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SANTORINI PALACE (ΣΑΝΤΟΡΙΝΗ ΠΑΛΑΣ)

-Minoan Lines

ex-HIGHSPEED 7 (ΧΑΪΣΠΙΝΤ 7) for Hellenic Seaways (2016-2018)

Built in 2005 (age 19). Registered in Heraklion. Current line: None (under refit in Salamina)

Among the best high speed craft and ships of the Greek coastal service, the SANTORINI PALACE was built in 2005 in Australia, as the HIGHSPEED 5,  hence becoming the fifth high speed ferry to join Hellas Flying Dolphins. In the year the ship was completed, the company's name changed to Hellenic Seaways. She was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line in her debut season, and quickly won the hearts of tourists and local residents alike. In 2006 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ios-Santorini-Chania line, where she was also deployed the following season, while in 2008 she operated on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ios-Santorini-Rethymnon line. In 2009 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, and in 2010 she again operated on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line, forming a formidable duo with her fleetmate, the HIGHSPEED 4, during both seasons. In 2011 she operated on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Serifos-Sifnos-Ios-Santorini line, while in 2012 she returned to the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. In 2013, she was deployed on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line, where she became a massive success. Her company re-deployed her on that same line in 2014. During that season, the ship's operations were met with critical acclaim, and she formed a notable competition against the flagship of Sea Jets, the TERA JET. Following her incredible 2014 season, Hellenic Seaways decided that the ship would undergo a conversion in Keratsini in order to increase her passenger capacity by replacing her upper garage with new passenger areas. However, in 2015, while she was undergoing this conversion, the ship was seriously damaged by a fire in Keratsini, causing the tragic death of her electrician. She was significantly destroyed and was forced to miss the entire 2015 season. As a result, she initially began to be repaired in Keratsini before being towed to Italy. There, she was fully rebuilt, renovated, and renamed HIGHSPEED 7 (as the company wanted to forget the tragic accident the ship suffered under the name HIGHSPEED 5). She returned in 2016 to her much-acclaimed line, the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line, and she again found the success she has acquired ever since she began service back in 2005. However, in 2018, following the takeover of Hellenic Seaways by Attica Group, the deal called for the ship to be sold to Minoan Lines. She was renamed SANTORINI PALACE, and continued service on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line. In 2020 she operated on the Heraklion-Santorini-Folegandros-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos-Tinos-Syros line. In 2021 she began service on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Heraklion line.

 

PHOTOS (2017, 2018):

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