Ferry to Athens

‘And oh, did you think of me? On a train down to Madrid, on a ferry to Crete?’

Heraklion Harbour

I decided to take the ferry to Athens. It’s more expensive than a flight, takes all night, and no-one chooses it unless they are taking a car with them, but I like ferries so I bloody-well booked it anyway.

I arrived at Heraklion Port on a dark, cold and drizzly evening. After avoiding being run over by one or more of the vehicles powering across the dock and disappearing into the gaping mouth of the Kriti I, I boarded and presented my Covid vaccination certificate to the staff. They directed me to the reception area to pick up the key to my cabin.

Corridor, ferry to Athens

The Kriti I has a first-half-of-the-1900s feel about it, and I was a bit excited to be on board as I staggered down the narrow, carpeted hallway with my bags. My cabin had two lower bunks, and upper beds that could be lowered and secured if required. I had my own little bathroom, and even a small writing desk, which certainly was a throwback to the grand old days of passenger liners.

‘Welcome aboard’

Strangely enough, I forgot to take photo of my room, but I did take one of the In-cabin entertainment, which was definitely old school.

cabin entertainment
All you favourite tracks in full monophonic sound

I left my luggage behind and headed off to explore the ship, fully expecting not to be able to find my cabin again in the maze of floors and hallways. I followed the signs to the bar/disco and lounge, and although I never found the disco (probably closed due to Covid), the lounge was a comfy and stylish affair.

signs ferry to Athens
Ballroom dancing in the disco, then a martini in the lounge. Delightful!
lounge  ferry to Athens
‘Well if we’re going to make a party of it, why don’t we nibble Nobby’s Nuts?’

The Greeks are very partial to a chapel, and the one on board the Kriti I was a typically ornate affair.

Greek chapel
Icons for Africa

I decided to brave the elements and head out on deck. I can imagine the aft deck would be a popular spot on a warm summer’s evening, but it wasn’t so much on a drizzly, cold and windy night in December.

deck pool
Having been drained for the winter, the crew had put a net over the pool. This avoided visually impaired and intoxicated would-be swimmers having nasty accidents, and also made a ripper trampoline for the kids
safety signs

The ferry to Athens departs Heraklion at 2100, but thankfully offers a meal service for those passengers who couldn’t find a yiros before boarding. Being a part of that group, I was pretty happy when the announcement came over the PA that the self-service restaurant was open. There were four different meals on offer, served up in a canteen fashion.

We might not be able to put it out, but we’ll certainly dampen the bastard

As I’m still a growing lad, I tried to figure out which would offer the biggest serve, and decided on the spaghetti bolognaise. Interestingly, the pasta was served with a traditional side dish of dark rusks (twice-baked bread) topped with cheese, tomato and herbs. Just in case two loads of carbs weren’t enough, the meal was completed with a bread roll. It was odd, but at least I was pretty confident I had chosen the biggest meal.

Spaghetti Bolognaise
Max carbs

After dinner I sat in the bar for a while, feeling like the scene would be complete if I was wearing a burgundy smoking jacket and choofing on a cigar. At 2100, accompanied by an increase in pitch of the background engine noise, we slid away from the dock and headed out of Heraklion Harbour.

I retired to my cabin later in the evening, and after a shower climbed into bed. The wind had been howling across Crete all week, and there was a decent swell running. The Kriti I boomed, rattled and shook with the swell, and I rolled about on my bunk, eventually managing bugger all sleep for the night. We were due in to Athens at 0600, and not wanting to still be asleep like a dickhead when everyone else was disembarking, I set my alarm. When it went off I was displeased as I had finally got to sleep, but the boat felt very steady so I assumed we had either arrived, or were in protected waters and about to dock in Athens. Turned out neither was the case, as the conditions must have slowed us up and we still had about an hour to go. I went back to bed.

I got up again later and went out on deck to watch the sunrise and our approach to Athens. It was a beautiful morning, and I was looking forward to exploring the ancient city.

‘And I watched, and I waited for the dawn’

Despite being tired after not getting much sleep, I was glad I caught the ferry to Athens. It might not be fast, and it isn’t the cheapest option, but there’s something special about travelling by sea: the journey becomes part of the whole travel experience, rather than just something to tolerate before you reach your destination.

For more on the Kriti I click here

If you liked this post you may also like Storm Front, Interislander Ferry

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Comments

2 responses to “Ferry to Athens”

  1. Katia Avatar
    Katia

    Good man. Choosing the Ferry Option. (No suprise the briny being my number 1 choice for travel). Tell you what – if you ever do kit up in a burgundy smoking jacket & cigar whilst on a seaward voyage, (cravat as well tho methinks) – then i’ll meet you in the lounge for sunset aperitifs
    ;《}}

    1. Jim Clayton Avatar
      Jim Clayton

      Let’s synchronise our pocket watches…shall we say…5.30pm?

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