Ferry from Piraeus to Heraklio, Crete
 

I'm interested in opinions on whether I should reserve ferry tickets ahead of time, or wait until we get to Athens. We're spending Friday - Sunday in Athens, then have a hotel on Crete for seven days.

Also, it seems that most of the ferries are overnight, leaving Piraeus in the evening and arriving at 5 a.m. But the Greek ferry web site says there are daytime ferries in the summer, leaving at 11 a.m. and arriving at 5 p.m. I'd much rather do that. But they aren't available on the Web site now.

So that's my real question - can I wait and count on getting a ticket Friday for the Monday daytime ferry?

It depends on the type of ticket you want and when you plan to travel. During peak season the cabins on the overnight ferries might fill up with people wanting to sleep comfortably. Basic economy (deck) class tickets are usually not a problem to buy a couple of days in advance as long as you don't mind the first-come-first-served sort of approach. If there are indoor aircraft-style seats available that's what I'd buy, and I'd buy mine in advance, not just a couple of days ahead of time.

Thanks, brotherleelove.
Do you know anything about the day ferries vs. the overnight? I'd be happy with a deck seat during the day. But I can't seem to buy them now.

I am talking about mid-July, right in the middle of the peak season.

You can buy directly with Minoan Liines or Bluestar Ferries. But if it is deck you want, I'd just buy online a week before you leave and pick up at their office(free) unless your trip is in August which you may want to do a couple weeks in advance to be on the safe side. You can also have them courier to you
http://www.minoan.gr/index.asp?a_id=226
http://www.bluestarferries.com/

Try this booking service: http://www.danae.gr/ferries-greece.asp

Sometimes the internet booking agencies get backed up with lots of simultaneous requests. They can also close down for 'repairs' to the system. If that happens keep trying.

ANEK and Minoan Lines both have overnight sailings from Pireas to Iraklion. Minoan have extra daytime sailings on some days.
www.anek.gr
www.anek.gr
Superfast Ferries have an daytime sailing from Pireas:
www.superfast.com

I boobed in my previous post and omitted Minoan Lines' website:
www.minoan.gr

Thank you very much, everyone. Another question.

Do you think it's sane to take a ferry from Crete to Piraeus, arriving at 5 a.m., when you have a 12:30 flight that same day out of Athens airport? Or are there too many things that can go wrong getting from Piraeus to the airport?

I wouldn't do it. I'd return to Athens the day before my flight. Better still, if you plan to explore Athens or any part of the mainaland while you're in Greece save it for the end of your trip so you won't have to scramble back at the last minute.

If the ship arrives at 0500, you'd have plenty of time to get to the airport but, if the ship were delayed for any reason, you could be stuck. I wouldn't risk it myself.

Depends on the ferry where it originates. If the start point is Crete that's perfectly safe, however if it's a long route ferry originating in Rhodes or where ever via various small islands then perhaps not, as delays can build up.