Cruise Europa ferry

MS Cruise Europa ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Greek company MINOAN LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,850 passengers and 963 cars (or 610 cars and 180 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2009, she currently operates on the Greece-Italy ferry route Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona-Trieste (crossing time: 29.5 hours, or 22 hours to Ancona).

Unlike most ferries, Cruise Europa is also classed as a "cruise ship" and offers 3- and 4-day Adriatic cruise packages with roundtrip departures from both Greece and Italy. Fares include a stateroom and buffet dining (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Suite passengers enjoy complimentary gym access and discounted daily Spa passes.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Cruise Europa has 413 cabins (including 68 suites) with a total of 1,257 beds. Staterooms include single (1-bed), 2-, 3-, and 4-berth options in various categories (interior and exterior). Room service is available for Owner Suites, Junior Suites, Deluxe, and 2-Bedroom Outside cabins. Suite passengers also receive complimentary access to the wellness center (fitness and wet area) and breakfast service, which can be delivered in-cabin upon request.

All staterooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, with en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/wash basin, hairdryer), wall-mounted lower and upper bunk beds, bedside table/cabinet with stool or chair, mirrored vanity (small writing desk with chair or stool), flat-screen TV, phone, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided by the ferry company.

The ship also features 548 reclining seats (aircraft-style) in reserved seating lounges, available for pre-booking. Some cabins are wheelchair-accessible and adapted for disabled passengers. There are also 4-bed "Pet cabins" for travelers with pets, featuring linoleum flooring.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As onboard facilities, the Cruise Europa ship offers:

• (Lobby Deck) ATM/cash machine located next to the Reception (Information Desk). Onboard Wi-Fi is available for purchase, either online (during booking) or onboard at Reception.
• Disco (glass-dome nightclub), Casino (with gaming tables and slot machines), Video Games Room (arcade machines), Internet Café, VIP Room (for private parties),
• Bars (indoor and outdoor) and restaurants (fast food, self-service buffet, à la carte).
• Children's Room: indoor playground with a large flat-screen TV (cartoons), bean bags, small tables and chairs, toys, games, indoor playhouse, and supervised activities.
• Two Reserved Seating Lounges (Economy-Class and Club-Class) with Pullman-style reclining armchairs and large flat-screen TVs. Two lounges are also reserved for truck drivers (restaurant and bar).
• Wellness Center: Spa Reception, Lounge, saunas, steam room (Turkish bath), locker rooms, round-shaped Jacuzzi, relaxation area (with loungers), two massage rooms, facial lamps, solar showers, shop (beauty products), sundeck area (loungers and low tables), Beauty Parlor (Salon), and a gym with modern Technogym equipment. Entry is limited to adults and teens (14–18) accompanied by adults.
• Shopping Center: boutiques/retail shops and a Mini-Market selling discounted alcohol, tobacco, premium perfumes and cosmetics, designer jewelry, fashion and accessories, footwear, watches, handbags, sunglasses, hygiene products, travel items, snacks, toys, books, magazines, electronics, CDs, gifts, and souvenirs.
• Conference Center (capacity: 300) available for rental for meetings, conferences, seminars, and events. Fully furnished with ergonomic seating and equipped with two 43-inch TVs, one 62-inch TV, DVD player, four microphones (one wireless), computer, 100 wireless headphones, BOSE audio system, and simultaneous interpretation equipment.
• Sun Deck: solarium with heated swimming pool (open in summer), sunbathing area (sun loungers and deckchairs), outdoor seating (tables and chairs), and a pool bar (serving fast food, snacks, cocktails, beer, and soft drinks). The area is wind-protected with transparent glass walls.
• The Navigation Bridge is located forward. The red-painted funnel is midship. A helipad is located aft for emergency medical evacuations.
• The ship provides free Wi-Fi Internet access.

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are provided at the muster stations. In case of emergency, elevator use is prohibited.

Minoan Lines ferry deals

The company currently offers the following discounts:

• 50% discount for NAT pensioners (and spouses) on domestic routes for all cabin classes except LUX, plus 20% off for motorbikes and cars on the same itinerary.
• 30% discount for Unemployment Cardholders (domestic routes, all cabin classes except LUX), plus 20% off for motorbikes and cars (same itinerary). Valid ID and unemployment card required.
• 50% discount for children aged 4–16 on international routes (Greece-Italy) across all cabin classes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• 50% military discount (for Greek army conscripts) on domestic routes only. Military ID required. Not valid for permanent military personnel.
• 50% discount for war invalids/victims and their companions, including vehicles with special number plates, all cabin classes except LUX.
• 50% discount for passengers with disabilities over 80% (documentation required), including their companion and vehicles with disability plates (owner must be traveling). Applies to all cabin classes except LUX.
• 30% discount for families with three children (all cabin classes except LUX), plus 20% off for bicycles and cars. Children must be up to 25 years old. Family status certificate required.
• Large family discounts (domestic routes): 50% for VIP and DECK seats, 30% for all cabin classes (except LUX), 20% for bikes and cars.
• Children up to 4 years old travel free in economy-class seats and at 50% fare in cabins (all classes).
• One passenger travels free in a 4-bed cabin (domestic routes only) if two of the four tickets are full fare.
• 30% discount for Greece leg on combined International + Domestic tickets (Greece and Italy). Both tickets must be booked simultaneously.
• 30% discount on return leg tickets (domestic routes) for both passengers and vehicles.
• University Student discounts (domestic routes): 50% off VIP and DECK seats, 50% off all cabin classes (except LUX), and 20% off bicycles and cars. Student ID required.
• ISIC Student Card discounts (international and domestic): 50% off DECK and VIP seats plus 20% off cars/motorcycles (Greece); 20% off cabin classes (except LUX) and vehicles (Italy).
• Discounted "cabin plus car" packages for one-way and roundtrip tickets.
• Roundtrip "cabin and car" discounted deals available.

Car decks

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those needing assistance should visit the Information Desk (Deck 7, open 24 hours).
• Apply handbrake, shift into park or first gear, turn off ignition, alarms, electronics, and lights. Switch off gas cylinders if applicable. Lock the vehicle.
• Only bring valuables and essential hand luggage when leaving your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle's location, garage deck number, and nearest stairway before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and in passenger lounges.
• Wait for the announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To minimize air pollution, do not start your engine until instructed.

The ship charterer, Minoan Lines (founded in 1972 and headquartered in Heraklion, Crete, Greece), is a Greek ferry company and part of the Grimaldi Group. Minoan operates ferry routes between Crete and Piraeus (mainland Greece), as well as Adriatic routes between Patras and Italian ports. The company’s current fleet includes Festos Palace and Knossos Palace (sisterships). Minoan also charters the GRIMALDI LINES ferries Cruise Europa and Cruise Olympia. The vessels Olympia Palace and Europa Palace are currently chartered to TIRRENIA.