Hellenic Spirit ferry

MS Hellenic Spirit ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Crete-based company ANEK LINES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1850 passengers, 670 cars, and 90 trailers (trucks). Launched in 2001, she currently serves the Greece-Italy route Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona (crossing time ~21.5 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Hellenic Spirit offers 710 berths in Inside and Outside staterooms, accommodating up to 4 passengers (bunk-bed quad cabins). Double cabins feature two lower single beds. All staterooms are air-conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms (toilet/shower/washbasin, hairdryer), upper and lower bunk beds (wall-mounted), bedside table with stool, mirrored vanity (small writing desk with chair), phone, wall-mounted reading lamps, and a small porthole (round, non-opening window). Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided by the company.

Deluxe cabins include a separate bedroom (with a fixed double bed) and lounge area (sofa, low table, armchairs), mini-bar (refrigerator), and flat TV. Lux tickets include complimentary breakfast at the a la carte restaurant. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible. The ferry also offers 325 reclining seats (aircraft-style armchairs in a reserved seating lounge) available for pre-booking.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities on Hellenic Spirit include:

• Two main restaurants – A La Carte Restaurant (Greek cuisine) and Self-Service Buffet Restaurant. Both feature panoramic windows and serve meals prepared with extra-virgin Cretan olive oil and fresh ingredients. Personalized menus are available.
• Snack Bar (Cafeteria/Patisserie) open year-round, offering sandwiches, cakes, pastries, fruit salads, yogurt, ice cream, and hot/cold drinks. It features locally sourced products such as Kalitsounia (Cretan sweet cheese pastries), milk, yogurt, and herbal infusions (sage, dittany). Pita and gyros are also available at the outdoor rotisserie.
• Children’s Room with indoor playground, large TV (cartoons), bean bags, tables and chairs, toys, games, ball pit, and supervised activities.
• Sun Deck with sunbathing area (loungers, deckchairs), outdoor seating, and pool bar (fast food, snacks, cocktails, beer, soft drinks). The sundeck is wind-protected with glass walls.
• Two Jacuzzis, swimming pool (available on Adriatic itineraries until sunset), pool bar, casino (slot machines), piano bar, Internet café, UFO Games arcade.
• Reserved Seating Lounge with Pullman seats (fully reclining armchairs) and large flat TVs.
• Onboard shopping includes boutiques and a mini market selling discounted alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, clothing, footwear, watches, handbags, sunglasses, personal care items, travel essentials, snacks, toys, books, magazines, electronics, and souvenirs.
• ATM located by the Reception Desk. Paid Wi-Fi service is available (packages can be purchased online or onboard via prepaid cards sold at bars and shops). Wi-Fi is offered on all ANEK LINES ships.
• Top deck features a helipad for emergency use.
• A fully equipped infirmary with pharmacy. The Teleheart telemonitoring system provides real-time cardiology diagnosis until transfer to a hospital.
• Dedicated caravan areas with WCs, showers, and free power supply (available April 1–October 31, on Venice and Ancona routes only).

Emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TVs, and at muster stations. Life jackets are provided at muster stations. In emergencies, elevators and escalators must not be used.

ANEK LINES loyalty program "ANEK Smart"

The company’s "ANEK Smart" loyalty program offers points, discounts, free cruise tickets, and exclusive onboard services. Adult passengers (18+) collect points (1 point for every EUR 1) when purchasing ANEK tickets and onboard purchases (dining, shopping, gaming).

ANEK Smart cards have three levels: Friends (registration +120 bonus points, redeem options after 300 points), Silver (500 points), and Gold (2500 points). Points must be collected within 2 years. Cards must be presented at each transaction.

Perks include:

• "ANEK Smart Friends" – ticket discounts, free tickets, access to promotions
• "ANEK Smart Silver" – ticket discounts, free tickets, 10% off (cafés, restaurants, shops), exclusive promotions
• "ANEK Smart Gold" – ticket discounts, free tickets, 10% off (shops), 15% off (cafés, buffet), 20% off (a la carte), exclusive promotions, free cabin upgrade (subject to availability)

Pets on the ship

Pets are allowed on all ANEK LINES ships. Dedicated lodgings are available for dogs and cats. Other animals (rabbits, birds, hamsters, etc.) must remain in passenger-provided carriers.

• Pets are not permitted in cabins, lounges, bars, or public rooms. They are allowed only on outer decks.
• When booking, select "Pet up to 6 kg" for small animals in cages. "Pet over 6 kg" requires a kennel (booked in advance).
• Owners are responsible for feeding and cleaning after their animals. Water is provided by the crew.
• Guide dogs travel free, are allowed in staterooms, and may accompany passengers with disabilities.

Car decks

ANEK LINES ships carry freight such as trailers, lorries (with or without drivers), cars, motorcycles, caravans, camper vans, containers, mobile machinery, boats (on cradle), and industrial goods.

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers requiring assistance must check in at the Information Desk (open 24h).
• Apply handbrake, place vehicle in park/1st gear, switch off ignition, alarms, electrical equipment, and headlights. Shut off gas cylinders. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and hand baggage.
• Note vehicle location and garage deck/stairway number.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is forbidden.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, in cabins, and lounges is prohibited.
• Wait for announcements before returning to your vehicle.
• Do not start engines until instructed, to avoid air pollution.

ANEK Lines (founded 1967, headquartered in Chania, Crete) is a Greek cargo and passenger shipping company operating on Adriatic and Aegean Sea routes. The current fleet includes Kriti 2, Asterion 2, Olympic Champion, Hellenic Spirit, Elyros, and Prevelis.