If undertaking a Greek ferry crossing you may be offered 'deck class' accommodation. But, what exactly is this?
Needing to get from Heraklion in Crete to Piraeus in Greece - a 10hr voyage, I was offered just this as all cabin accommodation and Pullman seating (airline style reclining seats) were fully booked.
So, grab a cuppa, get comfy and (virtually) come aboard as A2B via Sea shows you around the ferry and explains what deck class actually is.
Firstly, how do you get from the airport to the ferry port?
Don't worry, they are so close to each other you could, if you so desire, walk!
Below: Heraklion Airport
Top tip do not get a taxi nor a coach arranged by your travel agent! Save some money and get a public bus located on the main road just outside the airport which takes passengers into the city, a journey of between ten and fifteen minutes, and costs less than 2Euros.
Tickets are obtained from the adjacent ‘hut’ ticket office. I was advised by the very friendly attendant when I see McDonalds, get off and from there the ferry port is less than a five minute walk.
Alternatively, you can walk from the airport to the ferry port in around forty minutes - just walk in a westerly direction down the hill towards the city.
Checkout my vlog below to see how close the airport is to the ferry port.
The Port of Heraklion terminal building is located on the eastern edge of the port and benefits from having ticket desks for Anek Ferries and Minoan Lines plus a WC facility and a counter service café. This building also houses the embarkation gate for the cruise berth.
Below: the terminal building below the flightpath of Heraklion Airport
Deciding not to plan ahead or pre-book anything in advance I opted for purchasing my ticket on the day – the ten hour crossing from Heraklion to Piraeus travelling ‘deck class’ costing 36Euro. Pullman seating and cabin (had they have been available) would cost extra.
Although the departure of Kriti II was scheduled for 2000hrs local time, I was advised I could embark immediately, some three hours early which I took advantage of, not least because I was advised the bar would be open and with the sun shining a beer on deck sounded like bliss!
Viewed from the quayside of Heraklion port, Anek Lines Kriti II appeared to have an extraordinary wide beam. She is also very ‘squat’ looking and with her elongated ‘U’ shaped decks - I immediately fell in love with her! She is 'quirky' looking - certainly a different appearance to the Minoan Lines cruise ferry next door which operates the same route with an identical departure time to Kriti II, albeit arriving in Piraeus slightly earlier.
Let's go to Piraeus
Foot passenger embarkation is via the vehicle deck. Prior to getting to the ferry one must (literally) dodge port traffic which seems to come from all directions and could be destined for any ferry therefore, have your whits about you especially if travelling with young children. To be fair, I have seen more hectic environments in other ports.
Upon presentation of your boarding card you are directed towards an escalator / stairwell on the ships port side which will funnel foot passengers along a wide and (very) lengthy corridor up two decks to Deck 6.
Deck 6
Eventually, after a long walk, we arrive at a hall giving access to the ships' reception.
The reception hall is a cavernous full width and fully carpeted area with localised seating and a grand looking dual crescent shaped pursers' office and information bureau.
An interactive area with several computers, information screens and a brochure rack give tourists information on Anek Lines and the ports their ferries operate too.
An attractive dual staircase permits direct access up to Deck 7.
From the reception navigation of the ship is incredibly easy. Top tip, power sockets to charge mobile phones and other electrical equipment aboard Kriti II is very limited so, pop along to the information desk where the officer will charge it for free - many passengers including myself took advantage of this!
Passenger amenities are located on two decks 6 and 7 with cabin accommodation at the forward ends of both.
Below: one of the cabin corridors at the forward end of Deck 6
Walking aft on Deck 6 from the reception and passing the aforementioned dual staircase, we arrive at the very large open plan lounge/bar/café which dominates amid ships.
Spanning the width of the ship, this fully carpeted facility offers snacks and drinks 24/7 plus
a wall mounted TV screen showing muted programmes.
Individual tub chair seating is decorated in coloured fabrics of burnt orange and beige whilst the low backed sofas are teal in colour. With the royal blue patterned carpeting and antique pine fixtures and fittings the décor is warm, homely and comforting which is appropriate as many ‘deck class’ passengers remained here and slept during the lengthy voyage.
