Ships Gallery In the following pages you can find the pictures of the different ships I have seen and photographed. Please note that all pictures are under my property, unless it is mentioned otherwise. Please do not use any picture for any secondary project without having asked for my permission first. Enjoy! PHOTOGRAPHED SHIPS: ACTIVE GREEK FERRIES AND HIGH SPEED CRAFT: ACHAEOS ADAMANTIOS KORAIS AGIA BARBARA AGIA MARINA AGIA MARINA ANTIPAROU AGIOI ANARGYROI AGIOS ATHANASIOS AGIOS ELEFTHERIOS IV AGIOS GERASIMOS II AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS AGIOS NIKOLAOS AGIOS NIKOLAOS L AGIOS SPIRIDON AIAKOS AIANTAS ALEXANDROS M ALKYON II ANDREAS KALVOS ANDROS JET ANNA MARIA ANO CHORA II ANTIGONE APOLLON HELLAS APOSTOLOS M AQUA BLUE AQUA JEWEL ARIADNE ARIS IV ARTEMIS ATHINA P BLUE CARRIER 1 BLUE GALAXY BLUE HORIZON BLUE STAR CHIOS BLUE STAR DELOS BLUE STAR MYCONOS BLUE STAR NAXOS BLUE STAR PAROS BLUE STAR PATMOS BLUE STAR 1 BLUE STAR 2 CALDERA VISTA CHAMPION JET 1 CHAMPION JET 2 DIAGORAS DIMITRIOS P DIMITRIOS S DIONISIOS SOLOMOS EIRINI K EKATERINI P ELENA A ELENI ELYROS EMPEDOKLIS EVIA STAR EXPRESS SKOPELITIS FANEROMENI FANEROMENI POROU IV FAST FERRIES ANDROS FESTOS PALACE FIOR DI LEVANTE FLYINGCAT 3 FLYINGCAT 4 FLYINGCAT 5 FLYINGCAT 6 FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I FLYING DOLPHIN XVII FLYING DOLPHIN XIX FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX GEORGIA M GEORGIOS GIANNIS S (ex-HYDRA I) GLYKOFILOUSA IV GLYKOFILOUSA V GLYKOFILOUSA VIII HELLENIC HIGHSPEED HIGHSPEED 4 IOANNIS SOPHIA K IOANNIS THIRESIA IOANNIS II IONAS IONIS KAPETAN CHRISTOS KAPTAN STAVROS KATERINA STAR KEFALONIA KONSTANTINOS K KNOSSOS PALACE KRITI I KRITI II KYDON PALACE KYRIAKI MACEDON MARE DI LEVANTE MARIA T MARMARI EXPRESS MATOULA K MEGANISI II MENEKRATIS MICHAIL N NAXOS JET NIKOLAKIS D NIKOLAOS A NISSOS POROS NISSOS RODOS NISSOS SAMOS NISSOS THIRASSIA OLYMPIC CHAMPION OLYMPUS ORION III OSIA METHODIA PANAGIA KOIMISIS II PANAGIOTIS D PANORAMA PANTANASSA PAROS JET PELAGITIS PHIVOS POSIDON HELLAS Show More POWER JET PREVELIS PROKOPIOS M PROTOPOROS VI PROTOPOROS X PROTOPOROS XI PROTOPOROS XIII PROTOPOROS XIV PSYTTALEIA II SALAMINOMACHOS SANTORINI PALACE SEA JET 2 SIFNOS JET SPEED CAT I SPEEDRUNNER JET (ex-SPEEDRUNNER III) SPORADES STAR (ex-AQUA STAR) SPYRIDON S STAVROS N SUPERCAT JET (ex-SUPERCAT) SUPEREXPRESS SUPERFAST I SUPERFERRY SUPER JET SUPERRUNNER JET (ex-SUPERRUNNER) SUPERSPEED SUPERSTAR (ex-SUPERFERRY II) SYMI TALOS TELAMON TERA JET Show More THEOLOGOS P THEOLOGOS V II THEOMITOR THEOTOKOS THUNDER VASOS K WORLDCHAMPION JET ACTIVE GREEK SMALL PASSENGER SHIPS: AGIA MARINA AEGINIS AGIOS EFRAÏM AGIOS NIKOLAOS AGIOS NIKOLAOS II AGIOS SOSTIS AGISTRI EXPRESS I AIMILIA ALCYON ALEXANDER ANEMOS ANNA MARU ANNA II ANNOULA II ANTIPAROS STAR ARTEMIS ATHANASIOS V AZIMUT BARBAYANNIS BOB SFOUGKARAKIS BUONA FORTUNA CALYPSO CAPTAIN KOULIS CAPTAIN LEFTERIS CHRISTINAKI CHRISTOS COSMOS DELFINI DELOS EXPRESS DIMOSTHENIS DIMOSTHENIS K ELAFONISOS ELEFTHERIOS D ELENA F EXPRESS PANORMITIS FANTASIA FREEDOM II FREEDOM III GARBIS GEORGIOS BROUFAS GEORGIOS BROUFAS II HELLAS HERMES K (ex-AFRICANA) IASON IKAROS PALACE IOANNIS D IONIAN SUN KAPETAN KONSTANTIS KAPETAN YIANGOS KASSANDRA DELFINOUS KELLY CRUISE KING THIRAS KYRIARCHOS KYRIARCHOS II KYRIARCHOS III KYRIARCHOS IV MAÏSTROS MARGARITA CH MENIA MARIA I MYKONOS EXPRESS MYKONOS JEWEL Show More MYKONOS SPIRIT MYKONOS STAR MYTILINAIOS CH NAXOS STAR NERAÏDA NISSOS TINOS OKEANOS ORCA ORPHEAS PANAGIA PANAGIA KAMATEROU PETROULA PLATYTERA TON OURANON POSEIDON POSEIDON PRESTIGE SALAMIS EXPRESS I SALAMIS EXPRESS III SANTA IRINI SANTORINI SARGOS II SEBECO SEBECO II SETI SOPHIA STAR SPETSES EXPRESS I SPETSES EXPRESS II SPYROS V STAVROULA V TAXIARCHIS D Show More THALASSA THEOSKEPASTI THIRASSIA II THYELLA TZORTZIA YPAPANTI INACTIVE GREEK FERRIES, HIGH SPEED CRAFT AND SMALL PASSENGER SHIPS: ALEXANDRA L EL. VENIZELOS KALLI P SAONISOS TAXIARCHIS ZAKYNTHOS 1 FORMER GREEK FERRIES, HIGH SPEED CRAFT AND SMALL PASSENGER SHIPS OPERATING OVERSEAS: AGGELIS F AQUA SPIRIT ARIS III CRUISE EUROPA FLYINGCAT 1 HIGHSPEED 6 KNOSSOS PALACE KYDON NEARCHOS ODYSSEAS ELYTIS PANAGIA FANEROMENI PROTOPOROS XVI SUPERFAST XII THEOCHARIS MARIA L RETIRED SHIPS HAVING PREVIOUSLY OPERATED IN THE GREEK COASTAL SERVICE: BARI EUROPEAN EXPRESS EXPRESS PEGASUS FLYING DOLPHIN XVIII IONIAN SKY JET FERRY 1 MYTILENE PANAGIA TINOU RIGEL I VITSENTZOS KORNAROS PHOTOGRAPHED PORTS: AEGINA AGISTRI ANTIPAROS ANTIRRION DELOS FLOISBOS GALATAS TROIZINIAS HYDRA IGOUMENITSA IOS KIMOLOS KOUFONISI KYLLINI LAVRION MYKONOS NAXOS NEA KAMENI PAROS PERAMA PIRAEUS POROS RAFINA RION SALAMINA SANTORINI SIFNOS SPETSES SYROS TINOS ZAKYNTHOS OTHER PHOTOS: FUNNELS MODELS STICKERS

Greek Coastal Service www.greekpassengerships.com Alexandros Vrailas All my personal photos from the Greek passenger ships that operate in mainland Greece and in the Greek Islands. 1/24 Most Recent Blog Posts: FLYING DOLPHIN XIX Tribute and Moments of Trip ARIADNE Tribute and Moments of Trip BLUE STAR 2 Tribute and Moments of Trip

AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS (ΑΓΙΟΣ ΝΕΚΤΑΡΙΟΣ ΑΙΓΙΝΑΣ) -Remezzo Maritime Built in 1999 (age 27 ). Registered in Piraeus. Current line: None (under refit in Perama) The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS was originally planned to be a landing craft, but she instead became a conventional ferry. Built in 1999 in Greece, she was launched as the MIAOULIS II for Miaoulis Shipping, but she was immediately sold to the Northern Sporades and Evoia Shipping Company (which went on to become Hellas Speed Cat in 2008), being renamed PANAGIA SKIATHOU and being deployed on the Sporades, namely on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos-Pyli line. In 2001, her company moved her to the Piraeus-Aegina line on the Saronic Gulf, and she was renamed AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS. She was sold in 2007 to ANES Ferries, and she remained on the Piraeus-Aegina line. In 2021 she was sent to the Sporades in order to replace her fleetmate, namely the SYMI, which had suffered a major engine failure. She was therefore deployed on the Agios Konstantinos-Glyfa-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos-Mantoudi line. She once again headed to the Sporades in 2022, being deployed on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos line. The following year she returned to the Piraeus-Aegina line. In 2024 she once again returned to the Sporades, being deployed on the Mantoudi-Skiathos-Skopelos line. After suffering an engine failure, she remained laid-up in Perama in 2025, while ANES Ferries ceased operations. She joined the newly-established Greek company Remezzo Maritime in 2026, and she was once again deployed on the Piraeus-Aegina line. PHOTOS (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023): AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS entering the port of Piraeus (7/2013). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching Aegina on a Friday evening (7/2013). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AIGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docked in Piraeus (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching Aegina (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Aegina (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Aegina (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Aegina. In the background we can see the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries leaving Aegina for Piraeus (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Aegina (7/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Aegina (8/2014). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS entering the port of Piraeus (7/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS entering the port of Piraeus (7/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS entering the port of Piraeus (7/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus (7/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus (7/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Aegina (8/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Aegina (8/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to the port of Aegina (8/2015). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching the port of Aegina, while the water tanker AEGINA leaves her namesake island for Elefsina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in the port of Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in the port of Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in the port of Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Aegina (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf while she heads for Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf while she heads for Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf while she heads for the port of Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf while she heads for the port of Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The beautiful AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS with her namesake island behind her, heading for Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way to Piraeus (7/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, this time heading for Aegina (8/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, this time heading for Aegina (8/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, this time heading for Aegina (8/2016). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS departs the port of Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen leaving the port of Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen leaving the port of Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen leaving the port of Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus for Aegina (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus for Aegina (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus for Aegina (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the hard-working AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just arrived in Piraeus following her trip to Aegina (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just arrived in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to maneuver in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to maneuver in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having completed her maneuvering procedure and preparing to dock in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having completed her maneuvering procedure and preparing to dock in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS almost docking in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Piraeus (7/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads from Aegina to Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads from Aegina to Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads from Aegina to Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting during a morning in Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting during a morning in Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, shortly before her departure to Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, shortly before her departure to Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, shortly before her departure to Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to depart Piraeus for Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to depart Piraeus for Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to depart Piraeus for Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving Piraeus and heading towards Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Aegina (8/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just arrived in Piraeus during the evening (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS during an evening in Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The now-established ferry AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in her namesake's island, Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS now resting in Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS now resting in Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS now resting in Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, preparing for her departure to Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, preparing for her departure to Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Piraeus, preparing for her departure to Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS departing Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS departing Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS departing Piraeus and heading towards Aegina (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS departing Piraeus (9/2017). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards Piraeus (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards Piraeus (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Aegina (6/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Piraeus (7/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Piraeus (7/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Piraeus (7/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS in Aegina (7/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards Piraeus (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching the port of Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching the port of Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docking in Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen heading towards Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (8/2018). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus. She is seen featuring a new livery with the updated logo of ANES Ferries (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus. She is seen featuring a new livery with the updated logo of ANES Ferries (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus. She is seen featuring a new livery with the updated logo of ANES Ferries (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf with her new ANES Ferries livery (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf with her new ANES Ferries livery (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf with her new ANES Ferries livery (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Passing by the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading from Piraeus to Aegina (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Passing by the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading from Piraeus to Aegina (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Passing by the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading from Piraeus to Aegina (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS en route towards Aegina after having left Piraeus (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS en route towards Aegina after having left Piraeus (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS en route towards Aegina after having left Piraeus (7/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just exited the port of Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just exited the port of Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just entered the port of Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS now resting in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS moored in Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having returned to Piraeus from Aegina and preparing to maneuver in the E8 gate (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she is seen going from Aegina to Piraeus (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Aegina (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Aegina (8/2019). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads towards Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way towards Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on her way towards Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing the port of Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing the port of Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having left Aegina and now heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having left Aegina and now heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having left Aegina and now heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen resting in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen resting in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen resting in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching the port of Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS approaching the port of Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to maneuver in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to maneuver in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in the port of Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in the port of Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to dock in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to dock in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docking in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS now resting in Aegina (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the middle of the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the middle of the Saronic Gulf, heading towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the middle of the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the middle of the Saronic Gulf, as she heads towards Piraeus (8/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus during the evening (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to maneuver in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to maneuver in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to maneuver in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS maneuvering in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen finishing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS as she is seen heading towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen making her way towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen making her way towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen making her way towards Aegina (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docked in Piraeus during a very early morning (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus during the early morning (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus during the early morning (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS leaving the port of Piraeus (9/2020). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing the port of Piraeus (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing the port of Piraeus (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just arrived in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS preparing to dock in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docking in the port of Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docking in the port of Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docking in the port of Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS about to dock in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having just docked in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen resting in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen resting in Aegina (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Aegina, just before being assigned to operate on the Sporades for the rest of the 2021 summer season (7/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing in Piraeus, after having returned to her usual service on the Saronic Gulf following a spell on the Sporades during the high season (9/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing in Piraeus, after having returned to her usual service on the Saronic Gulf following a spell on the Sporades during the high season (9/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing in Piraeus, after having returned to her usual service on the Saronic Gulf following a spell on the Sporades during the high season (9/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen leaving Piraeus in order to head to Aegina (9/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen leaving Piraeus in order to head to Aegina (9/2021). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus, having returned to her service on the Piraeus-Aegina line after having spent the summer season on the Sporades (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus, where she was missing for the summer season as she was assigned on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos line on the Sporades (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen once again in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen once again in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen once again in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having arrived in Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having arrived in Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having arrived in Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having returned to Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having returned to Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having returned to Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards her docking spot in Piraeus during the evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to enter the port of Piraeus in the late evening (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is about to undergo her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is about to undergo her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to dock in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to dock in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to dock in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docking in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Piraeus (9/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus during the morning (10/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docked in the port of Aegina (10/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS docked in the port of Aegina (10/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to enter the port of Piraeus (11/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to enter the port of Piraeus (11/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to enter the port of Piraeus (11/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is about to enter the port of Piraeus (11/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen departing the port of Piraeus (11/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having entered the port of Piraeus during the late evening (12/2022). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docked in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docked in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docked in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS spotted in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS spotted in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS spotted in Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in the port of Piraeus (1/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS resting in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having returned to Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having returned to Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen while she undergoes her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen while she undergoes her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen while she undergoes her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to dock in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen about to dock in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in Piraeus, during her first full summer on the Saronic Gulf since 2020 (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having once again returned to Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having once again returned to Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having once again returned to Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS proceeding towards her docking spot in the port of Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS proceeding towards her docking spot in the port of Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS proceeding towards her docking spot in the port of Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS making her way towards her docking spot in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS making her way towards her docking spot in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having completed her maneuvering procedure and about to dock in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS having completed her maneuvering procedure and about to dock in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is docking in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is docking in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she is docking in Piraeus (7/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus, as she heads towards her docking spot (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus, as she heads towards her docking spot (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she is seen returning to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she is seen returning to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS Crossing the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Saronic Gulf, as she is seen returning to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, as she sails back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, as she sails back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, as she sails back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, making her way back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, making her way back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, making her way back to Piraeus (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen arriving in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen arriving in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen arriving in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS see upon her arrival to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS see upon her arrival to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS see upon her arrival to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she begins her maneuvering procedure in the port of Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen as she begins her maneuvering procedure in the port of Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in the port of Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in the port of Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, while she heads to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, while she heads to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen on the Saronic Gulf, while she heads to Aegina (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS A view of the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS during the evening, as she heads to Aegina via the Saronic Gulf (8/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in the port of Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in the port of Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just arrived in the port of Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards her docking spot in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards her docking spot in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS heading towards her docking spot in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docking in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen docking in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen having just docked in Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS spotted in the port of Piraeus (9/2023). AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS spotted in the port of Piraeus (9/2023).

