BLUE STAR PAROS Tribute and Moments of Trip

Trip: 20 June 2018. From Mykonos to Piraeus, via Tinos and Syros, with the BLUE STAR PAROS of Blue Star Ferries.

The BLUE STAR PAROS was ordered in 2000 by the Greek company Blue Star Ferries (which had just been acquired by Attica Group, after previously serving the Greek coastal service as Strintzis Lines), along with the BLUE STAR NAXOS, as sister ships of their very successful 2000-built fleetmate, the BLUE STAR ITHAKI (now in Canada). Initially ordered under the name BLUE STAR SANTORINI, she was instead named BLUE STAR PAROS. This was done in order to avoid confusion with the ferry EXPRESS SANTORINI of Hellas Ferries (now the AL SALMY 4 of the Emirati company SAMC) which was operating on the Cyclades at the time. She was completed in 2002 in South Korea, and was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, replacing the BLUE STAR ITHAKI. Just like it was the case with the BLUE STAR NAXOS, the introduction of the BLUE STAR PAROS proved to be a major success, and the ship managed to beat off competition against established rivals such as Hellas Ferries (part of Minoan Flying Dolphins and later Hellas Flying Dolphins). Their introduction cemented Blue Star Ferries' dominance on the Aegean Sea, and most notably on the Cyclades. In 2006 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Irakleia-Schoinousa-Koufonisi-Donousa-Amorgos-Santorini-Astypalaia line, where she would go on to operate for the next eight years, leaving the line after the 2014 season after an extremely successful service during which she was the sole provider of coastal service connexions of the Lesser Cyclades with Piraeus (while the same islands relied also on the traditional inter-island service provided by the small ferry EXPRESS SKOPELITIS of Small Cyclades Lines).

In 2015, the ship was deployed for the first time from the port Rafina, operating on the Rafina-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios line previously occupied by the company's former ship, the BLUE STAR ITHAKI, before she was sold to the Canadian company Bay Ferries Limited in 2014 (serving today on the St John-Digby line as the FUNDY ROSE). The following year she was deployed on the Dodecanese lifeline for the summer, on the Piraeus-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Castellorizon line, replacing the DIAGORAS which had been sold by Blue Star Ferries. Despite being a day ferry and lacking enough cabins required for this long and demanding lifeline, she performed extremely well, and was able to meet the success of her predecessor, which rejoined Blue Star Ferries after the 2017 season. In 2017, she connected the Dodecanese lifeline with the Cyclades islands of Paros and Naxos, thus operating on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Castellorizon line. In 2018, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos line.

So this is a detailed summary of that special ship's history. Despite now being a veteran of the Greek coastal service, she is still among its youngest members, having spent all of her 16 years in Greek waters so far, alongside the BLUE STAR NAXOS. Together with the BLUE STAR ITHAKI which unfortunately is no longer operating in Greece, the three ships have formed one of the most successful trios in the history of the Greek coastal service. The BLUE STAR PAROS has traditionally been acclaimed on the Cyclades, but also met considerable success on the Dodecanese in recent years. The ferry, just like her sister ships, was built in order to mark a new era on the Aegean Sea, with ships built to today's design standards and featuring modern and comfortable amenities designed to make a trip in Greece an unforgettable experience. Sixteen years later, the ship has not disappointed at all, and many still claim that she is one of the few ferries that are this modern, reliable and fast when performing trips.

I personally had the chance to travel with the BLUE STAR PAROS for the first time during the 2018 season, as part of my return trip from Mykonos to Athens, where I was to spend the next month as an intern. After having done a week-long trip in Ios, in Mykonos and in Delos with my university friends, it was now time to head back home. And I personally think that I chose the best ferry in order to make this return trip as memorable as possible. This trip marked my fifth one of the season, and was also the first time that I returned from the Cyclades to Piraeus with a conventional ferry, with my previous trips on that same route having only been done with high speed craft. Moreover, it was my third trip with a Blue Star Ferries ship, after having already done two different trips with the BLUE STAR PATMOS, one from Piraeus to Santorini on 7-8 July 2015 and one from Santorini to Ios on 10 July 2017. Therefore, the BLUE STAR PAROS became the second Blue Star Ferries ship on which I traveled in my life.

