Blueferry vs Seajets vs Hellenic vs????

Checking on the Hellenic seaways website for Piraeus to Mykonos on a random date in August brings up tickets starting from €19 each. Why would you need special seating for a rather short trip like that? Just grab a deck chair like everybody else does. I'd buy tickets on the spot.

I've only traveled with Hellenic Seaways and not to either of those Islands but it was fine, we just had normal seating (there wasn't another option for us). I understand not wanting to waste time booking while here, but I booked tickets online with Hellenic and I still had to go to the ticket window and have tickets printed out from our online confirmation so it saved us literally no time at all.

I'd just arrive at the ferry port at least 60 minutes in advance (and important: know which gate you're departing from! Piraeus docks are large and it can take a long time to schelp between them) and buy your ticket then.

Book your ferry tickets using the ferry company website's booking function and opt to pick up your tickets at the ferry port in question from their ticket vendor. Ferry schedules: www.gtp.gr

I booked on Hellenic and SeaJets for different trips, because their schedules are different and I picked what worked best schedule-wise for each trip. I bought tickets n the company website. They all allow cancellation up until a week before so even if you "mess up" you can re-do it. For example, I originally got tickets on Hellenic between Santorini and Naxos but changed to Seajets because I wanted to depart earlier, so canceled my Helenic tickets easy-peesy.

If the BlueStar Ferries are slower, then that probably indicates a larger boat with more seating and a potentially smoother ride.

The reason I want to get platinum seats is because the Seajets take about 2hrs 40 minutes and I want my family to be comfortable. There are no deck chairs on the Seajets. I guess I do see what you are saying as far as different companies for different trips. The websites give you an option for a courier delivery of course with a charge to have tickets deliver to the US. I’m leaning towards Seajets and any input would be wonderful.

Hi there! All three companies are great with fast and comfortable ferries. I've used all of them and never had an issue. It is mostly about what type of ferry you like - believe me there are plenty - and the schedules that much your itinerary. I usually prefer the conventional one. I like gazing the Aegean sea from the deck : ) Hellenic Seaways has a Greek island pass that includes Paros,Naxos,Ios,Santorini,Amorgos,Mykonos and Crete at 99 euros. It might be ideal since you want to island hop, you'll save some money as well. Check the sites of all 3 companies. They occasionally have offers and discounts on their websites.

Just my thoughts. You could engage a travel agent to book your tickets. Dolphin Hellas and Fantasy travel are two reputable companies. They can have your ferrry tickets delivered to your hotel room. Or you can just find any travel agent during your week in Athens and buy the ferry tickets directly from them. The benefit of getting your tickets near sailing date is the travel agents will have the latest information on /wheather, strikes and sailings.
The downside is that you are in high season and you can run the risk of a ferry being full. Your best option if you don't want to pay a travel agent to get the tickets for you then is to book online and pick up your tickets at the ferry port kiosk.

Ferry companies. I think Bluestar is a great experience with large conventional slow ferries. You can wander the deck and be outside at your leisure. Having said that I have learned over the years that the ferry that gets you to your next destination the soonest is the one we default to. Every ferry hop is going to eat up half a day even the 2.5 hour hop on a fast ferry is going to eat up a minimum of 4 hours and even a lot more in the direction you are g because you have to wait until mid afternoon until the ferries complete their run to the north and then turn around for the southern return trips. Time is the precious commodity on a vacation so we pay more to get to the next destination faster.

That leaves us with Hellenic and Seajets. They are both good companies. You may have read about Seajets being conically late and people getting seasick. That experience is on their two small cats which do many island hops over long distance. The rest of their fleet are much larger ships and they are stable fast and spacious.
The big advantage that I see for seajets ( I believe one of their Championjets are on the Mykonos Santorini route) is that the Championjets have a back deck where you can go outside during the voyage. That means you can be outside during departure and arrival at each island. This is particularly important when you arrive in Santorini for the Caldera view. We now book Championjets as long as they get us where we are going the soonest.

OK, thanks so much everyone for your input. question on the Hellinic seaways there is panaramic vip seats and attrium vip. this is more of a 4hr20min ride. what is the difference between these seats. and how would i know what is the name of the ferry that i will be on.... we are leaving aug20 from piraus port to mykonos then i will need a faster ferry to santorini after a week in mykonos. Someone suggested that 99 euros for island hopping, how do i find those tickets and can i do it within a weeks time...

We took the Blue Star Ferry from the port of Piraeus to Naxos. Our travel agent booked it. We traveled mid September last year. It was recommended due to possibility of poor weather. We were told that some of the faster boats get cancelled due to wind conditions. We enjoyed the 2.5 hours trip. We were booked in 1st class.

About island hopping with Hellenic Seaways I've given you a link above. You've got to be flexible because not all time-schedules are included. It is wise to book your tickets early especially if you are travelling high-season. I always book mine 1-2 months prior to my trip depending on the destination as well. You are heading to the most touristy islands of the Cyclades.. so be prepared! Greeks travel around the islands as well.. and they are many!! Most Greeks take their summer break around the 15th of August. So, 2-3 weeks before that and 2 weeks after everything is usually fully booked. That goes for the hotels as well. If you wait to get your ticket when arriving in Athens during that time, my guess is you'll be having hard time to get to or return from the islands. Better be safe and book it earlier. Check the cancellation policies as well or ask the company what happens if in any case you might need to make a change to your departure-arrival dates.

ok, i decided to go with Hellenic seaways the ferry is Nissos Mykonos leaving Piraus port at about 7:30. I haven't booked it but that is the schedule. we are leaving towards mid August. The types of seats I'm interested are panarama - is that by the window? As i stated before the cost of it is no issue as we need comfort. Does anyone know if we have to check in luggages or do we need to roll in the luggages. we will each have one, there are 5 of us. since we can only pickup the tickets, we are staying in Plaka district in Athens, what time should we leave and be at the port.