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Knossos Palace

Car and passenger ferry · operated by Minoan Lines

Passengers2,070
Vehicles735 cars
Service speed26 kn

One of the two big overnight ships on the Cretan line, running Piraeus to Heraklion by way of Milos in about nine hours. Cabins, reclining seats and deck space, with restaurants, bars and shops aboard.

Previously sailed as Cruise Bonaria, Bonaria and Olympia Palace.

On board the Knossos Palace

  • Bar
  • À la carte restaurant
  • Self-service restaurant
  • Shop
  • Wi-Fi
  • Outside deck

Where you can sit

  • Deck seatsOutdoor seating, unreserved
  • LoungeIndoor seats and couches
  • Numbered seatsAirline-type reserved seatsreserved
  • CabinInside and sea-view cabinsreserved

Where is the Knossos Palace now?

Looking for her latest AIS position…

Positions by AIS from the University of the Aegean’s Aegean network. Coastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Live positions are indicative and are not a navigational aid.

Specifications

Built2001
BuilderFincantieri, Sestri Ponente (Genoa)
Built inItaly
Length214 m
Beam26.4 m
Draught7.1 m
Gross tonnage36,825
Service speed26 knots
Top speed29.5 knots

Where the Knossos Palace sails

Minoan Lines do not publish which ship works which crossing, so we cannot list her sailings — they file 70 departures over the next 14 days without naming a vessel on any of them. The routes she works are below; the operator's own booking page names the ship once you pick a date.

Usually works Piraeus–Milos–Heraklion, both directions (the Cretan line).

  • She and Festos Palace swap between the morning and evening departures, so the ship on a given sailing is worth checking when you book.
  • The Piraeus departure calls at Milos for about a quarter of an hour before carrying on to Heraklion — the same crossing, not a change of ferry.
Book your ferry tickets here

Frequently asked questions

What is the Knossos Palace like?

One of the two big overnight ships on the Cretan line, running Piraeus to Heraklion by way of Milos in about nine hours. Cabins, reclining seats and deck space, with restaurants, bars and shops aboard. She is a car and passenger ferry built in 2001.

Who operates the Knossos Palace?

The Knossos Palace is operated by Minoan Lines, part of Grimaldi Group.

Does the Knossos Palace carry cars?

Yes. The Knossos Palace is a vehicle ferry and carries up to 735 cars as well as foot passengers.

How fast is the Knossos Palace?

She works at a service speed of 26 knots, with a top speed of 29.5 knots.

Does the Knossos Palace have Wi-Fi?

Yes, the Knossos Palace carries Wi-Fi aboard.

Vessel details as published by the operators and cross-checked against maritime registers. Schedules from the current timetable. Updated 26 August 2026.