Trip: 12-13 August 2022. From Rhodes to Piraeus, via Kos and Samos, with the ARIADNE of Hellenic Seaways. The beautiful cruiseferry ARIADNE (bearing my grandmother's name) was built in 1996 in Japan. She began her career there, as the RAINBOW BELL for the Japanese company Kyuetsu Ferry, being deployed on the Naoetsu-Fukuoka line. She was laid-up in 2001 in Naoetsu. In 2002 she was sold to Shuttle Highway Line, being deployed on the Yokosuka-Fukuoka line, and two years later she was sold to the Japanese company Miyazaki Car Ferry, being renamed FERRY HIMUKA. She entered service on the Hannan-Hyūga-Miyazaki line, before being laid-up in 2006. A few months later, however, she was sold to the Greek company Hellenic Seaways, thus becoming their first acquisition under their new company name (they were previously known as Minoan Flying Dolphins from 1999 to 2002 and later as Hellas Flying Dolphins from 2002 to 2005). She was renamed ARIADNE, becoming in the process the third ship in the history of the Greek coastal service, with the first having been previous ferries of Minoan Lines (the first one was the legendary ARIADNE which operated from 1975 to 1999, while the second one was the 2002-built Ro-Pax ferry which was later renamed ARIADNE PALACE before being sold in 2006 to the Italian company Moby Lines). The new ARIADNE underwent an extensive conversion in Keratsini, during which her indoor areas were fully renovated, and in late 2007 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Chania line, where she competed against ANEK Lines. Despite her impressive size and amenities, she began service during the late high season and ANEK Lines was able to hold on to their loyal customers by bringing in their flagship, namely the OLYMPIC CHAMPION, from the Adriatic Sea. The move proved to be effective, and therefore Hellenic Seaways sought to find another area of employment for their large ferry. As such, in the winter of 2008, the ARIADNE was briefly chartered to Minoan Lines in order to replace that company's ships on the Adriatic Sea, which were undergoing their annual refits. She was deployed on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Venice line. Later in 2008 she was chartered to ANEK Lines, being deployed once again on the Piraeus-Chania line. After that summer she went to the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona line, and in 2009, as Hellenic Seaways still did not manage to find a spot for her within their plans, she moved abroad as she was chartered to Algérie Ferries for the summer. There, she was inserted on the Marseille-Oran line between France and Algeria. She repeated the same process in 2010 and in 2011 (namely a winter charter to ANEK Lines on the Adriatic Sea and a summer charter to Algérie Ferries). In 2012 however she did not operate at all, except for her usual summer charter in Algeria. In 2013 she was again due to operate only in the summer for Algérie Ferries. Having been left over by Hellenic Seaways as a result of her large size (which at the time prevented her from being used across many services that included underdeveloped ports) and high running costs, she remained sidelined from her company's plans, despite being one of the most modern and luxurious ferries carrying the Greek flag and despite being one of the favourite ships of Greek shipping enthusiasts (including myself). That year, however, she unexpectedly made a breakthrough for Hellenic Seaways. Her fleetmate, namely the NISSOS MYKONOS (today the BLUE STAR MYCONOS of Blue Star Ferries), which was operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Ikaria-Samos line on the Northeast Aegean Sea, suffered a minor fire incident, which caused her to undergo repairs for a month. She was replaced by her sister ship, namely the NISSOS CHIOS, which had been operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line. However, there was no replacement for the latter, apart from the ARIADNE, which was being prepared for her charter in Algeria. She was therefore deployed on a temporary basis on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, and she was a massive success, helping her company return to profitable levels. Although she later left for Algeria, she returned to the Northeast Aegean Sea once the summer season ended, and she replaced the NISSOS CHIOS (today the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries) on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line. The latter was then chartered in 2014 to the Spanish company Baleària for four years, which meant that the ARIADNE had permanently taken over the line. In 2015, she operated on the Piraeus-Samos-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Kavala line for the summer. The following year, with the introduction of the NISSOS SAMOS, she returned to the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line. In 2018, with the various changes undertaken by Attica Group following their acquisition of Hellenic Seaways, she unfortunately left Greece once again, as she was chartered to the Italian company Tirrenia Di Navigazione, being deployed on the Naples-Cagliari-Palermo line on the Tyrrhenian Sea. After three years there, she returned to Hellenic Seaways in 2021, and she was deployed on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Samos-Patmos-Leros-Kos-Symi-Rhodes line, thus taking over the service left by the BLUE STAR 1 of Blue Star Ferries (previously her competitor on the Northeast Aegean Sea from 2015 to 2018), which was chartered to Irish Ferries. Having now completed two consecutive summers in Greece after having been away in Italy for some time, it is certainly a joy for shipping enthusiasts like me to know that she has returned to the country with the purpose of remaining there. Indeed, considering her career path and the various moves that she made, she has certainly been one of the most 'mobile' ships in the Greek coastal service. If we exclude her successful spell on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line from 2013 to 2018, she has alternated between temporary deployments on services of Hellenic Seaways and charters both within Greece and abroad, serving the former in Crete and on the Adriatic Sea. She was originally due to make her mark for her company on the Piraeus-Chania line, but after just a few months of operations with them, she was deemed to surplus requirements and not used for any of their services until she finally found a role on the Northeast Aegean Sea in 2013. The reasons behind this certainly include the different managerial and financial issues faced by the company in late 2000s and in the early 2010s, but it is mostly due to the ship's attributes. In fact, some believe that she is 'excessive' as a ship for the Greek coastal service. This is true to a certain extent, as in the start of her Greek career she was deemed too large to operate on certain islands of the Cyclades or the Dodecanese, and even on the Northeast Aegean Sea. She was instead considered ideal for Crete and the Adriatic Sea, but her smaller amount of cabins for services to the former and her slower speed for services on the latter have put her at a disadvantage. Moreover, her status as 'excessive' is also highlighted by the fact that her large size and numerous amenities require a larger crew and higher engine and onboard consumptions, which has also meant higher running costs at the expense of her operators. But in spite of these issues and her regular service changes, she has proved to be a very popular ship and one of the most beloved ferries in Greece. Her impressive and imposing silhouette, her large size, and her beautiful indoor areas have made her an acclaimed ferry that was appreciated by many passengers in Crete and on the Northeast Aegean Sea in particular. She also has very good speed levels for the Aegean Sea, and she is performs smooth sailings providing much comfort to anyone traveling with her. And now, she completed her second summer serving the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, where her owners had previously avoided sending her due to her size. On the contrary, she has proved that she is also able to serve these areas' main islands with great success, and she therefore complemented the services of Blue Star Ferries with much effectiveness. Since her return, she has also become a workhorse for Attica Group, having provided services on the Adriatic Sea and on the Dodecanese during the winter, while covering for the usual ships operating there as they underwent their annual refits. As such, one can hope that she finally found a useful purpose within the operating structure of Hellenic Seaways, just like she had done so back when she was operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line with much success. Having stated the above, the idea of traveling with the ARIADNE was without a doubt a major dream of mine as soon as I learned that she had returned to Greece in 2021. She is a ship that has always impressed me, and she also has an additional symbolical value as she reminds me of my late grandmother who was also named Ariadni. I was always curious to experience a trip on the Aegean Sea onboard her, and this dream finally became a reality when we decided to plan a trip on the Dodecanese with my parents for the 2022 season. Having visited the islands of Patmos, Arkioi, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos and Symi, we finished our 10-day trip by spending two evenings in the area's main island, namely Rhodes. We had arrived there from Symi on 10 August 2022 with the BLUE STAR CHIOS, with which we had therefore done our second trip, after having previously done our very first one to the Dodecanese by sailing with her from Piraeus to Patmos on 2 August 2022. After having seen all these wonderful islands and spending a fantastic time in each one of them (while also getting to see and travel with numerous ships of the Greek coastal service for the first time), we were planning to make our return back to Athens. And that trip would be done onboard the ARIADNE, which would be leaving in the afternoon of 12 August 2022 in order to arrive in Piraeus the following morning. This overnight trip would include us staying at a cabin, which would also be a nice experience as I had not been on one in many years. Altogether, traveling with the ARIADNE was quite eventful as it had several fun facts marked by numerous 'firsts'. Indeed, it was my first trip from an island of the Dodecanese to Piraeus, my first such trip while sailing overnight, my first-ever full-night trip (meaning that I would be reaching my destination the following day at daylight) on the Aegean Sea and my first one in Greece since 2018, and the trip also became the longest that I ever did on the Aegean Sea both in terms of duration and distance covered. It was also my first trip while using passenger cabins since 2008 (the last time having been while heading from Patras to Ancona with the OLYMPIC CHAMPION), and my first-ever such trip on the Aegean Sea. It was also my first-ever trip with a ship of Hellenic Seaways on the Dodecanese, and my first trip with a conventional ferry of the company since 2012, with the last one having been when I sailed from Piraeus to Aegina with the POSIDON HELLAS (which has been owned by 2way Ferries since 2015) a decade prior. The trip was also my first one with a conventional ferry of Hellenic Seaways outside of the Saronic Gulf, and my first trip with a conventional ferry of the company since the latter was taken over by Attica Group in 2018. Furthermore, by heading to Samos as part of our return leg, this would mark my first time sailing through the Northeast Aegean Sea, even though I did not disembark there. Finally, it was my first-ever trip with a Japanese-built cruiseferry on the Aegean Sea, and my first trip with this kind of ship since 2006, with the last one having been from Patras to Venice onboard the LEFKA ORI of ANEK Lines, which has been known as the BLUE GALAXY of Blue Star Ferries since 2015. A view of the beautiful ARIADNE in the port of Rhodes, just a few moments before embarking onboard her for the first time in my life. The ARIADNE seen while docked in Rhodes. This was her second consecutive season on the Cyclades and on the Dodecanese, which she began serving in 2021 following her return to Greece and to Hellenic Seaways after having spent three years under charter to Tirrenia Di Navigazione in Italy. A view of the ARIADNE in Rhodes. Ever since been owned by Hellenic Seaways, she has been the largest passenger ship to have ever operated for the company. A view of the large garage of the ARIADNE, which is spread across five out of the ship's 11 decks (namely from Deck 2 to Deck 6). The ferry can carry up to 650 vehicles, which makes her a very useful ship for the transportation of numerous cars and lorries across the Cyclades, the Northeast Aegean Sea and the Dodecanese. This is a view from the main entrance area from Deck 3. Something noteworthy to state is that the ship has three ramps allowing for vehicle embarkation and disembarkation, with two of those located on the starboard side of the vessel (one in the aft section and the other in the front section behind the bow). This is a typical feature found on large Japanese-built cruiseferries, which continue to use them upon their deployment in the Greek coastal service, as it enables them to load and unload large amounts of vehicles in a very efficient manner. Upon embarking onboard the ARIADNE, we took the escalators which led us to the central section of Deck 7, where we got to see the Embarkation Desk area, which features the well-known ceiling displaying a white compass looking over the top of the small desk located there. While this area is no longer in use, it remains the greeting point for passengers upon their embarkation. Besides the Embarkation Desk area, there is one small lounge area featuring several comfortable aircraft-style seats. Known as the Santorini Lounge, it is one of the many lounge areas featuring only aircraft-style seats onboard the ship. All these areas are named after Greek islands, something which is even more prominent on Deck 8 and on Deck 9. The seats on the Santorini Lounge area were recently refurbished, and they feature a nice purple design, while the walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting different kinds of ships. After passing by the Santorini Lounge area, we headed to the main reception area, whereupon we collected our keys for the cabin in which were planning to stay overnight. Located on Deck 7 (which is one of the three indoor decks dedicated to passenger accommodation), it has nicely-shaped desk made by both wood and marble. Next to it are several dark brown armchairs together with a brochure holder displaying numerous magazines promoting the companies which are part of Attica Group, namely Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. Another view of the section located next to the main reception, known as the Central Lounge, which features more dark brown armchairs. While moving towards the middle section of the ship after having gone by the reception area on Deck 7, one can pass through the Agora Lounge, which covers the two promenade sections on both sides of the ship that surround a bar which bears the same name. There, one can find a beautifully-decorated lounge area with several grey lounges located next to the ship's windows. Inside the Agora Lounge area is the ship's self-service restaurant, which covers a significant area owing to the large amount of passengers that the ship can carry. At the other side of the self-service restaurant is the ship's à la carte restaurant, which is known as 'Restaurant Silver Star'. With a beautiful setup of tables looking towards the sea, it gives passengers the chance to enjoy a nice meal while also admiring the Aegean Sea. Inside the Agora Lounge, on the port side, one can also find the ship's onboard shop, which is known as 'Shopping Island'. As it is the case with most ships of the Greek coastal service, it sells various souvenir items and gadgets primarily for tourists traveling in Greece. Moving further towards the front section of Deck 7, there is a much larger indoor lounge area known as the Crystal Lounge, which features more brown lounge and comfortable orange armchairs. Another view of the Crystal Lounge area, which also has a bar operated by Flocafé, which serves coffee, juices, soft drinks and snack to passengers seating there. After having seen Deck 7, I proceeded to Deck 8, with the atrium area towards the aft section displaying a sign showing the names of the three lounge areas that cover that deck at that specific section of the ship. These are the Corfu Lounge and the Cefallinia Lounge (Cefallinia is an alternative