lauramsgarden

Definitely want to do at least some part of our trip next summer by ferry. I've noticed that some of them have the option of traveling overnight on the ferry and wondered if anyone has done so and if so what it was like. Pleasant, lovely, uncomfortable??? thanks

brotherleelove2004

If you book a cabin you'll have a very pleasant night. Budget-wise, if you book an aircraft-style seat you can recline and relax, but no privacy.

KayF

We did an overnight ferry trip from Chania, in Crete, to Piraeus (Athens). The cabin had twin beds, a fair bit of space and a bathroom with shower and toilet. It was nothing plush but clean and comfortable.

There are usually different levels of accommodation, depending on what you want to pay. There were places onboard to eat and get drinks but as the ferry left so late we went straight to bed and left the ship when it docked early in the morning. Based on that experience I'd do it again.

I just remembered another overnight trip by ferry in Greece that I had obviously tried hard to forget. It was about 30 years ago and we had no seat or cabin and just sat wherever we could find a space. I was seasick and cold. It was hell. Definitely either book a cabin (my choice) or a seat.

Kay

brotherleelove2004

My first ferry experience in Greece was just as 'memorable'. I made the mistake of needing to travel over Greek Easter weekend on an old rust-bucket of a ship that was full to the gills with passengers and their belongings including livestock going home with them to the Easter feast in the family village. My cabin was connected to another cabin by a doorway but no door, only a curatin, and the couple in the other cabin smoked incessantly and had a baby that cried all night. Modern ferries are all much more comfortable, both in cabins and in the lounge seating areas.

lauramsgarden

Ahh, the joys of travel when one is young and carefree. thanks for the feedback. The other half of the question is what is the ferry like during the day. I love Ferries here in the States, but realize that they are usually only an hour or two, so I imagine an eight hour trip is a different kettle of fish so to speak.

brotherleelove2004

The large car ferries are like cruise ships, with lounges, sleeping cabins, restaurants, snack bars, televisions and lots of seating areas.

KayF

If you are travelling to Santorini then the ferry is much better than flying or a catamaran as you can get some brilliant views and photos of the island. We've travelled there by catamaran (first time) and you could sort of see the island as we approached but as everyone was inside you couldn't get a clear view through the seasprayed windows. Second time we flew in and couldn't see anything. Third time was by ferry and wow! The views are amazing. Make sure you are up on deck for the last part of the journey as it's such a unique and stunning sight. I think of it as white icing on top of a chocolate cake

I found it can get a little boring during a long trip, we've travelled on long ferry journeys in other parts of Europe too. You can read, wander around, have a snooze or a meal but for me the time went very slowly.

Kay

lauramsgarden

Thanks all, this is excellently helpful