If you think of traveling to a remote Greek island, it might be a good idea to consider booking a cabin. While a cabin is not a must for the nearby islands that lie 2-3 hours away from Piraeus, they’re always a good idea for longer journeys. Sure, booking a cabin for your Greek island trip will elevate the cost; however, it’s probably the best option for a relaxing journey. In this article, you will read a Blue Star Ferries cabin review that will give you an overview of what to expect.
Let me say first that Blue Star Ferries is one of the biggest ferry companies in Greece, operating loads of itineraries all year long. Their boats are in excellent condition, and some of them -like the Blue Star Delos, Blue Star Patmos, or Blue Star Naxos- can carry 2,000 passengers. I travel every year with Blue Star to the Greek islands, and I have a good overview of their services.
So, in this Blue Star Ferries cabin review, you’ll find plenty of info about their cabins, see photos, and I’ll reply to the most common questions about their services. Last but not least, I’ll also share my impressions of the company’s “Pure Cabins.” Let’s start.
*Some of the links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Blue Star Ferries Cabin Review: everything you need to know
The background story of our Blue Star Ferries trip
This summer, for our journey from Piraeus to the remote island of Anafi with Blue Star, I decided to book a cabin. According to the schedule, the trip would be approximately 11 hours long -and a good part of it would be during the night. However, after traveling extensively around the Greek islands, I was sure that the journey would last slightly longer. You see, the summer months in Greece are busy, and these ferries usually stop in several ports. That said, even a ten minutes delay at each port could easily translate to one extra hour of traveling.
Therefore, I was ready to spend 12 hours on board. Traveling for half a day can be a nice but also exhausting experience. So, without second thoughts, I decided to book a double cabin for Barbara and me. The price for a regular seat was approximately 37 euros, the business class about 50 euros, while for the cabin it was 75 euros per person per way. As you can see this is almost double the price. And yet, it didn’t really bother me because it seemed like a much easier way of traveling.
Embarking at the port of Piraeus
After arriving at the port of Piraeus, we queued together with the other passengers. The process was easygoing, and it didn’t take that long. When the man checked our tickets, we walked towards the Blue Star Patmos interior. We were both glad to see the escalators because we had two suitcases with us. We were told that it’d be better to leave our luggage in the storage room, but after saying that we had booked a cabin, they let us have our luggage with us.
The reception was located on the 6th floor of the ship. A man from the staff greeted us, and after showing our tickets, we got our key card for the room. A porter offered to help us with the luggage -you can always deny though. He got our bags and drove us to the elevator. Our cabin was on the 8th floor, and I chose to book a “Pure Cabin” (more on that later). We tipped, and then we entered the cabin.
Blue Star Ferries cabin review: what’s inside
My first impression was that the cabin was spacious enough. Sure, it can’t compare to a proper hotel room; however, there was enough space for two people.
After opening the door, we saw a small corridor. On the left-hand side, there was a closet where you could store your jackets, bags, etc. On the right side, there was the bathroom, which was really clean. Apart from the toilet, it had a mirror, a sink, four clean towels, and a shower. An en-suite bathroom is a big plus for people feeling uncomfortable in public restrooms (I don’t). It practically means that you can isolate yourself for the duration of your journey.
Three-four steps later, the corridor ended. The room was equally clean, with fresh bed linen and blankets. There was a second mirror in the cabin, and in front of it, there was a chair and a small desk. While I thought I wouldn’t use it, I worked for 1-2 hours during the journey.
Even though we booked a two-bed cabin, this was actually a four-birth one. However, the two upper beds were closed, so we had enough breathing space. There was also a small table beneath the window between the two beds. There was also one -rather cruel- light on the ceiling, but I was glad to see two on the beds’ sides. These were the ones we actually used after the nightfall.
Last but not least, there is a television and three or four plugs in the cabin. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry about charging your smartphones during the journey. As for the TV, I didn’t use it at all.
The bed quality
The Blue Star Ferries beds are firm. In general, I prefer softer mattresses. On the other hand, the pillows were moderately soft, and I enjoyed them a lot. As I already wrote, clean bed linen and blankets were provided by Blue Star Ferries. The bed size was adequate for me, and I didn’t feel claustrophobic at all in the cabin.
