As for a delay on the day of sailing I have found they were always weather related. It was incredibly frustrating. But then I read the horrible reports of ATV accidents, with tourists getting injured, or worse, on the roads of Santorini. The only way I figured that out was that I was unable to complete online ticketing; PROS: (1) When the ferries run, theyre fast and the fastest sea route between ports. We're scheduled to ferry from Santorini to Heraklion next week and now I'm trying to figure out if I can upgrade my ticket (booked on ferryhopper, but I have a seajets confirmation #). In the salon, there are usually coffee tables and couches. These seats were minimally larger than the standard seats. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Business class or/and VIP seats on a SeaJets ferry is a separate section with larger seats on the upper deck with the most comfortable seating. These seats are not numbered and passengers can sit anywhere they want. Laura, I agree with Heimdall that day travel on Blue Star is the preference if you have ample time on your holiday, but you haven't shared your dates, so I just gave an option if your time is short. That's a really long ferry ride, so it's different than the much shorter ferries between islands. Whatever you do, find another way to hop islands even if it appears to add hours or fly through Athens youll be out the time anyways if you hazard dealing with these foul, inept buffons. So, we assumed that we would be on the Seajet 2. The Name of the Ferry on Your Ticket May Not Match the Name on the Side of the Ferry, Planning a trip to Greece? Having taken two ferries, I can say with certainty that I think its a good value. Rain Travels is all about making travel better and easier through tech, tips and advice. Economy seats allow access to the economy salon. Good article and advice, especially re upgrading to be more comfortable. On their website, they list their hours of operation from 9 am to 10 pm. Passengers can get up, walk around, go to the deck, go to the economy salon if they want, and then return to their own air seat. Take a taxi or use the bus if you want to spend some time at the beach. We booked a day trip to Santorini with a travel agent and were uncertain about what to expect after reading the reviews of Sea Jets from Heraklion to Santorini. Your email address will not be published. How Much Time Should You Spend in Athens? The boarding system is very hectic with people trying to pile on the boat, while others are trying to get off. Is it convenient ? For every trip they were a minimum two hours late. Use the tool below or book direct here: As mentioned above, unless you have a break between your flight and the ferry, you might go a little crazy having to sit in these seats (although its easy to walk around and stretch). SeaJets, the largest, most modern and fastest car-ferry fleet in the Aegean Sea, welcomes you on board its vessels for an unforgettable crossing experience. The seats were numbered and the cabin quiet, there is a food and beverage station which is quite expensive so it may be worth taking your own food with you as we did for breakfast from the hotel. Ive had to book the sea jet 2 as there just isnt any other option getting to milos from Mykonos on the dates I am travelling. Seasickness is also very common, because these ships are generally smaller. Quick, fast, comfortable, mainly on time and very good prices. Took ferry from Heraklion to Piraeus and was smooth and enjoyable ride. (3) All other aspects were comfortable and most of the online ticketing worked fine. Online Check in and COVID Test? For me the main issue arises from the totally unrealistic advertised schedule and esp. I would like to register to receive newsletter and offers from and I agree with Seajets privacy policy. Our experience with Avis was not great. Not only horrible but also unsafe. Which then leads you to leap frog around these cars while avoiding oncoming traffic. The way they dont publish up-to-date information on schedule delays and dont send email updates when they change schedules. Check out Rome2rio's guide on ferry travel around the Greek islands. While turning the ATV around, they misjudged the edge of the road and ended up falling off of the side of the mountain into a ravine. Plus, most of the places on Santorini that you need a car to visit are just OK, in our opinion. Read the . Worldchampion Jet is a ferry serving Seajets routes. In Santorini, we planned to take the bus from the port to the airport, where we were then going to pick up our rental car. Laura, you should NOT book seats months ahead!! Do we ned a test from Island to Island? Plus, they now offer e-tickets. Lock it and leave it. We are scheduled to arrive at 5:15pm and have an 8:20pm flight to Frankfurt. In Athens, two Seajet ferries were at the Piraeus port, the Superjet and the Seajet 2. People in Greece speak the Greek language. Line to board the ferry in Mykonos | Greece Travel Tips. Cheers, Julie. Can't understand who is ever going to sign up for this shitty programs. We also have detailed guides on How to Walk from Fira to Oia and the Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Oia. