F/B Blue Galaxy

Photo © Daniele Miglio

 

 

 

I have not any photo of “Ionian Galaxy” as “Arkas”, but from the informations I get, it seems that she wasn’t very altered from her Japanese years. Purchased in 1987 with the target to consider the sea-crossing aboard her enjoyable as a part of the vacation, her refit was very expensive, but well done: before travelling the first time aboard “Ionian Galaxy” I travelled aboard “Ionian Star” (the one of 1976 of course!) and “Ionian Sun”, but the “Galaxy” was really another thing. Externally she got a new funnel, a different shape to the stern and a new bridge between the wheelhouse and the funnel. Always employed on Ancona - Corfu - Igoumenitsa - Patras line, she sailed the first time regularly to Venice in 1997, after the end of the Joint venture with Minoan Lines. In 1998 was chartered and returned to Strintzis in 1999, always linking Ancona and Venice to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras. She was renamed “Blue Galaxy” in 2000 and put on the Venice line, connecting the Italian port also with Heraklion. For 2001, instead, was intended to be on a direct service between Brindisi and Patras; however the unsatisfactory results of the first months of service by the twin “Blue Island”, convinced Strintzis to give up and this ship was chartered to “Turkish Marmara Lines” for connecting Brindisi and Cesme. Anchored for all the 2002 season, in January 2003 was sold to Arab Interests. So we must farewell the mother of Greek “cruise – ferries”, a family which is very close to disappear in Aegean and Adriatic Seas. What a pity….

 

STRINTZIS LINES F/B Ionian Galaxy, photo © Michele Lulurgas, Patras Port, 19/06/95

 

STRINTZIS LINES M/N Ionian Galaxy foto © Alessandro Bertolini

 

STRINTZIS LINES F/B Ionian Galaxy photo © Kurt Warth

 

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