Blue Star Myconos

The ferry Blue Star Myconos was constructed in 2005. It measures 141 meters in length and 21 meters in width, and has a capacity of up to 1,915 passengers and around 418 vehicles.
Continue reading to learn about the routes, the seat and cabin types, the onboard facilities, and much more.

The ferry links the port of Piraeus in Athens with the islands of the North Aegean, offering regular connections to the islands of Syros, Mykonos, Ikaria, Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Limnos, as well as to the coastal town of Kavala. This long route forms a vital corridor between the mainland and the northern island chain, and operates year-round, with sailings increasing in frequency during the summer season.

On the Athens-Mykonos route, the journey typically takes about 5 hours, while the Athens-Syros crossing averages 3 hours and 30 minutes. Continuing further, the Piraeus-Ikaria service usually lasts around 6 hours and 30 minutes, and the Piraeus-Samos leg averages 8 to 9 hours, depending on the port of arrival. These sailings are maintained year-round, with additional departures during the peak travel months.

Among the inter-island routes, the Mykonos-Syros connection is one of the most popular, generally lasting 55 minutes to 1 hour. The Mykonos-Ikaria link typically takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, while the Mykonos-Samos crossing averages around 5 hours.

Other notable services include the Mykonos-Chios route, which is completed in about 6 hours, and the Mykonos-Lesvos (Mytilene) leg, lasting about 9 hours and 30 minutes. Beyond that, the ferry continues northward with the Mykonos-Limnos connection, averaging 12 hours, and the full extension to Kavala, which usually takes about 15 hours.

Discover the seat and cabin types available on the vessel:

Economy seats

The Economy Class 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 Myconos 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, the vessel 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: 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: 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.

The ferry offers a wide range of onboard facilities designed for a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

Food & drink

Travelers can choose from a self-service restaurant, an indoor café/bar serving coffee, pastries, and snacks, and outdoor bars on the sun deck where passengers can enjoy refreshments while admiring the sea views.

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 on board for cash needs.

Entertainment

Blue Star Myconos is equipped with several lounges featuring flat-screen TVs, providing comfortable spaces for relaxation. The "@sea" infotainment portal, accessible on passengers’ personal devices via Wi‑Fi, provides music, podcasts, real-time ship tracking, weather updates, and games. Younger passengers can also spend time in the children’s play area.

Pet-friendly facilities

The vessel is fully pet-friendly, offering both outdoor kennels and specially designated pet cabins. Pets weighing over 10 kg may travel on the open decks when leashed (and muzzled if needed), while smaller pets under 10 kg may be brought indoors if kept in carriers. Assistance dogs are permitted in all public areas of the ship. Pet owners remain responsible for their animals’ hygiene and travel documents during the trip.

Accessibility features

The ship is fully accessible, with elevators and escalators connecting all passenger decks and garages, wheelchair-friendly restrooms, and storage spaces designed to accommodate mobility devices. Passenger areas are designed to be inclusive for those with reduced mobility.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

Wi-Fi access is available throughout the ship, with access codes available for purchase at reception desks and onboard bars. Coverage may vary depending on the ship’s location at sea, but passengers can stay connected during their journey.

Additional services

Blue Star Myconos enhances the onboard experience further with a 24-hour telemedicine service for medical assistance. A reception desk is available for passenger assistance.

The vessel has a capacity for approximately 418 vehicles on its garage deck, capable of carrying 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 passengers exceed 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 liable for the loss of or damage to luggage only if it has been handed over for safekeeping with a receipt. The company is not responsible for loss of money, valuables, or luggage left in cabins, public areas, or vehicles.

The transportation of flammable and hazardous materials is strictly prohibited.

Discover the story of the vessel:

Construction (1999-2005)

The ship was originally ordered on 8 February 1999 under the working name Superferry Myconos, with construction at Hellenic Shipyards (Skaramagas, Athens). After the original order was canceled and work was paused, a new owner took over and completed the project; the vessel was delivered in September 2005 and entered service the same month under the name Nissos Mykonos.

Entry into service & early deployment (2005-2012)

Upon delivery in September 2005, it began operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Lesvos (Mytilene) route. In its early career, it became a mainstay of North Aegean services and received strong industry recognition, being awarded the title of "Ship of the Year 2006" in Greece.

Notable incident & repairs (2013)

On 14 June 2013, a funnel fire broke out between Ikaria and Samos. The fire was extinguished, five people were treated for smoke inhalation and evacuated as a precaution, and the vessel was diverted to Karlovasi (Samos) before heading to Drapetsona for repairs; it returned to service in July 2013.

Brand alignment & renaming (2020)

In January 2020, following Attica Group’s brand alignment of routes and assets, Nissos Myconos was renamed Blue Star Myconos and repainted in Blue Star Ferries livery; its North Aegean deployment continued under the new name.

Route expansion and upgrades (2021)

From March 2021, it inaugurated a route from Thessaloniki, linking the North Aegean and Cyclades (indicatively: Lemnos-Lesvos-Chios-Samos-Fourni-Ikaria-Mykonos-Syros-Piraeus), adding a north-south spine to its regular network. This seasonal service operated primarily in 2021-2022 and has since been replaced or suspended, with the vessel now mainly serving the Piraeus-North Aegean-Kavala line.
In June 2021, it completed an exhaust-gas scrubber installation and re-entered service soon after.