Festos Palace ferry

MS Festos Palace ferry is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Greek company MINOAN LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,500 passengers and 600 cars (or 90 trucks/trailers). Launched in 2001, she currently operates on the Greece-Crete ferry route Piraeus-Heraklion with a crossing time of 6 hours.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Festos Palace has a total of 758 berths in single-occupancy (1-bed), 2-, 3-, and 4-berth staterooms across several categories (Deluxe, First Class, and Second Class). Room service is available for all Deluxe and 2-Bed Outside cabins.

All cabins are soundproof, air-conditioned, and feature en-suite bathrooms. Each is furnished with a small writing table and chair, telephone, and flat-screen TV. Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible, adapted for disabled passengers. The ship also offers 742 reclining seats (aircraft-style seats in reserved lounges), available for pre-booking.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities onboard Festos Palace include ATMs, slot machines, an Internet café, two bars (indoor and outdoor), restaurants (fast food, self-service, à la carte), a kids’ playroom, the Erofili shopping center, cinema, disco, and a top-deck swimming pool (heated, open only during summer months).

The onboard shop offers travel essentials, gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, clothing, sunglasses, handbags, fashion accessories, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, and toys.

The Navigation Bridge is located forward, the red-painted funnel midship, and the helicopter landing pad aft, used in medical emergencies.

There are two Reserved Seating Lounges (Economy Class and Business Class) with comfortable Pullman seats (fully reclining armchairs) and large flat-screen TVs. Two exclusive lounges for truck drivers are also available, featuring a restaurant and bar.

All emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship’s assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at the muster stations. In an emergency, the use of elevators is prohibited.

Minoan Lines ferry deals

The company currently offers the following discounts:

• 50% discount for NAT pensioners (and spouses) on domestic routes, valid for all cabin classes except LUX, plus 20% off motorbikes and cars (same itinerary).
• 30% discount for unemployment cardholders on domestic routes (all cabin classes except LUX), plus 20% off motorbikes and cars (same itinerary). Valid ID and unemployment cards are required at boarding.
• 50% discount for children ages 4-16 on international routes (Greece-Italy), applicable to all cabin classes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• 50% military discount (Greek army conscripts only) on domestic routes. Military ID required. Not valid for permanent military staff.
• 50% discount for war invalids/victims and their companions, valid for all cabin classes (except LUX) and for cars with special license plates.
• 50% discount for passengers with disabilities (over 80%) on all cabin classes except LUX. Companions also receive 50% off. Applies to cars with disability license plates if the owner is traveling.
• 30% discount for families with three children (all cabin classes except LUX), plus 20% off bicycles and cars. Valid for children up to 25 years old with family status certificate.
• Discounts for large families (domestic routes only): 50% off VIP and DECK seats, 30% off all cabin classes (except LUX), 20% off bicycles and cars.
• Children up to 4 years old travel free (economy-class seats) or at 50% discount in cabins (all classes).
• In 4-berth cabins, one passenger travels free (domestic routes only, when two of four tickets are full fare).
• 30% discount on domestic routes when combined with international (Greece-Italy) tickets, provided both are issued simultaneously.
• 30% discount on return trips (domestic routes only, valid for passengers and vehicles).
• Student discounts (domestic routes only): 50% off VIP and DECK seats, 50% off all cabin classes (except LUX), 20% off bicycles and cars. Valid student ID required.
• Discounts for ISIC Student Card holders: 50% off DECK and VIP seats plus 20% off cars or motorcycles (Greece routes); 20% off all cabin classes (except LUX) and cars/bicycles (Italy routes).
• Discounted “cabin plus car” package deals for one-way and roundtrip tickets.

Car decks

Car deck safety procedures:

• Disabled passengers or those requiring assistance should visit the Information Desk (deck 7, open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake, place the vehicle in park or 1st gear, switch off ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is forbidden on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and lounges.
• Wait for announcements before returning to your vehicle.

To reduce air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

Minoan Lines, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Heraklion, Greece, is part of the Grimaldi Group. The company operates routes between Crete and Piraeus as well as Adriatic Sea services between Patras and Italy. The current fleet includes Festos Palace and her sistership Knossos Palace. Minoan also charters the Grimaldi ferries Cruise Europa and Cruise Olympia. The Minoan ships Olympia Palace and Europa Palace are currently chartered to TIRRENIA.