The BLUE STAR PAROS seen in the new port of Mykonos, shortly before traveling with her.

I reached the new port of Mykonos (where ferries and some cruise ships dock, as the old port is too small to fit such ships today) by traveling on the MYKONOS STAR of Delos Tours-Mykonos Sea Bus from the old port (a trip which only lasts ten minutes).

The BLUE STAR PAROS seen from the MYKONOS STAR in the new port of Mykonos.

The BLUE STAR PAROS seen resting in Mykonos.

The BLUE STAR PAROS, which had previously arrived from Ikaria. She had been deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos just a few days before my trip, with the BLUE STAR NAXOS being on the line before she returned to her usual service on the Lesser Cyclades lifeline.

The BLUE STAR PAROS seen in Mykonos, with the cruise ship JEWEL OF THE SEAS of Royal Caribbean International docked right behind her.

The BLUE STAR PAROS seen as the MYKONOS STAR begins to approach the new port of Mykonos.

While the BLUE STAR PAROS was still visible, I spotted the fleetmate of the MYKONOS STAR, the MYKONOS SPIRIT, leaving the new port of Mykonos in order to head towards the old port of the island.

While I headed towards the docking spot of the new port of Mykonos, I spotted the fleetmate of the MYKONOS STAR, the MYKONOS EXPRESS, resting in the new port.

The MYKONOS EXPRESS seen in her namesake island's new port. She was built in 2013, two years before the MYKONOS STAR, and was the first ship to connect the two ports of the island. Her service proved to be very successful, with her company deploying three new ships on this service in addition to their core services on the Mykonos-Delos line, as I mentioned it in my previous blog post.

As I embarked aboard the BLUE STAR PAROS, I saw the high speed ferry CHAMPION JET 2 of Sea Jets having arrived in the new port of Mykonos. Hence I decided to take pictures of this ship before going to present the indoor and outdoor areas of the BLUE STAR PAROS.

The CHAMPION JET 2 seen in Mykonos. In 2018, she was on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line, as it was also the case in 2017. Previously, she spent the summers of 2015 and 2016 on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, a line which was taken over by her sister ship, the CHAMPION JET 1, beginning in 2017.

The funnel of the CHAMPION JET 2, which is simply long and flat. Most ships built in her shipyard, the well-known Incat Shipyards in Australia, feature this funnel. Unlike her fleetmates, she does not have the logo of her company written down on her funnel.

The CHAMPION JET 2 seen departing Mykonos in order to head towards Paros.

The CHAMPION JET 2 seen departing Mykonos in order to make her return trip towards the Cyclades Islands and Crete. In what was her fourth season with Sea Jets, the CHAMPION JET 2 was very successful while operating on a very popular and demanding seasonal line: the connection of the main Cyclades islands with the Cretan ports.

After seeing the CHAMPION JET 2 leaving the Mykonos port, it was now time for me to have a look around the ship's amenities, beginning with the indoor areas. The ship has a total of 8 decks, with Decks 6 and 7 being the ones featuring interior passenger areas. Deck 8 has the ship's well-known outdoor sun decks. Thus, I began walking around Deck 6, where I spotted a modern reception desk.

Right behind the reception desk, I saw the ship's modern alley, part of the B' Class Lounge, which featured a few seats and a small bar selling soft drinks, coffee and snacks.

The continuation of the alley, which becomes even more narrow and features seats placed one next to the other.

Further forward, I could spot the Air Seats Area, which, as its name indicates, features aircraft-style seats aligned in one alley and right next to the ship's windows.

The deckplan of the BLUE STAR PAROS, displaying signs in both Greek and English.

Another view of the Air Seats Area.

Further back, I spotted the ship's onboard retail store. Just like all Blue Star Ferries ships, it is managed under the Hellenic Travel Shops brandname.

At the stern section of Deck 6, I noticed that the ship had restaurant area managed by Goody's Burger House, which is Greece's most popular fast food chain. It produces food of very good quality and is known to operate aboard the BLUE STAR NAXOS as well. The younger BLUE STAR DELOS is also known to have a Goody's restaurant onboard, as do the older sister ships BLUE STAR 1 and BLUE STAR 2.

