Blue Star Chios ferry

MV Blue Star Chios ferry (formerly Nissos Chios) is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Greece-based company BLUE STAR FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,715 passengers and 425 cars. Launched in 2007, the vessel currently operates on the mainland Greece to Greek Islands ferry route: Piraeus–Kalymnos–Kos–Rhodes–Ikaria–Fournoi Korseon (archipelago)–Astypalaia–Patmos–Leipsoi/Lipsi–Leros–Nisyros–Tilos–Symi–Karpathos–Kasos–Kastellorizo.

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Blue Star Chios has a total of 74 cabins with 252 berths, all air-conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available for passengers with disabilities.

The Reserved Seating Lounge (Neptune Lounge) features large TVs and reclining Pullman seats—comfortable, fully reclining leather armchairs. Reserved seats can be pre-booked and include complimentary beverages (tea, coffee, soft drinks). The Lobby Bar Lounge offers leather sofas, chairs, and round tables.

Dedicated "Pet Cabins" feature linoleum flooring. For hygiene reasons, dogs are not allowed in indoor areas such as restaurants, bars, and lounges. Pets must remain either in cabins or in designated cages. Dogs may be walked in outdoor pet areas but must be leashed, muzzled, and under the owner’s supervision.

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

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities onboard the Blue Star Chios include:

• Accommodation options: cabins, Sirena Lounge seats (standard), Neptune Lounge seats (reserved leather recliners), Lobby Bar seating. All lounges have large TVs.
• Dining options: Self-Service Restaurant (full menu, single courses, kids', vegetarian, healthy meals, local dishes), Bar-Cafeteria (pastries, cakes, drinks, snacks, sandwiches), Outdoor Bar (grill, cocktails, beer, sundeck barbecues), chocolate and ice cream parlor. Advance purchase of dining services offers a 10% discount.
• Entertainment options: supervised children's entertainment, live stand-up comedy and magic shows, DJ parties, guest artist performances (on Sun Deck), 3D Cinema, Casino (slot machines).
• Family services: high chairs, cots, safety bars for bunks, baby changing rooms, kids menu, activities (games, toys, drawing sets, board games), play area (ball pool). The entertainment program is available during peak season and includes movies and crafts workshops.
• Accessibility: 2 adapted cabins (2-berth), accessible toilets in all public areas, 10 reserved lounge seats, 10 wheelchair anchorage points, and elevators connecting all decks.
• Solarium (sundeck sunbathing area).
• Gifts & Travel Necessities Shop: boutique and general store selling gifts, souvenirs, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, snacks, toiletries, electronics, toys, books, newspapers, and local gourmet products.
• Luggage Compartments: lockers in the passenger lounge, accessible throughout the voyage.

Blue Star Ferries offers Lounge seats in Super Economy, Special Economy, and Economy categories.

All ships are equipped with CCTV systems. Wi-Fi and Internet are available at an additional cost. Mobile phone chargers and iPad rentals are offered. Emergency instructions are displayed in cabins, on TVs, and at muster stations. Life jackets are located at assembly stations. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

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

Pets on the ship

The ship offers Pet Cages (type must be specified during booking).

Two cage sizes are available: small (height 50–75 cm, pets under 30 kg) and large (height 70–90 cm, pets over 30 kg). Passengers may also bring their own carriers.

Pricing is fixed per voyage and varies by route. Pets must have valid health cards. They must remain in cages or carriers during the voyage.

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

Blue Star ferry deals

• Bicycles are ferried free of charge.
• For Greek Islands routes from Piraeus, the company offers: 20% "Special Economy" discount, EUR 20 pp "Super Economy" discount, 15–20% cabin discount, and 20–50% discounts for SeaSmiles loyalty members.
• On Piraeus–Heraklion (Crete) routes, cabin plus car packages are available for one-way trips when booking a full cabin (grades A2, A3, A4, AB2, AB3, AB4). A 20% discount is offered on the return ticket.

Year-round discounts include: 50% off for children ages 5–10, free Economy Class or 50% cabin fare for children under 5, 50% off for ISIC student cardholders, 30% off on Greece domestic + Greece–Italy combined trips, 20% off roundtrip Piraeus–Paros (summer evening departures), and 50% off seat tickets (25% off cabin tickets) with ferry plus train packages for FIP members (excluding July, August, and LUX cabins).

Car decks

All vehicles must be properly documented and insured. Bringing the car’s technical data sheet helps with checks. At booking, the vehicle’s model, length, and height must be declared. Car passengers must arrive at the departure port 90 minutes before departure.

Special vehicles (height over 3 m / 10 ft) must be booked through the Call Center (902 160 180).

Car deck safety procedures include:

• Disabled passengers should report to the Information Desk for assistance.
• Apply the handbrake, leave the vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off ignition, alarm, lights, and electricals. Close gas cylinders and lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck/stairway number.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking on vehicle decks and in indoor areas is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• To prevent air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The shipowner, Blue Star Ferries (fleet), was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. As part of the Attica Group and sister company to Superfast Ferries, it is Greece's largest ferry operator, serving over 20 island destinations.