Minoan Lines

Minoan Lines is a Greek shipping company founded in May 1972 in Heraklion, Crete. It is one of the largest passenger ferry companies in Europe, operating routes between Piraeus and Crete, between Heraklion and the Cyclades, and on the Adriatic between Patras, Igoumenitsa and Italian ports. Since 2008 the company has been part of the Grimaldi Group through its parent Compagnia di Navigazione SpA, which holds around 88 to 96 percent of the share capital.

Key facts

Company type: Greek passenger and freight ferry company
Founded: May 1972
Headquarters: Heraklion, Crete
Parent: Compagnia di Navigazione SpA (Grimaldi Group)
Fleet: 6+ vessels including Festos Palace, Knossos Palace, Santorini Palace, Kydon Palace
Operating area: Crete, Cyclades, Adriatic (Greece-Italy)
Web check-in and e-tickets: Supported on minoan.gr

Top Minoan Lines routes on SimpleFerry

Piraeus → Heraklion (and return)
Piraeus → Chania (Souda) (and return)
Piraeus → Milos → Heraklion (high-season)
Heraklion → Santorini → Ios → Naxos → Paros → Mykonos (Santorini Palace highspeed catamaran)
Patras → Igoumenitsa → Ancona (overnight)
Patras → Igoumenitsa → Venice (seasonal)

Book Minoan Lines ferries

Piraeus → Chania Piraeus → Milos Santorini → Ios Ios → Naxos Naxos → Paros Paros → Mykonos Igoumenitsa → Ancona Igoumenitsa → Venice

Fleet and onboard experience

The Crete and Cyclades fleet is built around the Fincantieri-built sister ships Festos Palace and Knossos Palace, joined by Kydon Palace on Piraeus-Chania and the highspeed catamaran Santorini Palace in the Cyclades. Italy routes are served by Florencia, Venezia and Europalink in cooperation with Grimaldi Euromed. Onboard the larger ships offer cabins, lounges, restaurants, shops, kennels and Wi-Fi. Minoan Lines was the first Greek shipping company to install scrubbers across its main fleet, complying in advance with the IMO low-emission requirements.

Booking, check-in and luggage on SimpleFerry

SimpleFerry issues an e-ticket; passengers can also use Minoan Lines web check-in to download the boarding ticket. International boarding closes 2 hours before departure; for domestic routes, passengers should be at the port at least 1 hour ahead. On Crete and Cyclades routes each passenger may bring 2 main bags plus 1 cabin bag. Extra luggage requires a bill of lading at the operator port booth.

Pet policy

Pets are allowed on deck. Small pets must travel in a carrier or cage; larger pets need a muzzle and leash. Pet health documents are required.

Frequently asked questions

When did Minoan Lines join the Grimaldi Group?

Compagnia di Navigazione SpA, the Grimaldi Group's holding company, took control of Minoan Lines in 2008 after acquiring more than 85 percent of the shares.

Do Minoan Lines ferries run year-round to the Cyclades?

The Heraklion-Cyclades highspeed runs from spring through autumn; the Italy-Adriatic lines run year-round.

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