Trip: 7-8 July 2015. From Piraeus to Santorini, via Syros, Paros, Naxos and Ios, with the BLUE STAR PATMOS of Blue Star Ferries.
The cruiseferry BLUE STAR PATMOS was ordered in 2009 by the Greek company Blue Star Ferries, along with her sister ship, namely the BLUE STAR DELOS. They were due to be built in the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Shipyard in South Korea, where the company had previously ordered three successful sister ships, namely the BLUE STAR ITHAKI, the BLUE STAR NAXOS and the BLUE STAR PAROS, between 2000 and 2002. The BLUE STAR DELOS was completed in 2011, and she began service on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, while the BLUE STAR PATMOS, which was initially supposed to operate on the Dodecanese, was completed in 2012, and she was deployed on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line on the Northeast Aegean Sea. There, she successfully competed against the ships of NEL Lines (eventually forcing the company to remove its services from their main service, which they had been serving since 1973) and against the NISSOS CHIOS of Hellenic Seaways. In late 2014, following the sale of the BLUE STAR ITHAKI to the Canadian company Bay Ferries Limited, the BLUE STAR PATMOS was transferred to the company's services based on the Cyclades. After a few months of operations on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos line left by her predecessor, she was then transferred to the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Santorini line. Blue Star Ferries later modified their service on the Cyclades, following the arrival of Superfast Ferries (the other member of Attica Group of which Blue Star Ferries is also a member) and their flagship, namely the SUPERFAST XII, on the Dodecanese. The BLUE STAR DELOS maintained her morning departure from Piraeus to Paros, Naxos and Santorini, while the BLUE STAR PATMOS would also operate on the same service during the afternoon and during the evening along with additional calls to Syros and Anafi. She was also deployed on the Lesser Cyclades along with the BLYE STAR NAXOS, operating in Paros, Naxos, Santorini and the islands of Donousa, Amorgos and Astypalaia. Her service was very successful, having made a successful shift from the Northeast Aegean Sea, with her previous service having been taken over by the larger BLUE STAR 1. As of 2015, she is still the youngest cruiseferry in Greece. Furthermore, she notably received the 'Best Ferry in the World' award in 2013 by Shippax, which is one of the most prestigious accolades that can be given to a ferry.
During the summer of 2015 my family decided to go on a trip to Santorini for five days. We had planned to leave Piraeus in the morning with the BLUE STAR DELOS, but a change in our schedule forced us to instead travel with her sister ship, namely the BLUE STAR PATMOS, during the evening. As such, we would be leaving Piraeus at 17:30 and in order to arrive in Santorini at 02:30 the following day, after first stopping by four other islands of the Cyclades, namely Syros, Paros, Naxos and Ios. This post is therefore my first-ever Tribute Post on this Blog. Such posts will cover in full detail a trip that I had with a particular ship (usually my first-ever trip with her or my first trip with her since the website was launched), her history and services, as well as the different ports that she would call during this trip. There are many more that will be written very soon, so stay tuned!
The great BLUE STAR PATMOS in Piraeus, seen from the FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA of Aegean Flying Dolphins, four days before traveling with her for the first time.
Apart from it being my third trip of the 2015 season, following the first two that I had on 3 July 2015 while going towards and heading back from Aegina in one day, this trip was historical for me as I was heading to Santorini and the Cyclades for the first time in my life. Indeed, it was my first-ever trip from Piraeus to the Cyclades, my first-ever trip leaving from Piraeus in order to go to an island that was not part of the Saronic Gulf, my first-ever trip with a cruiseferry on the Aegean Sea, my first-ever trip with a ferry owned by Blue Star Ferries, and my first-ever overnight trip on the Cyclades and on the Aegean Sea as a whole. Moreover, it was my first-ever trip with a ship of the Greek coastal service built in the 2010s.
We arrived in Piraeus an hour before our planned departure at 17:30 on 7 July 2015. This gave me the chance to show the ship to my family. Even though it was the first time I ever boarded her, I had seen many pictures of her indoor areas in websites and forums dedicated to the Greek coastal service and the Greek Shipping magazine 'Efoplistis'. Therefore, I already knew what they would look like in real-life.
