Diagoras

The vessel Diagoras was constructed in 1989. It is approximately 141 meters long and 23 meters wide, and can accommodate up to 1,465 passengers and 274 vehicles.
Continue reading to learn about the routes, seat and cabin types, onboard facilities, and more.

The ferry links the port of Piraeus in Athens with the islands of Chios and Lesvos (Mytilene). This route serves as a major corridor between the mainland and the northern island chain, with departures running year-round.

On the Piraeus-Chios route, the journey typically takes around 8 hours, while the Piraeus-Lesvos (Mytilene) crossing usually takes about 12 hours and 40 minutes. The Chios–Lesvos (Mytilene) segment takes approximately 3 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 where passengers spend much of their time on deck.

Aircraft-type seats

Diagoras 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 at their seats.

Cabin types

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

• • Inside and outside cabins: They are available in single, double, triple, and quadruple configurations. 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, a private lounge area with a sofa, TV, and minibar for added comfort.
• • Accessible cabins: Designed for travelers with limited 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.

The ferry provides a variety of onboard amenities aimed at ensuring a pleasant and comfortable trip.

Food & drink

Passengers on Diagoras can choose between an à la carte restaurant and a self-service restaurant, both of which offer complete meals. For lighter options, there are two cafeterias on board serving snacks and beverages, and outdoor bars where travelers can enjoy refreshments while taking in sea views. There is also a fast-food restaurant on board for quick meals.

Shopping facilities

The ferry features a gift shop where passengers can buy travel essentials, souvenirs, and local products. An ATM is available for cash needs on board.

Entertainment

Lounges furnished with flat-screen TVs provide comfortable areas for relaxation during the trip. 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 ship tracking, and online games.

Pet-friendly facilities

The vessel offers outdoor kennels along with a limited number of pet cabins. Pets over 10 kg may stay on the open decks as long as they are leashed (and muzzled when necessary), while smaller pets under 10 kg may be carried inside in approved pet carriers. Certified assistance dogs are allowed in all indoor and outdoor public areas of the ship. Owners are responsible for their pets’ documentation and cleanliness during the crossing.

Accessibility features

The vessel is equipped with elevators and escalators connecting the passenger decks to the garage areas. It also includes public spaces designed for passengers with limited mobility. Specially adapted cabins can also be booked by passengers with limited mobility, offering step-free showers, grab rails, and wider doorways.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

Wi-Fi is accessible on board Diagoras, with access codes available for purchase at the reception or onboard bars. While the service quality may fluctuate based on the ship's location at sea, it enables passengers to stay connected throughout the journey.

Additional services

The vessel also provides several extra amenities for added comfort and convenience, such as a reception desk for passenger inquiries and assistance, as well as a 24-hour telemedicine service for medical assistance when needed.

Diagoras can accommodate approximately 274 vehicles on its garage deck, including cars, motorbikes, bicycles, campers, caravans, trailers, and trucks. Bicycles are transported at no extra cost.

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 facilities.

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 ship’s public areas, or inside vehicles.

The transportation of flammable and hazardous materials is strictly prohibited.

Discover the story of the vessel:

Construction & Japanese service (1989-2000)

Diagoras was built in Japan by Naikai Zōsen, Setoda, as New Tosa. It was launched on December 25, 1989 and delivered on March 12, 1990 to Ōsaka Kōchi Tokkyu Ferry, entering service the same month on the Osaka–Kōchi route. It served that line throughout the 1990s without any notable incidents.

Sale to Greece and conversion (2000-2001)

In 2000, it was sold for deployment in Greece. After a brief interim renaming (Panagia Skiadeni) and onward sale, it joined DANE Sea Line, was renamed Lindos, and underwent a substantial conversion in Perama between 2000 and 2001 (interiors rebuilt; car‐deck access reconfigured). On completion in September 2001, it received its present name, Diagoras, and prepared for service in the Dodecanese.

Dodecanese entry & early Aegean years (2001-2004)

Diagoras entered service in mid-September 2001 on the Athens (Piraeus)-Rhodes line, with seasonal employment (including periods under charter), and winter work on the Athens (Piraeus)-Crete line. The operator DANE Sea Line ceased operations in 2004, and the ship was laid up in the port of Piraeus.

Acquisition by Blue Star Ferries & return to service (2006-2015)

After almost two years of idleness, Blue Star Ferries acquired Diagoras at auction in July 2006. Following a short yard period at Elefsis, it returned to service on August 11, 2006, on the Dodecanese route (regularly calling Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes), with occasional schedules to Thessaloniki during peak seasons. Through the late 2000s and early 2010s, it remained a mainstay on long-distance Aegean routes.

Transfer to Africa Morocco Link & return to Blue Star (2016-2018)

In June 2016, Attica Group transferred the ship to its affiliate Africa Morocco Link (AML). It was deployed on the Tangier Med-Algeciras line in July and operated under the Moroccan flag. By December 2017, the AML stint ended; Blue Star Ferries returned it to Greece and redeployed it from 2018 onward on routes in the Northeast Aegean and the Dodecanese.