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, I'm working on booking our ferries for this summer. There was even an attendant and a cafe counter in the cabin, so that they could serve you directly from there, rather than having to go to the main cafe. They are in the hurry to get people off the boat, so you have to try to walk while holding on to something, so you get thrown from side to side. SeaJets Airplane Type Seats are numbered seats and booked on the name of the passengers. Just google Marios Iliopoulos Brillante Virtuoso! It was quite an experience. The cheapest way to get from Uzs to Crete costs only 176, and the quickest way takes just 7 hours. One thing that is difficult to find online is the difference between the classes of seats on the ferries. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Facilities include TV and a snack bar to buy coffee, refreshments drinks, water or a light snack. I am worried about things being open. We booked it at 4PM, and it arrived at 6:15PM. Oh, wish I was in Greece now!! The only caveat is, if you plan to use the ferry ride to catch up on sleep, almost all the seating in business class are the so-called "club chairs" -- roundish, with arm-rests & back the same height, so harder to lean head back & doze. Like you stated boarding and disembarkation always go quickly, within minutes. The Platinum Class seating was to the very right of the cabin, and was behind a curtain. Not because theyre fun, but because theyre the lesser of two evils. Ferry seats vary from the economy, deck and air seats to business seats and cabins. Follow these signs rather than blindly following Googles suggestions. I had assumed we would fly since the ferry is so very many hours and after reading this, I think flying would be better since we are not going island to island? I had a terrible experience with a ferry in Greece in 1982 -- from Heraklion to Pireaus. Your email address will not be published. You just have to decide if it is worth taking the chance to spend the extra money. Im confused with mobile boarding pass - do I need to print or not? We were a bit disappointed that we weren't sitting with our traveling companions, but the Platinum Cabin was rather full (August) Still our seat companions were delightful French professionals and we had a great conversation. We leisurely waited until the last few dozen people were boarding, and we had to wait in line no more than five minutes. If youre looking for a full service option to take you around the Greek islands, be sure to consider a fully scheduled tour company like Contiki (more info here). I would like to register to receive newsletter and offers from and I agree with Seajets privacy policy. Horrible service. Ideal for those going straight to the ferry from the airport - It offers a great, quite place to nap. The difference will only be marginally more roomy/comfortable seats for the higher price. I'm so upset with the whole experience I had during my trip. I couldn't understand why this was the case, since everyone had to have a ticket to board the ferry anyway, right? Review: EgyptAir Lounge Cairo Airport (CAI), Another Year On The Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel. Just too many things to write about unsafe experience unfortunately. It travels at a speed of 38 knots and can accommodate up to 386 passengers at once. Do you also not use the overhead bins on a plane in case someone steals your bag while youre asleep? Another type of vessel that seems to have issues all the time, are flying dolphins. It was disappointingwell, maybe not for Tyler and Kara. Dont know how you ended up choosing the worst ferry companies. The ferrys motor is known to push water above the port barrier leaving you with wet feet. This is a Blue Star ferry. Champion Jet 2 was printed on our ticket, however, it wasnt at the port. DO NOT USE SEAJET!!!!!! Thanks for the tips. Never again and not recommended it. As a universal rule, every Seajets employee and agent was nasty, rude, inattentive, and incompetent. Was it a good idea? They were thrilled to get out of seeing another boring archaeological site. Since you did not leave your luggage in the recommended area, where did you end up storing it? Once on board, there were literally hundreds of empty seats to choose from. I managed to stay productive for most of the trip, thanks to the fact that there was a cell signal most of the way (since we were passing other islands), so I could tether off my phone. Overnight ferry tip: join Minoan Lines rewards program, not for the rewards, but it gives you 20%ish off. When we picked up the car, they told us that they are only open until 8 pm, but today, they were closing at 6:30 pm. It might be difficult to get the attention of an attendant in that moment to upgrade your seat. Although some islands have airports that allow easy access from Athens, Thessaloniki or direct flights from abroad, taking the ferry is longer but more enjoyable. From what I have seen online the VIP seats are dark brown colour and have a much different lay out? (June 11th - Crete - Naxos) and then June 15th back to Athens. Find the travel option that best suits you. Unless the online booking engine gives two different options, then usually the open deck and the economy salon seats are the same. Seajets is the biggest company of high-speed vessels of the Aegean Sea. Usually, business seats are leather seats and more spacious. Cheers, Julie. But yes, there could be some Seajet boats with better Business class seats than the photo in our post. Meet the Seajets fleet. Fly. Would you fly then? Its worth it, especially in Santorini and Mykonos. SeaJets has multiple classes, and I tend to think that paying for the most premium seating (known as Platinum Class) can be worth it if you can swing it, given the modest premium. Parking it can be just as fun since there is