Here I must point out something: the sea was moderately rough during our journey. However, traveling was enjoyable because the ferry felt solid, and I didn’t have problems sleeping. When I woke up in the early morning, I had the feeling that I slept nicely. And I somehow justified the firm beds: softer mattresses seem more unpleasant for me when the sea is rough.
As for the bathroom, here you can see some photos:
Internet in the Blue Star Ferries Cabin
There is internet coverage in the Blue Star Ferries cabins, but it’s not free. You will have to pay a fee in advance -and you can choose different packages depending on the duration of your journey.
However, if you already have an Internet plan on your smartphone, you probably won’t need to buy any package. That’s what I actually did, and although I didn’t spend so much time online, the Internet was stable whenever I checked my phone. The Aegean Sea is one of the most famous Greek destinations, and as such, it enjoys good Internet coverage. There will be some blind spots during your trip, but you won’t need to buy the Blue Star Ferries packages if you have an Internet plan.
How I spent my time aboard Blue Star Patmos
Well, after leaving my luggage in the cabin, I wandered a bit around after the ferry’s departure. The cabins have easy access to the open deck, so you can step out and enjoy the journey. Apart from that, around 9 pm we got hungry, and we searched for the restaurant. There are actually a couple of dining options in Blue Star Ferries: there’s a proper restaurant with lovely windows overlooking the sea, but it’s rather pricey. It offers a big buffet, and you pay accordingly. The food was average and together with a small bottle of wine, we spent 35 euros.
Apart from the restaurant, there are also a few fast-food options. It will definitely be cheaper to eat there. And, of course, you can bring your own food and enjoy it in your room. The Blue Star ferry will stop in various ports -like Santorini or Paros- and you can see them from your cabin while enjoying your meal. Not bad, right?
Quite obviously, I spent the rest of the time -especially during the night- at the cabin. I listened to some radio via the Internet, and then I fell asleep.
Arriving at Anafi
One great thing when having a cabin is that you don’t have to listen to the ferry’s announcements. Approximately half an hour before arriving in Anafi, our cabin phone rang. A man informed us that we would soon be in Anafi and prepare for disembarkation. Half an hour is enough time to pack your stuff and leave the room. And that’s what we did. After eleven and a half hours on board, we finally reached Anafi.
Blue Star Ferries Cabin Review: The Pure Cabins
Among the options you’ll have while booking your Blue Star Ferries cabin, there will be the Pure Cabin one in some boats.
The Pure cabins use cutting-edge technology that purifies the air and surfaces. These cabins are unique because they provide excellent comfort levels for people sensitive to airborne particles. In addition, the Pure cabins are a fantastic option for a great journey for people with allergies.
The PURE cabins are available on some Blue Star boats. Specifically, upon availability, you can book them on Blue Star 1, Blue Star 2, Blue Star Delos, and Blue Star Patmos. The extra charge is just 5 euros per person per way. In my opinion, they are a must even if you don’t suffer from allergies. They can capture particles even as small as 0,007 μm; to get a better impression, the COVID-19 has a diameter of 0,1 μm, and hence it can easily be filtered by the system of Pure cabins.
The cost was affordable for us, so we booked one of the Pure Cabins. I firmly believe that they contributed to our night’s sleep.
How to book your Blue Star Ferries cabin
Well, if you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you probably know that I always book my ferry tickets with Ferries in Greece. It’s the best option for me, and I never had any issues. Moreover, I find very convenient their search engine. They will provide you with every available itinerary, and the booking process is easygoing.
You can use the search engine below. Add your destination port and the dates below and find the best option for your journey. When you choose your route, you’ll have the opportunity to book a cabin. There are plenty of options to choose from: single, double, quadruple, with or without window, and also the Pure Cabin that I mentioned above.
FAQ about the Blue Star Ferries cabin
Before sharing my verdict regarding my Blue Star Ferries experience, I’ll try to reply to some questions that I often receive about the cabins of the Blue Star Ferries.
Are pets allowed in the Blue Star Ferries cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed in specific Blue Star pet cabins. However, you have to book them in advance, and there’s a surcharge.
