Blue Galaxy ferry

MS Blue Galaxy ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Greece-based company BLUE STAR FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,740 passengers and 780 cars. Launched in 1992, the vessel currently operates on the Greece-Crete ferry route Piraeus–Chania (crossing time: 9 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Blue Galaxy has 176 cabins with a total of 650 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. Cabins accommodate up to 4 passengers and are available as both inside and outside options (with large windows). Each stateroom is fitted with an LCD TV, radio, phone, good sound insulation, and a choice of low and high lighting (bedside and central).

• The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Some cabins are wheelchair-accessible and adapted for disabled passengers. Specially designed cabins for guests with special needs are available for advance booking only via phone (+30-210-8919800).
• Pet-friendly cabins are available but cannot be booked online. As their number is limited, advance reservation is required. If fully booked, a small number of kennels (dog booths) are also available. Pets are not permitted in cabins (except for "A4 Pets" rooms) or any indoor areas such as bars, restaurants, or lounges. Dogs may be walked on open decks but must be leashed and muzzled.

Lounge seating is offered in Super Economy, Special Economy, and Economy categories. Cabin categories include:

• (Outside) LUX single (1-bed), LUX double (double bed), A1 (single), A2 (2-bed), A3 (3-bed / 2 lower + 1 bunk), A4 (4-bed / 2 lower + 2 bunks), A4 Pets (4-bed, with linoleum flooring)
• (Inside) AB1, AB2, AB3, AB4
• All passenger cabins are located on decks 7 and 8.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to arrival at the homeport.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Onboard facilities aboard Blue Galaxy include:

• Deck 6: Two restaurants (buffet and à la carte), Wine Bar, lobby area with Reception Desk, Economy Class lounge with airline-style reclining seats, Shop, Snack Bar, and outdoor seating
• Deck 7: Passenger cabins, Business Class Lounge & Bar, Economy Class lounge (airline-style reclining seats), and Doctor's Office
• Deck 8: Passenger cabins, Flocafe Bar, outdoor seating, and kennels
• Deck 9: Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge, adjacent officers' quarters, and helipad
• GOODY's self-service restaurant (hot and cold meals, children's menus)
• FLOCAFE / Open Deck Bar (sandwiches, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, TVs)
• Gift Shops / Boutiques (gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, confectionery, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry), with shopping promotions
• Sickbay with Telemedical System
• Kennels
• Wi-Fi Internet (for a fee), ATM/cash machine (next to the Information Desk/Reception)

Midship-forward on the top deck (aft of the Navigation Bridge) is the helipad, used for emergency helicopter landings.

The ship has designated luggage storage areas. Luggage up to 50 kg (or 1m³) is transported free of charge. Valuables must not be stored in luggage and can be entrusted to the Chief Purser (Reception) for safekeeping.

All Blue Star cruise ships are equipped with CCTV and image recording. Wi-Fi is available at an extra cost. Mobile phone chargers and iPad rentals are offered. Emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at muster stations. Life jackets are issued at the muster stations. In an emergency, elevators are not to be used.

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public areas and cabins. Designated smoking areas are available on open decks.

Blue Star ferry deals

• Bicycles are transported free of charge.
• For all Greek Islands routes, the company offers a 20% "Special Economy" discount, a €20 per person "Super Economy" discount, 15–20% off cabins, and 20–50% discounts for SeaSmiles (loyalty program) members. These offers apply only to departures from Piraeus.
• On Greece–Crete routes (Piraeus–Heraklion), discounted cabin-plus-car packages are available. These are valid for one-way travel and require booking a full cabin (grades A2, A3, A4, AB2, AB3, AB4). A 20% return ticket discount is also included with each package.

Year-round discounts include: 50% for children aged 5–10, free travel in Economy Class (or 50% off cabin fares) for children aged 0–5, 50% for students (ISIC cardholders), 30% for Greek Domestic + Greece–Italy combined travel, 20% for Piraeus–Paros roundtrips (summer evening departures), and 50% off seat tickets/25% off cabin tickets for FIP members (valid outside July and August, excludes LUX cabins).

Pets on the ship

The cruise ferry offers pet cages. The cage type must be specified during booking. Large Blue Star ships provide two cage sizes: small (max height 50–75 cm, pets under 30 kg) and large (max height 70–90 cm, pets over 30 kg). Passengers may also bring their own pet carriers.

Cage pricing is fixed per voyage and varies by route. A valid pet health card is required. Pets must remain in cages/carriers throughout the crossing.

During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Pet owners disembark last.

Car decks

Vehicles are stored on garage decks 1 through 5. Safety procedures include:

• Passengers with disabilities or requiring assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake, leave the vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off the ignition, alarms, electrical systems, and lights. Close gas cylinders, if any, and lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage from your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is not allowed on vehicle decks, in cabins, or passenger lounges.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To reduce air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The ship charterer, Blue Star Ferries (fleet), was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. Part of the Attica Group, it is the largest ferry company in Greece (sister company to Superfast Ferries), serving over 20 island destinations from mainland Greece to the Aegean Islands.