gplkrr

hi- I am planning a trip to Greece in early May, 2010.
We (2 adults and a 6 yr old) need to travel from Mykonos to Santorini (April 28) and from Santorini to Heraklion (Crete) (on May 1).
We thought that taking a ferry would be an attractive option - compared to flights.
I have looked at http://www.ferries.gr/hfd/ for Flying Cats details.
I have a few questions that I would appreciate guidance on
1. My dates are fixed but times are not. should I book now for the ferry or wait till I get to Greece? Do these ferries get sold out?
2. Is there one ferry company that is recommended and better than others (I see several companies listed - Sea Jets, Flying Cats etc.)
3. Any issues with ferry ravel vs. air travel

pls advise.
thanks
Sam

brotherleelove2004

So early in the season the chances are excellent that you can book the Hellenic Seaways FlyingCat4 once you're on Mykonos for Santorini and Crete. The Sea Jets Superjet would be your other option. Just know that they do occasionally exhibit reliability issues.

The planes are less-likely to be cancelled except for perhaps the Sky Express direct flights between Santorini and Crete. This is a small plane subject to grounding due to high winds. The other airlines, Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines, require a return to Athens for a plane change which is both time-consuming and more expensive.

Heimdall

The Sea Jets catamaran Superjet was cancelled several times last summer due to mechanical breakdown. This is one incident which affected a friend and his family (copied from ekathimerini.com):

<i>"More than 300 passengers who boarded the Superjet ferry at Piraeus yesterday morning with the aim of disembarking at Milos, Folegandros, Santorini, Amorgos or Koufonisi were instead forced to get off the vessel at Sifnos after it developed a technical fault. It was the same problem (damage to a section that prevents water from entering the engine room) that had temporarily put the ferry out of action three weeks ago. The captain was still waiting for repairs to be carried out last night, meaning that the passengers had to find other ways to continue their journeys."</i>

Recommend you take FlyingCat 4. You should have no problem waiting until arriving in Greece before booking tickets.

basch0902

Can I piggy back on this question....

Should I make my reservations for July now? Is FlyingCat 4 the only ferry that goes from Santorini to Mykonos? Are there any where you can sit outside for the trip?

brotherleelove2004

It has already been discussed that the Sea Jets and Hellenic Seaways ferries are your only ferry options. Both are enclosed, meaning you have to sit inside. I don't believe that you can book yet for July.

basch0902

thank you.

gplkrr

thanks to brotherleelove2004 and Heimdall for your responses. very helpful... appreciated...