Are ferry cabins on Greek ferries comfortable?

Reasonably so — comparable to a basic hostel room on a moving ship. Blue Star cabin standards vary by vessel: newer ships have proper en-suite 2-berth cabins with a porthole, two bunk beds, a small basin or shower, and air-conditioning control. Older vessels have more basic 4 or 6-berth cabins with shared showers. All have a door that locks, clean bedding (sheets and pillow included), and a level of separation from the main saloon that makes overnight crossings genuinely restful.

How much do ferry cabins cost in Greece?

On Blue Star Ferries, a 2-berth inside cabin on the Piraeus–Santorini route costs approximately €100–160 per cabin in summer (the whole cabin, not per person). A 4-berth cabin runs €120–200 per cabin. Outside cabins with portholes cost €20–40 more per cabin than inside equivalents. Compared to the alternative (€150–250 for a night's accommodation on Santorini), an overnight Blue Star cabin to Santorini is excellent value — you travel overnight and arrive with a full day ahead of you.

Do ferry cabins have showers?

It depends on the vessel and cabin class. En-suite cabins on Blue Star's newer vessels include a small shower and WC. Non-suite cabins on older vessels typically have shared shower facilities nearby. When booking, the cabin description on Ferryhopper or the Blue Star website specifies whether facilities are en-suite or shared. If this matters to you, filter specifically for 'en-suite' or 'with private bathroom' cabin categories when booking.

Can I book just one bunk in a cabin without paying for the whole cabin?

On Blue Star Ferries, a 4-berth or 6-berth cabin can sometimes be sold as individual berths — meaning you share the cabin with other passengers. On the Blue Star website and Ferryhopper, look for 'shared cabin' or 'berth in shared cabin' options. These are significantly cheaper than booking a whole cabin but means you'll have cabin-mates you don't know. For solo travellers on a budget, this is a good option for overnight crossings.

What's included in a Greek ferry cabin?

Typically: bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket), a lockable door, reading light, power socket (sometimes), small table or shelf space, and coat hooks. Some newer vessels include a small TV. Towels are generally not included — bring your own. Breakfast is not included — the cafeteria opens early and sells coffee and pastries. Minibars are not present on most Greek ferry cabins. Bring water and snacks from the cafeteria before you sleep.

Is it worth getting a cabin vs a Pullman (reclining) seat?

For crossings over 6 hours, especially overnight crossings, a cabin is significantly better than a Pullman seat. You have privacy, darkness, the ability to lie flat, and a locked door for your belongings. For crossings of 4–5 hours during the day, a Pullman seat is fine and much cheaper. For the classic Piraeus to Santorini overnight crossing (7–8 hours, departing 17:00–20:00, arriving 01:00–05:30), a cabin is the right choice — you wake up refreshed in Santorini having saved a night's accommodation cost.

Teleporio™ — Greek Island Travel Intelligence

Greek Ferry Cabins vs Deck

Cabin types, prices, what's included, Pullman vs deck, and when a cabin is worth paying for on a Blue Star overnight crossing. George's honest guide.

Reviewed by Georgios — Teleporio™ route intelligence guide — Updated 2026-06-23

The Decision: Cabin or Deck?

On shorter crossings (under four hours), deck travel is the straightforward choice — sufficient seating is always available, the weather in Greek summer is warm, and the time passes without discomfort. On crossings over four hours, particularly the overnight sailings from Piraeus to Santorini (7.5 to 9 hours), Crete (7 to 8.5 hours), or the Dodecanese (12 to 18 hours), the choice becomes more consequential.

What Deck Travel Means

Deck travel on a large Greek ferry typically means reclining aircraft-style seats in an air-conditioned passenger lounge, or outdoor deck seating if the weather and time of day are suitable. On vessels with a full passenger complement in peak season (July and August overnight sailings), the lounges fill and the deck areas can become crowded. Economy class seats are assigned or first-come. Sleeping in economy is possible but inconsistent — the air conditioning is cold, the seats recline partially, and the ambient noise from other passengers and the vessel systems makes genuine sleep difficult without earplugs and a sleep mask.

What Cabin Travel Means

Cabin options on major Greek ferry operators range from two-berth inside cabins (no window, bunk beds, private bathroom) to four-berth cabins to premium outside cabins with a window or porthole. A two-berth inside cabin on a Piraeus to Heraklion overnight crossing typically costs 50 to 90 euros per cabin — split between two people, this is less than a mid-range Athens hotel room. The cabin gives you a lockable door, a private bathroom, a flat surface for sleeping, and guaranteed isolation from the noise of the passenger decks.

The Recommendation

For overnight crossings of five hours or more: book a cabin. The cost difference versus economy seating is 30 to 60 euros per cabin, and the quality-of-experience difference is substantial. You arrive rested, having saved an accommodation night. For daytime crossings under four hours: economy is entirely sufficient. For crossings between four and six hours in summer conditions: an outside seat on the upper deck is the most pleasant option if the weather cooperates, with the option to retreat to a lounge if conditions deteriorate.

Booking Advice

Cabin inventory on peak summer overnight sailings sells out. Book cabin tickets four to six weeks in advance for July and August travel on the Piraeus to Santorini, Piraeus to Heraklion, and Piraeus to Rhodes routes. Cancellation policies vary by operator — most allow changes up to 24 to 48 hours before departure for a fee. Inside cabins offer the same quality of rest as outside cabins at lower cost; the porthole view matters less when you are sleeping.