Blue Star Chios

Blue Star Chios was built in 2007. It measures 141 meters long and 21 meters wide and accommodates about 1,782 passengers and approximately 418 vehicles.
Continue reading to learn about the routes, the seat and cabin types, the onboard facilities, and much more.

The vessel is a major ferry linking the port of Piraeus in Athens with the Dodecanese islands, operating primarily on the route via Santorini, Anafi, Heraklion (Crete), Sitia (Lassithi, Crete), Kasos, Karpathos, Diafani (Karpathos), Chalki, and Rhodes. This line operates year-round, with more frequent and extended sailings during the summer season.

On the Piraeus-Rhodes segment, one of the most prominent legs, the crossing generally takes between 12 and 16 hours, depending on the schedule, and runs 3-4 times per week, peaking especially in the summer. The Athens-Santorini segment usually lasts about 8 to 9 hours, which is one of the most popular sections of the route. Other key points along the route include a popular Athens-Crete (Heraklion) connection, usually lasting around 8 hours.

In addition to its long-distance routes from Piraeus, Blue Star Chios provides essential inter-island connections within the Dodecanese. The Rhodes-Karpathos leg typically takes around 5 to 6 hours, while the Rhodes-Kasos link averages 7 hours. Shorter services, such as Karpathos-Kasos, last about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the Chalki-Rhodes crossing can be completed in under 2 hours.

Discover the seat 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, when passengers spend much of their time on deck.

Aircraft-type seats

Blue Star Chios 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 Chios features fully equipped cabins, all with a private bathroom, air conditioning, fresh linens, and amenities such as a TV and telephone.

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

The ferry features a comprehensive set of onboard amenities to guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

Food & drink

Blue Star Chios provides a variety of dining choices suited to different tastes and travel styles. Passengers can enjoy meals at the self-service restaurant, while an indoor café/bar serves coffee, light snacks, and pastries throughout the day. On the open deck, outdoor bars offer drinks and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the Aegean views during the voyage.

Shopping facilities

Guests have access to a gift shop that stocks a curated selection of goods, including fragrances, cosmetics, spirits, travel accessories, local products, and souvenirs. An ATM is available for cash needs on board.

Entertainment

There are lounges equipped with flat-screen TVs, providing comfortable spaces for relaxation and socializing. A dedicated children's play area is available for younger travelers. The ship also supports 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 various online games.

Pet-friendly facilities

Blue Star Chios is fully pet-friendly. Outdoor kennels are available, and there are also 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 fitted with features that make it accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. Elevators and ramps connect all passenger decks and garages. Public restrooms are wheelchair-friendly, and dedicated storage spaces accommodate mobility devices. In addition, specially adapted cabins can be booked, featuring wider doorways, grab rails, and step-free showers.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

Wi-Fi access is provided throughout Blue Star Chios, with access codes available for purchase at reception desks and onboard bars. Although connection quality may vary depending on the vessel’s position at sea, passengers are able to stay connected during their journey.

Additional services

The vessel also provides several practical amenities for a more comfortable voyage. These include a staffed reception desk to assist with passenger inquiries and a 24-hour telemedicine service that ensures medical assistance if needed.

The vessel has a capacity for approximately 418 vehicles on its garage deck, accommodating 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 damage or loss of luggage on board only if it has been handed over for safekeeping and a 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.

Transportation of flammable and hazardous materials is strictly prohibited.

Discover the story of the vessel:

Construction & launch (2006-2007)

Blue Star Chios was built in Greece at the Elefsis Shipyards. Its keel was laid on 21 March 2006, it was launched on 15 November 2006, and it was completed on 18 July 2007. It entered service shortly afterward under the name Nissos Chios, delivered directly to Hellenic Seaways.

Early service and recognition (2007)

Upon delivery in 2007, the vessel was introduced on Aegean services, notably the Piraeus-Chios-Lesvos (Mytilene) line. In the same year, it was awarded “Ship of the Year 2007” at the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards, a distinction recognizing its modern design and the newbuild program at Elefsis Shipyards.

Deployment and routine maintenance (2010s)

Through the 2010s, Nissos Chios became a familiar presence on long Aegean routes, linking Piraeus with the North and East Aegean, as well as providing extended services to the Dodecanese, depending on seasonal demand and public service obligations. It underwent a refurbishment in 2014 and continued with regular dry-docking and class maintenance work throughout the decade.

Rebranding as Blue Star Chios (2020)

In February 2020, the vessel was formally integrated into Blue Star Ferries following Attica Group’s alignment of fleets. It was renamed Blue Star Chios, adopting the company’s livery while maintaining its established Aegean assignments.

Environmental retrofit (2021)

In the early 2020s, plans were made to fit Blue Star Chios with exhaust-gas scrubbers as part of Attica Group’s environmental upgrade program. Class maintenance and fleet refits were carried out at the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta, ensuring compliance with newer emission standards.

Rescue operation (2025)

On 1 June 2025, Blue Star Chios was involved in a major rescue at sea. While sailing southeast of Karpathos, it assisted a distressed sailboat and safely rescued 75 people.

Fatal accident and investigation (2025)

On 15 September 2025, a 20-year-old crew member aboard Blue Star Chios was fatally injured in an onboard accident during the vessel’s scheduled service from Rhodes to Piraeus. The incident occurred shortly before 08:00, when the sailor became trapped in a manually-operated watertight sliding door in the ship’s garage while en route to the engine room. According to preliminary findings, the crew member activated the door mechanism, which began to open slightly, and then re-engaged the control lever, at which point the door closed rapidly, leading to his entrapment. First aid was administered on board, but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The vessel continued to Piraeus, where the crew member was transferred to Tzaneio General Hospital and pronounced dead. A formal investigation was launched by the Piraeus Port Authority under the supervision of the public prosecutor.