way to refer to Kefalonia), which are named after the two famous islands of the Ionian Sea. Next to them is another lounge area featuring a bar known as 'Café Del Mar'. A view of the chairs and table located next to the 'Café del Mar' bar, which is located right next to the outdoor sun deck area that is located in the aft section of Deck 8. These seats are much more modern and have a more original shape compared to the armchairs found on Deck 7. A view of the bar found in the 'Café del Mar' lounge area, which is operated by the well-known Greek coffee chain Everest. Interestingly, the sign at the top of the bar displays the area's name as 'Café del Mare', which differs from the name displayed on other signs found onboard the ship. Besides the outdoor sun deck area and the 'Café del Mar' bar, Deck 8 primarily features passenger cabins and indoor lounge areas featuring only aircraft-style seats. There are five such areas on that deck, with the first one being the Kalymnos Lounge area (named after the island of the Dodecanese which I got to see for the first time just six days before my trip with the ARIADNE). Right in front of the Kalymnos lounge area is the Ikaria lounge area, which features aircraft-style seats with the same design as the former. It is named after the famous island of the Northeast Aegean Sea. At the central section of the ship is the Rhodes Lounge area, which is wider and features more aircraft-style seats. Named after the main island of the Dodecanese (and also the island on which we happened to be at the start of the trip), it features rows of sage green and dark brown aircraft-style seats. Another view of the Rhodes Lounge area, as seen from the ship's starboard side. It features the same pattern of aircraft-style seats seen in the previous picture, which was covering the port side. Moving back towards the aft section from the ship's starboard side, the lounge areas that feature the aircraft-style seats at the same level as the Kalymnos Lounge area and the Ikaria Lounge area are known as the Patmos Lounge Area (shown in this picture) and the Samos Lounge Area. Both of them have names of islands that the ARIADNE began to service since her return to service under Hellenic Seaways in 2021. Moving further forward along Deck 8, from the central section covering the Rhodes Lounge area up until the front section windows, one can find many of the ship's passenger cabins. The ARIADNE has a total of 145 cabins for a total of 467 berths, and they can be found on Deck 9 as well. This number is deemed sufficient for trips along the Northeast Aegean Sea and the Dodecanese, but it is far below the required demand for service in Crete. This was one of the main factors behind her withdrawal from the Piraeus-Chania line on which she was originally deployed at the start of her career in Greece. A view of the cabin in which I stayed with my parents during my trip with the ARIADNE. It was a four-bed cabin that also had one small office desk. It also featured the usual upper beds that are able to be folded into the wall. The beds were very comfortable, in spite of the area's small size. After seeing the indoor areas of Deck 8, I quickly headed to Deck 9, which features more passenger cabins and indoor lounge areas that only have aircraft-style seats. There are six of those on that deck, with all of them being named after islands of the Cyclades. Most specifically, these include the Amorgos Lounge area, the Syros Lounge area and the Delos lounge area (which are all located towards the central section of the ship), together with the Paros Lounge area, the Naxos Lounge area and the Mykonos Lounge area (which are further towards the front section). The latter is reserved to First Class ticket-holders, and features more modern aircraft-style seats. This picture shows the Delos Lounge area, which is the only one that is not located next to any of the ship's windows. Having seen and photographed most of the ship's indoor areas, it was now time for me to explore the outdoor areas too. This is a view of the aft section outdoor sun deck area located on Deck 8, just outside of the 'Café del Mar' bar. It is the smallest of the two outdoor sun decks, with the other one being located on Deck 9. The latter is connected to Deck 8 through two main staircases, one of which (at the left corner of the picture) has a slight spiraling shape. A view of the larger outdoor sun deck area located in the aft section of Deck 9. Featuring several blue plastic chairs surrounding small white round tables attached to the deck, they offer passengers a nice view of the vessel's surroundings. A further view of the outdoor sun deck area located in Deck 9, while facing towards the ship's middle section. In addition to the numerous chairs and tables, there is also another bar which is operated by Everest. Moving further towards the front section of the ship, there is a side alley that enables passengers to head up to the vessel's bridge. This is the one found on the starboard side on Deck 9. On the right side, one can find several life-rafts as well. Deck 10 and Deck 11 (which only covers a length from the aft section to the middle section) are located just above, and they are know to host the crew cabins. As I began looking around the port of Rhodes, I got to see this nice little wooden sailing ship, named ARGO, which was heading towards the port's entrance. Further in the background is a product tanker of the well-known Greek shipping company Avin International, which is under the control of the prominent Vardinogiannis family (of which one of its members, namely Ioannis S. Vardinogiannis, used to be the chairman of the board of Hellenic Seaways from 2008 to 2013, and he is currently the CEO of ANEK Lines. Back when the latter company had shares in the former during the late 2000s, he orchestrated the numerous charters of the ARIADNE to his company and Algérie Ferries). Right behind the sailing ship ARGO, I saw a small passenger ship that was also heading back to the port of Rhodes. Indeed, it was the CAPTAIN MICHALIS of Captain Michalis Cruises, which is one of the many ships of her kind that perform daily cruises around the island, serving some of its most popular beaches. She specifically heads to the famous beach of Lindos, as well as to the small islet of Exonisi. Another view of the CAPTAIN MICHALIS as she completes her daily cruise in Rhodes. Just after the summer season ended, she was sold to another company based in Rhodes, namely Rhodes Day Cruises. She was subsequently renamed ROMANTIKA DREAMS, and she is due to begin service for her new owner for the first time this summer. At about 16:15, the ARIADNE departed from Rhodes, thus marking the start of our trip. From a further distance, I got to spot a familiar face, namely the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries, which was seen arriving from Castellorizon. A view of the BLUE STAR CHIOS as she is seen arriving in Rhodes from Castellorizon. Built in 2007 in Greece, she is none other than the former fleetmate of the ARIADNE, namely the ex-NISSOS CHIOS of Hellenic Seaways. Indeed, she spent the first 13 years of her career with that company before it was taken over by Attica Group in 2018, after which she joined Blue Star Ferries in 2020. Her sister ship, namely the NISSOS MYKONOS (built in 2005), also did the same move, becoming the BLUE STAR MYCONOS in the process. The BLUE STAR CHIOS seen as she is arriving in Rhodes, from which the ARIADNE had just departed. Since joining Blue Star Ferries, she has been the main ship operating on the lengthy Dodecanese lifeline linking all islands of the archipelago with Piraeus and the Northeast Aegean Sea, having been deployed on the Piraeus-Ikaria-Fournoi-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Kasos-Karpathos-Castellorizon lifeline since 2020. She had also been serving the latter since 2018, having been inserted there during her final two seasons with Hellenic Seaways. With Blue Star Ferries, she also performs one return tip per week during the summer season on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Chios-Sigri line on the Northeast Aegean Sea. Another view of the great BLUE STAR CHIOS, on which I had the chance to travel twice during the summer of 2022. Indeed, she was the first ship on which I traveled in order to head to the Dodecanese, doing so on 2 August 2022 in order to go from Piraeus to Patmos. I then sailed onboard her for the second time while heading from Symi to Rhodes on 10 August 2022. It was therefore nice to see the ship with which the trip to the Dodecanese began, as well as the ship which took my to Rhodes for the first time (just as we were leaving the island and the Dodecanese altogether). A view of the BLUE STAR CHIOS during her third season with Blue Star Ferries. Just like the ARIADNE, she first began service for Hellenic Seaways in 2007. As the NISSOS CHIOS, she was initially on the Piraeus-Chania line, before moving to the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line after the ARIADNE has completed her conversion. She would later go on to be replaced by that very same ship once again after the 2013 season, after which she spent four years under charter to the Spanish company Baleària. As such, despite being two of the best ferries that Hellenic Seaways has ever had, both the ARIADNE and the NISSOS CHIOS actually spent very moments operating together for the company at the same time. Indeed, from early 2008 until 2013, the ARIADNE was being chartered to various other operators, while the NISSOS CHIOS was absent from Greece from 2014 to 2018. By the time she came back, the ARIADNE was sent under charter to Tirrenia Di Navigazione in Italy. And by the time the ARIADNE had returned to Hellenic Seaways in 2021, the NISSOS CHIOS had already joined Blue Star Ferries as the BLUE STAR CHIOS in 2020. While they are no longer fleetmates, they nevertheless still remain collaborators as both their companies are part of Attica Group. One last view of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, as she is about to head towards the entrance of the port of Rhodes. Moments after our departure, I got to see another notable ship. Indeed, it was the conventional ferry STAVROS of Saos Ferries, which was seen heading towards Rhodes. The STAVROS seen as she is making her way towards Rhodes. Built in 2001 in Greece, she has spent her entire career so far with Saos Ferries, being initially known as the SAOS II during her first 18 years with them, before she was renamed in 2019. She operates on the Astypalaia-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Chalki-Symi-Rhodes-Castellorizon lifeline, thus providing additional inter-Dodecanese services in addition to those offered by companies such as Dodekanisos Seaways or ANEK Sea Lines. Another view of the STAVROS. She has been operating on the Dodecanese since 2020, having first been deployed on the os-Nisyros-Tilos-Chalki-Symi-Rhodes-Castellorizon lifeline, before she began to serve Kalymnos and Astypalaia as well during the 2022 season. Crossing the STAVROS on the Dodecanese, as she is seen heading towards Rhodes. Her company was previously based in Samothraki, while having also deployed several ships on the Northeast Aegean, on the Sporades and on the Cyclades, during the 2000s. After the infamous fiasco in Samothraki during the 2019 season (during which the STAVROS-then still known as the SAOS II-and her fleetmates all experienced major engine failures which prevented the island from being connected with the rest of Greece by ferry), Saos Ferries moved to the Dodecanese in 2020, having since deployed the STAVROS and their small high speed boat, namely the ZEFYROS (which was introduced on the Samos-Agathonisi-Farmakonisi-Arkioi-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Pserimos-Kos lifeline). The company's other conventional ferry, namely the SAONISOS, has not resumed service since 2019, and, despite rumours of a potential deployment on the Dodecanese as well, she has remained laid-up in Lavrion since 2021. The STAVROS seen sailing towards Rhodes, during her third consecutive season on the inter-Dodecanese lifeline. Another view of the Greek-built STAVROS, which had previously operated on the Northeast Aegean Sea, while having also connected the island of Samothraki with the Cyclades and the Sporades on certain occasions during the mid 2000s. Back then, Saos Ferries experienced a major fleet expansion, buying numerous ferries from abroad on which they performed (for most cases) questionable conversions, and ultimately by 2009 they were on the verge of bankruptcy, with all their ships except for the STAVROS (then known as the SAOS II) being arrested by their crews. Most of them were eventually sold for scrap between 2011 and 2013. The only ship, namely the STAVROS (as the SAOS II), remained in service on their flagship itinerary along the Alexandroupolis-Samothraki line, which she served until 2019 (she also operated on the Lavrion-Limnos-Samothraki-Alexandroupolis line during the 2017 season only). After her company withdrew from that service, the latter was taken over by the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS of Zante Ferries. Crossing the STAVROS, as she heads to the port of Rhodes. The STAVROS seen as she sails on the Dodecanese. In spite of all the troubled years that her company has experienced since the turn of the century, the ship has notably been providing regular services, and always at very high standards. The STAVROS seen as she heads to Rhodes, from which she would then sail in order to reach Castellorizon, which is the Easternmost island of the Dodecanese and of Greece as a whole, being about 74 nautical miles East of Rhodes. One last view of the STAVROS, as she continues to make her way towards Rhodes. As we were sailing towards Kos (which was our first stop, followed by Samos), we also passed by the island of Symi (which was not part of our itinerary that day). I had the chance to go there for the first time on 9 August 2022, before heading to Rhodes the following day. From a far distance, I saw one of the many ships that operate on the Rhodes-Symi line, namely the small high speed boat SEBECO of Sebeco Lines, as she was heading back to Rhodes. Built in 2018 in Greece for ANES Ferries, she began operations on the Rhodes-Symi line, before spending a single season on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina line (serving the ports of Souvala and Agia Marina) on the Saronic Gulf in 2020. During her spell there, I got to see her several times in Piraeus. She returned to the Rhodes-Symi line in 2021, while in 2022 she was acquired by the newly-established Greek company Sebeco Lines, which has kept her on her current service. After having passed by Symi, and as we continued to make our way towards Kos, I then spotted another ship based on the Dodecanese, namely the high speed ferry DODEKANISOS EXPRESS of Dodekanisos Seaways. Built in 2000 in Norway, she has spent her entire career on the inter-Dodecanese service, and she currently operates on the Rhodes-Symi-Chalki-Tilos-Nisyros-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Leipsoi-Patmos-Agathonisi lifeline. Her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, joined the company in 2005. I had the chance to travel with her during my spell on the Dodecanese during the summer of 2022, as I was onboard her while going from Patmos to Leros on 5 August 2022. After just over three hours of sailing, we had arrived at 19:20 in the port of Kos, which I got to see again after three days, having sailed from there in order to go to Symi on 9 August 2022, when traveling onboard the BLUE STAR 2 of Blue Star Ferries. Upon arriving in Kos, I got the chance to once again spot a familiar face which I had previously not seen in two years prior to my first visit to the island. Indeed, it was the small passenger ship GEORGIOS BROUFAS II of Broufas Vessels, which has notably spent the bulk of her career under her owner on the Piraeus-Salamina line, although she has been assigned to the Hellenic Army since 2021, transporting soldiers around the Northeast Aegean Sea Islands and the Dodecanese. She was once again seen resting in the port of Kos. While looking further down towards the marina area of the port of Kos, I also got the chance to once again spot the two Greek-owned ships that operate on the Kos-Bodrum line, namely the small high speed boat APOLLON II of Lafasi Maritime Company and the high speed catamaran RODON of Sky Marine Ferries. After 30 minutes in Kos, we departed from the port at about 19:50 in order to begin heading towards Samos. Patmos, Leros and the islands of the Cyclades usually served by the ARIADNE were also not part of our itinerary, meaning that we would be then heading directly