Blue Star 2 ferry

MS Blue Star 2 ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Greece-based company BLUE STAR FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,890 passengers and 780 cars. Launched in 2000, the vessel currently operates on the Greece–Dodecanese Islands ferry route: Piraeus–Samos–Kos–Rhodes–Karpathos (crossing time: 20 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Blue Star 2 offers 161 cabins with a total of 430 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms. Cabins accommodate up to 4 passengers and include both inside and outside options (with large windows). Each cabin is equipped with an LCD TV, radio, phone, good sound insulation, and adjustable lighting (bedside and central).

Blue Star 2 features a unique class of "PURE Cabins" designed for passengers with allergies or asthma. These rooms undergo a specialized cleaning process to remove dust and allergens from surfaces and the air. PURE cabins are available in LUX Outside (double) and A4 Outside (quad with 2 bunk beds) categories.

• Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available but must be reserved in advance by calling +30-210-8919800.
• Pet-friendly cabins are available but cannot be booked online. Advance reservation is required due to limited availability. If fully booked, a small number of kennels (dog booths) are also available. Pets are not allowed in cabins (except "A4 Pets" rooms) or in indoor public areas such as bars, restaurants, and lounges. Dogs may be walked on open decks but must be leashed and muzzled.
• The ferry is also equipped with 72 reclining seats.
• Cabin breakdown: 24 LUX (2-bed), 81 (2-bed), 54 (4-bed), and 2 accessible (2-bed).

Lounge seat categories include Super Economy, Special Economy, and Economy. Cabin grades are as follows:

• (Outside) LUX single, 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 (linoleum flooring)
• (Inside) AB1, AB2, AB3, AB4
• All cabins are located on Deck 8.

Passengers must vacate their cabins 30 minutes before arrival at the homeport.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities onboard Blue Star 2 include:

• Deck 7: Seating lounge (reclining airline-style seats), Yacht Club Lounge (319 seats), Roma Cafe, lounges, buffet and a la carte restaurants, gift shop, lobby (Reception Desk, Purser, ATM), outdoor seating, First-Class Lounge (213 seats), First-Class Restaurant (161 seats).
• Deck 8: Passenger cabins, Atrium Bar.
• Deck 9: Doctor's Office (First Aid), helipad, kennels.
• Goody’s Burger House (self-service restaurant with hot/cold meals and kids’ menus).
• FLOCAFE (indoor bars), FLOCAFE Bar (open-deck patisserie bar on Deck 7 serving sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and drinks).
• Shops/Boutiques selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, clothes, cameras, sunglasses, and jewelry; shopping promotions are offered.
• Cinema (36 seats) – tickets are sold at the Information Desk.
• Sickbay with Telemedical System.
• Kennels (outdoor dog booths) with open-air walking area.
• Helipad located midship on the top deck, behind the Navigation Bridge and officers’ quarters, for emergency use.
• Wi-Fi Internet (available for a fee), ATM, and payphone next to Reception.

All bars and lounges are equipped with TVs. Designated luggage storage areas are provided. Luggage up to 50 kg (or 1 m³) is free of charge. Valuables must not be kept in luggage; they can be handed over to the Chief Purser for safekeeping.

The ship is equipped with 4 lifeboats (total capacity 600), 28 liferafts (capacity 700), and 1 fast rescue boat.

All Blue Star ferries feature CCTV systems. Wi-Fi, mobile phone chargers, and iPad rentals are available at extra cost. Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TVs, and at muster stations. Life jackets are stored at assembly stations. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, including cabins. It is permitted only in designated outdoor areas on open decks.

Blue Star ferry deals

• Bicycles are transported free of charge.
• On all Greek Island routes, the company offers: 20% "Special Economy" discount, EUR 20 "Super Economy" discount, 15–20% discount on all cabins, and 20–50% discount for SeaSmiles loyalty program members. These offers are valid only for Piraeus departures.
• On Piraeus–Heraklion (Crete) routes, discounted cabin plus car packages are offered. These are valid for one-way trips and require booking a full cabin (grades A2, A3, A4, AB2, AB3, AB4). A 20% return ticket discount is also available.

Year-round discounts include: 50% off for children ages 5–10, free travel for children under 5 in Economy (or 50% cabin fare), 50% student discount (ISIC cardholders), 30% discount for Greek domestic + Greece–Italy combined routes, 20% off roundtrip Piraeus–Paros (summer evening departures), and 50% off seat / 25% off cabin tickets for FIP members (excluding July/August and LUX cabins).

Pets on the ship

The cruiseferry offers Pet Cages (type must be indicated during booking). All large Blue Star ships have two cage types: small (height 50–75 cm, pets under 30 kg) and large (height 70–90 cm, pets over 30 kg). Passengers may also use their own carriers.

Pricing is fixed per voyage and varies by route. Pets must have valid health cards. Pets are not allowed out of their cages/carriers during 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 to 6. Three of these decks are designated for trailers. Car deck safety procedures include:

• Passengers with disabilities should contact the Information Desk (open 24/7).
• Engage the handbrake and leave the car in park or 1st gear. Turn off ignition, alarm, lights, and all electrical systems. Close gas cylinders and lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and necessary hand baggage.
• Note your vehicle's location and garage deck/stairway number.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is not permitted on vehicle decks, in cabins, or lounges.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To reduce 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, serving over 20 island destinations. Its sister company is Superfast Ferries.