The majestic bow of the BLUE STAR PATMOS, a few moments before I embarked onboard her. The font used for the word 'PATMOS' is similar to the one used by Blue Star Ferries on their ships that bear the name of an island, with the latter being written in italics.
The ship has a total of 9 decks. Decks 1 to 5 are dedicated to the ship's garage and engine rooms, whereas Decks 6, 7 and 8 are dedicated to the passenger areas, and Deck 9 to the ship's bridge. Deck 6 is the one that greets passengers once they have reached the end of the escalators leading them from the garage to the passenger accommodation areas. There, one can note the reception desk which is primarily used for passengers that have booked cabins for the duration of the trip.
The sign seen above the escalators leading from the garage to Deck 6. It displays the Aegean Sea, and features a message saying 'Thank you for sailing with us!' both in Greek and in English. At the bottom right corner, one can also see the company's name, logo, slogan and status as a member of Attica Group.
The reception sign near the reception desk, written with gold letters.
The 'Welcome' sign located right next to the reception desk. It is made out of yellow 3D-printed letters laying on the floor. The BLUE STAR DELOS also has them.
Right behind the reception desk is the Economy Class Lounge area and bar. The lighting on the walls and the central column was designed by the lighting manufacturing company Artemide, and it notably changes colours every few seconds.
A view of the Economy Class Lounge area column, with its lighting switching from turquoise to light green.
The hall leading to the area where the passenger aircraft-style seats are located. The lighting on this wall was also designed by Artemide.
Similarly to the column seen previously, the lighting on the wall also changes colours. At the end of the hall seen in this picture is the Business Class Lounge area, which is towards the front section of the ship.
A view of the ship's arcade and computer zone.
The very comfortable passenger aircraft-style seats, located on the port side of the ship.
When heading back towards the stern section, one of the two hallways features the ship's onboard shop. It is operated by Hellenic Travel Shops, as it is the case with all ships owned by Blue Star Ferries.
The ship's kid's corner area, which is decorated with advertisements from the telephone service company Vodafone, which is a longtime partner of Attica Group. Apologies for the poor quality of this picture.
The other side of the Economy Class Lounge area, which has a circular wall featuring a goldfish under water. The BLUE STAR DELOS is known to have green frogs in her respective area.
Another view of the Economy Class Lounge area, which features few chairs and tables centered around the circular wall. Next to them is an ATM machine, as well as a deckplan.
The corner of the Economy Class Lounge area, located right next to the exit that leads to the stern outdoor deck. It features more tables and chairs in the style of a canteen, and the wall in the background is coloured in cyan blue, while also featuring a small yellow airplane, similar to those that operated in the first half of the 20th century.
Another view of the 'canteen' section of the Economy Class Lounge area, later at night.
The outdoor aft section sun deck area on Deck 6, which has several chairs and tables for passengers wishing to stay outside throughout the trip.
The sun deck area also features a bar operated by Flocafé. It was closed at the time, and it only opened after the ship departed Piraeus. Like all outdoor bars operated seen on ships owned by Blue Star Ferries, this Flocafé bar serves coffee, soft drinks, juices and snacks.
Another view of the outdoor sun deck area, which was soon filled with many passengers as the ship started to leave the port of Piraeus.
I proceeded to walking over from Deck 6 to Deck 7, which also has an outdoor alley leading passengers from the aft section to the front section of the ferry. This is the port side alley. Next to it are two of the four main lifeboats of the ship.
Deck 7 is known to feature many of the ship's cabins. She has much more than the BLUE STAR DELOS does, as the latter was built primarily as a day ferry. On the contrary, the BLUE STAR PATMOS was built in order to perform longer-distance services (initially on the Dodecanese, although she ultimately headed to the Northeast Aegean Sea during the first three seasons of her career), which would logically require overnight trips. The cabins were of course a major necessity when she was operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, which required overnight trips. Since the BLUE STAR PATMOS moved to the Cyclades, they have not been as prominent, although the fact that she serves most islands from Piraeus in the evening and during night time encourages several passengers to continue using them.