Will I get seasick in a cabin?
This depends mainly on how sensitive you are while traveling. If the sea gets rough, there’s a chance to get seasick. However, you can always ask your doctor to prescribe you a pill for seasickness. While being in my cabin, the Aegean Sea got rough. I found it better to lie down in bed, and I didn’t have any problems.
Shall I book a cabin in advance, or can I find one last-minute?
During the summertime, you won’t have any chance to find a last-minute cabin. Therefore, you should book your cabin in advance when you have the dates for your journey. While there is a good number of cabins, they tend to sell out fast. Moreover, last-minute cabins won’t be cheaper.
Offseason, I would also recommend booking your Blue Star cabin in advance. While it might be easier to find one last-minute (but not guaranteed), it’s better to book in advance if you’d like to have one. Religious celebrations or bank holidays are popular for island days for the locals. All that said, book your cabins always in advance.
Is there Internet on board Blue Star Ferries?
Yes, you can buy Internet packages, but they are rather costly. If you already have an Internet plan on your smartphone, then you are good to go. The coverage will be decent throughout your journey.
Do I need to bring towels or bed linen?
No, you don’t have to bring anything with you. Blue Star Ferries provides everything -and they are always clean.
Does every Blue Star Ferries cabin come with a window?
No. There are cabins with and without windows. The ones without windows are slightly cheaper. However, it’s better to have a cabin with a window, especially if you feel uncomfortable in closed spaces.
Blue Star Ferries Cabin review: The Verdict
I’m glad that I upgraded to one of the Blue Star Ferries Patmos cabins. For an almost 12-hours long journey (and more than half of it through the night), a cabin is a must for me. Apart from having a proper place to sleep, having an en-suite bathroom was also great. Sure, booking a cabin with Blue Star will elevate the cost of your journey. However, if you don’t want to reach your destination feeling cramped or sleepless, a cabin is the best option. Plus, the Pure Cabin was also a nice extra without splurging.
Last but not least, booking a cabin with a window gave me some lovely views of the sea, and it made me feel comfortable. If you feel claustrophobic in small places (like I do), then choose a cabin with a window. All that said, I will definitely book a cabin for any of my next journeys, especially if I have to travel more than 6-7 hours or during the night.
More reviews: Aegean Airlines Business Class, Learn a language with Toucan?
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Last Updated on January 8, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos
Hi George, Thanks for the very helpful information. Am heading to Syros soon and planning an overnighter to Rhodes. Was considering booking a cabin, and now I think I will. Great information.
Hey Maureen!
So glad you found the information useful 🙂 Booking a cabin for an overnight journey is the best thing you can do to enjoy your journey. Enjoy Syros and Rhodes!
All the best,
George
Great pages, full of information. I’m travelling from the UK on my motorcycle crossing Piraeus-Rhodes and intend to book a cabin so your review was very welcome. How long in advance do the crossing become available to book? Also do you know if you would be able to access your vehicle during the crossing?
Hello there,
Glad you found the review helpful. Usually, ferry tickets become available approximately 5-6 months in advance. However, this largely depends on the ferry company. Cabins sell out faster than regular seats, so if it’s a must for you, it’s better to book at least 2-3 months in advance (especially if you want a cabin with a window). Regarding accessing your vehicle during the journey, I know that, in general, companies don’t allow spending time at the garage for safety reasons. However, I believe that if you talk with an assistant, you’d be able to check it for a couple of minutes; it shouldn’t be a problem.
Let me know if you need further info. I also just published a guide on Greek ferries -you might find it useful.
Best regards,
George
I’m planning a trip to Patmos this summer and your review was very intuitive, it answered most if not all the questions I had about the ferry leg of my trip. I was wondering if you had any tips as to getting from the airport to the seaport?
Hey Dan!
Thanks for your kind words; I’m glad the article solved your questions. Regarding the airport-to-port route, it’s pretty easy: since October 2022, the metro line starting from the Athens International Airport takes you straight to the port of Piraeus. It won’t take more than 55 minutes to reach Piraeus. The best tip I can give you is to be at least one hour before at the port because it’s relatively big. Also, if you have to pick up your ferry tickets, you should have enough time for that as well.
