Finding myself in the Greek port of Piraeus having undertaken a very successful ten day backpacking tour of some of the neighbouring islands ( please see blogs on my website www.a2bviasea.co.uk ) my final task was to get to Heraklion in Crete, some +/- 330 kilometres away.
This map shows the islands I had visited during my backpacking tour of the Greek Islands; every colour depicts a different ferry I had travelled aboard.
There were several options available to me to get to Crete, of course travelling by ferry, though the day in question showed a departure leaving at 0900hrs and arriving some ten hours later.
Named Santorini Palace images of a grand ‘cruise ferry’ came to mind – the thought of laying on deck with a cold beer in hand under the hot Aegean sun watching the passing vistas go by filled me with joy having had such a busy week and a half prior. Therefore, I duly booked myself a ticket for the Minoan Lines vessel and headed down to the Port of Piraeus from my hotel.
During my time in Piraeus I had seen numerous Minoan Lines cruise-ferries coming and going so, I was filled with excitement.
Approaching Gate 2 a good three hours prior to departure I was surprised not to be able to see the giant cruise ferry, not least because I had seen these Minoan Line ships previously, though admittedly not knowing their names, I knew they would need substantial time to be readied for the lengthy sailing south.
Below, a plan of the Port of Piraeus showing Gate 2 to the left.
Asking a pair of very friendly port police officers I was advised Santorini Palace was just along the quay from my current location.
Glancing to my right I saw a highspeed catamaran.
It couldn’t be, could it........?
Apprehensively walking towards the craft her name became visible.
It was, Santorini Palace.
I was due to spend the next ten hours aboard a highspeed fast ferry. My heart sank. Not that I detest fast ferries - quite the opposite! However, I was really looking forward to that cold beer on deck during my cruise.
Just too 'rub it in', the cruise-ferry I assumed I'd be travelling on glided into the port and berthed ahead of my ferry.
Calling at Syros, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini before arriving at Heraklion that evening, this journey will be less of a mini cruise to which I was expecting, but more of a ‘bus service’ picking up and dropping off passengers enroute.
Speaking to a fellow passenger he too was expecting this journey to be operated by a cruise ferry and not a fast ferry, the vessel is after all called Santorini PALACE.
Well, I have my ticket so it's too late to change my mind so, let's get aboard.
Grab a cuppa, curl up, get comfy and let's have a look around.
Both pedestrians and vehicles embark via the same lowered stern ramp, the former use a dedicated external staircase on both sides of the hull to ascend several decks where our tickets are checked. These stairs are steep and if you are hauling luggage please mind your footing.
We arrive at a mezzanine deck overlooking the main vehicle deck where are tickets are checked.
We then ascend another set of stairs and enter the main accommodation where we queue to have our tickets checked again to establish what class of accommodation had been booked and to be directed to our allocated seat.
All foot passengers congregate in the aft end of the main deck which houses the crafts reception (port side), counter service bar/café (one of five aboard) and the primary exterior deck.
Below, Reception with access to the vehicle deck.
It was at this point that I realised how large the Santorini Palace was – like Doctor Who’s Tardis, she is deceptively large once inside with a calming and contemporary colour pallet of glossy white, rich brown and beige.
There are three classes of accommodation available aboard Santorini Palace;
Economy Class which is located on the Lower Deck and Main Deck (amidships & aft)
Premium Class which is located at the forward end of the Main Deck
VIP Class located on the Upper Deck
Having booked my ticket at a quayside travel agency the day prior, I had been automatically booked into Economy Class - I wasn't given the option of booking anything else but to be fair, I didn't know there was any other class available plus, I thought I'd be lounging on the exterior deck of a cruise ferry with my feet in a swimming pool.
Within Economy class one has an airline style seat which is comfortable, offers plenty of leg room and, just like an aeroplane, a fold down table for your snacks and beverages plus an emergency evacuation card in the seat pocket for your perusal.
Top tip, electrical sockets are few and far between therefore, bring a battery pack with you.
For those persons who happen to be allocated a seat on the Lower Deck, like myself, access is via the amid ships stairwell.
Below: access to the Economy Class Lounge on the Lower Deck.
Within this lounge, being a relatively wide beamed craft only those persons positioned by the windows have a sea view – those in the centre of the lounge have no view at all owing to the floor to ceiling bulkheads. There are however numerous overhead TV monitors although the sound is muted and the programmes shown are in Greek.
At the forward end of this vast lounge is a counter style café/bar however, during my crossing this was closed.
At the stern of the lounge are WC facilities and glass fronted cabinets promoting some of the items available for purchase within the onboard shop.
Economy class can also be found dominating the Main Deck upstairs. The seats offer the same comfort as those downstairs, the only difference being there are two counter service cafes/bars (amid ships and aft) and the seating configuration is slightly different plus, being seated here you feel less ‘left out’ and less ‘third class’ than being downstairs.