from Kos to Samos and then from Samos to Piraeus. Here is a view of the outdoor side alley on Deck 9, as seen from the port side and from the aft section, with the outdoor sun deck area located right next to it. Towards 21:30, we headed for dinner at the ship's self-service restaurant, after which I headed straight to our cabin together with my parents. At around 00:30, we had arrived in the port of Vathy in Samos, but unfortunately I was unable to witness this as we were asleep during that time. Towards 01:00, the ship left Samos in order to complete the final part of the return leg towards Piraeus. Having gone to sleep quite early during the previous evening, I woke up on my own at 07:00 the following morning, meaning it was now 13 August 2022. I proceeded towards the outdoor areas of the ship once again, in order to witness the final two hours of sailing prior to our morning arrival in Piraeus. Here is a view towards 08:00, as seen from the port side of the outdoor side alley located on Deck 9, with Deck 10 and Deck 11 being visible as well. Just moments after I had returned to Deck 9, I got to see one of the first ships sailing on the Aegean Sea following their morning departure from Piraeus. Indeed, that was the high speed ferry WORLDCHAMPION JET of Sea Jets, which was sailing at full-speed towards Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen as she sails towards Syros. Built in 2000 in Australia, she joined Sea Jets in 2018, and she began service for them on the Cyclades in 2019. That season, she had an acclaimed spell on the Piraus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, and in 2020 this service was extended as she was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. Since 2021, she has been on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. A view of the WORLDCHAMPION JET as she was sailing at full-speed towards Syros, during her fourth consecutive season under Sea Jets. She is the fastest ship in the Greek coastal service, and she was previously the fastest passenger ship in the world, from 2000 until 2013, when her speed record was overtaken by the FRANCISCO of the Argentinian company Buquebus. Crossing the WORLDCHAMPION JET between the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf, as she continues to head at full-speed towards the beautiful island of Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen once more, during her journey en route towards Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET, which has been a major contributor to the rise of Sea Jets as one of the most dominant players in the Greek coastal service as a whole in recent years, seen as we meet her between the Cyclades and the Saronic Gulf, with the small island of Agios Georgios seen in the background. So far, I have traveled with her three times, with the first two being from Piraeus to Syros and back on 20 September 2020 (coincidentally, on the day of my grandmother Ariadni's birthday), followed by a trip from Piraeus to Ios on 22 July 2021. One last view of the WORLDCHAMPION JET, as she continues to sail towards Syros at full-speed. At about 08:25, we had entered the Saronic Gulf, and by that time we could see the coast of Attica from the starboard side. But from the port side, there was some ferry traffic that could not be overlooked, in spite of the far distance from where the ARIADNE was. Indeed, I got to see two ships of Blue Star Ferries which had also left Piraeus earlier in the morning. These were the BLUE STAR DELOS, which was being followed by the BLUE STAR MYCONOS. A view of the great BLUE STAR DELOS, which operates on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line (although she does not serve Ios during the summer). She was built in 2011 in South Korea, and she is the second youngest ship of Blue Star Ferries, after her sister ship, namely the BLUE STAR PATMOS, which was built a year after her. Another view of the BLUE STAR DELOS, as she is heading towards Paros. Since beginning service on the Cyclades in 2011, she has been considered by many as the best day ferry currently operating in Greece. Behind the BLUE STAR DELOS was, as we mentioned it previously, another former fleetmate of the ARIADNE. Indeed, the BLUE STAR MYCONOS was previously known as the NISSOS MYKONOS from 2005 until 2020, when she joined Blue Star Ferries together with her sister ship. The BLUE STAR MYCONOS seen as she sails on the Saronic Gulf. She operates on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Patmos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos-Chios-Oinousses-Mytilene-Limnos-Kavala line, being one of the two ships of Blue Star Ferries that serve the Northeast Aegean Sea lifeline from Piraeus together with the DIAGORAS. The BLUE STAR DELOS seen once again as she sails towards Paros, as part of her usual daily service to the Cyclades. The BLUE STAR MYCONOS seen as she sails towards Syros, before she would continue her long trip to the Northeast Aegean Sea. Back when the ARIADNE was operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line from 2013 to 2018, the two ships were two of four ships of Hellenic Seaways that were permanently operating on the Northeast Aegean Sea during the mid 2010s, together with the NISSOS RODOS from Piraeus and the EXPRESS PEGASUS from Lavrion (until that ship moved to the Dodecanese in 2020, before being sold for scrap the following year). At about 09:10, we had arrived next to the entrance of the port of Piraeus. There, I got to witness a few more departures. The first one was that of a fleetmate of the ARIADNE, namely the high speed ferry HIGHSPEED 4, which operates on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Koufonisi-Amorgos line. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen having just exited the port of Piraeus in order to begin her trip ti the Cyclades. The HIGHSPEED 4, which has been one of the most successful high speed craft in the history of both the Cyclades and the Greek coastal service, seen as is leaving Piraeus. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen following her exit from Piraeus, now ready to sail at full-speed towards Paros. Built in 2000 in Australia, she has spent her entire career on the Cyclades, having been previously owned by the predecessors of Hellenic Seaways, namely Minoan Flying Dolphins (later Hellas Flying Dolphins), before the latter was rebranded in 2005. She is therefore one of the most experienced ships in the company's fleet. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen as she begins to sail at full-speed towards Paros. This was her second consecutive season on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Koufonisi-Amorgos line, which she also served in 2014 and from 2016 to 2018. In 2019 she was only servinf the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Koufonisi line. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen after having exited Piraeus. She has been the only ship of the 'Highspeed' brandname to have operated for Hellenic Seaways in every summer season in the company's history (in addition to her first years under Minoan Flying Dolphins/Hellas Flying Dolphins). With the only other remaining high speed ferry of the company, namely the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED, having spent the 2022 season on charter to Africa Morocco Link, this meant that the HIGHSPEED 4 was the sole ship of her kind to operate in Greece for her company during that summer. This, unfortunately, goes on to show that, despite success on the Aegean Sea, Attica Group does not really rely on high speed craft in the long term. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen as she is sailing past her fleetmate, namely the ARIADNE. The HIGHSPEED 4 seen once again, as she heads towards Paros. I have traveled with her once, having sailed onboard her from Paros to Piraeus on 29 July 2018. This had previously been one of my two only trips with a ship of Hellenic Seaways outside of the Saronic Gulf (having also traveled on the Cyclades from Ios to Piraeus with the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED on 14 July 2017), until my trip with the ARIADNE. Another view of the HIGHSPEED 4, as she is now sailing at full-speed towards Paros. Just after seeing the HIGHSPEED 4, I got to see another high speed ferry which also had a link to Hellenic Seaways. Indeed, it was the SANTORINI PALACE of Minoan Lines, which was also a previous fleetmate of the ARIADNE. More specifically, she was previously owned by Hellenic Seaways, as the HIGHSPEED 5 from 2005 (the year during which she was built) until 2016, and then as the HIGHSPEED 7 from 2016 until her sale to her current owners in 2018 (following the takeover of Hellenic Seaways by Attics Group). A view of another extremely successful Greek high speed ferry, namely the SANTORINI PALACE. This was her fifth year with Minoan Lines, and her second consecutive summer on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Heraklion line, on which she was introduced in 2021. The SANTORINI PALACE also seen sailing at full-speed after having exited the port of Piraeus, in order to head towards Syros. The SANTORINI PALACE, which was previously one of the best ships of Hellenic Seaways, and a major contributor to the company's dominance on the Cyclades during the mid 2000s, seen continuing her work with Minoan Lines, being their only high speed craft. A final view of the SANTORINI PALACE, after she met her former fleetmate near the entrance of the port of Piraeus. The amount of ships exiting Piraeus just as we were arriving kept growing. Indeed, just behind the SANTORINI PALACE was the conventional ferry BLUE STAR PAROS of Blue Star Ferries, which had also left the port in order to being her trip to the Cyclades. The BLUE STAR PAROS seen having exited the port of Piraeus. Built in 2002 in South Korea, she has been one of the most successful ships to have ever operated on the Cyclades. She has been on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos line since 2018 (having also made extensions to Ikaria, Fournoi and Samos on the Northeast Aegean Sea until 2019). One last view of the BLUE STAR PAROS as she begins sailing towards Syros. I had notably traveled with her four years prior to my trip with the ARIADNE, having headed from Mykonos to Piraeus with her on 20 June 2018. Following the BLUE STAR PAROS at the entrance of the port of Piraeus was another conventional ferry, namely the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries, which was heading towards Aegina on the Saronic Gulf. The PHIVOS seen having exited the port of Piraeus as well. Built in 1980 in Spain, she was bought by Nova Ferries in 2004, and she began service on the Saronic Gulf in 2005. The PHIVOS seen having exited the port of Piraeus, during her eighteenth consecutive season on the Saronic Gulf. During her first two seasons, she operated on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros-Hydra line. Afterwards, from 2007 to 2013, she operated exclusively on the Piraeus-Aegina line. Since the formation of the Saronic Ferries joint venture (which previously included Hellenic Seaways) in 2014, she has been operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line. The PHIVOS, which is my all-time favourite ship of the Greek coastal service, seen leaving Piraeus while passing in front of the ARIADNE, which is also a ship that I consider amongst my favourites. The PHIVOS seen in Piraeus, as she begins her trip to Aegina. During the 2022 season, I traveled with her just once, while heading from Aegina to Piraeus on the evening of 20 October 2022. The PHIVOS seen as she has exited Piraeus in order to go to Aegina, an island on which I would also head to on that very same day that this picture was taken, following my trip with the ARIADNE. The PHIVOS, which is the sole ship of Nova Ferries, seen heading from Piraeus to Aegina. The other company that is part of the Saronic Ferries joint venture is 2way Ferries, which operates three ships on the Saronic Gulf. Since the 2022 season, both member companies of the joint venture have deployed a landing craft which they co-own, namely the ANTIGONE, on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina line (serving the port of Souvala). A view of the PHIVOS following her exit from the port of Piraeus, while the BLUE STAR PAROS has started to proceed towards the Cyclades. The PHIVOS seen once more, as she performs her first trip of the day to Aegina, Methana and Poros. After having witnessed so many departure from the port of Piraeus, it would have been unfair not to have a ship arriving at the same time as us. Indeed, following us was a fleetmate of the ARIADNE, namely the high speed catamaran FLYINGCAT 5 of Hellenic Seaways, which was returning to the port from the Saronic Gulf. The FLYINGCAT 5 seen following us just as we began entering the port of Piraeus at about 09:20. As we entered the port of Piraeus, I noticed another fleetmate of the ARIADNE that was docked there. Indeed, it was the cruiseferry NISSOS SAMOS, which operates for the company on the Northeast Aegean Sea, being assigned on the Piraeus-Psara-Oinousses-Chios-Mytilene line (where she has been present since 2018). She is one of the three Japanese-built cruiseferries of Hellenic Seaways, together with the ARIADNE and the NISSOS RODOS (which is also operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, having taken over the service previously covered by the ARIADNE before the latter was chartered to Tirrenia Di Navigazione). Looking further down towards the E10 gate in Piraeus, I spotted three ships which were all operating on the Western Cyclades during the 2022 season. These were the conventional ferry DIONISIOS SOLOMOS of Zante Ferries, the high speed ferry TERA JET of Sea Jets and the high speed ferry SUPERRUNNER JET, also of Sea Jets. Just after we had entered the port of Piraeus in order to begin docking in the E1 gate (which is were the ships operating on the Dodecanese usually dock), the FLYINGCAT 5 did the same thing, although she was heading towards the E8 gate. A view of the FLYINGCAT 5 following her arrival in Piraeus. Just like the ARIADNE, she was built in 1996, albeit in Norway. She began service for Hellenic Seaways in 2005, during the company's first season. She operates on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line, where she has been deployed since 2020. She had also operated there in 2014 and in 2017. From 2005 to 2013, in 2015, and from 2018 to 2019, she was operating on the Sporades. Another view of the FLYINGCAT 5 as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus. Her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the FLYINGCAT 6, had spent the 2022 season on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades, after having previously spent four consecutive seasons on the Saronic Gulf from 2018 to 2021. The last two were together with the FLYINGCAT 5, and during both seasons, the ships were operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line. The FLYINGCAT 5 seen after having entered the port of Piraeus, during her third consecutive season on the Saronic Gulf. The FLYINGCAT 5 seen as she heads towards her docking spot in the E8 gate in Piraeus. During the summer of 2022, she was one of the two 'Flyingcats' operating on the Saronic Gulf, together with the FLYINGCAT 4. As stated previously, the FLYINGCAT 6 was on the Sporades during that time, while the fourth ship of that category, namely the FLYINGCAT 3, was spending her second consecutive season on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos line on the Cyclades. The FLYINGCAT 5 seen continuing her course towards the E8 gate in Piraeus, just as the ARIADNE was completing her maneuvering procedure in order to dock in the E1 gate. At about 09:35, after having finished maneuvering in Piraeus, the ARIADNE docked and subsequently began unloading vehicles and passengers alike. We therefore disembarked, thus completing our long trip which had started from Rhodes, and after having sailed throughout a large portion of the Aegean Sea. As you can see in this picture, the ship also began to lower her aft section starboard side ramp, thus facilitating the unloading process for the many vehicles that were still inside the garage. Just after we had disembarked from the ARIADNE, I had the opportunity to witness a few more departures and arrivals of other ships in Piraeus. Among them was the TERA JET, which began heading towards the port's exit in order to begin her trip on the Western Cyclades. A view of the TERA JET while she leaves Piraeus. She was spending her debut season on the Western Cyclades, having been deployed on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line, which she served together with the SUPERRUNNER