Do you have online tickets (i.e., with a barcode), or do you have to pick up the tickets at the port?
Let me know if you need more info 🙂
Best regards,
George
Thank you so mich for this review. It is most helfpul. I have one question. When booking for two people, do you select cabin for one person and deck for the other? OR do you select cabin for both? Ex. for a 4 hour trip in a 1 bed cabin.
Hello Maria,
Thanks for your comment, and glad you found the review helpful 🙂 When you want to book a cabin for two people, you choose the option of a double cabin. The moment you add the first passenger, usually, the second passenger is added automatically. If not, you should also add the second person to the cabin booking. So, make sure to choose a double cabin and add yourself and the second person. If you need extra help, just let me know 🙂
George
Hi George.
We have booked an overnight ferry from Piraeus to Patmos, using our Greek Interrail Pass. We would like to book a cabin now. Do you know the mechanism for booking a cabin if you already have a ticket for the journey?
Hello David,
Since you have already booked a seat, booking a cabin would be considered an upgrade. I know that the Interrail Pass has a reduction when upgrading (something like 20% or 30%, but please check their current terms and conditions). Every type of cabin should be open for upgrade apart from the Lux. I think the safest option for reserving a Blue Star Ferries cabin with an Interrail Pass is to contact the company directly. I’m unsure if getting a cabin upgrade online is possible.
Did you have the option to book straight a cabin with your pass instead of a seat? I haven’t used an Interrail pass in ages and may have missed some things.
Take care,
George
I’m curious about the 1-bed cabin as an option for two people (one holding the cabin ticket, the other a deck ticket). The price for a 2-bed cabin for two is not much higher, but I like the flexibility to rest and/or spend time on the deck. However, when it’s time for both people to rest, do you know if it’s big enough to hold two? i.e. Is this actually 1-bed cabin or a 2-bed cabin sold as a 1-bed at a higher price? Any insights would be much appreciated!
The beds on Blue Star Ferries cabins are pretty narrow—I believe they are about 70 cm wide. As far as I remember, there are no double beds. If you decide to book a cabin for one person, imagine it like in hotels: you usually book a double room for single usage unless you have a shared cabin with fellow travelers. However, single cabins exist, and you never know if you’ll be given one.
Honestly, the price difference is insignificant (double cabin for single usage compared to double cabin for two people). Therefore, it’s much better to book a double cabin, have peace of mind, and enjoy your sleep. Booking one bed for two people is risky (I believe the crew monitors corridors), and I can’t recommend it.
Hi George we are hoping to get a Ferry from Chania to Piraues on 11 August but tickets and cabins I think are still not available. When we arrive in Piraues we are looking to take a bus to Amaliada. How much time should we allow from port to bus and what’s the best way to get to the bus terminal in Kiffisia?
Thank you
Hey Mary,
Yes, most likely, it is too early to book a cabin and tickets for the 11th of August -that’s Greece 🙂 I think the full schedule and itineraries will be published around the Easter days, so keep an eye on the websites selling tickets.
From the port of Piraeus to the Kifissos bus terminal, you’ll have to get bus 420. It starts next to the metro station of Piraeus. You can find the complete schedule by clicking here. Although it currently shows the winter schedule, I don’t think that the summer schedule will be much different; however, there will probably be a couple more itineraries. Regarding the time between your ferry’s arrival and the bus departure, it’s always good to leave an adequate amount of time: even a short ferry delay will cause unwanted stress, in my opinion. Therefore, I suggest having at least two hours between your ferry’s arrival and the bus’s departure.
Alternatively, you can get a taxi straight from the port. Please remember that this is a pricey option because taxis from the port operate at a fixed price which is usually on the steep side by European standards. Even if you negotiate at the port the taxi price, you’ll most likely be overcharged. However, that’s the fastest option.
Traffic can be heavy. I would calculate approximately 20 minutes by taxi between the port of Piraeus and Kifissos and about 45 minutes by the 420 bus.
If you need more info, please let me know 🙂
Have a great vacation!