Below, Economy Class on the Main Deck (amidships).
Owing to a double height atrium with glazed roof above, the Economy Class Lounge on the Main Deck is far brighter and more spacious than that on the Lower Deck.
Below, the Economy Class Lounge at the aft end of the Main Deck offering direct access to the exterior deck.
The Main Deck offers two counter service cafes / bars for Economy Class, one amidship and one at the aft end. Both offer a selection of snacks and beverages.
Below, counter service in the aft lounge.
Below, amid ship counter.
Sea views from the main deck are more prominent owing to the larger windows plus there is the opportunity for ‘people watching’ as at some point everyone passes through here well, it passes the time!
At the stern of the Main Deck is the aforementioned exterior deck – a small affair with limited seating considering the size of the craft and its occupancy. Smoking is permitted here plus there are a small number of pet kennels.
There are no views port/starboard owing to the configuration of the craft, though the views of the wake churned up by the jet engines is second to none and well worth a selfi! The kids will love it as the acceleration is phenomenal!
Alas, my journey was particularly choppy and unfortunately the exterior deck was closed during the 10hr journey as passengers were asked to remain seated - the only time passengers could get some fresh air was during the short time in port when the craft embarked / disembarked passengers. As you can imagine this area became very busy during this time.
On the port side of the main deck between the two Economy Class lounges is a small shop - accessible to passengers of all classes.
A small selection of gifts and souvenirs are available; its purpose primarily to pass the time to give passengers somewhere to go - it really has a limited selection of goods, a shame considering the length of the journey for those undertaking the whole voyage.
For those of you looking for a little more comfort, at a nominal charge the Premium Lounge located at the forward end of the main deck maybe your answer.
Other than a small sign and a slightly differing décor, one would be forgiven for thinking this is a continuation of the Economy Class accommodation next door.
I must admit, the Premium Lounge is an impressive area, not least owing to the excellent views over the bow – which are reserved for those lucky passengers who happen to be allocated a seat in the row adjacent to the wall of glass, but also owing to the glossy white counter with accompanying bar stools where passengers can sit and look over the heads of those seated and thereby have a better all round view through the windows.
The Premium Lounge has its own bar/café counter located at the aft end facing forwards and like the equivalent facilities located in Economy Class, a selection of hot and cold beverages, light snacks, baguettes, pies and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase.
Now, undertaking the full journey from Piraeus to Heraklion - a 10hr journey - I wanted to treat myself so, I upgraded from Economy Class to VIP Class; the top grade of accommodation aboard Santorini Palace.
Located on the Upper Deck, access is via an impressive twin staircase located beneath the glazed roof of the atrium.
I was able to purchase a ticket from the Information Bureau located within the aft lounge of the Main Deck.
Ascending the stairs I was greeted by an oasis of calm; a wonderful fully carpeted light filled lounge with like minded passengers sitting in individual highly padded comfortable chairs (some of which 'swivel') adjacent to a large table.
I was excited to find every seat had a power socket - great for me being a travel blogger!
Alas, that is where the benefits ended as no other frills were included - no beverages or snacks although these can be purchased from one of the well presented attentive crew persons.
The VIP Lounge has its own WC facilities at the forward end and its own (vast) exterior deck at the aft end.
The later wraps around the stern offering a mammoth space to wonder around and get some fresh air. Now, as I mentioned earlier this journey was rather choppy and access to the exterior deck on the Main Deck was prohibited during the journey.
So, me being me, I befriended the crewman in the VIP Lounge who granted me access to the exterior deck during the voyage - as long as I didn't venture too far out and remain seated on one of the benches on the starboard side. This was good enough for me!
Both the port and starboard sides offer glazed walls to prevent cross winds but still enabling views of the passing vistas.
After ten hours Santorini Palace arrived in Heraklion, Crete.
What a wonderful journey!
Disembarkation in Heraklion
My initial downheartedness having expecting to be aboard a giant cruise ferry were forgotten. The journey actually passed very quickly having enjoyed my own company with the odd glass of wine from the bar sitting in the luxurious surroundings of the VIP Lounge whilst reading a magazine from the shop and, of course, taking the odd beer outside watching the incredible wake of the craft disappearing into the distance.
The fact this journey stopped off at numerous islands enroute to Crete effectively 'broke up' the journey and generated excitement to see the next destination emerging on the horizon as we powered across the Aegean Sea.
Here is my vlog of the journey.
Put it on a large screen and imagine you are there now and just think, why fly...?!
Here is a full walk about tour of Santorini Palace.
Top tip, if you are going to undertake a Greek island hopping adventure like myself, consider starting your journey in Heraklion Crete and work your way north; the airport in Heraklion is SO CLOSE to the ferry port you could actually walk if you so desire!
Alternatively catch a local bus from the main road adjacent to the airport which costs around 2Euro - just get off when you see McDonald's and the ferry port is only a few moments away.
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