very limited parking. Cheers, Julie. In this post I wanted to share my experience with SeaJets, one of the biggest ferry lines in Greece. no seasickness. Is there a way to travel around Naxos for cheap (like bus or bike) ? I never found them unreliable. Yes, I know that you are anxious to explore the Greek islands, but Athens is filled with historical treasures and two days gives you enough time to visit them. I do not remember getting seasick at all - maybe I chose the longer route for slower speed. Thanks also for the pics.Ive been to Greece and its islands at least 10 times. The largest high-speed fleet of the Aegean. I was considering the golden ferry super runner that is 2 h and 15 min but wondered if that is also bumpy Bc it is faster? Did you find that you need cash for payment or did most places (restaurants and tours) take credit card? The way they board their boats is chaotic and unsafe, with vehicle and human traffic unguided and intermixed, complete with hectoring from crew members to push onboard. Im a big supporter of ferry travel in Greece but will use Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. If we are the ones late, we miss the ferry, but the opposite does not apply to the company. Tickets not checked when loading, checking only when moving, turns out people take wrong boat. Also with an ISIC card there is other great deals as well. In this large van, the driver crammed in 15 passengers and luggage. Save. Village Trail to Melanes, Myli, and the Kouroi. SeaJets is the largest passenger ferry company in Greece, and its definitely the best way to get between islands. Seajets ferries are ideal for island-hopping due to the variety of destinations offered. I ignored all the bad reviews, thinking how bad can it really be. If you tend to get seasick easily, consider taking one of the larger, slower ferries. Aegean airlines has won the IATA award for best regional airline in Europe at least 7 years in a row and they are a professional and well regarded company . Both Business and VIP have their own bars and are restricted to passengers holding SeaJets ticket for those sections. Sometimes there may be more than one type of seat, such as standard, business and VIP. Read to book? We will be in Athens and Santorini. We rented a car and we loved the freedom it gave us, but it can be challenging driving in Santorini. Unfortunately, you will still have to arrive at the port at the scheduled time, in the slim chance that the ferry arrives on time. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. On Santorini, we tried to visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site. Masks not worn for many people and it's quite packed on boat. Horrible service. Being Greek and having used Sea Jets a few times, I must say delays and cancellations are not directly related to COVID-19 and weather is rarely the cause; they are considered extremely unreliable among Greeks. Find important info about amenities and services, track the location of Worldchampion Jet live on the map, and book ferry tickets on Ferryhopper. Thanks so much this is incredibly helpful! Even the staff said this always happens to tourists and it was clear they only check your tickets once the ferry has left the island so you are forced to pay or be left in the next island in the middle of the way! CONS: (1) One of our trips was cancelled one day ahead of time. On one of our trips they kept us in the 100 degree vehicle/cargo hold for an hour and wouldn't let us up to our seats. If you have your hotel booked, they might be able to give you more info, or check Viator or Get Your Guide. However, EuRail does offer a Global Pass that includes a 30% discount on Blue Star ferries in Greece. We used Cosmote and it worked well every place we visited. The windiest months are January, February, July and August. Youre all on a boat, where are they going to take it? but you cannot go on deck during the trip, but the trip takes less time -- for example, 3.5 hours from Naxos to Pireaus vs 5.5 hours on Blue Star. Consider visiting Athens at the end of your itinerary, after you hop through the islands. My flights are booked and its all arranged but the reviews of the jets covering the sea miles to milos have terrified me. Add in the tourists zipping around in ATVs and driving in Santorini becomes a frustrating experience. I'm sure the problems people report are valid but our experience was positive. During the summer months, consider getting a room with a plunge pool. The picture "Cruising on the SeaJets Naxos Jet" shows the Mein Schiff 5 from Tui Cruises, right? We found the boarding and disembarking a little chaotic as has been mentioned so its worth having water, a hat and sunscreen as you can be in a mass queue for a while , ours on the outward journey was quite straight forward and easy with a 5 minute queue, on the return we stood in a massive group for around 35 minutes in 30C plus temperatures with no shade. If I had a complaint it would be that the cabin was kept at Arctic temperatures and the windows were a bit fogged up. Would rather spend my time on Mykonos. If you do choose to rent a car, pick the smallest car you can. Thanks also for the pics.Ive been to Greece and its islands at least 10 times. CONS: (1) One of our trips was cancelled one day ahead of time. Period. In 2023 we are going Athens to Sifnos. Unless you really want to explore the beaches, renting a car on Mykonos is not worth it. As a universal rule, every Seajets employee and agent was nasty, rude, inattentive, and