George
Hi,
So I’m booking for 5 individuals in assigned seats. But one person in our group would like a cabin. Each time I go to assign cabin to last person it automatically changes the last person from assigned seat to a cabin. Why is this? So confusing. If our group wanted to go to cabin to freshen up, can they?
Hi Rachel,
I think that you should do two individual bookings: one for the 4 people in assigned seats and another one for the person willing to have the cabin. Regarding going to the cabin to freshen up, I think it’s not allowed. If it will, somehow, be tolerated, I can’t really tell you; I guess it depends on the crew. In former times it was a known issue to have loads of passengers filling up single or double cabins with sleeping bags, so they’re trying to avoid similar circumstances. I think the safest option is to book cabins for each one of you.
Best regards,
George
George,
Is there a direct way to get from Patmos to Ephesus in Turkey by ferry other than going to Leros or back to Piraeus.
Hello,
I think there’s no direct ferry connection between Patmos and Ephesus (Kusadasi). You may have to reach another island first before heading to Kusadasi. I would check for any itineraries from Samos or -as you mentioned- from Leros. I know that there are day trips from Samos to Ephesus during the summertime, so that’s definitely an option. But directly from Patmos, I think you won’t be able to reach it.
Best regards,
George
Hi George.
Most usefull information. Thank you. I was searching options at Ferryhoper but this ferriesingreece seems better, if you know what to search. The map in Ferryhoper is excellent.
I’m planning Pyreus – Karphatos, stay, hop to Rhodes, stay, and back to Athens.
Can you think of a reason why is returning from Rhodes more expensive than the 1st ride to Karphatos? Aren’t they more or less at the same distance to Athens?
Thanks
Regards
Pedro
Hey Pedro,
Thanks for the kind words. You have set a lovely itinerary on the Greek islands, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. Regarding your question, there are often slight price differences due to different ferry companies or slightly different itineraries. For example, different companies can operate the routes, or the second itinerary calls at more ports.
I understand that price differences can be a concern. Have you checked both legs with Blue Star Ferries? If you share your dates, I’d be happy to take a quick look for you. Generally, I would expect the difference to be a couple of euros at maximum.
Yes, Ferries In Greece has a fantastic search engine, and I have always trusted it.
Best regards,
George
Hello George
Unfortunately we couldn’t book a proper flight due to issues with lufhthansa and swissair. Since our new trip is shorter by a couple of days shorter, we’re planning to go to Crete and back to Athens between 29 of august and 3 of September. Both will be night trips. That way we’ll be sleeping and traveling at the same time. What would be your advice of port? Chania or Heraklion? I’ve read that beaches in the region of Chania are better and less crowded. Will it be the same getting a car hire? It seems that cars are better and cheaper at Heraklion. And, hoping i’m not taking to much advantage of your help, are Minoan Lines better than Blue Star or more or less the same?
Thank you again
Pedro in a family of 4 trip of culture and beaches.
Hello Pedro,
First of all, don’t let airlines ruin your Greek holiday. I’m glad you and your family are visiting Greece this summer. 🙂
To your questions:
1) I find Chania a much better option. The Old Town of Chania is beautiful, and the vibe is better, in my opinion, than Herakleion. The latter feels more like a proper city. While the New Town of Chania isn’t memorable, the Old Town is truly beautiful. Plus, Chania is much closer to some of the island’s best beaches: Falassarna, Elafonissi, Balos, etc.
2) I don’t think you’ll have any problems renting a car in Crete. Since Herakleion is bigger, I’d expect a greater variety. However, in Chania, you will also find plenty of car rentals.
3) Don’t stress about ferry companies. Book the most convenient one. Both Blue Star Ferries and Minoan Lines are great options, and the journey will be smooth. Sometimes, there might be slight differences between ferries, but overall, I’d hop in the most convenient one.
There are two articles on the blog about Crete: one about how to reach it from Athens here and a short guide about Crete here. Feel free to have a look for some inspiration. Also, feel free to comment there before or after your vacation and share your impressions -I’d love to know if you enjoyed the island.
Take care & have a fantastic holiday, all four of you!
George
Thanks again George.
You’ve been most helpful!
We’ll share our vacation when we return!
Best regards
Pedro
Glad I could help! Have fun in Greece!
George