As an avid traveler, I’ve wanted to visit Greece for a long time, and I finally made it happen last September.
Among my top itinerary priorities was to take a ferry across the Aegean Sea to Lésbos, a Greek island reachable in about 11 to 13 hours (depending on the ship) by overnight ferry from Athens.
For 55 euros (about $63), I could’ve booked an economy ticket with non-reserved airplane-style seating.
However, expecting to be exhausted after days of running around the Greek capital, I decided to treat myself to the deluxe private cabin for 156 euros (about $180).
Here’s what my journey on the Nissos Samos ship was like.
After a smooth boarding process, I headed to my spacious cabin
I arrived at Athens’ Piraeus port two hours before my 8 p.m. departure time, expecting a lengthy and chaotic boarding process.
However, things went smoothly. Upon showing the e-ticket on my phone, I was handed my keys and ushered to the deluxe cabin area located at the front of the vessel.
My private cabin contained two rooms separated by a door, the first of which was a small living area with a couch, TV, and mini-fridge.
The room also had two large front-facing portholes, which provided a beautiful view of the ship’s bow and breathtaking vistas. Thankfully, there were curtains, which I could easily close for privacy.
There was also a cozy bedroom with a queen-size bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a toilet, sink, vanity mirror, and walk-in curtained shower.
Taking a hot shower with good water pressure before crawling under the fluffy covers was a heavenly way to end a long day.
I thought the cabin was pretty spacious overall, but it’s worth noting that it probably would’ve been a tighter squeeze if I were traveling with another person (or more luggage).
As I walked around, I also noticed a bunch of freebies I’d normally find in a hotel — things like like slippers, a branded pad with a pen, and a cute cosmetics bag with travel-sized toiletries.
The mini-fridge contained several bottles of water, soda, and a plate full of gigantic peaches — all complimentary.
When I wasn’t resting in my cushy cabin, I was walking around the ship
The ship, which holds up to 2,213 people, had an almost futuristic design and many indoor and outdoor public spaces for eating, socializing, and lounging.
I saw centrally-located kiosks serving snacks, cocktails, and coffee. There was even a small gift shop.
Expecting the ferry snacks to be as overpriced as airport fare, I loaded up on meals before boarding and brought a few munchies to tide me over.
However, I thought the snack offerings were reasonably priced, and not much more than I would’ve ended up spending on land, so I purchased a coffee and a croissant. Sipping aromatic espresso on the outside deck at sunset was pure bliss.
All in all, I’m glad I splurged on the deluxe cabin
As the ship pulled into the gorgeous port of Mytilene, Lésbos, in the early-morning mist, I emerged from my quarters well-rested, freshly showered, and ready to face the journey ahead.
Having my own space allowed me to fully relax and enjoy the ride, as opposed to treating it like a dreadfully long commute from point A to point B.
Booking economy would’ve saved me money, but my cabin upgrade felt like an excellent value considering it covered both long-distance transport and a hotel-style accommodation.
Honestly, the deluxe cabin option made me feel more like I was traveling on a cruise ship than a ferry.
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