The outdoor area of Deck 6, located next to the stern. It features a small sun deck with several wooden chairs and plastic tables sticked to the ground.

I then headed upstairs, reaching Deck 7. The latter had a larger sun deck in the stern section, though it also featured an outdoor bar. It nevertheless features similar chairs and tables as the ones seen in the sun deck of Deck 6.

The port side outdoor alley in Deck 7, featuring life-rafts and a small orange lifeboat.

Another view of the port side outdoor alley.

Inside the middle section of the ship in Deck 7, one can see the ship's few passenger cabins. Overall, she has 26 of them, which are enough for a long trip on the Lesser Cyclades lifeline or when doing trips to Ikaria, Fournoi and Samos, but not enough for the Dodecanese lifeline which she served in 2016 and in 2017.

Some of the cabins' doors are decorated with posters showing the mascot of Blue Star Ferries, the small anthropomorphised blue star named Bluestarino. Above the character, the sign says, in Greek, 'Bluestarino wishes you a pleasant trip'.

After exiting the cabins alley, one can find a brighter alley leading to another aircraft-style-seats-based lounge area, as shown in this picture.

The indoor staircase linking Deck 6 with Deck 7, as shown in this picture.

I then headed to Deck 8, which has the ship's famous outdoor sun deck.

A view of the ship's Deck 8 seen from the front section, where the sun deck is located.

One of the ship's many life buoys, featuring her name and port of registry (Piraeus) in English.

The ship's foremast and emergency landing area. The bridge is located in front of the mast.

The ship's builder's plate, which shows that she was completed in 2002 in the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyards in South Korea, just like the BLUE STAR ITHAKI did in 2000 and the BLUE STAR NAXOS did in 2002 as well. Two other ships were built for Blue Star Ferries in that same shipyard, the sister ships BLUE STAR DELOS (in 2011) and BLUE STAR PATMOS (in 2012), which both operate successful services on the Cyclades.

Back at the stern section, I spotted the Greek flag flying onboard the ship.

The ship's very modern funnel, painted in her company's colours and displaying the famous blue star, after which her owners are named.

Just a few minutes before the BLUE STAR PAROS was supposed to depart the new port of Mykonos (at around 14:15), I spotted another high speed craft arriving at the port. This time, it was the unique SANTORINI PALACE of Minoan Lines, which was arriving from Paros.

The SANTORINI PALACE, which had been operating for Minoan Lines for only 10 days prior to my trip with the BLUE STAR PAROS. She was the main rival of the CHAMPION JET 2, as she was on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line (all ports that are served by the Sea Jets high speed ferry, alongside Rethymnon and Naxos). She was previously operating under Hellenic Seaways, as the HIGHSPEED 5 (2005-2016) and then as the HIGHSPEED 7 (2016-2018).

The SANTORINI PALACE seen prior to her maneuvering procedure in Mykonos. She has been on her line since 2013, and operated successfully for Hellenic Seaways, before suffering a fire incident while undergoing a minor conversion in Keratsini in 2015. She was repaired the following year and was renamed HIGHSPEED 7, returning to her usual service from Heraklion to the Cyclades.

The SANTORINI PALACE approaching the new port of Mykonos. While she began the 2018 season under Hellenic Seaways, she was sold to Minoan Lines when the former was acquired by the parent company of the BLUE STAR PAROS, Attica Group. The deal included her sale to Minoan Lines (a member of Grimaldi Group, which were the previous major shareholders of Hellenic Seaways) and the transferring of the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line to the Cretan company, as a means to avoid a monopoly of Cyclades services by Attica Group.

One of the two funnels of the SANTORINI PALACE, featuring the well-known logo of Minoan Lines. It was added just ten days before my trip with the BLUE STAR PAROS.

The SANTORINI PALACE after having maneuvered and preparing to dock in Mykonos.