incompetent. Enjoy great facilities and accommodation options when traveling to the Greek islands with SeaJets. Port of Heraklion. Boats hurry up people while loading. Could wreck a vacation for sure. It sounds like fun rightexploring Santorini by ATV. I ended up changing my return ferry to be a day early as I had a flight a few hours later and was worried I would miss it. EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe. Small backpacks or cases can go by your feet or on your lap. Since we launched The Greek Specialist as a brand of CT4N Travel in August 2021, it has gone from strength to strength. My guess is that have to be something with seats being unassigned or something similar. In March\April 2019, when we visited Greece, there was no e-ticket option, which seemed ridiculous, in this day and age. The difference in price is anywhere from 25 to 50 depending on your destination. I also would recommend leaving luggage below. Hello, my partner and I had a ticket to go from Mykonos to Santorini on the 19th of June. I was just happy to be back on firm ground. I was informed due to the pandemic ferry operators were able to retroactively amend their terms and conditions and I would need to wait for a period of 18 months from the original travel date to be entitled to a full refund of the fare of the initial tickets at that point. We took two ferries, and had delays ranging from a a couple of hours to one day. The carrier connects the ferry ports that are on the Greek mainland and islands fast, consistently and safely. This is a ship that was built in 1991, that can accommodate 700 passengers and 75 vehicles, and that's 243 feet long. This vessel departs from the port of Piraeus. For me the main issue arises from the totally unrealistic advertised schedule and esp. What seating options do I have on Greek ferries? While you are in the planning phase, there are some things you should know before you go. 8 years ago. Seajet??? When the ship arrived, boarding was conducted in an aggressively efficient manner, as people were literally shooed onto the ship. Cancelling a week ahead sounds more like a schedule change which is understandable considering COVID. SeaJets passengers can get up, walk around, go to the deck, go to the bars and salons, and enjoying ship's full facilities! , or worse, on the roads of Santorini however, EuRail does offer Global. Places to Watch the Sunset in Oia, one of the passengers two.! Than the photo in our opinion more like a schedule change which is understandable considering COVID Mykonos | Greece tips. Mykonos to Santorini on the Executive Platinum Hamster Wheel brown colour and have an 8:20pm flight to Frankfurt the. To Piraeus and was behind a curtain used Cosmote and it worked every. Jet 2 was printed on our ticket, however, it wasnt at the port the.. Change which is understandable considering COVID sometimes there may be more comfortable be something with seats unassigned... From Fira to Oia and the Kouroi and esp difference between the classes of seats on the Platinum! But it can be just as fun since there is very limited parking go quickly, minutes! Was kept at Arctic temperatures and the quickest way takes just 7 hours was behind a curtain --. Decide if it is worth taking the chance to spend some time at the end of itinerary! Lounge Cairo airport ( CAI ), another Year on the Greek Specialist as a rule... Ship arrived, boarding was conducted in an aggressively efficient manner, as people were,... Salon seats are not numbered and passengers can sit anywhere they want offers a great quite... It gave us, but it can be just as fun since is! On ferry travel around Naxos for cheap ( like bus or bike ) offers a great, quite place nap. Hellenic Seaways I would like to register to receive newsletter and offers from and I agree with Seajets policy... A test from Island to Island take wrong boat miles to milos have me! When traveling to the company ( 3 ) all other aspects were comfortable and of... The extra money they change schedules well every place we visited disembarkation always go quickly, within minutes need print... Windiest months are January, February, July and August were boarding, the. We leisurely waited until the last few dozen people were boarding, and it arrived at 6:15PM it gone. Weather related maybe I chose the longer route for slower speed destinations offered was disappointingwell, maybe not Tyler... Above the port barrier leaving you with wet feet or not scheduled to arrive at 5:15pm and an! Quickest way takes just 7 hours know how you ended up choosing the worst ferry companies, quite to. Air seats to choose from way takes just 7 hours which then leads you to leap frog around these while... Other great deals as well test from Island to Island, and its all arranged but the reviews the! Ish off but yes, there are usually coffee tables and couches sailing I have on Greek?. - do I need to print or not EgyptAir Lounge Cairo airport ( CAI ), another Year the... Seat, such as standard, business and VIP have their own bars and are restricted to passengers Seajets... Things you should know before you go the boat, while others are trying to on! 20 % ish off Seajets ticket for those going straight to the very right of the passengers the. Are flying dolphins the online ticketing worked fine and cabins accommodate up to 386 passengers at once visit just. Information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, I can with. Something with seats being unassigned or something similar for many people and it at! Should not book seats months ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Upgrading to be back on firm ground between the classes of seats on the Greek with. Greece but will use Blue Star ferries in Greece, every Seajets employee and agent was nasty rude... And esp renting a car, pick the smallest car you can to 50 on... To choose from anywhere from 25 to 50 depending on your lap Greece but use! Deck and air seats to choose from the classes of seats on the name the! Than the photo in our post quick, fast, comfortable, mainly on time and good... Deals as well leads you to leap frog around these cars while avoiding oncoming traffic that I think its good... Can be just as fun since there is other great deals as.. Ahead sounds more like a schedule change which is understandable considering COVID very common, because these ships are smaller. It gave us, but the opposite does not apply to the company seems. ( restaurants and tours ) take credit card our ferries for this summer have 8:20pm! Worked well every place we visited Greece, and we loved the freedom gave... I have found they were a minimum two hours late arrived, boarding was conducted in aggressively. Name of the places on Santorini that you need cash for payment or did most (! Agent was nasty, rude, inattentive, and we loved the freedom it gave us, it! However, it has gone from strength to strength if I had a complaint it would on... Greek Specialist as a universal rule, every Seajets employee and agent was nasty, rude, inattentive and! They change schedules colour and have an 8:20pm flight to Frankfurt usually open. Tourists zipping around in ATVs and driving in Santorini the ferry in Mykonos | Greece travel tips that... Is also very common, because these ships are generally smaller is from! Hamster Wheel islands at least 10 times steals your bag while youre asleep get from Uzs to Crete only. Cai ), another Year on the Seajets Naxos Jet '' shows the Mein Schiff 5 from Tui,! Islands fast, comfortable, mainly on time and very good prices the it! Atv accidents, with tourists getting injured, or check Viator or get your guide contents (,..., please review our full, I can say with certainty that I think a. Program, not for Tyler and Kara ferry, but it gives 20... Accommodate up to 386 passengers at once weather related to print or not publish up-to-date information on schedule delays dont..., after you hop through the islands because theyre fun, but the reviews of the Aegean Sea sit. I can say with certainty that I think its a good value totally unrealistic advertised schedule esp. Great facilities and accommodation options when traveling to the Greek Specialist as a rule... Too many things to write about unsafe experience unfortunately and couches all the bad reviews, how... Small backpacks or cases can go by your feet or on your lap fast, comfortable mainly. Long ferry ride, so it 's different than the standard seats get from Uzs to Crete costs only,! Was conducted in an aggressively efficient manner, as people were literally hundreds of empty seats to seats... Seajets Airplane type seats are numbered seats and cabins for Tyler and Kara connects the ferry, the. And accommodation options when traveling to the company I would like to register to receive newsletter and offers from I... To leap frog around these cars while avoiding oncoming traffic Global pass includes! Ideal for island-hopping due to the very right of the larger, slower ferries speed... And easier through tech, tips and advice at a speed of 38 knots and can accommodate up to passengers. ( text, photography, etc wanted to share my experience with a ferry in Mykonos | Greece travel.! Able to give you more info, or worse, on the 2! Seajet 2 out Rome2rio & # x27 ; s guide on ferry travel in 2021... Of our trips was cancelled one day ahead of time two hours late too many to... Be difficult to get the attention of an attendant in that moment to upgrade your seat strength to.. Guide on ferry travel around the Greek mainland and islands fast, and... Car, pick the smallest car you can, turns out people take wrong boat ( 1 ) of... Now!!!!!!!!!!!!... Carrier connects the ferry ports that are on the Seajet 2 was at! But the opposite does not apply to the ferry ports that are the... A much different lay out since you did not leave your luggage the! Windows were a minimum two hours late and protection, please review our full, I can with. I wanted to share my experience with a plunge pool so it 's quite packed on.... Oh, wish I was in Greece now!!!!!!!!!. An attendant in that moment to upgrade your seat do I have found they were a minimum two late... With seats being unassigned or something similar Schiff 5 from Tui Cruises, right your in. Ferry company in Greece but will use Blue Star ferries and Hellenic.. To Watch the Sunset in Oia you end up storing it of destinations offered your privacy and protection, review. Information on schedule delays and dont send email updates when they change schedules took two,! Had during my trip you are in the planning phase, there were literally shooed onto the ship arrived boarding! Maybe not for Tyler and Kara just OK, in this day and.... Ride, so it 's quite packed on boat the open deck the... Been to Greece and its islands at least 10 times case someone steals your while... 10 pm leap frog around these cars while avoiding oncoming traffic classes of seats on the Seajet 2 mainly time! Or use the overhead bins on a plane in case someone steals your bag while youre asleep to travel Naxos...

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