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The easiest and most common way to reach the Old Port is by a cable car. Well be more than happy to adjust the start and end time of the private cruise tour and even change the departure port for you! January is the only month that doesnt have any cruises to Santorini. Mykonos vs. Santorini - Cruise Critic About Cruising to Santorini Spectacular Santorini -- scene of one of the world's most violent volcanic eruptions around 1450 B.C. Croatia is another destination people have a fondness for ruining with hulking cruise ships. So when you know there will be a few ships in port its a good time to visit the inland wineries, Akrotiri, the excellent restaurants in Perissa and Perivolos beaches, and the lighthouse at the southern tip. I had the impression many of them make up the Oia sunset crowd, but I noticed their departure timings are usually 1-2 hours after sunset. If you're buying several things at one store, it's worth asking for a bulk discount -- but this isn't the place for really serious haggling. Great beach but need water shoes due to the rocky shore to reach the beach. The only disappointment on my cruise was Santorini. I was advised to book a trip from the ship but even they seem to require getting the cable car back. And if you arrived on this page after watching the absolutely awful Santorini show by Rick Steves just ignore everything that guy recommends about seeing the Greek islands. Decided on the Best of Santorini, which took us to Akrotiri archaeological site first. What are the best cruises to Santorini? When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. We recently did just that (last month) and the bus dropped us at a rather distant location (as you near Fira) which left a multi block walk back into the heart of Fira (and to the Cable Car Station). July and August are the hottest months, with the months of April through November being the most popular for visitors. Traveling on a huge cruise ship can be great but it also means that you probably have a limited time for exploring the island and if you dont have any idea of what to do and what to avoid, you can get confused. You wont have time to do any of the best Santorini tours: a catamaran tour of the caldera, a boat tour to the volcano, a winery tour, a photography tour, a fishing tour. My husband I spent 7 days on Santorini before kids and so just want to do something simple (like lunch and walking around Fira) but memorable that we can do on our own in our limited time. We did a med cruise with them prior to covid and I have to agree that the group tours are truly horrible. Overall. Celebrity Equinox Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic I strongly prefer travelling by Greek ferry. Santorini, Greece Cruise Port Reviews - Cruiseline.com Best views are from the cliffs bordering the caldera, which was formed when the center of the island basically collapsed into itself. Nor will there be direct ferries between Santorini and Mykonos. Summary: After the shore excursions have returned to the ship and the cruises have departed, Santorini returns to a calmer and more tranquil pace. Ask for dishes that include Santorini fava or sweet tomatoes or the very sweet Santorini egg plant that can be eaten raw. Santorini - Holland America Line - Cruise Critic Community #1 Posted February 15 We are cruising to Santorini and deciding between the cruise's Oia excursion or simply getting a high speed boat at Old Port to Oia. There are also vinyards, and some historical sites. Be sure to enjoy a seaside lunch and some wine before heading back to your cruise ship. If you get back to Fira and are running short on time walk down the stairs to the port instead of waiting for the cable car as the line will likely be long. Cruises are floating Petri dishes of disease and illness. One downside is that its larger ships can exacerbate the already crowded ports and tourist hotspots, making it harder to enjoy Santorinis attractions during your short time on the island. Powered by Invision Community. Im trying to plan to avoid the cruise crowds when visiting Oia this October. Fira can easily be explored on foot, and buses run hourly to Akrotiri and Oia from the bus station at the end of Gold Street. I hope that helps. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Santorini (Photo:PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock). All of these sailing tours are with G Adventures a fantastic company that offers unique boat tours of the Greek islands on 15m charter yachts. The hike from Oia to Fira is a highlight of Santorini. As many as five or six cruise ships can call at each island per day in the summer season; expect crowds. (I still dont recommend them, but much better than the monstrous cruise ships.). Even the passengers who have booked the bus tour via their cruise ship company have to reach the Old Port to take the. 10-14 Day Cruises to Santorini - Cruise Critic Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. 1118 Santorini, Greece Port Reviews Write a Review Upload Photo Sorted by Most liked 5 by alexia9899 Chose to ship excursion at this port. Thank you so much for your detailed answer! Gives you plenty of time in Oia. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera also makes for an interesting stop. (Some friends said you cant even get out on the deck and views are lousy.). With kids the convenience of the ship (Disney, on your worst list) is a lifesaver at the end of the day when they can run off and hang out with other kids and we can sit and relax. And should we go to Oia first or Fira? Cruise passengers enduring the long lines to get the cable car back to the tender boat and then back to the ship. But to see the best of Santorini, you should take a shore excursion, via bus or taxi, further afield. or by donkey up the zig-zag path (only the super-fit would walk up). Seeing the sunset from Amoudi (the only place on the island where from sea level you can see the sun disappear beneath the horizon) is such a "Santorini thing to do" that it borders on clich? But to see the best of Santorini, you should take a shore excursion, via bus or taxi, further afield. That's a lot! In early March there will not be any direct flights flying from the UK to Mykonos or Santorini. Or do only those on cruise excursions able to afford to risk watching the Oia sunset? Santorini Greece/Oia - Greece Ports - Cruise Critic Community Limited Flexibility: Cruise itineraries are predetermined, which means youll have limited time on each island and may not have the opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Few cruise passengers to Santorini get to visit the village of Oia at the far end of the island. Sit back, savour the view -- and enjoy. There is only one access point from the cruise ships to the island the old port of Santorini. Santorini is a wonderful isle to experience however you decide to do it! If we visited on a ship or on our own when would be the best month to go to Santorini? We are trying to decide between going from the cruise port to Oia or from the cruise port to Fira. Wait for the tours and excursions to leave early and then get the tendre to queue for the cable car or walk up the path to Fira. All-inclusive Experience: Cruises offer an all-inclusive vacation, with accommodation, meals, and entertainment typically included in the price. Hi, my daughter and her friend would love to visit Santorini and Mykonos in early March. There are even a few archaeological sites like Akrotiri and Ancient Thera that are worth visiting during your port stop. Even olives, that Greek staple, have to be imported. From that tender pier under Firayou can go up the cliff by cablecar. Because of the two tender arrangements we independents didn't have to wait until ship's tour groups had gone, we disembarked at the same time. There's plenty here to set your imagination working, even though the modern-day city of Thira, officially Fira, was completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1956. For a quick bite, the light menu of Classico Cafe-Restaurant is in the heart of Fira with wonderful views of the caldera and the chapel of Agios Minas. I dont recall which one this is. 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Cruise ships near Fira are just visible in the distance. Since Vicky knew the shortcuts, she saved us time. Celebrity Cruises, a premium line known for its stylish ships and exceptional dining, also visits Santorini on its Mediterranean itineraries. Then, the line for the cable car to reach the top was another two-hours long. Private tours are good and many are mentioned in the thread mentioned above. When traveling between the Greek islands, you have two main options: taking a cruise or using the ferry system. Cruises to Apia, Samoa (formerly Western Samoa). It joins sibling "Lady Ships" Scarlet Lady . This private tour is a must-do for wine connoisseurs and discerning wine lovers! Greek Cruises: You only see the island when its densely crowded with other cruise ship passengers (your shipmates). We recently used the private tour company "Greek Traveling" they were wonderful for our day port stop in Santorini. -- is inarguably the most scenically dramatic of all the Greek Islands. Moreover, the departure time of the cruise ship must be an hour after the end time of the tour. Officially the island. Then a visit to Oia for some beautiful freetime. The Santorini cruise port has a tiny footprint at the base of the caldera. Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! Carnival Cruises: A shore excursion from a cruise ship. How far in advance should we line up? But if your itinerary stops at only one of the islands, here is our breakdown of Santorini versus Mykonos. Old Port > cable car > port of the private cruise by a shuttle > private cruise experience > drop off at Old Port on yacht One of the best activities on Santorini is a caldera boat tour and a trip to the active volcano but neither are possible when you visit Santorini on a cruise ship. Over-hyped and crawling with tourists even in the rain. Thanks! The vessel underwent an extensive refurbishment in May 2019. Book a quayside table at Dmitri's Taverna (00 30 22860 71 606), in advance. We offer top-quality, personalized tours and activities tailored to our guests' preferences and interests, with invaluable advice from our team of local experts. 5. You can contact us and tell us about your specific requirements. We will not have priority, so I'm thinking we need to book a ship excursion to get on land quickly. What cruises are going to Santorini this year? regarding what to do in Santorini. OK now to my question. Are the cable car lines always long? The locals will tell you that every restaurant with a caldera view is charging you 50 per cent for the view: the food is much better value and the service less rushed at the non-Caldera-facing restaurants. Correct? Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Got a boat from where the tender brings you in (Old Port). If you're happy to enjoy a browse around the shops and a lazy lunch with a view, Fira will fit the bill perfectly -- and it even has some 9th-century clifftop ruins to explore. I cannot tell you which might be better, but will share our experience. Santorini is a great year-round destination. Ultimately, while we love Santorini, we think that it's a better choice for a land vacation, when you can explore Oia and Fira without the crowds and catch the sunset. When it debuts in May 2023, the 2,700-passenger Resilient Lady will be become the third vessel in Virgin Voyages' expanding fleet. The worst cruises are the Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Epic, Odyssey Of The Seas, and Disney Magic, all of which dump nearly 5,000 visitors at the Santorini Old Port. Just make sure you know everything about traveling and getting around on a cruise ship in Santorini for a pleasant experience. Its a little slower (takes 8 hours instead of 5 from Athens to Santorini) but has large open-air decks that you can walk about on. It's worth remembering that the bay surrounding Santorini is actually the world's largest volcanic crater, created 3,500 years ago by a massive eruption of the Thera volcano (which is still active). I see that on July 16 there will be two Royal Caribbean ships and an MSC - possibly others - that 7,000+ load will mob things. Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic We can arrange accommodation to pick up and drop you off at Old Port of Fira where the cruise ship departs. (Santorini is a bad choice, however, if you have excessive mobility issues.). For example, if the tour starts at 11:00 AM and finishes at 14:00, your cruise ship must arrive at 10:00 AM and depart from Santorini at 15:00. 4. NCteacherlovescruising, July 5 in Greece Ports. THE 25 BEST Cruises from Rome to Santorini (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Cruises from Rome to Santorini We found you 114 cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Norwegian Breakaway 9 Night. So far, 2nd best place Ive ever been! Santorini Cruise Tips, Activities, and Overview. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. But these are notoriously unreliable and I wouldnt count on there being one. Its best to book a cruise and request the organizer to arrange either the meeting point or the drop off location at the Old Port. The bay is also believed by some to conceal the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Greece Santorini-Mykonos Greek Cruises Last summer Celebrity were experimenting with bringing back their ships' tours via the harbour at Athinios, same as the outbound. Here they come! Keep in mind that there can be some very long queues for the cable car (to get down) when it gets near the time when folks must be back on the ship. Once back in Fira you would need to either use the cable car, the donkeys, or your feet to get down to the tender pier. Some ships transfer their passengers direct to Athinos from where there are bus transfers to the top. By the look I think a smaller cruise boat would be best do you agree, or should we island hop? Get in touch with us to find out about the availability of a private cruise that has its meeting point or drop-off at the Old Port. Travelers who prefer to have more control over their schedule and explore destinations at their own pace may find the structure of a cruise limiting. I have been reading the cruise forums and there are many reports of people missing their cruise (or almost missing their cruise) due to long lines at the cable car. Catamaran Sunset Boat Tour in Santorini with BBQ and Drinks, Santorini Volcano Boat Tour including Hot Springs & Therasia, Luxury Catamaran Sunset Cruise with BBQ Fresh Fish/Seafood Meal & Drinks, Full-Day Santorini Sightseeing Bus tour with Sunset in Oia, Luxurious Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with BBQ and Drinks, Luxury Catamaran Morning Cruise with BBQ Fresh Fish/Seafood Meal & Drinks, Sunset Sailing Tour to Volcano and Hot Springs with Dinner on board. It's easy to get a cab to Oia (a must see) and to the beach. We use PayPal and Stripe, both leaders in online payments, to handle our payment transaction processes safely and securely. Greek Cruise Update: Cruises to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and the fantastic Greek islands are slowly returning to a normal timetable after the pandemic disruption, though there remains much local hostility to the cruise industry. Great stop but cable car a mess to rid. A lot of people hire quad bikes now, just for the day. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. The company advertises on Trip Advisor but we just emailed her at santoriniskylinetravel@gmail.com and inquired. I suspect that the morning tour as well as it being early spring had something to do with the lack of crowds. An ideal itinerary is: Its truly awful. We have booked 7 days on Santorini at Agnadi Villas and would like to go on a cruise of about 7-10 days as an add on to our Greek trip any suggestions? Speaking of the boats to Oia, once you get off the bus you do need to walk about a 100 yards (uphill) to where you can get a shuttle bus that takes you up the steep hill to Oia. If you can stay a few nights on the Santorini, youll see a completely different side of the towns, restaurants, and attractions. Visit Santorini on a Cruise Ship? Here's Everything You Need to Know Spectacular Santorini -- scene of one of the world's most violent volcanic eruptions around 1450 B.C. The good news is that the cruise ship masses dont really get anywhere interesting. Yes, you can always walk down but its a long walk if youre not used to doing stairs. Carnival Cruises, popular for its fun and lively atmosphere, occasionally includes Santorini on its Mediterranean routes. Its much more fun, relaxing, and beautiful on the island after the cruise ships have sailed away. Taxis also abound (negotiate a rate in advance) and are a more reliable option if time is at a premium. Between all the Santorini cruises on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Holland, Viking, and Disney Cruises do you recommend any cruise line? If you dont book a bus tour via the cruise ship company, youll be dropped off at the Old Port of Fira. We have a similar look to our day in Sept. View of the caldera from a Santorini hotel. 0206E70000659501. Otherwise, youll have to meet the tour guide at the top of the cable car wholl pick you up and drop you at the start port of the private cruise. If you really want to see what makes Santorini the most magical island in Greece, youll need to stay overnight. NCL is known for its relaxed atmosphere and freestyle approach, which offers flexible dining and no dress codes. That said, Ive heard of two-hour waits for the cable car.