Speaking of which, deck class does not mean being confined to the exterior decks and unable to gain access to the ships' facilities, deck class means one has no designated accommodation such as an airline style seat in a dedicated lounge or a cabin - one must find a chair or sofa (or perhaps a section of carpet) to call their own.
Top tip, board early and find a comfortable sofa to call your own and put your belongings down to 'reserve it' before everyone else embarks.
Again, a point worth noting is the bar/café remained open throughout the voyage serving alcohol, hot and cold beverages and light snacks including toasted sandwiches and confectionary.
Continuing aft, small open plan windowless lounges can be found on the starboard side off a central foyer which itself gives access to a small prayer room, shop and dining rooms.
Finally at the aft end of deck 6 are the two dining rooms; the a la carte option to starboard and the more casual self-service next door on the port side.
Below: a la carte restaurant, note the child's highchair available for passengers
Sampling the grilled pork and chips in the self-service café I was impressed as it was tasty and good value for money.
Again, children's highchairs are available for passengers use.
An aisle of hard flooring within the Self Service cafe directs passengers to narrow exterior decks on the port, starboard and aft sides which flank the dining rooms and lounge/bar. Pet kennels for those travelling with their four-legged friends are available.
Let's venture up to Deck 7
Upstairs on Deck 7 one can find the bar/disco/lounge just aft of the cabin block. Positioned beneath a curved ceiling the DJ areas can be found in a void space on a mezzanine level whilst on the main deck the bar is at the aft end facing forward. It should be noted that no music was played during my voyage however, looking at the curvature of the domed ceiling I would imagine the acoustics are excellent.
A narrow though attractive hall with dual staircases gives direct access to the ships' reception downstairs.
The Pullman lounge with forward facing airline style seats is accessed from the ships port and starboard exterior decks and has the added benefit of having luggage storage both fore and aft.
The artificial lighting remains on all night which defeats the object of being able to sleep, as such some passengers remained awake all night.
A crew person remained 'on guard' throughout the voyage to ensure no deck class persons tried to get in.
A WC block with showers is located slightly aft of the reclining seat lounge and is accessible to all passengers aboard.
Finally dominating the rest of Deck 7 is the vast exterior deck with its huge shelter canopy, bar and café.
Wide promenades on the port and starboard sides with localised seating allow passengers to wander at leisure - particularly pleasant at silly o'clock in the morning with a coffee during a balmy warm summer's night looking up at the stars and the moonlit mirrored sea.
At the stern is a full width exterior deck complete with swimming pool, alas non-operational at the time of my crossing though be aware, the twin funnels spout a huge amount of smoke throughout the crossing, especially as Kritti II leaves port therefore, if you do have breathing difficulties stay up wind! Have a look at my video at the end of this blog.
Under the shelter of the canopy is a large seating area complete with a muted TV monitor which remained on all night. The bar / café counter serves hot beverages, soft drinks and alcohol.
For me, I assumed this is what deck class would be - sleeping under the stars.
However, although this is what many passengers did, deck class actually means sleeping in any free spot, whether it's a plastic chair on deck, a sofa in a lounge, a stair well, hall, corridor or a section of carpet.
Travelling deck class is by far the cheapest way to travel from A to B. Most facilities are accessible, unless you are aboard a ferry which has a first class lounge, which Kritti II does not have.
Top tip, bring a blanket which you can easily roll up into your bag or you are happy to throw away at the end of your journey as it will make your journey more comfortable.
Arrival in Piraeus is around 0600hrs. Foot passengers can disembark at their leisure onto the quayside. WC facilities are nearby though if you wish to get a coffee head around the port towards the other ferries where there are many cafes and bars on the quayside - you can walk around the quay freely, just keep to the black and white walkways as tourist traffic boarding and disembarking ferries in Piraeus is very heavy!
Kritti II is a great ferry. Dating from 1979 Kritti II has a great deal of character which moves, sounds and smells like a 'real ferry' and I would have no concerns travelling aboard her again.
Now you have read my blog, checkout my vlog below and [virtually] come aboard.
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