We bought a 6 days Greek Island Pass. The Greek Islands Pass Guide notes that it is impartant to book ferries in the order of use, the date of the first ferry is the activation date of the pass. We already booked a ferry from Italy tot Greece, but didn't need tot give our Pass number. For booking domestic ferries the pass number is needed. How do I know for sure that the system knows that we already booked a ferry and the pass is activated on the Italy - Greece crossing and not on the first domestic ferry (and we have to pay for the Italy - Greece crossing)?
Thanks in advance,
Martin
Best answer by Camilo.
Mukhammad wrote:
rvdborgt wrote:
@Camilo.@Mukhammad the information about getting accommodation upgrades for the Greek Islands pass on the Interrail/Eurail website and in the Greek Islands Pass Guide is misleading. It does not mention that you can only book locally, which is a severe limitation, especially during the high season.
Hi everyone,
I'm really sorry about the issue! I'm reporting this matter to the higher levels.
UPDATE:
Thank you very much @rvdborgt for bringing this on the community. We were just informed that upgrades are only possible on board. We have contacted our content team to update this on our website.
We bought a 6 days Greek Island Pass. The Greek Islands Pass Guide notes that it is impartant to book ferries in the order of use, the date of the first ferry is the activation date of the pass. We already booked a ferry from Italy tot Greece, but didn't need tot give our Pass number.
Then you probably didn't get any pass discount. With a Greek Islands Pass, the ferry Italy-Greece is free of charge.
Martin75 wrote:
For booking domestic ferries the pass number is needed. How do I know for sure that the system knows that we already booked a ferry and the pass is activated on the Italy - Greece crossing and not on the first domestic ferry (and we have to pay for the Italy - Greece crossing)?
AFAIK, this "activation” just means that your pass cover number is stored in the ferry company's database. That also means no "activation” has taken place if you didn't give your pass cover number, but you shouldn't worry about it. If you can show a valid pass at check-in, then you're good.
We got the Italy - Greece crossing free of charge (including a cabin), so there's no problem on that crossing.
Another question about the domestic bookings. For the domestic routes between the Islands we want to add a cabin (night crossings). Without a cabin the crossing is free of charge. With the cabin included the crossing has the same price as a crossing without a Greek Island Pass. How to get the free of charge crossing including the discount for the cabin?
I've done a test booking and the booking website now only allows the Greek islands pass as a discount if you're booking a seat, e.g. in Economy. However, according to the pass brochure, you're entitled to a "30% reduction on all upgrades in accommodation”. This is confirmed by Blue Star Ferries, but they say additionally: "Accommodation upgrades are possible at the company’s Port Offices or at the Chief Purser’s Office on board, after the embarkation (upon availability).”
I'd say write the ferry company a mail that their website doesn't allow to book a cabin with your passes in advance and that you therefore wish to book via email.
If they don't want to do that, then mention that Interrail does not say that such upgrades would only be available locally and that such a severe limitation in practice means that, in the high season, you would only have the choice between paying the full fare for a cabin (so your pass is worthless), or booking a seat, with a high probability of no cabins being available by the time you arrive at the port.
The Bleu Star Ferries Sail & Rail information mentions that there is a 30% discount on possible on board upgrades! You also found this out. So from their perspective they are right.
However, this limitation is not mentioned at the Interrail websites. I found a Sail and rail link on the Dutch version of the Interrail Greeks Island Passes website https://www.interrail.eu/nl/interrail-passes/one-country-pass/greece-passes/greek-islands. This link is located under the international ferry conditions and not under the domestic ferry conditions, furthermore this link goes to Superfast Ferries https://www.superfast.com/en-gb/special-offers/sail-rail instead of Blue Star and Superfast doesn't mention the ‘possible on board’ limitation. So, how could I ever have known this?
@Camilo.@Mukhammad the information about getting accommodation upgrades for the Greek Islands pass on the Interrail/Eurail website and in the Greek Islands Pass Guide is misleading. It does not mention that you can only book locally, which is a severe limitation, especially during the high season.
@Camilo.@Mukhammad the information about getting accommodation upgrades for the Greek Islands pass on the Interrail/Eurail website and in the Greek Islands Pass Guide is misleading. It does not mention that you can only book locally, which is a severe limitation, especially during the high season.
Hi everyone,
I'm really sorry about the issue! I'm reporting this matter to the higher levels.
@Camilo.@Mukhammad the information about getting accommodation upgrades for the Greek Islands pass on the Interrail/Eurail website and in the Greek Islands Pass Guide is misleading. It does not mention that you can only book locally, which is a severe limitation, especially during the high season.
Hi everyone,
I'm really sorry about the issue! I'm reporting this matter to the higher levels.
UPDATE:
Thank you very much @rvdborgt for bringing this on the community. We were just informed that upgrades are only possible on board. We have contacted our content team to update this on our website.