JET. The TERA JET seen proceeding towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Something notable to state is that this ship was formerly owned by Tirrenia Di Navigazione (for whom the ARIADNE operated from 2018 to 2021), as she spent the first 12 years of her career under their ownership, most specifically from 1999 to 2011. Her introduction to service in Italy was not successful, as her high running costs made her and her other three sister ships extremely unprofitable, and they were all laid-up by 2008. Two of them were sold for scrap in 2011, while the TERA JET (then known as the SCORPIO) was spared from such a fate, being eventually bought by Sea Jets, which reactivated her during the 2014 season. The TERA JET seen as she makes her way towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Besides spending her first season on the Western Cyclades, she was also operating for the first time since 2020, as she had remained inactive for two years owing to her high running costs. The summer of 2022 was therefore a comeback season for the Italian-built high speed ferry. One more view of the TERA JET as she passes by the ARIADNE in order to begin sailing at full-speed towards Serifos, Sifnos and Milos. The next ship leaving after the TERA JET was the conventional double-ended ferry POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries. She operates on the Saronic Gulf, serving the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Methana-Poros line. Before joining her current owners in 2015, she was previously operating under Hellenic Seaways, therefore making her another former fleetmate of the ARIADNE. The POSIDON HELLAS seen heading towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Built in 1998 in Greece, she is the first-ever conventional double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service. She has spent her entire career so far on the Saronic Gulf. Just as the POSIDON HELLAS was leaving Piraeus, another high speed craft based on the Saronic Gulf was seen having arrived, namely the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA of Aegean Flying Dolphins. The FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA seen having returned to Piraeus from Aegina. Built in 1991 in Georgia, she has been owned by Aegean Flying Dolphins since 2010, and she has been operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line since 2011. The POSIDON HELLAS seen about to cross the FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA in Piraeus, just as the ARIADNE is watching. Another view of the POSIDON HELLAS, just as she is about to exit the port of Piraeus. As it was mentioned earlier in this post, she had been the last conventional ferry of Hellenic Seaways on which I had traveled prior to my trip with the ARIADNE, having done so while heading from Piraeus to Aegina on 15 July 2012, back when the ship was still owned by the company. Ten years later, I had just completed a trip onboard one of its best conventional ferries. Finally, the last ship that I saw departing the port of Piraeus was the high speed catamaran SPEED CAT I of Alpha Lines, which was also serving islands of the Saronic Gulf. Indeed, she operates on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Spetses line, where she was introduced in 2021. The SPEED CAT I seen leaving Piraeus, during her second summer in Greece and under Alpha Lines. During the 2022 season, I got to travel with her twice, heading from Piraeus to Hydra on 24 September 2022 before making the return leg the following day. I had previously done my first trip with her while heading from Poros to Piraeus on 9 September 2021. After taking this picture, I joined my father in our car and we headed to Central Athens in order to make our final preparations prior to making our early afternoon trip to Aegina, whereupon we traveled onboard the APOLLON HELLAS of 2way Ferries, which was also a former fleetmate of the ARIADNE under Hellenic Seaways, having operated for them from 2005 to 2016. After spending more than 10 days traveling to and within the Dodecanese, I could not have found a better way to end this wonderful journey along these unique islands than by completing it upon heading back to Piraeus with a ship like the ARIADNE. It was the just the perfect way to cap it off, being able to enjoy an overnight trip onboard a spectacular ship which made the entire journey very enjoyable and comfortable for both my parents and myself. The ARIADNE is truly a gem for the Greek coastal service, and her return in 2021 has proved very effective, as she provides passengers with several good options through her services on the Cyclades, the Northeast Aegean Sea and, in particular, the Dodecanese. After several years of being underutilised or chartered to other operators both in Greece and abroad, it has been a pleasure to see that Hellenic Seaways (and Attica Group by extension) count on her in order to cover operations across several well-known islands of the Aegean Sea, in addition to having the ship serving other key areas during the winter, while other ships are undergoing their annual winter refits. The ship continues to have an incredible potential, offering large passenger and vehicle capacity, while having several impressive indoor areas that are both wide and comfortable. Her conversion has made her look like a true cruise ship, being extremely useful for long-distance trips such as the one we just did. She is now due to be sent to operate on the Adriatic Sea in order to replace the SUPERFAST I of Superfast Ferries while the latter undergoes her annual refit, although there are rumours that she might stay there beyond the winter. In either case, no matter where she goes in Greece, she will never go unnoticed and unappreciated. It was truly a pleasure to have managed to travel onboard her at last, and I do hope that the next trip with her will happen again very soon. #ariadne #hellenicseaways #atticagroup #summer2022 #dodecanese #northeastaegeansea #aegean #rhodes #kos #samos #piraeus #captainmichalis #captainmichaliscruises #bluestarchios #bluestardelos #bluestarmyconos #bluestarparos #bluestarferries #stavros #saosferries #sebeco #sebecolines #dodekanisosexpress #dodekanisosseaways #georgiosbroufasii #broufasvessels #apollonii #lafasimaritimecompany #rodon #skymarineferries #worldchampionjet #terajet #superrunnerjet #seajets #highspeed4 #flyingcat5 #nissossamos #santorinipalace #minoanlines #phivos #novaferries #dionisiossolomos #zanteferries #posidonhellas #2wayferries #flyingdolphinathina #aegeanflyingdolphins #speedcati #alphalines #tribute This Blog Post is dedicated to my beloved grandmother, Ariadni-Maria Vraila, or Granny as I would call her, whose name the ship shares. She unfortunately left us in 2021, but her memory and all the unique moments that I got to spend with her live on forever, and anything that reminds me of her adds additional value, especially on the sentimental side. Among them is the ship ARIADNE, which I remember taking pictures of and sending them to her on her phone in order to show her the ship that happened to have one of the most beautiful names in the world. Now, seeing the ship immediately reminds me of her, and there was not a single moment during that trip in which I did not think about her. That would have been the case for any ship in fact, as she always loved talking about the sea and Greek shipping with me, but the imposing and marvelous ARIADNE is more than just a fantastic ship. She helps me remember how grateful I was to have had such a wonderful and unique grandmother who always was and will always be by our side, for both my family and myself.

Trips: 19 June 2018. From Mykonos to Delos and back, with the ORCA of Delos Tours. Two days after arriving in Mykonos with the high speed ferry SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries, I was able to experience, with my university friends, one of the island's main touristic highlights. This consisted of doing a one-day trip to the Cyclades island's neighbour, the historic island of Delos. For Greek history enthusiasts, this name undoubtedly sounds familiar. Indeed, Delos is one of the most important islands of Ancient Greece, having been a sacred mythological site (according to the legend, the Ancient Greek Gods Apollon and Artemis were born there, and Zeus is said to have his main sanctuary there) and the center of the well-known Delian League which was an association between Ancient Greek city-states that would cooperate economically and culturally under the command of Athens, which was at the peak of its Classical era Golden Age. By hosting several temples, former homes, Ancient Greek theatres, former sanctuaries and numerous sculptures still well-maintained to date, Delos is currently one of Greece's most famous, most visited and most important archaeological sites, as it welcomes 100000 visitors from all over the world on annual basis. Moreover, the island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Despite its popularity, Delos has very few inhabitants, and its daily activities now solely rely on the visits from tourists, who have the chance to explore the entire island and its unique exhibits. As it is the case with its fellow small neighbour, the uninhabited island of Rineia, Delos is primarily accessed by boat from the larger island of Mykonos. Hence, several ships connect Delos with Mykonos, transporting all tourists in order to help them reach this historical island and bring them back to Mykonos before each evening. Historically, the shipping company which has performed daily trips between Mykonos and Delos is Delos Tours, which has been operating these services for almost 90 years. It was founded in the 1930s by the Rouchos family, which was transporting locals and farm animals between the two islands and Rineia. Due to the rise of tourism in Greece, the family kept increasing the services in order to allow them to explore Delos, initially in the 1970s with the small motor ship NERAÏDA, which was replaced in 1986 by the larger NERAÏDA II, before the latter found herself replaced by the larger passenger ship HERA (ex-THIRA of Nomicos Lines, scrapped in 2008). The introduction of that ship proved key as it allowed larger passenger capacity and a faster and safer service. After the success of the HERA, the company brought in the Ukranian-built ALINA III, in 1994, which became the DELOS EXPRESS. Following a decade of continuous success, Delos Tours decided to replace the aging HERA with a younger and larger tour boat. And in 2003, this became a reality, when the company bought the Turkish-built ORCA, formerly a floating casino in the coastal town of Marmaris. This ship's introduction on the Mykonos-Delos line was a massive success, as she was even bigger and even faster than her predecessor. She quickly became her company's new flagship, and, alongside the DELOS EXPRESS, has constantly provided efficient and reliable service. A conversion she underwent in Perama in 2004 (a year after her introduction on the Mykonos-Delos line) helped her increase her passenger capacity and provide a longer sun deck, hence making the trip much more comfortable. She ended up being the ship on which I traveled during both trips to and from Delos, and she became the first tour boat on which I traveled since the Santorini Boatmen Union's wooden sailing ship, the AFRODITI, when I explored the Santorini Archipelago back in 2015. Beyond the services provided by Delos Tours, the historic island has also been accessible from tour boats from other Cyclades islands, which perform daily trips there. For example, Naxos-based companies Cycladic Cruises and Panteleos Cruises or Tinos-based company Tinos Island Cruises bring their ships to Delos, and connect it with other islands such as Mykonos, Tinos, Paros, Santorini, Ios, Koufonisi, Amorgos and more. Delos Tours also makes occasional connections of Mykonos and Delos with other close islands such as Tinos and Syros. Furthermore, they also perform daily connections between the old port of Mykonos (located in the city's main village, the Chora) and the new port of Mykonos (located in Tourlos, which is ten minutes away from the Chora by high speed boat), where the conventional ferries and most cruise ships now dock. These connections are performed since 2013 by four smaller but faster boats, which you will get to see in this post. The ORCA seen in the old port of Mykonos, a day before my trips with her. During midday of 19 June 2018, I reached the old port of Mykonos in oder to do my one-day visit to Delos. As I approached the port, I could see a high speed craft arriving there as well. This was the FLYINGCAT 4 of Hellenic Seaways, which was on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Sikinos-Folegandros line that summer. The FLYINGCAT 4 preparing to dock in the old port of Mykonos, with cruise ships in the background. Unlike larger ferries which are too big to dock in the old port, smaller passenger ships (notably high speed catamarans such as the FLYINGCAT 4 or Sea Jets' smaller ships) still dock in the old port. As I was now on the dock of the old port of Mykonos, I could spot another small high speed boat: the OKEANOS of the Association of the Boatmen of Mykonos. She operates on the Mykonos-Agios Georgios line, the latter being a tiny island next to the former. She also helps transport cruise ship passengers to the old port in case the latter are unable to dock due to infrastructure constraints. Behind the OKEANOS was one of the fleetmates of the ORCA: the small high speed boat MYKONOS STAR. Built in 2015, she operates on the Mykonos-Delos line as well as between the old port and the new port of Mykonos. The ORCA seen just before embarkation. Just like most bigger passenger tour boats, embarkation is performed through the stern. Right above the first deck, the ship's name could be seen hanging behind the sun deck, with large red letters using the letter font of Delos Tours. The ORCA's lower deck, which is basically her only indoor passenger area. The walls, the tables and the chairs are all wooden, and have enough space to fit approximately 450 passengers. In the front section of the interior area, the ship features a bar providing passengers with various snacks, soft drinks and coffee. On the bar's ceiling, one can notice a few orcas, which are the animal after whom the ship is named. She has kept her name ever since she was built in Turkey, with Delos Tours not changing it when she arrived in Greece in 2003. The ship's deckplan. The ship's side alley, leading to the engine room. It also features two pictures hanged on the walls, showing the landscapes of the two most popular Cyclades islands: Santorini and Mykonos. The ORCA's lower deck starboard side outdoor alley, which features a few benches, including in the bow section. Next to her was another one of her fleetmates, the MYKONOS SPIRIT, which has been owned by Delos Tours since 2017. I then headed to the upper deck in order to have a view of the ship's surroundings. The ORCA has a typical open deck, with several benches for passengers willing to spend their trips in the outdoor area. The forward section of the open deck, featuring more benches, a small sun deck as well as the foremast and the ship's bridge. The MYKONOS STAR heading towards the old port of Mykonos. Like all Delos Tours-owned ships connecting Mykonos' ports, she operates under the Mykonos Sea Bus brandname. Behind her was a historic tour boat. Indeed, it was the sailing passenger ship SOPHIA STAR of Aegean Ventures, which is the oldest active ship in the Greek coastal service. Initially a fishing boat from 1955 to 1995, she was then converted to a passenger ship. She was initially on the Northeast Aegean Sea and on the Sporades, before arriving in 2014 to the Cyclades. She was owned by Mykonos Cruises from 2014 to 2016, when she was bought by her current owners. She operates on the Mykonos-Rineia-Paros-Naxos line. Finally, she has been designated as a Historic Preserved Monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture, being the only Greek passenger ship to have ever received such an honour. Beyond the old port, one can view parts of the new port in Tourlos. There, I saw another veteran ship, the Ro-Ro carrier KAPETAN CHRISTOS of Sourmelis NE, which was spending her second season in the Greek coastal service. She supplies several goods mainly for the Greek Army, but also transports lorries across the Aegean Sea. Though she has served several islands, she tends to make very frequent appearances in Mykonos. The MYKONOS STAR waiting to dock in the old port of Mykonos. At the same time, the MYKONOS SPIRIT leaves the old port. Just like the MYKONOS STAR, she also operates under the Mykonos Sea Bus brandname. The MYKONOS SPIRIT seen