The SANTORINI PALACE preparing to dock in Mykonos. She was the first high speed craft to operate for Minoan Lines since 1999. Indeed, the Heraklion-based company owned the HIGHSPEED 1 from 1997 to 1999, a ship which went on to become a fleetmate of the SANTORINI PALACE during their Hellenic Seaways years. The HIGHSPEED 1, the original ship that began to carry the 'Highspeed' trademark name, was sold by Hellenic Seaways in 2011, and now operates as the SEASTAR 7 of Korean company Jung Do. However, she has not been sailing since 2017, and is currently listed for sale.

The SANTORINI PALACE having just docked in Mykonos.

The SANTORINI PALACE departed Mykonos just a few minutes after having docked, in order to make her return trip towards Paros, Ios, Santorini and Heraklion.

The SANTORINI PALACE departing Mykonos.

The SANTORINI PALACE leaving Mykonos, in what was her first summer under Minoan Lines.

The SANTORINI PALACE leaving Mykonos in order to head towards Paros.

The SANTORINI PALACE beginning to head towards Paros.

Another view of the SANTORINI PALACE.

Another view of the Mykonos landscape, shortly before the departure of the BLUE STAR PAROS.

At around 14:15 the BLUE STAR PAROS began to head for the first stop of the trip, the island of Tinos. For the BLUE STAR PAROS' standards, the trip only last 30 minutes. Fortunately, the sea was calm, making the crossing more smooth. Usually, the Cyclades area including Syros, Tinos and Mykonos is known for its intense winds which occasionally make the sea around these islands a bit rough.

While the BLUE STAR PAROS departed, I noticed another high speed craft arriving from Paros to Mykonos. This time, it was the PAROS JET of Sea Jets, which was operating on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line at the time.

Th PAROS JET seen maneuvering in Mykonos. Just like the BLUE STAR PAROS, she is named after Paros, the beautiful Cyclades island located at the heart of the Archipelago.

The PAROS JET seen maneuvering in Mykonos, while the BLUE STAR PAROS leaves that same island.

After 30 minutes, we arrived in Tinos, at around 14:45. I got to see the port again, after having already done so six days before my trip with the BLUE STAR PAROS.

Shortly prior to our departure, scheduled at 15:00, I saw the PAROS JET approaching the port of Tinos.

The PAROS JET approaching the port of Tinos, just a few minutes after having left Mykonos.

The PAROS JET seen approaching the port of Tinos.

The PAROS JET preparing to enter the port of Tinos.

The PAROS JET in the process of entering the port of Tinos.

The PAROS JET seen shortly prior to her maneuvering procedure.

The impressive PAROS JET seen in Tinos. The 2018 season was her fourth in Greece under Sea Jets, after beginning service for them in 2015. Her initial season was spent on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Koufonisi-Amorgos line. Her second season saw her on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, while in 2017 she was solely on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line, where she successfully operated alongside her fleetmate, the flagship of Sea Jets, the much-acclaimed TERA JET.

The PAROS JET entering the port of Tinos. 2018 saw her operating as the company's spare ship, being deployed on any line covered by Sea Jets in case one of its incumbent ships would experience technical problems. And to be fair, this occurred quite frequently that summer, so the ship was quite busy. She spent most of her time on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line, but also served the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line and the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Ios-Santorini line. Moreover, she had stints on other lines not served by her company, being deployed for a few days on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades when the EXPRESS SKIATHOS of Hellenic Seaways had an engine failure, and also operated on the Piraeus-Chania line in the first days after the fire incident that the EL. VENIZELOS of ANEK Lines experienced at the end of the summer season.

The PAROS JET having entered the port of Tinos. Before being bought by Sea Jets, she operated in Italy (the country where she was built), being owned by the French-Italian company Corsica Ferries-Sardinia Ferries and operating as the CORSICA EXPRESS SECONDA on various lines connecting the French island of Corsica with mainland Italy. In the early 2010s, her company had financial issues and used her sparingly in order to limit their fuel costs.

