Blue Star Naxos

The Blue Star Naxos was built in 2002. It is approximately 124 meters long and 19 meters wide, with a capacity of 1,474 passengers and about 240 vehicles.
Continue reading to learn about the routes, the seat and cabin types, the onboard facilities, and much more.

The Blue Star Naxos plays a central role in connecting the port of Piraeus in Athens with the Cyclades and beyond. Its signature route begins in Piraeus and includes, depending on the day, destinations like Syros, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Amorgos, Astypalea, Iraklia, Schinoussa and Koufonisia. This route operates year-round, with more frequent and extended sailings during the high summer season.

On the Athens-Paros route, travel time averages around 4 hours, with an increased number of daily crossings during the summer months. The Athens-Naxos route is similarly popular, usually taking around 5 hours, while the Athens-Santorini route can last between 7 and 8 hours, serving as one of the most in-demand links in the Aegean.

The Naxos-Paros connection is one of the busiest inter-island services, running year-round with journey timesof around 45 minutes. On the Naxos-Santorini route, sailings are frequent in the summer, with crossing times typically between 2 and 3 hours. The Naxos-Ios leg is also very popular, lasting between 40 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on the service.

The Athens-Syros crossing generally takes around 4 hours and operates throughout the year, while the Athens-Koufonisia connection lasts around 6 hours, linking travelers to the Small Cyclades.

Discover the seat and cabin types available on the vessel:

Economy seats

Economy seats are unreserved seating areas located in indoor lounges and on outdoor decks. 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

The ferry 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 to 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.
These areas are referred to as Air Seats Lounge 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Cabin types

For maximum comfort and privacy, Blue Star Naxos 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 a 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 animals, these cabins have hard flooring for easier cleaning and maintenance.

The vessel offers an extensive selection of onboard amenities to ensure passengers have a pleasant and comfortable experience.

Food & drink

Blue Star Naxos offers passengers a choice of dining options, including a fast-food-style restaurant for quick meals and a self-service restaurant. There is also an indoor café/bar where coffee, pastries, and snacks are served. On the sun deck, outdoor bars provide drinks and light refreshments with sea views.

Shopping facilities

On board Blue Star Naxos, travelers can find a shop stocked with a carefully selected range of items. These include fragrances, cosmetics, spirits, travel accessories, local products, and souvenirs, giving passengers the chance to shop during their journey. An ATM is available for cash needs on board.

Entertainment

Several lounges throughout Blue Star Naxos are equipped with flat-screen TVs, creating comfortable spaces to relax and socialize. The "@sea" infotainment portal, accessible on passengers’ personal devices via Wi‑Fi, provides music, podcasts, weather updates, real-time vessel tracking, and a variety of online games. Children have access to a dedicated play area, ensuring younger travelers are kept entertained during the crossing.

Pet-friendly facilities

Blue Star Naxos is designed to accommodate pets. Outdoor kennels are available, and specially designated pet cabins can be booked in advance. Pets weighing more than 10 kg may travel on the open decks, provided they are leashed (and muzzled if necessary), while smaller pets under 10 kg can be brought indoors if kept in carriers. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the ship. Pet owners remain responsible for their animals’ hygiene and documentation.

Accessibility features

The vessel is equipped to assist passengers with reduced mobility. Elevators and escalators connect the passenger decks and garages, wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available, and dedicated spaces are provided for storing mobility devices. Certain cabins are adapted for accessibility, offering wider doors, grab rails, and step-free showers.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

Blue Star Naxos provides Wi-Fi throughout the ship, with access codes available for purchase at reception desks and onboard bars. While connection quality can vary at sea, passengers are able to remain online during their journey.

Additional services

For extra comfort and reassurance, Blue Star Naxos offers a 24-hour telemedicine service to provide medical assistance. A staffed reception desk is available to provide travel information and passenger support.

The Blue Star Naxos has a capacity for approximately 240 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 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 & delivery (2002)

Blue Star Naxos was built in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and delivered in 2002.

Entry into service & route assignments (2002-present)

Upon delivery in 2002, Blue Star Naxos began service on the Cyclades network, where it continues to operate on the long Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Santorini line with extensions through the Small Cyclades (Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisia, Donoussa) and further east to Amorgos and Astypalea.