The alley leading to the staircase which connects Deck 6 with Deck 7. It is built under the standard design found on most modern cruiseferries.
After getting to meet the ship and her exceptional amenities, decorations and luxurious areas, it was time for us to begin the long trip to Santorini. We left the E7 gate, which is where the Blue Star Ferries ships that are deployed on the Cyclades dock in Piraeus. It was 17:30, and we departed for the first stop of the trip, namely Syros.
Next to us was the historic ferry PANAGIA TINOU of Ventouris Sea Lines. She was unfortunately laid-up, as her owners experienced severe financial difficulties which prevented them from paying the salaries of the ship's crew, which responded by permanently arresting the ferry. It was her first summer under that name, as she was previously known as the AGIOS GEORGIOS under Ventouris Sea Lines from 2004 to 2015. She had been operating on the Piraeus-Kythnos-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios-Santorini line from 2005 to 2014.
Next to the PANAGIA TINOU was another Greek coastal service veteran. Indeed, it was the KRITI I of ANEK Lines, which was spending her first season on the Piraeus-Chania line.
Next to the KRITI I and the PANAGIA TINOU was a fleetmate of the BLUE STAR PATMOS, most specifically the BLUE HORIZON. Owned by Blue Star Ferries since the latter was established in 2000, she was spending her second consecutive season on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, under the ANEK-Attica Group joint venture.
In front of us was the high speed ferry SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines, which was resting in the port of Piraeus. Built in 1999 and owned by Aegean Speed Lines since late 2008, she spent the 2015 season on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line. The previous year, she served the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos line, after having been laid-up in the Elefsina Bay during the entire 2013 season.
As we began departing the port, we started passing by the cruiseferry FESTOS PALACE of Minoan Lines, which also operates on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, whereupon she competes against the BLUE HORIZON.
A view of the BLUE HORIZON, the KRITI I and the PANAGIA TINOU together in Piraeus.
Next to the SPEEDRUNNER IV was the high speed ferry HIGHSPEED 6 of Hellenic Seaways, a few moments after she had just docked in Piraeus. She operates on the Piraeus-Ios-Santorini line, while also making evening trips on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos line twice a week. She has performed both services since 2013.
The FESTOS PALACE seen docked in Piraeus, with the BLUE HORIZON spotted right behind her.
By continuing to move towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, I could now see the E8 gate, which is where ships serving the Saronic Gulf dock. There, I saw the great IONIS of Ionis Ferries, which was operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line for the first time in her career. Before that, under Tyrogalas Ferries (which has been operating as Ionis Ferries since 2015), she was an established ferry on the Ionian Sea, serving the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line with tremendous success from 1993 to 2015, before coming to the Saronic Gulf.
Right next to her was the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries, which has been serving the Saronic Gulf since 2005. She also operates on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line, under the Saronic Ferries joint venture (which includes her company and 2way Ferries).
Next to the two ferries, I got to see two catamarans owned by Hellenic Seaways, namely the FLYINGCAT 6 and the FLYINGCAT 1. Both serve the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line.
The FLYINGCAT 1 is seen resting in Piraeus. Built in 1991, she has spent the entirety of her career on the Saronic Gulf, although she served different operators. These included Ceres Flying Dolphins (1991-1999) which introduced the 'Flyingcat' brandname, which was continued by the ship's subsequent operators Minoan Flying Dolphins/Hellas Flying Dolphins (1999-2005), before they became known as Hellenic Seaways in 2005. The FLYINGCAT 1 is currently the high speed craft with the most experience in the Greek coastal service, if we exclude hydrofoils and inactive high speed craft.
