During peak season, ferries can fill up quickly. You should book your tickets well in advance, especially for popular routes.
With a sleek new polish on its restaurants, lounges and staterooms, Crystal Serenity is the perfect ship for upscale island-hopping. But even during the slow season, you can still find plenty of serenity onboard.
Comfortable Seats
If you’re looking for a relaxing journey, then look no further. Serenity Now is a 40-foot covered pontoon built to seat 18 passengers in comfortable bench seating around the perimeter and down the middle. With a top-notch stereo sound system, the boat’s narration and music will keep you relaxed while on the water.
In addition to comfortable seats, the boat features a spacious sundeck and a bar/lounge area with circular daybeds, perfect for reading or just relaxing while soaking up the sun. A full-time Serenity Steward onboard will provide healthy snacks, fresh water and ice tea. The price of the trip is $20 for a half day and $40 for a full day, per person.
The Blue Star Ferries company operates large passenger / car ferries throughout the Aegean, with most of their fleet offering reserved “airplane” seats and cabins for longer trips and overnight routes. Blue Star also owns the SeaJets highspeed ferries, which are not only faster but have a lot more seats than their conventional counterparts.
If you’re planning to use a ferry, it’s best to buy tickets online (recommended) or at local travel agencies in advance of your departure date. Doing so will ensure that you have a ticket in hand and can board the ship without much of a wait, especially during peak season when popular routes can sell out quickly.
Quiet Areas
There are plenty of quiet places to escape the commotion onboard a Greek island ferry. Unlike airplanes where passengers are forced to sit in close proximity to each other on long haul flights, ferries offer open deck seating areas that give travelers space away from the crowds.
The open deck on most Greek ferries is a great place to relax and soak up the sun with an ocean breeze. Some ferries also offer indoor air-conditioned lounges and tables for the same price as a deck ticket, but these spaces are usually limited to just a few seats at a time and can fill up quickly during port days or on sea days.
One of the best quiet spots onboard a Greek island ferry is The Sanctuary, a tranquil adult-only area with hot tubs and a full menu of healthy snacks and beverages. The Sanctuary also offers relaxing massages if you are looking for something a little more indulgent.
Another great quiet spot on a Greek island ferry is the Dr. Seuss Bookville, where kids and adults can relive their childhood in this whimsical setting. You can even grab a comfy seat and read your own book or take a nap.
If you are hoping for a really quiet retreat on your Greek island ferry, book early and try to arrive onboard about 40 minutes before departure. The most popular ferries and routes will fill up quickly, particularly on sea days or during port stops.
Free Wi-Fi
The free Wi-Fi is a nice perk, but those who want to stream or use high-bandwidth apps and websites may find a paid plan (from $9.90 per day) more convenient, especially if they are traveling with multiple devices. Roaming fees also apply to cell phones onboard.
The lounge on deck 12 forward has a new look, with in-the-round seating and glamorous decor including wingback chairs, cocktail tables, and rose-colored couches. Crystal Serenity added 36 slightly smaller Seabreeze Penthouse butler-serviced staterooms to its suite category during a 2018 dry-dock, and this cabin class was upgraded to include premium linens, Riedel crystal, and deluxe china from Villeroy & Boch.
Many Greek island ferries offer an e-ticket option, which allows you to buy your ticket online and then download or print it yourself. This can be very convenient, especially if you are buying your ferry tickets in the airport or after you’ve already arrived on the island.
The bigger ferries are much more luxurious, with plenty of space and several cafes, restaurants, and cabin options. They are the best choice for those who are unable to tolerate the rough waters of the smaller ships and who want a more comfortable sailing experience. These ferries travel to the Cyclades, Sporades, Argosaronic islands, Northeastern Aegean Islands, Crete, and Dodecanese. Their schedules change from year to year, so check before you book your trip.
Food & Drink
For those who like to connect with the water, Serenity offers a number of ways to do so. With Flyboards that offer a new level of thrills, and Jet Skis offering power and control on the water, there’s something to suit all abilities. Plus, there are a variety of towable toys and kayaks available to help you get closer to the action.
There are also a number of dining options onboard the ferry, including the cafe and a full-service restaurant for longer trips. However, prices tend to be inflated. For example, a coffee might cost around 3-4 euro while a cheese pie or sandwich will likely be around the same price. Pro tip: If you’re planning on using the ferry, consider bringing your own snacks with you. These are easier to pack in your luggage and can save you a significant amount of money.
For those who prefer a quiet retreat, Serenity is an adults-only sanctuary that provides the perfect space to unwind away from the noise and kids of the main deck. Located near the onboard water park, it’s a great spot to relax and reconnect with yourself or your travel buddy. It’s also the ideal place to catch up on that reading you’ve been meaning to do or simply do absolutely nothing. And if all else fails, there’s always the bar.