Clarkey14

It's a 15-20 minute walk from the cruiseport or a $5 taxi.  Lots of chairs, restaurants, bars, changing areas, etc,  $20 US for 2 chairs for as long as you want.  No need to pay the higher costs for the ship excursions, and you can get there far quicker that waiting for the cruise tour to get organized.

There are lots of turtles off the beach at The Boatyard. For $10 they will take you out from the beach and I am sure you won't be disappointed.

We were in Antigua last year and were going to one of the main beaches when our taxi driver recommended Fort James Beach - it was great - large beach, very beautiful and no crowd.  There was a restaurant at each end and a few shops but other than that very quiet.  Close to the cruise port.

Also, the walk is along the main city Bridgetown - most shops will be open.

We will be there on a Sunday in November. The largest beach - Browne's is a 15-20 minute walk from the terminal ( or very short cab ride).  $20 will get you 2 chairs, umbrella and wi-fi.  For another $20 they will take you snorkelling a few hundred yards off the beach - there are always turtles to swim with and there are several shipwrecks in shallow water.

If you book a turtle/shipwreck snorkel excursion from the cruise ship - this is where they take you!

There are restaurants, change facilities, showers.

Recently returned from a similar cruise and my recommendation would be to go on your own in Santorini. As previously mentioned, check to see how many ships are in port on your day. We had 6 and the line to get back down the hill was 2 hours long! It was a long walk down the hill. When you get off the tender in Santorini there are two companies that will offer boat rides to Oia, these include a bus up the hill in Oia, and a return bus from Oia to Fira.

We enjoyed being on our own, especially when we saw the large tour groups trying to maneuver the narrow streets.

We overnighted in Athens and did a excursion to the Acropolis. The next day we did the hop on/ hop off bus tours. If we had of known we would have done this and not the excursion. They are simple to use, $20 US for a 2 day pass. They are to the left in a parking lot when you leave the ship and terminal. They go straight from the terminal to Athens and the Acropolis. They provide maps that are easy to understand.