The FLYINGCAT 6 is a sister ship of the FLYINGCAT 1, although she was built six years after her. She has been in Greece since 2004, when she was bought alongside her sister ship, namely the FLYINGCAT 5, by Hellas Flying Dolphins. They entered service on the Sporades in 2005, when their company was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways. This is her second season on the Saronic Gulf, as she had also operated there in 2013.
We were about to exit the port of Piraeus, whereupon we passed by two gigantic cruise ships resting in the port. One of them was the newly-built MEIN SCHIFF 3 of the German company TUI Cruises, which was performing her debut season on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea with Piraeus as her home port.
The MEIN SCHIFF 3 seen docked, along with a small bunkering tanker is leaving Piraeus.
The other gigantic cruise ship that I spotted was the CELEBRITY REFLECTION of the American company Celebrity Cruises. The company was previously owned by the Greek Chandris family, and it formerly traded as Chandris Lines. The CELEBRITY REFLECTION is the fifth and final ship of the Solstice-class that had been ordered by Celebrity Cruises between 2005 and 2007, and which were delivered between 2008 and 2012. As such, the CELEBRITY REFLECTION was built in 2012, just like the BLUE STAR PATMOS.
As we were leaving Piraeus, I saw a tiny ship preparing to enter the port. It was the GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels, which is a small passenger ship connecting Piraeus with Salamina in just 45 minutes. She has been operating under that capacity since she was built in 1997.
While GEORGIOS BROUFAS is seen entering the port of Piraeus, we had just exited and we were now beginning to sail in the open sea.
I stayed in the outdoor area for the entire trip, as it was the first time I would see the Cyclades with my own eyes. While traveling, we passed by the NORWEGIAN JADE of Norwegian Cruise Lines, which had also just left Piraeus.
After two hours, we had sailed past the coast of Attica. I could then see the port of Lavrion from a very far distance, as well as the island of Makronisos. We then passed by the passage separating the islands of Kea and Kythnos. This therefore marked my first-ever appearance on the Cyclades. After having only seen it in pictures and in videos, I was now sailing in this wonderful area for the first time in my life.
A lighthouse spotted in one remote cape in Kea.
Passing by the island of Kea, which is served by passenger ferries operating from Lavrion and Kythnos, as well as Ro-Ro carriers and landing craft based in Elefsina.
Near the strait separating Kea from Kythnos, I spotted the high speed ferry CHAMPION JET 2 of Sea Jets on her way towards Piraeus. Built in 1996, she was spending her debut summer in Greece after having been bought by Sea Jets in late 2014. She was previously the CONDOR EXPRESS of the French company Condor Ferries. This was a notable scene, as it was the first time that I ever saw this ship.
The CHAMPION JET 2, in what was her first summer in Greece under Sea Jets. Having been bought in December 2014 alongside her sister ship, namely the CHAMPION JET 1, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line in 2015. Her first season on the Cyclades was considered successful, and she notably contributed to the ever-continuing rise of Sea Jets across the Greek coastal service over the past three years.
After an hour, sunset began. We had passed by Kea and we were a few minutes away from Syros.
The sun having completely disappeared, with magnificent colours flying over the Cyclades.
The island of Syros seen right in front of us.
A first view of Hermoupolis, which is the capital of Syros, as well as of the Cyclades and of the South Aegean administrative region. Hermoupolis logically serves as the main port of the island of Syros, and it features the well-known Neorion Shipyard, which is amongst Europe's oldest active shipyards. I was disappointed to see the port during the evening, as it is more beautiful during the daylight, but I am sure that I will have the opportunity to do so another time. Another special moment was when, right after we had docked, local inhabitants entered the ship to serve us loukoumi and other traditional sweets from the island.
The port of Hermoupolis in Syros, featuring the Neorion Shipyard and its well-known drydocks.
One of the piers at the corner of the port, with Hermoupolis seen in the background.
The famous Neorion Shipyard, which was closed at the time due to financial issues. The ship seen on the drydock remained there until August.
Another view of the main Neorion Drydock.
The port of Syros, seen featuring several traveling agencies, and the Cycladic-style houses in the background.