heading towards the new port of Mykonos. She was previously the MYTHOS of Kefalonia-based company Captain Vangelis Special Cruises (also known as Kefalonia Cruises), serving the Kyllini-Zakynthos-Kefalonia-Ithaca line on the Ionian Sea from 2009 until her sale to Delos Tours in 2017. The MYKONOS STAR seen in Mykonos, with the SOPHIA STAR also slightly visible at the back. A nice view of the Mykonos coastline, right next to the new port. Behind the MYKONOS STAR, I spotted another ship owned by the Association of the Boatmen of Mykonos, the AIMILIA, which was heading towards the old port. Just like the OKEANOS, the AIMILIA helps transport cruise ship passengers to the ports of Mykonos, while also connecting Mykonos with the small island of Agios Georgios. The beautiful and classic KAPETAN CHRISTOS seen departing Mykonos. Next to her, I could see another ship of Delos Tours approach the old port of Mykonos: the veteran passenger ship MARGARITA CH. Built in 1981, the ship spent the first years of her career on the Northeast Aegean Sea serving the Mytilene-Ayvalık line (connecting Greece with Turkey), before being inserted on the Mykonos-Delos line under Delos Tours in 1998. She was initially named NIKI from 1998 to 2002, before switching to her current name during the latter year. She is named after Margarita Chatzigioannou, the wife of Georgios Chatzigioannou, who had become the main owner of Delos Tours in the 1970s while also serving as a captain on the company's ships at the time. The MARGARITA CH entering the old port of Mykonos. She is the company's oldest ship, and also operates under the Mykonos Sea Bus brandname. Before arriving on the Cyclades, she operated as the ERESSOS of Baïraktaris Shipping, operating alongside her younger fleetmate at the time, the ERESSOS II, which also went on to operate on the Cyclades from 1998 onwards, becoming the legendary EXPRESS SKOPELITIS of Small Cyclades Lines. The MARGARITA CH preparing to maneuver in the old port of Mykonos. Note the company's name being placed right above her bridge. Further back, the KAPETAN CHRISTOS was leaving the island, while the high speed ferry CHAMPION JET 1 of Sea Jets was approaching the new port of Mykonos. Two completely different ships, the KAPETAN CHRISTOS and the CHAMPION JET 1, seen together right outside the new port of Mykonos. The ORCA left the old port of Mykonos at 10:00. The trip to Delos normally lasts 30 minutes, when the weather conditions allow it. Right outside the old port, I could see yet another ship owned by Delos Tours. This time, it was the larger DELOS EXPRESS, which, like the ORCA, operates exclusively on the Mykonos-Delos line, while also occasionally heading to Tinos and Syros. The CHAMPION JET 1 approaching the new port of Mykonos. The summer of 2018 was her fourth consecutive in Greece under Sea Jets, and her second in a row on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line. The MYKONOS STAR having unloaded passengers in the old port of Mykonos. Just like the CHAMPION JET 1, 2018 marked her fourth consecutive summer operating in Greece, as she was built and delivered to Delos Tours in the summer of 2015. Behind her was another ship approaching the old port: the ANEMOS of the Association of the Boatmen of Mykonos. While the ANEMOS was approaching the port, her fleetmate, the AIMILIA, was leaving it. Another ship was then entering the old port of Mykonos. It was yet again a ship owned by Delos Tours: this time it was their most recent acquisition, the MYKONOS JEWEL. Built in 2015 in Greece, this ship was previously operating as the KATERINA of Venus Cruises on the Samos-Kuşadası line in 2015 and then on the Patmos-Samos-Kuşadası line. A brief charter to Kontogiorgis Cruises on the Kefalonia-Ithaca-Skorpios-Madouri-Meganisi-Lefkada line on the Ionian Sea followed in 2017. In 2018, after not being in the plans of Venus Cruises, she was sold to Delos Tours, becoming their third acquisition in as many years. The CHAMPION JET 1 preparing to maneuver in the new port of Mykonos. The MYKONOS STAR seen sailing near the old port of Mykonos. The MYKONOS JEWEL, in her first season under her new owners. The MYKONOS JEWEL seen maneuvering in the old port of Mykonos. The MYKONOS JEWEL maneuvering in the old port of Mykonos. After seeing the MYKONOS JEWEL, I also got to see the last fleetmate of the ORCA, the small high speed boat MYKONOS EXPRESS. Further back, while looking at the new port of Mykonos, I spotted the SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries, which was preparing to maneuver after having arrived from Tinos. The ANEMOS seen leaving the old port of Mykonos. The OKEANOS seen arriving in the old port of Mykonos once again, after having previously returned to Agios Georgios. The MYKONOS EXPRESS approaching the old port of Mykonos. She was built in 2013 for Delos Tours, and was the company's first newly-built ship since the NERAÏDA II in 1986. She was also the first ship to serve both the Mykonos-Delos line and the connection of the two Mykonos ports. The latter became a huge success, and it led to her company deploying three new ships under the brandname Mykonos Sea Bus: the MYKONOS STAR, in 2015, the MARGARITA CH (already owned by the company since 1998) in 2016, and the newly-acquired MYKONOS SPIRIT in 2017. The DELOS EXPRESS waiting outside of the old port of Mykonos. The MYKONOS JEWEL having just docked in the old port of Mykonos, while the ORCA has departed. Another view of the ORCA's fleetmate, the DELOS EXPRESS. The MYKONOS JEWEL seen leaving the old port of Mykonos shortly afterwards. After only a few minutes spent at the port, the CHAMPION JET 1 departed Mykonos in order to head towards her next destination, which was Naxos. The CHAMPION JET 1 seen leaving Mykonos. The CHAMPION JET 1 beginning to travel at full-speed right outside of Mykonos. The CHAMPION JET 1 heading towards Naxos. She was the first high speed ferry on which I had traveled in my life, having been onboard her on 12 July 2015 (almost three years before my trip with the ORCA) during a trip from Santorini to Piraeus. The CHAMPION JET 1 seen heading towards Naxos. Two cruise ships seen moored next to the new port of Mykonos: the CELESTYAL CRYSTAL of Celestyal Cruises and the COSTA NEORIVIERA of Italian company Costa Crociere (Costa Cruises). The CHAMPION JET 1 seen again, heading towards Naxos. Another view of the CHAMPION JET 1. Right behind the CHAMPION JET 1, the SUPERRUNNER was also already leaving Mykonos, in order to head towards Paros. The SUPERRUNNER, in what was her second consecutive summer under her current owners, the Andros-based Golden Star Ferries, It was also her second straight summer on the line her company inaugurated for her: the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. The impressive SUPERRUNNER, on which I had traveled two days earlier, seen heading towards Paros. Another view of the SUPERRUNNER, which was previously known as the SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines from 2009 to 2016, as she leaves Mykonos. One final view of the SUPERRUNNER as she heads from Mykonos to Paros. After 30 minutes, we began to approach the small port of the historic island of Delos. The ORCA seen in Delos, shortly after our arrival, at around 10:30. The ORCA seen in Delos. She is the only ship of the company not to have her hull painted in dark blue, which is Delos Tours' main colour. Instead, she has kept her white-painted hull which she had during her spell in Turkey. The ORCA seen in Delos, an island she has been serving for the past 15 years. The ORCA seen in Delos, as we begin to visit the island. The ORCA seen from the archaeological site of Delos. Alongside the resting ORCA, I could also spot another small passenger ship: the NAXOS STAR of Panteleos Cruises, which is a sister ship of the DELOS EXPRESS. The NAXOS STAR and the ORCA seen together in Delos. The former is, as I mentioned previously, one of the ships that connect Delos with the rest of the Cyclades and not just Mykonos. Another view of the NAXOS STAR and the ORCA, in the port of Delos, surrounded by precious ruins depicting Ancient Greece. The NAXOS STAR seen in Delos. She was built halfway through in 1994 in Ukraine, and arrived in Greece for the Naxos-based Panteleos Cruises the following year in order to have her construction finished. She is one of the numerous ships of her class that were built in Ukraine in the late 1980s and early 1990s before being bought by several Greek companies. They have operated almost everywhere, including on the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Saronic Gulf, the Cretan Sea, the Libyan Sea, the Dodecanese, the Northeast Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea. The younger ORCA seen in Delos. The NAXOS STAR in what was her twenty-fourth consecutive summer operating on the Cyclades. She serves the Naxos-Paros-Delos-Mykonos-Irakleia-Koufonisi-Amorgos-Santorini line. The NAXOS STAR seen in the port of Delos. The NAXOS STAR and the ORCA resting together in Delos. Another view of the NAXOS STAR, one of the most well-known ships performing one-day cruises around the Cyclades Islands. Another view of the NAXOS STAR and of the ORCA in Delos. The NAXOS STAR seen once again. The ORCA seen Delos. She also has two orcas underneath her bridge, as well as on each of the two sides of her bow, right above her name imprint. The NAXOS STAR seen once again in Delos. As I reached the top of Delos' main hill, I saw the DELOS EXPRESS approaching her namesake island. The NAXOS STAR and the ORCA seen in Delos, with the DELOS EXPRESS approaching the port as well. The DELOS EXPRESS preparing to join the NAXOS STAR and the ORCA in the port of Delos. The ruins of one of Delos' temples, seen right above the port of Delos, where the DELOS EXPRESS prepares to moor next to the NAXOS STAR and the ORCA. From above the main Delos hill, I could feel like I was at the center of the Cyclades Archipelago. And from there, I spotted another ship of the Greek coastal service. This time, it was the high speed ferry NAXOS JET of Sea Jets, which has heading towards Mykonos. The NAXOS JET seen from Delos, on her way towards the new port of Mykonos. The NAXOS JET en route towards Mykonos. That summer marked her first for Sea Jets, after having spent a two-year-long conversion for the latter. Before that, she had been laid-up in Salamina for six years, after an unsuccessful charter under NEL Lines in 2010. She spent her debut season on the Rafina-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line, where she was very successful. Three small passenger ships seen in Delos: the NAXOS STAR, the DELOS EXPRESS and the ORCA. Interestingly enough, the DELOS EXPRESS shares at least one point in common with the other two ships. Indeed, she is a sister ship of the NAXOS STAR and a fleetmate of the ORCA. Shortly afterwards, the ORCA began to leave Delos. The NAXOS STAR and the DELOS EXPRESS remained docked, for now. The ORCA leaving Delos, while the sister ships NAXOS STAR and DELOS EXPRESS remained moored in the island's port. The ORCA seen leaving Delos in order to return to Mykonos. Two sister ships operating under different owners, seen together in Delos: the NAXOS STAR and the DELOS EXPRESS. The NAXOS STAR and the DELOS EXPRESS, present on the Cyclades since 1995 and 1994, respectively. The DELOS EXPRESS seen in Delos alongside her sister ship. Though she is the second oldest ship of Delos Tours (after the MARGARITA CH), she is the one which has served the company for the most years. As stated earlier, apart from serving the ports of Mykonos and Delos, she also makes occasional appearances in the ports of Tinos and Syros. After almost three hours spent on the magnificent island of Delos, it was the time to return to Mykonos, as each passenger spends an average of three hours visiting the island and its archeological artifacts. Hence, at around 13:15 we were already heading towards the port in order to travel on the ORCA once again. The two funnels of the DELOS EXPRESS, which was still resting in her namesake port. Underneath the funnels, one can see the logo of her company. The DELOS EXPRESS seen in Delos. Despite her being the sister ship of the DELOS EXPRESS, the NAXOS STAR has funnels that are not in the same shape as the former. They were possibly upgraded when she arrived in Greece in 1995. They are painted in yellow and feature the initial of the ship's owner, Panteleos Cruises. Underneath her funnel, she has a shooting star heading upwards. The star is most likely a reference to her name. The ORCA seen approaching the port of Delos. The NAXOS STAR moored in the port of Delos. At 13:30 the ORCA left Delos, after having loaded all passengers returning to Mykonos. Here is a view of the bow of the DELOS EXPRESS, which was still staying in her namesake island. Passing by the NAXOS STAR, which features the shooting star in her bow as well. The NAXOS STAR and the DELOS EXPRESS seen together in Delos, once again. The NAXOS STAR and the DELOS EXPRESS seen once again. The NAXOS STAR in Delos, loading passengers as the ORCA has left the port. The NAXOS STAR seen loading passengers in Delos. After having already spent 20 minutes onboard since leaving Delos, I saw, to my surprise, the NAXOS STAR, which had left 15 minutes after the ORCA, approaching the latter. The reason behind this is because the NAXOS STAR operates under a speed average of 17 knots, which is far faster than that of the ORCA. The NAXOS STAR passing by the ORCA while also heading towards Mykonos. As we began to approach the old port of Mykonos, I could see another ferry leaving the island. This time, it was the BLUE STAR 1of Blue Star Ferries, which was serving the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Amorgos-Santorini-Samos-Patmos-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Symi-Rhodes line that summer. The BLUE STAR 1 seen leaving Mykonos. The summer of 2018 was her first on the Cyclades and on the Dodecanese since 2014. Between that period, she was connecting Piraeus with the Northeast Aegean Sea Islands. She has spent her career serving almost all the main ports of the Aegean Sea, and has been Blue Star Ferries' flagship since her construction was finished in 2000. The BLUE STAR 1 seen leaving Mykonos. She operated on her new line alongside her sister ship, the BLUE STAR 2, which was also delivered to Blue Star Ferries in 2000. The BLUE STAR 1 leaving Mykonos and heading towards Amorgos. Another view of the new port of Mykonos, featuring cruise ships. And between them I spotted the CHAMPION JET 2, the sister ship and fleetmate of the CHAMPION JET 1, leaving the new port of Mykonos. The CHAMPION JET 2 seen leaving Mykonos. Having also began service for Sea Jets in 2015, she was operating in Greece for the fourth consecutive summer. Her last two seasons were both spent on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line. Before that, she had spent two seasons on the line where the CHAMPION JET 1 was operating, on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line. The CHAMPION JET 2 seen leaving Mykonos in order to head towards Paros. Another view of the CHAMPION JET 2, previously known as the CONDOR EXPRESS of French company Condor Ferries. The CHAMPION JET 2 en route from Mykonos to Paros. The CHAMPION JET 2 seen heading from Mykonos to Paros. At around 14:00, we were back in the old port of Mykonos. From there, I could see one of the island's most famous tourist attractions: the Little Venice coast, which features several Cyclades-style buildings built right on the coast and having immediate contact with the beautiful turquoise sea. After having docked in the old port, I saw the NAXOS STAR once again, now resting in the island of Mykonos. I again got to see the MYKONOS SPIRIT, which was preparing to dock in the old port of Mykonos as well. Another view of another Delos Tours ship: the MYKONOS EXPRESS. The MYKONOS SPIRIT seen leaving the old port of Mykonos. After disembarking, I had officially finished these back-to-back trips with the ORCA. It was truly a very nice experience, as I got to explore one of the prettiest and most historical islands in Greece. I truly had my overall cultural knowledge enriched, and all of this is thanks to the great services provided by Delos Tours. The ORCA is a very comfortable and efficient ship, and is rightfully the flagship of her company. The latter's growth can be easily spotted, as it has acquired four new ships since 2013. I am very confident that it will keep doing so, as the owners are experts in combining tradition and history with ship services that correspond to today's customer standards, as shown with their more recently-built and recently-acquired ships. #orca #delostours #mykonosseabus #summer2018 #greece #cyclades #aegean #mykonos #delos #flyingcat4 #hellenicseaways #okeanos #aimilia #anemos #associationoftheboatmenofmykonos #mykonosstar #mykonosspirit #margaritach #delosexpress #mykonosjewel #mykonosexpress #sophiastar #aegeanventures #kapetanchristos #sourmelisne #championjet1 #naxosjet #championjet2 #seajets #superrunner #goldenstarferries #naxosstar #panteleoscruises #bluestar1 #bluestarferries #tribute #backtobacktrips

