style seats, cafe, bars, etc. As far as reliability - it just depends on the weather (if the boat is running on your date, that is a good choice). Ferry prices are fixed, but flight prices fluctuate, so the later you book, the more expensive they are.

Larger highspeed ferries (those that take cars) sometimes have a small outdoor area, but as a rule you can't go out while the ferry is in transit. Smaller highspeed ferries (passenger only) and catamarans don't have outdoor areas. 

Use the booking website http://ferries-booking.com/ and you’ll be more advanced by their offers and discounts. Easy, simple and more efficient than any other booking system I’ve tried until now.  

Enjoy your trip by Aegean Speed line, and let me know your opinions about it.

Traveling from Venice-Italy to Patra-Greece

Traveling by ferry, on the sea is always an option for many people who love the sea breeze and not only. One of the best experience when i had to travel from Italy to Greece was by ferry, from Venice to Patras.  

No doubt your cruise company has offered you shore packages of every shape and color. So, what are your options (one of the most transited route) for getting from Venice port  to  Patras port!?

The Port of Venice is the leading Mediterranean home port for cruise ships. The efficient and advanced services offered by the Port of Venice enable it to host different types of ships: cruise ships even exceeding 300 m., ferries, high-speed craft and yachts.

Lately the cruise ships account for a large share of transiting passengers. Over 2 million passengers transited by Venice. Ferries are also a major industry. Several shipping companies connect Venice to the Eastern Mediterranean year round. Terminal 123 specializes in ferries linking Venice to Greece. So, you can travel from Venice to Patra daily. Also on the same day you can reach from Patra the Ionian island: Corfu and Kefalonia, Ithaca and Igoumenitsa (Northern Greece).     

Plenty of possibilities for all those who love sailing at a very reasonable prices. Super Fast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries which depart from Patra make a connection with Igoumenitsa,  Ancona but also to Corfu and Bari. Grimaldi Lines ferry itineraries connect Patra with Italy. The ferry companies Minoan Lines and Anek Lines travel to Igoumenitsa, Ancona, Corfu and Venice are departing from the port of Patra. 

You can pick up your ferry tickets from here, or from your departure port. Anek Lines offer several discounts for some of the packages as: 50% children discount; 10% senior discount, 20% discount youth and endeavor lines offer even 100% discount for infants travel. Also Minoan Lines have a bunch of discounts and you can check it here.  

Arriving to Patras port you can have a connection with all Greek islands through companies as Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Super Fast Ferries, Endeavour and Agoudimos lines. 

If you have questions concerning your ferry booking, destination ports, available routes, do not hesitate  to contact us. 

Piraeus port

Who controls the transport, especially maritime transport, it’s said that control the world. That’s why Greece always was a strategic country and Piraeus the chief exit point from the city by sea for destinations amongst the Aegean Islands. And in the east Mediterranean, Piraeus port, becomes a center and a gathering location for many industrial and shipyard companies of Greek commerce.  

Piraeus port is a destination for all of the Aegean islands, used by several Europe cruise companies to welcome visitors to Greece.

If you decide to spend your holiday cruising or even more if you have a business around Greece you may take into consideration to travel by ferries. My first trip to the sea, began in Piraeus port.  I’m going to present you some information about one of the busiest port in Greece, the biggest of Europe and the third biggest harbor in the world, regarding the transportation of passengers. Piraeus port  keep its color and aroma, in the district of Kastella, the City's Theater and the Tinanios Garden.

In a strategic position, there are several modes of transportation from Piraeus to Athens. You have the option of metro, bus or taxi. Cars for hire are also available.

The metro can be used to travel from Piraeus to the heart of Athens and to Athens airport. A trip to Athens using the metro costs €0.80. If you are planning to go to Athens airport, the ticket will cost you the same. A free bus operates at the port collecting passengers from the ships to the metro station.

Traveling from Piraeus to Athens in a bus is the second option travelers have. If you opt to use a bus to travel to Athens, it will cost roughly € 3 to get to the airport. To get to various parts of the city, it costs €0.80.

Taxis offer also flexibility: to get to Athens center one trip it may cost you around €15. If you plan to travel from Piraeus port to the airport, the price is higher at roughly €40.

Cars for hire are also available from various car hire companies, and you have the option of renting a vehicle online. To take in consideration renting cars, only if you have a good understanding of the area. Otherwise you might find it a bit tricky making your way out. 

One good point for foreigners especially is Piraeus port area offers free Wi-fi internet access. Piraeus port serves almost 20 million passengers annually with destination the islands of the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea and Italy. Piraeus port is separated in three smaller parts: the central port, Marina Zeas and Mikrolimano. It is separated with gates for the travelers' convenience, marked with the sign 'E' and the numbers 1-12. 

• Gate E1: Dodekanisa (from Coast Vasiliadi)
• Gate E2: Chios, Mytilene, Ikaria, Samos (from Coast Ietionas)
• Gate E3: Crete, Kythira- Vehicles' Entrance (from Coast Kondilis)
• Gate E4: Exit, Kythira- Vehicles' exit only (from Coast Kondilis)
• Gate E5: Pedestrian brdge, pedestrian' s entrance, PPA Bus terminal (from Coast Kallimasiotis)
• Gate E6: Cyclades,Rethymnon - pedestrian bridge , pedestrian' s entrance (from Coast Posidonos)
• Gate E7: Cyclades, Rethymnon (from Coast Posidonos-Tzelepi)
• Gate E8: Argosaronikos (from Coast Posidonos)
• Gate E9: Cyclades, Samos, Ikaria (from Coast Miaouli)
• Gate E10: Cyclades, Samos, Ikaria-vehicles' exit only (from Coast Miaouli)
• Gate E11: Cruise Terminal A
• Gate E12: Cruise Terminal B
• Gates E1 and E2 are far away from the points of access and for this reason internal local buses of OLP leave from Gate E5 and end at Gate E1. 

 

ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Nova Ferries, Ventouris Sea Lines, Zante Ferries are some of the companies which have settled their offices in Piraeusport. 

For schedule and book online your tickets have a look here or here