After leaving Syros we went to eat at the ship's self-service restaurant area. There was a delicious steak, along with excellent pasta. Blue Star Ferries has a reputation for its good cuisine. After dinner, I went outside to watch the Cyclades at night. Due to the darkness, the only things I could see were distant yellow lights, meaning that we were close to the other islands. After two hours we arrived in Paros, reaching its well-known port, namely Paroikia.
Lorries from Paros ready to take their containers from the ferry, as it is the tradition in Greece.
The Church of Agios Nikolaos seen in Paroikia in Paros.
After leaving Paros, we reached the island of Naxos within an hour, as the latter is located right next to the former. The port of Naxos is located in the main town of Naxos, known as the Chora. The latter name is used by several other islands, and in particular on the Cyclades, to refer to their main town.
I also thought that it was a good idea to take a picture of the ultra-modern funnel of the BLUE STAR PATMOS, which is illuminated at night. Its design is very similar to the one that is seen in most Greek cruiseferries built from the late 1990s to the early 2010s.
After leaving Naxos, we had two hours before reaching the port of Ios. The noise onboard the ship was pretty much non-existent, because many passengers had disembarked in the previous islands, while others were in their cabins. Also, the restaurant, the self-service, the shops and the arcade rooms were all closed. The silence was pretty relaxing, and I was happy to listen only to the sea and the ship's engines.
The entrance to the bay of the port of Ios. Apologies for the poor quality of the picture.
The port of Ios, also located in the island's Chora town.
We arrived in Ios, through a bay that leads to a very small port. Only one ferry at the time can dock there due to capacity constraints, but since the BLUE STAR PATMOS was the only ferry during this time, we did not have any problem. But we were not alone. Indeed, I spotted the small high speed catamaran SUPER JET of Sea Jets, which was operating on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. She would usually spend the night in Ios, then leave early the following morning to Santorini, before making her return towards the aforementioned islands and eventually reaching Rafina in the afternoon.
The SUPER JET resting in Ios. She was spending her third consecutive season on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line.
The SUPER JET seen resting in Ios. Built in 1995, she has been the first ship to have operated for Sea Jets, having joined the latter when it was established in 2004. Before that, she was known as the JET ONE of Aegean Jet Maritime from 2002 to 2004, and the latter company is considered to be the predecessor of Sea Jets. And before this stint, she also used to operate for Blue Star Ferries, having served under the now-defunct Blue Star Jets division as the SEA JET 1 from 2000 to 2002. There, she served along with her sister ship, namely the SEA JET 2, which also went on to join Sea Jets in 2006. As such, it was nice to spot a ship previously owned by Blue Star Ferries while traveling onboard a ship owned by that very same company.
After leaving Ios, we finally arrived in Santorini under just one hour. I saw some illuminated buildings in the mountains, and I realised that it was the famous village of Oia. We had made our way between Northern Santorini and the island of Thirassia. After a few minutes we had arrived in Thira (the main town of the island) at the port Athinios, as it is called in Santorini. It was 02:30, and we had spent exactly seven hours onboard the ship. The BLUE STAR PATMOS then left for Anafi.
That's it! We made it! And Blue Star Ferries gave us a little souvenir, which was spotted at the back windshield of our car.
As the trip came to an end, I clearly felt that my expectations had been met. Indeed, the BLUE STAR PATMOS is a fantastic ferry, which has a lot to offer to passengers for many more years, and she is a clear symbol of the modern fleet of the Greek coastal service. She moreover shows that great ships can be built despite the Greek financial crisis, which has adversely affected the Greek ferry industry. She operates at very high standards on a rather demanding service, and it was not a surprise to see her earn very positive feedback during her first season on the Cyclades, as it has also been the case for the BLUE STAR DELOS since the latter first began service there back in 2011. I look very much forward to traveling with her again in the future, either on the Cyclades or somewhere else on the Aegean Sea. There is no doubt that she will be successful in any place she goes to in Greece, and she will remain a major asset for her company for the years to come.
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