Trips: 20 September 2020. From Piraeus to Syros and back, with the WORLDCHAMPION JET of Sea Jets. The impressive high speed ferry WORLDCHAMPION JET was built in 2000 in Australia. She is one of seven sister ships built by the famous shipyard of Austal. All seven high speed craft belong to the Auto Express 86-class, and were built between 1998 and 2004 for different operators across the world. The ship in question began service as the VILLUM CLAUSEN for the Danish company Bornholms Traffiken, and was deployed on the Rønne-Ystad line, which connects the Danish island of Bornholm with Sweden via the Baltic Sea. At the time of her delivery, she was the fastest passenger ship in the world, and held the record for the fastest speed ever recorded by a ferry from 2000 until 2013, when it was surpassed by the newly-built FRANCISCO of the Argentinian company Buquebus. In 2005 she hit the quay in Rønne, which required her to be repaired in Landskrona. In 2006 she collided with the GRYF of the Polish company Unity Line in Ystad, and later that year she hit the lighthouse of Rønne, and suffered significant damage. She was again repaired in Landskrona and returned to service. In 2010, Bornholms Traffiken merged with the Danish services of Scandlines, which resulted in the creation of the new company Danske Færgen. As a result, Bornholms Traffiken was renamed Bornholmer Færgen. In 2018, after 18 years of service on the Rønne-Ystad line, the VILLUM CLAUSEN was sold to the Greek company Sea Jets, which has established itself as one of the most dominant operators on the Cyclades during the 2010s. She arrived in Greece under the name WORLDCHAMPION JET. After being converted in Salamina, she entered service in 2019 on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, thus taking over the popular Sea Jets service that was previously operated by the CHAMPION JET 1. In 2020 she was inserted on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. Ever since she was introduced on the Cyclades, the WORLDCHAMPION JET quickly became one of the most impressive ferries of the Greek coastal service, and the new superweapon of Sea Jets against competitors like Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and Golden Star Ferries. She automatically became the fastest ship in the Greek coastal service, and her entry to service was a massive success, as she made an immediate impact thanks to her unrivaled speed and her impressive accommodation. Even some of the fastest high speed craft in Greece, such as the HIGHSPEED 4 of Hellenic Seaways (which was also built in Austal in 2000), the SANTORINI PALACE of Minoan Lines (also an Austal-built ship), or the SUPEREXPRESS of Golden Star Ferries, were not a match against her in terms of speed. Her success was further highlighted by the fact that she also went on to win the prestigious 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards for 2019. She therefore became the first ship of the Greek coastal service to win the award since the NISSOS CHIOS of Hellenic Seaways (now the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries) won it back in 2007. As a result of her successful debut season in 2019, she also started serving the ports of Paros and Ios, which also benefited from her speedy and reliable operations. She would leave Piraeus in the early morning to serve six of the most famous islands of the Cyclades, and return back to Athens' main port right before the night. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen arriving in Naxos, twelve days before I traveled onboard her for the first time. A week after having done my back-to-back trips to and from Aegina, I had stayed in Athens with my family. As these were the last days that I was spending in Greece during the summer of 2020, I decided to take the opportunity to visit the island of Syros on the Cyclades throughout one day. I had long desired to see this island ever since I saw a picture of its main port and capital, Hermoupolis, on a postcard when I was about eight years old. Syros has been known for being a very traditional and picturesque island, and serves as the capital of the Cyclades. It also has a great shipping tradition, as it features the famous Neorion shipyards which have been operating since the 19th century. Due to its importance, it therefore has a very important ferry connection with mainland Greece, the other Cyclades islands, as well as the Northeast Aegean Sea Islands and the Dodecanese. For all these reasons, I thought that it was ideal to have my last trips with a ship of the Greek coastal service for the 2020 season by visiting Syros for almost an entire day. Besides having the opportunity to land in Syros for the first time in my life, I also had the chance to travel with a unique ferry: the WORLDCHAMPION JET. As I had seen several pictures of her indoor areas, and had heard about her impressive speed while sailing, I thought that it would be great to have a taste of a trip onboard her. Her schedule was also very convenient, as she would arrive in Syros in the early morning and leave in the late afternoon, thus giving significant time to have a look around the island. By traveling onboard her, it was my first-ever trip from Piraeus to Syros, my first-ever morning trip from Piraeus to the Cyclades with a high speed ferry, and the fastest ship on which I ever sailed. It was my second-ever trip with a ship owned by Sea Jets, as the first one was back in 12 July 2015, when I traveled from Santorini to Piraeus with the CHAMPION JET 1. It was my second-ever trip with a high speed ferry built in Austal, following my trip from Paros to Piraeus onboard the HIGHSPEED 4 of Hellenic Seaways on 29 July 2018. She also became the second ship on which I traveled in the Greek coastal service that was not carrying the Greek flag. Indeed, as she is registered in Limassol (like several ships owned by Sea Jets), she sails under the Cypriot flag. Finally, it was the first time that I ever did back-to-back trips on the Cyclades on the same day and with the same ship. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in the dark, at 06:30 in the morning. She was being prepared for her morning departure to the Cyclades, which was scheduled at 07:00. Not far from the WORLDCHAMPION JET was the ferry AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS of ANES Ferries, which serves the Piraeus-Aegina line on the Saronic Gulf. A view of the ship's garage, which is large enough to fit more than 220 vehicles. As soon as I embarked onboard the WORLDCHAMPION JET, the light started to emerge. From that moment, I spotted the high speed catamaran FLYINGCAT 5 of Hellenic Seaways, which spent the 2020 season on the Saronic Gulf. The ship has two main decks for passengers, with the first one having the Economy Class indoor area. Right next to the entrance is an indoor bar, which serves various drinks and snacks. Upon arriving at the atrium section of the ship, one can see one of its main highlights: an actual Formula 1 race-car, which is exhibited as a symbol of the high speed craft's speed. This specific car was manufactured by Minardi, and was driven by the now-retired Dutch driver Jos Verstappen (the father of the current well-known driver Max Verstappen) during the 2003 season. The owner of Sea Jets, Marios Iliopoulos, is known for being an avid racing fan, and he has himself participated in several rallying competitions. He managed to acquire this car in some way, and has made it one of the most popular features on board a Greek ferry. A view of the impressive Minardi race-car. The wall behind her features a crowd watching a Formula One race. This was the second time that I saw a vehicle being permanently exhibited onboard a ferry in Greece. Indeed, the first time was onboard the FIOR DI LEVANTE of Levante Ferries, which has a yellow Volkswagen van which features the company's colours and other businesses owned by Georgios Theodosis (who is in charge of the company). The Minardi race-car seen once again. Carrying on from the enthusiasm shown by passengers upon seeing the car when traveling with the WORLDCHAMPION JET, Marios Iliopoulos decided to introduce another race-car onboard his most recent introduction, the POWER JET. The latter features a rally car which was driven by Marios Iliopoulos himself in one of his races. Another view of the Minardi race-car in the atrium area. Right above it is the second deck that is accessible to passengers, and it features the Club Class and the Platinum Class, both of which have the most comfortable seats. Above the race-car, one can also see the script logo of Sea Jets. A view of the ship's builder's plate, which shows her original name (which she bore during her entire career in Denmark), her hull number and the name and the logo of Austal. A view of the staircase leading to the Club Class and the Platinum Class. The logo of Sea Jets can be seen again. One can also see the ship's roof made out of glass, something which has been a common feature on many high speed craft built by Austal. Most of the Economy Class lounge area is decorated with pictures that are all themed after racing and speed. These walls feature black and white pictures depicting a Formula One race. A clearer view of aircraft-style seats on the Economy Class lounge area. As you can see, the walls still harbour racing-themed pictures. A few aircraft-style seats seen on the starboard side of the Economy Class lounge area. The wall behind them depicts a race with cars dating from the middle of the 20th century. The central part of the indoor lounge area on the Economy Class deck, which has multiple aircraft-style seats. All the way at the front is another bar selling coffee, other drinks and snacks. The aft section of the Economy Class lounge area, which has orange aircraft-style seats. The walls in front of it yet again display a crowd watching a Formula One race. Another poster could be seen in the starboard side of the Economy Class lounge area. It depicted a pit stop operation being carried-out on a red race-car. After having seen the indoor areas of the WORLDCHAMPION JET, I proceeded to the outdoor area at the aft section, in which passengers were able to stay at least up until the ship's exit from Piraeus. Here is a view of the cabins of the crew and of the port side funnel. The two funnels of the ship also bear a racing theme. Indeed, instead of featuring the logo of Sea Jets, they have white and dark blue checkers, which aim to symbolise the ship's speed, making it appear as if she was a race-car herself. Right next to the WORLDCHAMPION JET was the FLYINGCAT 6 of Hellenic Seaways. She also serves the Saronic Gulf, as she is deployed on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line. Due to her small size, I could see her from the outdoor deck of the WORLDCHAMPION JET, and I therefore spotted the Hellenic Seaways logo which was right underneath her bridge. The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus at dawn. I had traveled onboard her from Piraeus to Aegina just seven days before my trip with the WORLDCHAMPION JET, as part of the Saronic Gulf one-day trip that I did on 13 September 2020. As I had a considerable view over the ships serving the Saronic Gulf, I could also see the ACHAEOS of 2way Ferries, the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries, the POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries along with the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS. Next to them was the high speed ferry HIGHSPEED 4 of Hellenic Seaways. She was built in the same year and in the same shipyard as the WORLDCHAMPION JET. She has spent her entire career in Greece, having operated on the Cyclades since 2000. The HIGHSPEED 4 was seen alongside the ACHAEOS, the PHIVOS, the POSIDON HELLAS (which also used to operate for Hellenic Seaways from 2005 to 2015) and the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS. The FLYINGCAT 5 was seen along with the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, also owned by Hellenic Seaways. Both ships served the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line in 2020. On the port side of the ship, I noticed one of her fleetmates, namely the CHAMPION JET 2. I then saw another ship belonging to Sea Jets, right in front of the WORLDCHAMPION JET. It was the high speed catamaran SEA JET 2. Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and of the FLYINGCAT 5. They both carried the new livery of Hellenic Seaways, which was introduced on all of the company's high speed craft in 2020, following the end of the advertising partnership with Cosmote. The FLYINGCAT 6 seen in Piraeus, as the WORLDCHAMPION JET began to leave the port. She was operating on the Saronic Gulf for the third straight season, and sixth overall, as she had also operated there in 2013, 2015 and 2016. I notably traveled with her from Spetses to Piraeus back on 28 July 2019. The AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS seen in Piraeus. This was her twentieth consecutive season on the Piraeus-Aegina line. Before that, she had spent the first two years of her career on the Sporades, as the PANAGIA SKIATHOU of the Northern Sporades and Evoia Shipping Company, on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos-Pyli line. She moved to the Saronic Gulf in 2001, and was sold to ANES Ferries in 2007. A view of different ferries serving the Saronic Gulf, including the PHIVOS, the POSIDON HELLAS and the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS. On the left side of the PHIVOS was the APOLLON HELLAS of 2way Ferries. The HIGHSPEED 4, a notable rival of the WORLDCHAMPION JET, seen in Piraeus at dawn. She was also carrying the new livery of Hellenic Seaways for the first time. In my opinion, it looked really good on her. I then proceeded to seeing the high speed ferry SPEEDRUNNER III of Aegean Speed Lines. Owned by the latter since 2009, she has been operating on the Western Cyclades since 2017, and on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line since 2019. Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and of the FLYINGCAT 5 together in Piraeus. A very impressive picture that I was able to capture for the first time in my life. Indeed, it shows all the ferries operating on the Saronic Gulf from Piraeus together in the port. These are the ACHAEOS, the APOLLON HELLAS, the PHIVOS, the POSIDON HELLAS and the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS. The first four operate together under the Saronic Ferries joint venture. I have traveled with all five ferries several times, and they have all been an integral part of my childhood and of my stays in Aegina. The HIGHSPEED 4 spotted in Piraeus, with the cruiseferry ELYROS of ANEK Lines seen in the background. Two ships owned by 2way Ferries, the ACHAEOS and the APOLLON HELLAS, seen together in Piraeus. The former operates on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line since 2014, whereas the latter serves the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line since 2017. She had also been on the Saronic Gulf from 1990 to 1995, and from 1999 to 2013. Between 1995 and 1999 she was operating in South Korea (before being repatriated in Greece in 1999), whereas from 2014 to 2016 she spent three summers on the Sporades. The SEA JET 2 seen in Piraeus, right before her morning departure, which was right after that of the WORLDCHAMPION JET. In 2020 she operated on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Sikinos-Santorini-Amorgos-Koufonisi-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line on the Cyclades, in a tandem with the SUPER JET. The SPEEDRUNNER III seen in Piraeus. She has been the sole ship operating for Aegean Speed Lines since late 2016. Ever since returning to the Western Cyclades in 2017, she has become a vital ferry for the region, and she has been acclaimed for providing a fast and regular service far beyond the high season. While we began heading towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, I was able to see the FESTOS PALACE of Minoan Lines. Formerly known as the EUROPA PALACE (2002-2012) and later as the MYKONOS PALACE (2018-2020), she was spending her debut season on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, while also making additional calls to Milos. At the E3 gate, I spotted another fleetmate of the WORLDCHAMPION JET, namely the AQUA JEWEL. Usually she departs from the E9 gate, ever since she began operations on the Piraeus-Gytheion-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos line for Sea Jets in 2020. She operates under the Sea Jets Ferries division since she joined the company in 2017. I also noticed the FLYINGCAT 4 of Hellenic Seaways, which had completed her second season on the Saronic Gulf, on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line, and was now undergoing her winter refit. Passing by the CHAMPION JET 2, which was also preparing for a morning service on the Western Cyclades. She had spent her debut season on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line in 2020. Right next to the CHAMPION JET 2 was a major rival of the WORLDCHAMPION JET and of Sea Jets, namely the SUPEREXPRESS of Golden Star Ferries. She has been owned by the latter since 2018, and began operations in 2019 on the Cyclades. Another view of the five ferries serving the Saronic Gulf from Piraeus. The summer of 2020 also marked the first time that I had traveled onboard all of them at least once during the same season. A view of the SPEEDRUNNER III, on which I had traveled back on 29 July 2017, while heading from Sifnos back to Piraeus. She was the third high speed ferry on which I ever traveled in Greece. The ELYROS and the AQUA JEWEL seen together in the port of Piraeus. The former is the flagship of ANEK Lines, and operates on the Piraeus-Chania line. Both ships were spending their first summer in Greece after many years of summer charters abroad. Indeed, the ELYROS was chartered for each summer between 2015 and 2019 to the Algerian company Algérie Ferries, whereas the AQUA JEWEL was chartered to Atlântico Line for service on the Azores Archipelago during the summers of 2018 and 2019. The impressive ELYROS seen in the port of Piraeus. Built in 1998 in Japan, she joined ANEK Lines in 2007, and began service on the Piraeus-Chania line in 2008. She has been considered the greatest ferry in the history of the Chania-based company. The FESTOS PALACE seen resting in Piraeus. She was also spending her first-ever season under her new name, which she inherited from her fleetmate and sister ship that is currently known as the KYDON PALACE. This change happened following the fleet reshuffle that was carried-out by Minoan Lines, whereupon they switched the ships serving the Piraeus-Heraklion line and the Piraeus-Chania line. The original FESTOS PALACE (built in 2001) was renamed KYDON PALACE and took over the service on the Piraeus-Chania line, whereas the MYKONOS PALACE which was previously operating there became the new FESTOS PALACE and was inserted on the Piraeus-Milos-Heraklion line. I then saw the CHAMPION JET 1, which was docked in Piraeus. Owned by Sea Jets since 2015, she was operating on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line for two seasons, before her service was assigned to the WORLDCHAMPION JET (followed by the addition of Syros). As a result, she spent the summer of 2019 under charter to the Spanish company Naviera Armas. She returned to Sea Jets in 2020. Three notable high speed craft of the Cyclades seen together in Piraeus. These are the CHAMPION JET 2, the SUPEREXPRESS and the CHAMPION JET 1. All three of them were built in the Incat Shipyard in Australia, which is the rival shipyard of Austal. Next to them was the high speed trimaran SUPERSPEED of Golden Star Ferries, which was also built in Australia, back in 2001. Passing by the FESTOS PALACE in Piraeus. She is notably the first ship in the history of the Greek coastal service to have been equipped with an exhaust gas cleaning system, also known as 'scrubbers', which enables ships to limit the aerial pollution caused by sulphur consumption. An impressive picture featuring numerous Greek high speed craft together in Piraeus. This included the FLYINGCAT 5, the FLYINGCAT 6, the SEA JET 2, the CHAMPION JET 2, the SUPEREXPRESS, the CHAMPION JET 1 and the SUPERSPEED. Another view of the SPEEDRUNNER III, with the BLUE STAR DELOS of Blue Star Ferries seen right behind her. Towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, I saw the sister ship and former fleetmate of the SPEEDRUNNER III, namely the SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries. She is the ex-SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines, having operated for them from 2009 to late 2016. We also passed by the NISSOS RODOS of Hellenic Seaways, which operates on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line on the Northeast Aegean Sea. I then proceeded to seeing the BLUE HORIZON of Blue Star Ferries, which had started her annual refit that day after having completed her service on the Piraeus-Heraklion line. She moved to the E2 gate temporarily, before heading to Perama. A view of the BLUE HORIZON as she began her annual refit, right before going to Perama. She has been operating on the Piraeus-Heraklion line since 2014. Near the exit of the port of Piraeus, another ship owned by Blue Star Ferries was seen undergoing her annual refit. It was the company's flagship, namely the BLUE STAR 1. Another view of the BLUE HORIZON in Piraeus, before she headed to Perama for her annual refit. The NISSOS RODOS seen in Piraeus. She was the ship that went on to replace the BLUE HORIZON on the Piraeus-Heraklion line during the latter's annual refit. Her service on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line was taken over by the DIAGORAS of Blue Star Ferries. The BLUE STAR 1 seen in Piraeus, during her annual refit. For the 2020 season, which was 20 years following her introduction to service, she operated on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Samos-Kos-Rhodes line. The BLUE HORIZON seen alongside her temporary substitute, the NISSOS RODOS. Between them is the floating museum HELLAS LIBERTY. Both ferries were built in 1987 in Japan, and formerly operated on the Adriatic Sea before permanently moving to the Aegean Sea in the mid 2010s. The BLUE STAR 1 seen in Piraeus. Unfortunately, this year, she will not be operating in Greece, as she has been chartered to Irish Ferries for service on the Pembroke Dock-Rosslare line on the Irish Sea. This will mean that she will be heading to Northern Europe for the first time since 2008, as she had also spent a year on the Zeebrugge-Rosyth line, back when this service was operated by Attica Group. Irish Ferries has been keen on expanding its services beyond the Irish Sea. They plan to begin service on the Calais-Dover line on the Channel, by deploying their ferry, the ISLE OF INISHMORE, which was on the Pembroke Dock-Rosslare line. In order to not leave the latter service without a ship, the company therefore sought the BLUE STAR 1, which is due to operate there for at least a year. While this certainly arranges her owner and her charterer, shipping enthusiasts like myself will definitely miss her on the Aegean Sea this year. Her service is due to be taken over by the ARIADNE of Hellenic Seaways, which has rejoined the company following a three-year-long charter to the Italian company Tirrenia Di Navigazione. The WORLDCHAMPION JET having exited the port of Piraeus, and now beginning to sail at full-speed. To be fair, I had never experienced such a speedy trip in my life, and it really appeared as if I was onboard an airplane. Unfortunately, due to impending rough weathers, the crew ordered all passengers to head indoors while the ship would be in the open sea. From one of the ship's windows, I was able to spot the Ro-Ro carrier TALOS of Creta Cargo Lines, albeit under a blurry landscape. This ship has been operating for almost five decades, and has been in Greece since 2001. She was formerly the MYCONOS (later MYKONOS) of Mykonos ANE from 2001 to 2010, and later of NEL Lines from 2010 to 2013. She was sold to Creta Cargo Lines in 2014, and began operations for them as the TALOS. For the 2020 season, she was on the Piraeus-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ikaria-Samos-Kos-Rhodes line and on the Piraeus-Santorini-Chania line. A blurry view of the TALOS as she is seen sailing back to Piraeus, after having served the Cyclades, the Northeast Aegean Sea and the Dodecanese. At around 09:00, just two hours after our departure from Piraeus, the WORLDCHAMPION JET had arrived in Syros. I therefore arrived in the island for the first time in my life. Performing a trip between Piraeus and Syros in only two hours is something that used to be unheard of even three years ago. However, with the WORLDCHAMPION JET, all records were broken. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in the port of Hermoupolis in Syros, loading passengers and vehicles in order to then immediately head towards Mykonos. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen about to depart the port of Hermoupolis in Syros. A view of the WORLDCHAMPION JET leaving Syros, just a few minutes after she had docked. The cranes behind her are part of the Neorion shipyards. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen leaving Syros. Her livery and overall appearance remain impressive, even today despite having already been operating for more than two decades. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen as she is leaving Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET leaving Syros in order to head towards Mykonos, as well as to all the other islands included in her itinerary. This was therefore the end of the first trip that I did with the WORLDCHAMPION JET. I now proceeded to visiting the island, beginning from Hermoupolis, and then to Ano Syros and Alithini before heading to the shipyards of Neorion and Tarsanas. I was amazed by the island, its beauty and its shipping tradition. Before the WORLDCHAMPION JET was to head back in order to complete her return trip to Piraeus, I was able to see a few other frequent visitors in Syros during the 2020 summer season. A ship that had arrived in Syros was the CALDERA VISTA, also owned by Sea Jets. She has been owned by the latter since 2011, and initially began service as the MASTER JET, before she was renamed in 2018. She does not have the livery of Sea Jets, nor does she have the usual 'JET' suffix found on most of the company's high speed craft. The CALDERA VISTA seen in Syros, right after having docked. For the 2020 season, she was operating on the company's inter-Cyclades service. After having spent the 2018 season and the 2019 season on the popular service connecting Heraklion with the Cyclades, the ship headed to the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos-Andros-Tinos-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Donousa-Amorgos-Koufonisi-Schoinousa-Irakleia-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios-Thirassia-Santorini-Anafi lifeline, in order to replace the ANDROS JET, which was taken off service following a major engine failure. Just as the CALDERA VISTA was docking in Syros, the BLUE STAR PAROS of Blue Star Ferries was also seen arriving in the port of Hermoupolis. The BLUE STAR PAROS seen arriving in Syros. She serves the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos line since 2018, even though she also extended her service to Ikaria, Fournoi and Samos in 2018 and in 2019. The BLUE STAR PAROS about to begin her maneuvering procedure. Built in 2002, she has spent her entire career on the Cyclades, albeit for the summers of 2016 and 2017 when she also served the Dodecanese. She has been considered one of the best ferries of her generation, and still provides very efficient service to this day. A view of the CALDERA VISTA and of the BLUE STAR PAROS in Syros. The BLUE STAR PAROS seen here about to begin her maneuvering procedure in Syros. I have traveled with her once, just two years and three months before taking this picture, as I was heading from Mykonos to Piraeus on 20 June 2018. During that trip, I stopped by Syros. This had been the last time that I had seen the island, before my eventual trip with the WORLDCHAMPION JET over two years later. The BLUE STAR PAROS seen maneuvering in Syros. The BLUE STAR PAROS completing her maneuvering procedure in Syros. The BLUE STAR PAROS having finished her maneuvering procedure and docking in Syros. The BLUE STAR PAROS seen resting in Syros. She would then leave the port in order to go back to Piraeus. The BLUE STAR PAROS later seen leaving the port of Hermoupolis in Syros. The BLUE STAR PAROS leaving Syros and heading back to Piraeus. A view of the CALDERA VISTA, in what was her third season under current name. It was her eighth season under Sea Jets, as she operated as the MASTER JET from 2012 to 2016. In 2017 she was chartered to Atlântico Line for service on the Azores Archipelago, along with the MEGA JET (an Incat-built ship owned by Sea Jets since 2008). The CALDERA VISTA seen in Syros, as her fleetmate, the WORLDCHAMPION JET, was seen arriving. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen entering the port of Hermoupolis in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET having just entered the port of Hermoupolis in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET having arrived to Syros from Mykonos. The CALDERA VISTA and the WORLCHAMPION JET seen together in Syros. Both ships are owned by Sea Jets, and have both been built in Australia, although the CALDERA VISTA was built in Austal. The WORLDCHAMPION JET about to begin her maneuvering procedure in Syros. The impressive WORLDCHAMPION JET about to begin her maneuvering procedure, right before docking in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen maneuvering in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET maneuvering in Syros, in anticipation of her departure back to Piraeus. A view of the WORLDCHAMPION JET in Syros, while she undergoes her maneuvering procedure. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen maneuvering in Syros, just before I had my second-ever trip onboard her. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen completing her maneuvering procedure in order to dock in Syros. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in Syros, right before I embarked onboard her. At around 18:30, the WORLDCHAMPION JET depated Syros in order to return to the port of Piraeus. After about two hours, the ship had arrived in Athens' main port. I would then head back home in order to celebrate my grandmother, who had her birthday that day. The POSIDON HELLAS seen leaving the port of Piraeus during the evening, in order to perform the last trip to Aegina during that day. A view of the CHAMPION JET 2, next to which the WORLDCHAMPION JET docked. She had completed her trip on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line for the day. One last view of the impressive Minardi onboard the equally-speedy WORLDCHAMPION JET. This therefore marked the end of my back-to-back trips onboard the WORLDCHAMPION JET. I had extremely high expectations before traveling onboard her, after having heard so many great comments about her service. And clearly I was not disappointed. The ship features impressive amenities, a colourful indoor area filled with racing themes, and her speed is unrivaled by any other Greek coastal service ship. It was impressive to see that she could serve so many islands on the Cyclades in just over 12 hours, when other ships cover just 2 or 3 of them in one single trip during that same timespan. She is the pride of Sea Jets, which has proven doubters wrong in terms of providing improved and speedy passenger service across the Cyclades. Her success has enabled the company to further cement itself on the Aegean Sea, while also being effective against tough competitors such as Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Fast Ferries, Aegean Speed Lines or Zante Ferries. My hope is that this unique ship will remain in Greece for many years to come, and that she will potentially inspire a new generation of fast ferries to serve the Greek coastal service by providing similar standards in terms of speed and reliability. I could not have asked for a better ship to take me to the beautiful island of Syros, which I finally got to visit after so many years of just seeing pictures and passing by it in other trips. #worldchampionjet #seajets #seajetsferries #summer2020 #greece #cyclades #aegeansea #piraeus #syros #agiosnektariosaeginas #anesferries #flyingcat5 #flyingcat6 #highspeed4 #flyingdolphinxvii #flyingcat4 #nissosrodos #hellenicseaways #achaeos #posidonhellas #apollonhellas #2wayferries #phivos #novaferries #championjet2 #seajet2 #aquajewel #championjet1 #calderavista #speedrunneriii #aegeanspeedlines #festospalace #minoanlines #superexpress #superspeed #superrunner #goldenstarferries #elyros #aneklines #bluestardelos #bluehorizon #bluestar1 #bluestarparos #bluestarferries #tribute #backtobacktrips