The PAROS JET in Tinos. She has two sister ships that initially operated alongside her under the ownership of Corsica Ferries-Sardinia Ferries. One of them, the CORSICA EXPRESS THREE (the only one still operating for the company to date), actually operated in Greece previously, when she was chartered by the now-defunct Kallisti Ferries, operating between 2007 and 2009 on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos line (the same line on which the BLUE STAR PAROS was operating). This service was however unsuccessful, and as a result the company ceased operations and the ship returned to her owners. Six years later, her sister ship was bought by Sea Jets and still operates in Greece today.

The PAROS JET seen maneuvering in Tinos.

The PAROS JET maneuvering in Tinos.

The PAROS JET seen in Tinos. At the same time, it was 15:00, which meant that the BLUE STAR PAROS began to leave for the next destination, which was Syros.

The PAROS JET preparing to dock in Tinos.

While the PAROS JET prepares to dock, the BLUE STAR PAROS has left Tinos.

The PAROS JET heading towards Tinos' docking spot.

One last view of the speedy PAROS JET in Tinos.

After 30 minutes, we were already approaching the island of Syros. Right outside the latter, I spotted yet another Sea Jets ship. This time, it was the ANDROS JET, which was operating on her company's inter-Cyclades lifeline.

The ANDROS JET having left Syros and heading towards Andros. The summer of 2018 was her debut season for Sea Jets, after having bought shortly after the 2017 season from Turkey, where she had previously spent her entire career, as the CEZAYIRLI HASAN PAŞA 1 for the Turkish company İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri (İDO), on the Yalova-Pendik line. Her fist summer with Sea Jets saw her operating on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos-Andros-Tinos-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Donousa-Amorgos-Koufonisi-Schoinousa-Irakleia-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios-Thirassia-Santorini-Anafi lifeline. She had replaced the conventional ferry usually operating on the line, the AQUA JEWEL, which had been chartered to the Azores-based company Atlântico Line. The first year of the ANDROS JET was quite troublesome, as she suffered several technical problems while operating, causing many delays and canceled trips on a demanding line.

The ANDROS JET seen heading from Syros to her namesake island.

At around 15:45, the BLUE STAR PAROS was approaching Syros' port, which is located in the city of Hermoupolis, which serves as both the capital of the island and of the entire Cyclades regional division.

The port of Hermoupolis shortly prior to entering it.

Another view of the port of Hermoupolis in Syros, which has been hailed as one of the most beautiful ports in Greece.

The port of Hermoupolis seen once again. There, the sister ship of the BLUE STAR PAROS, the BLUE STAR ITHAKI, became a legend, as she operated on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos line for many years, including during the last months of her Greek career. Syros was the last island she called before returning to Piraeus shortly before her departure to Canada. Not surprisingly, her last departure from Syros was extremely emotional for the island's residents and the ship's crew alike. Fortunately, the BLUE STAR PAROS can help the residents remain contact with a ship from such a successful class.

A dry bulk carrier seen right next to the famous Neorion Shipyards, which serve as the Cyclades' largest shipyards. After several years of financial troubles, they have now been bought by a profitable shareholder and can now operate on a healthy basis once again.

After 15 minutes spent in the port of Syros, we left for the final destination of the trip, Piraeus (at around 16:00). This was the longest section of the trip in terms of distance and time, as the BLUE STAR PAROS makes the Piraeus-Syros connection in three hours and 15 minutes. Here is a view of the back section of the ship seen from the Deck 8 sun deck.

Another view of the impressive funnel of the BLUE STAR PAROS.

At some point during the trip, we reached the area separating the islands of Kythnos from Kea. There I saw, from a far distance, the ferry ADAMANTIOS KORAIS of Zante Ferries, which was heading towards Kythnos as part of her usual trips on the Western Cyclades lifeline.

Just two minutes later, I spotted a ship heading from Kea to the Attica coast. This was the legendary ferry MACEDON of Goutos Lines, which operates on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos line.

The MACEDON hence seen heading from Kea to Lavrion. She was built in 1972 (thirty years before the BLUE STAR PAROS) in Japan, and has been operating in Greece since 1976, making 2018 her forty-third summer in Greek waters.

The MACEDON on her way towards Lavrion. In her 42 years in Greece, she spent service in Rafina (connecting it with the Cyclades and later with the Northeast Aegean Sea). Her owners have included the now-defunct companies Epirus Line, Polemis Epirus Line, Peace Line and Nomicos Lines. Under the latter, she operated on the Sporades, and continued to operate there under Minoan Flying Dolphins until 2002.

