Once you’ve secured your Greek ferry tickets, a seamless boarding process is crucial for a stress-free journey across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Understanding the boarding procedures, managing your luggage, and ensuring compliance with regulations are key components of a successful ferry experience. Here’s what you need to know to make your boarding process smooth and hassle-free.
Greece, known for its stunning islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, beckons travelers to explore its beauty. When planning your island-hopping adventure, understanding the general conditions for ferry travel in the Cyclades, Dodecanese, North Aegean, Sporades, and Saronic islands becomes crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your maritime journey without a hitch.
Passenger Name List and Ticketing
- Detailed Ticket Information: To comply with regulations, ferry tickets are issued with detailed passenger information, including the passenger’s last name, first name, gender, nationality, date of birth, and mobile phone number. Travel agents must also be informed of passengers requiring special care.
- Booking Procedures: Tickets must be booked and issued well in advance through travel agents. It is strictly forbidden to issue tickets on board, emphasizing the need for passengers to plan and communicate with their agents ahead of time.
- Children’s Tickets: Children under five years old are eligible for free tickets when booked and issued simultaneously with an adult ticket. A 50% discount applies when a bed or seat is provided for the child.
Passenger’s Phone Number and Numbered Seats
- Mandatory Phone Registration: Passengers are required to provide their mobile phone numbers for communication regarding itinerary modifications, especially in the case of unexpected changes due to weather conditions.
- Numbered Seats: Holders of numbered seat tickets are the only ones allowed to use the designated seats during the journey.
Embarkation Procedure
- Timely Arrival: Passengers must report to the embarkation area at least one hour before departure. For those traveling by car, arriving one hour before departure is mandatory.
- Vehicle Embarkation: Drivers must embark and disembark their vehicles, and passengers should exit the vehicle before embarkation. Vehicle embarkation priority is determined by each Port Authority’s regulations.
- Identification Documents: Passengers must present valid travel documents, identity cards, passports, or driver’s licenses during boarding.
Ticket Options and Dates
- Ticket Issuance Period: Tickets must be issued within a specific timeframe after booking. Failure to do so results in automatic booking cancellation.
- Open Date Tickets: Open date tickets are valid indefinitely. Passengers wishing to travel on a different date must pay the fare difference between the current and pre-paid open ticket fare.
- Ticket Cancellation: Cancellation fees vary based on the route and season, ranging from full refunds to non-refundable fees. SeaJets and Blue Star Ferries have specific cancellation policies.
Special Situations
- Extreme Weather Conditions: In cases of delayed departure, passengers and vehicles can embark without changing their tickets. For a canceled departure, tickets are not valid for embarkation, and passengers must exchange them for a valid boarding card for the next scheduled departure.
- Lost Tickets: In the event of a lost ticket, passengers must purchase a new one and declare the loss in writing. If the lost ticket is not used within one month, the company may provide a free ticket of equal value.
Additional Considerations
- Schedules: While the company strives to adhere to published itineraries, modifications may be necessary. Arrival times indicate when vessels reach port entrances, and the company reserves the right to reschedule vessels if needed.
- Ticket Control on Board: Purser’s Office staff conducts ticket controls at embarkation and during the journey. Passengers must show their tickets and applicable discount documents upon request.
- Luggage: Passengers are entitled to carry up to 50 kg or 1m³ of luggage for free. Valuables should be handed over to the Chief Purser for safekeeping. The company is responsible for damage or loss only if valuables are stored with the ship.
- Passengers with Special Needs: Specially designed cabins are available for passengers with special needs. Due to limited availability, advance reservations are necessary.
- Unaccompanied Minors: Specific conditions apply to the transportation of unaccompanied minors aged 15 to 18, requiring a Statutory Declaration by a parent or legal guardian.
- Transportation of Pets: Passengers traveling with pets must declare them when booking tickets. The vessels have special cabins and accommodation areas for pets, and special regulations apply for their travel.
- Lost and Found Service: Passengers who lose or find items on board should contact the ship’s Reception immediately. For post-disembarkation inquiries, contact the company’s Head Offices.
- Customer Service: For any inquiries, comments, or suggestions, passengers can contact customer service through the provided direct line or email.
- Security Notice: Security measures include searches of individuals and items brought on board. Passengers must comply with these measures for safety reasons.
- No Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited in enclosed public areas and cabins, following national law.
- General Travel Terms & Cancellation Policy: Specific regulations apply to passenger details, boarding procedures, luggage, unaccompanied children, pets, ticket cancellations, open date tickets, ticket loss, delay or cancellation due to force majeure, itineraries, safety aboard the ship, and discounts.
By adhering to these boarding procedures and guidelines, you’ll ensure a smooth and enjoyable ferry journey through the captivating Greek islands. Whether you’re traveling with a vehicle, pets, or unaccompanied minors, understanding and following these protocols will contribute to a safe and pleasant maritime experience.
As you embark on your island-hopping adventure, this guide aims to ensure a seamless and enjoyable ferry travel experience through the breathtaking Greek islands. Safe travels!
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