Blue Star 1

Blue Star 1 was built in 2000. It measures about 176 meters long and 25 meters wide and can accommodate up to 1,890 passengers and 780 vehicles.
Continue reading to learn about the routes, the seating and cabin types, the onboard facilities, and much more.

During the high season, the vessel operates on the Athens (Piraeus)-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, providing a vital daily connection between Athens and the central Cyclades.

The Athens-Santorini and Athens-Paros crossings are among the most popular, with travel times of about 9 hours to Santorini and around 4 hours to Paros. The Athens-Naxos connection is also very popular, taking roughly 5 hours, while the Athens-Ios connection generally lasts about 8 hours.

Direct inter-island links on the same line are equally important. The Paros-Naxos crossing, at around 45 minutes, is a favorite among island-hoppers, while the Naxos-Santorini connection takes about 3 hours and is one of the busiest in the Cyclades.

In the off-season, the ferry may also connect the port of Piraeus (Athens) with the islands of Milos and Crete (Chania). This route acts as an important link between mainland Greece, the Western Cyclades, and the western part of Crete.

On the Athens-Milos route, the journey typically takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes, while the onward Milos-Chania segment usually lasts about 4 hours. For those traveling directly, the full Athens-Chania crossing generally takes approximately 9 hours.

Discover the seating and cabin types available on the vessel:

Economy seats

Economy seats are located in indoor lounges and outdoor public areas. They are the most budget-friendly way to travel and are popular for short or daytime crossings where passengers spend much of their time on deck.

Aircraft-type seats

Blue Star 1 is equipped with several lounges offering numbered, reclining seats similar to airplane seating. These provide a quieter, more organized space than general economy areas and are well suited for longer sailings when passengers want extra comfort without booking a cabin.

Business Class lounge

The vessel features a Business Class Lounge located in a quieter area of the ship. Seating is unassigned, and passengers are served drinks and light refreshments directly at their seats.

Cabin types

For maximum comfort and privacy, Blue Star 1 features fully equipped cabins, all with a private bathroom, air conditioning, fresh linens, and basic amenities such as a TV and telephone.

• • Inside and outside cabins: They are available in single, double, triple, and quadruple layouts. Outside cabins include a porthole with natural light and sea views, while the inside cabins are windowless.
• • Deluxe (Luxury) cabins: These are spacious cabins featuring a double bed, private lounge area with sofa, TV, and minibar for added comfort.
• • Accessible cabins: Designed for travelers with reduced mobility, these cabins offer wider doors, adapted bathrooms, and close access to elevators and main facilities.
• • Pet-friendly cabins: Adapted for passengers traveling with pets, these cabins have hard flooring for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Aboard the vessel, travelers have access to numerous services designed to make their journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

Food & drink

Blue Star 1 offers a wide selection of food and beverage services. Passengers can choose between a fast-food restaurant offering hot meals and kids’ menus, a self-service buffet, or an à la carte restaurant with table service. Light refreshments, coffee, pastries, and snacks are available at an indoor café/bar, and there are also outdoor bars on the open deck for enjoying drinks and scenic views.

Shopping facilities

The vessel includes well-stocked gift boutiques and duty-free shops that feature souvenirs, spirits, wines, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, jewelry, confectionery, and electronics. An ATM is available for cash needs on board.

Entertainment

Lounges furnished with flat-screen TVs provide comfortable areas for relaxation during the trip. Younger travelers also have access to a dedicated children’s play area. The ship also offers the @sea infotainment portal, which can be accessed on personal devices via Wi-Fi and offers music, podcasts, weather updates, real-time vessel tracking, and online games.

Pet-friendly facilities

Blue Star 1 is fully pet-friendly. Outdoor kennels are available, and there are designated pet cabins that can be booked in advance. Pets over 10 kg may travel on the outer decks if leashed (and muzzled if necessary), while smaller pets under 10 kg can be brought indoors if kept in a carrier. Assistance dogs are welcome in all indoor and outdoor public areas. Pet owners remain responsible for the hygiene and documentation of their animals.

Accessibility features

The ship is designed to be accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. Elevators and escalators connect the decks and garages, and wheelchair-friendly layouts, restrooms, and storage facilities are available.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

Wi-Fi access is available throughout the vessel for a fee, with access codes sold on board at the reception or in the cafés.

Additional services

The ferry enhances comfort and convenience through several key services, namely a 24-hour reception desk that handles ticketing, lost and found, and inquiries, as well as a 24-hour telemedicine service that ensures medical assistance if needed.

The Blue Star 1 can accommodate approximately 780 vehicles on its garage deck, including cars, motorbikes, bicycles, campers, caravans, trailers, and trucks. Bicycles are transported free of charge.

Passengers on Blue Star Ferries can carry up to 50 kg or 1 cubic meter of luggage free of charge. If a passenger exceeds the allowance, additional arrangements must be made with the Chief Purser, who may refuse excess baggage or direct it to paid storage.

Valuable possessions can be handed over to the Chief Purser for safekeeping, with a receipt issued. The company is responsible for the damage or loss of luggage on board only if it has been handed over for safekeeping and a relevant receipt has been issued. The company is not responsible for any loss of money, valuables, or luggage left in the cabins, the vessel's common areas, or inside vehicles.

The transportation of flammable and hazardous materials is strictly prohibited.

Discover the story of the vessel:

Construction and delivery (1999-2000)

Blue Star 1 was built in the Netherlands at the Van der Giessen de Noord shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel. Its keel was laid on 24 August 1999, the vessel was launched on 18 December 1999, and it was delivered on 6 June 2000. It entered service a week later, on 13 June 2000, under Blue Star Ferries, part of Attica Group.

Adriatic service (2000-2002)

Following delivery, Blue Star 1 was deployed on the Greece-Italy Adriatic routes, initially serving Patras-Ancona-Brindisi before the schedule was refined to Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona. These sailings quickly established it as a modern flagship for long international services.

Aegean redeployments (2002-2009)

By the early 2000s, Blue Star 1 shifted from Adriatic service to domestic Greek routes. It operated on long connections between Piraeus and the Dodecanese, with stops at islands such as Patmos, Leros, Kos, and Rhodes, and occasionally served Cycladic ports depending on seasonal demand.

Northeast Aegean role (2010s)

During the 2010s, Blue Star 1 became a familiar presence on the Athens (Piraeus)-Chios-Mytilene (Lesvos) route. At times, its timetable included smaller ports such as Psara and Oinousses, ensuring coverage for both major and secondary Northeast Aegean islands. Throughout this period, it underwent routine dry-dockings and maintenance without major incidents.

Charter to Irish Ferries (2021-2023)

In April 2021, Blue Star 1 was chartered to Irish Ferries and introduced on the Rosslare-Pembroke Dock route across the Irish Sea. It operated in this role until 2023, serving as a reliable link between Ireland and Wales during its charter period.