Passing by the MACEDON on the Cyclades. In 2002 she was sold to Goutos Lines, which also owned her previously between 1985 and 1992, though she sailed under the name KYTHNOS during her first stint. She has found a stable service since returning to Goutos Lines in 2002, having remained on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos line ever since.

Passing by the legendary MACEDON on the Cyclades.

One last view of the MACEDON as she heads towards Lavrion.

Twenty minutes after encountering the MACEDON, I spotted another veteran ferry. This time it was the Ro-Ro carrier KAPETAN CHRISTOS of Sourmelis NE, which had left from her base port, Elefsina, in order to serve several Aegean Islands.

Though she is even older than the MACEDON, the KAPETAN CHRISTOS arrived in Greece more than forty years after the latter. She spent the 2017 season on the Elefsina-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Thessaloniki line on the Northeast Aegean Sea, before serving the majority of the Aegean Sea beginning in 2018, making more frequent appearances in Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Syros.

The beautiful KAPETAN CHRISTOS, with her classic white hull, seen sailing towards the Cyclades.

One last view of the KAPETAN CHRISTOS.

The next ship that I saw was a fleetmate of the BLUE STAR PAROS: the great BLUE STAR PATMOS, which was heading from Piraeus to Syros.

The impressive BLUE STAR PATMOS, which was built in the same shipyard as the BLUE STAR PAROS, though she was completed exactly ten years after the latter. In 2018, she was on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Anafi line.

A view of the BLUE STAR PATMOS, on which I have traveled twice (being the first ferry of Blue Star Ferries with which I traveled, and the only one until my trip with the BLUE STAR PAROS).

One last view of the BLUE STAR PATMOS as she heads towards Syros.

At around 18:50, the sun was starting to fade away. Around that time, we started to approach Piraeus. There, I saw another Blue Star Ferries ship, this time being the company's flagship, the BLUE STAR 1, which was also heading from Piraeus to Syros.

The BLUE STAR 1 was the first ship built for Blue Star Ferries as part of their newbuilding programme which consisted of building five ships between 2000 and 2002. This group included the BLUE STAR 1, the BLUE STAR 2, the BLUE STAR ITHAKI (all built in 2000), the BLUE STAR PAROS and the BLUE STAR NAXOS (both built in 2002).

Another view of the BLUE STAR 1 as she heads from Piraeus to Syros. 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 ports of the Aegean Sea, and has been Blue Star Ferries' flagship since her construction was finished in 2000.

We were almost in Piraeus, and this moment marked my maiden call at the Athens port for the 2018 season, as I had previously left Athens to travel on the Cyclades via Rafina.

As we approached the port, I noticed another ship returning to Athens, though at the port of Floisbos, located a few kilometers away from Piraeus. It was the one-day cruise ship PLATYTERA TON OURANON of Hydraïki Cruises, which does one-day cruises on the Saronic Gulf, on the Floisbos-Hydra-Poros-Aegina line.

The PLATYTERA TON OURANON heading towards Floisbos. I had traveled with her on 9 September 2017, performing a one-day cruise in Hydra, Poros and Aegina as my last trip for the 2017 season.

At around 19:00, we finally reached Piraeus, where the port was waiting for me for the first time in almost ten months.

A view of the port of Piraeus shortly prior to entering it.

After entering the port of Piraeus, I got to see a familiar building, the one which hosts the headquarters of the Greek Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy.

Behind it, next to the Vassiliadis Drydocks, was the floating museum HELLAS LIBERTY, which has been a present figure in Piraeus since 2010.

Next to her was the gigantic NISSOS SAMOS of Hellenic Seaways resting in the port.

Formerly the IONIAN QUEEN of Endeavor Lines on the Adriatic Sea, the NISSOS SAMOS spent her debut season with Hellenic Seaways on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Thessaloniki line in 2016. In 2017 she successfully operated on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini line. After the takeover of Hellenic Seaways by Attica Group, she returned to the Northeast Aegean Sea, replacing the BLUE STAR 1 on the Piraeus-Psara-Oinousses-Chios-Mytilene line in 2018.

The NISSOS SAMOS resting in Piraeus, in her third season under Hellenic Seaways.

Behind her were two high speed craft which happened to be sister ships. These were the fleetmate of the NISSOS SAMOS, the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED, and the SPEEDRUNNER III of Aegean Speed Lines.

I also had the chance to see another Minoan Lines ship (this time in Piraeus): the flagship of the company, the KNOSSOS PALACE, which operates on the Piraeus-Milos-Heraklion line.

The KNOSSOS PALACE resting in Piraeus, in what was her nineteenth summer on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, where she has spent her entire career so far. In 2018, she also made crossings to the island of Milos, linking the latter with both Piraeus and Crete.

I then saw another Sea Jets ship: the sister ship of the CHAMPION JET 2, the CHAMPION JET 1, which had returned to Piraeus after her daily service on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, where she was spending her second consecutive summer.

Three different ships operating on the Saronic Gulf: the POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries, the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries and the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX of Hellenic Seaways.

Next to them was another hydrofoil, the FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA of Aegean Flying Dolphins, operating on the Saronic Gulf since 2010, and on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line since 2011.

The POSIDON HELLAS seen resting in Piraeus. She has spent all of her twenty years on the Saronic Gulf, and has been owned by 2way Ferries since 2015.

Another view of the SPEEDRUNNER III, which was spending her second straight year on the Western Cyclades line since returning to Aegean Speed Lines following her charters to Navline and Levante Ferries in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The SPEEDRUNNER III resting in Piraeus. 2018 saw her operating on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos line, stopping calls at Folegandros and Sikinos, which she had served in 2017.

The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED resting as well in Piraeus. The 2018 season was her third under the colours of Hellenic Seaways, while it marked the second season in a row that she was working on the Piraeus-Sifnos-Ios-Santorini line.

Behind them, and next to the docking spot of the BLUE STAR PAROS, was the gigantic EL. VENIZELOS of ANEK Lines, which operated on the Piraeus-Chania line, under the ANEK-Attica Group joint venture.

The EL. VENIZELOS, in her second straight summer on the Piraeus-Chania line, after having alternated between charters to Western Mediterranean Sea companies and services on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line during the Syrian refugee crisis.

Another view of the SPEEDRUNNER III resting in Piraeus.

While the BLUE STAR PAROS was docking, I saw yet another one of her fleetmates. This time, it was the BLUE HORIZON, which operates on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, also under the ANEK-Attica Group joint venture.

Another view of the SPEEDRUNNER III.

The BLUE HORIZON seen in Piraeus. She has been on the Piraeus-Heraklion line since 2014. Previously, she operated as the SUPERFERRY HELLAS for Strintzis Lines on the Adriatic Sea before the latter became Blue Star Ferries. She was renamed BLUE HORIZON in 2000 and remained on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Bari line until 2010, when she moved to the Piraeus-Chania line. After being laid-up in Syros in 2012, she returned to service in 2013, initially on the Piraeus-Santorini-Kos-Rhodes line, before moving to the Piraeus-Heraklion line in 2014, where she remains today.

The 21-year-old HELLENIC HIGHSPEED resting in Piraeus.

One last view of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED in Piraeus.

One last view of the EL. VENIZELOS.

And a final one of the BLUE HORIZON. By that time, the BLUE STAR PAROS had already docked in Piraeus and was beginning to disembark all passengers and vehicles, thus marking the end of my trip with her.

And so this ends my week-long trip on the Cyclades (though I would then return to other Cyclades islands with my family). And I found the perfect ship to make my trip back to Athens, and in Piraeus for the first time in 2018. The BLUE STAR PAROS is considered to be one of the best ferries in the Greek coastal service for a reason: she is a modern, fast and comfortable ship, with excellent amenities and unique sun decks which make the trip more enjoyable while being able to admire the Cyclades. I was also pleased to see several ships during the trip, with many of them being seen for the first time in 2018. I will remember this trip with this great ferry, without a doubt.

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