marazul

Don't forget the siesta!

Here is an interesting article on overcrowding and limiting cruise ships. https://www.businessinsider.com/greece-restricting-cruise-ship-santorini-mykonos-tourist-compaints-2024-6p

Enjoy!

The pizza? No, it isn't soggy. It would be closer to, let's say a Margherita like they make at Brixx in Charlotte than what you find at the big pie pizza places. I think you might change your mind after you try it. Make sure they make it with buffala mozzarella. You can also get excellent pizza in Amalfi and in that whole area. A number of good places near the Amalfi cathedral. Try it in both towns so you get a chance to try different topping combinations. Just don't expect it to look like anything that came out of Domino's.

Depends on the cruise line and the day there are there - how many other ships in port, etc.. There are also regular taxis and buses. Search this board for "Mykonos beaches"

https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/mykonos/transportations/water-taxis/ There is more info. Google "Mykonos water taxi"

Enjoy this article about traditional tavernas in Athens with a list of several, including one in Piraeus. https://www.ekathimerini.com/leisure/gastronomy/1238716/athenian-tavernas-serving-up-tradition-2/

I don't think it is a common practice. Does it apply to hotel guests or only to the public? Either way, it is a fraction of what you would pay for beds and umbrella at a beach even if there were one nearby. It is cheap for the convenience of going for a swim right at your hotel after a hot day of sightseeing. When you check in ask if you need to reserve the time for later in the afternoon.

The National Archaeological Museum is outstanding. A lot of the important finds from Pompeii are here. And more. https://mann-napoli.it/en/home-english/

Good plan. Have you posted on your cruise line's forum? Others who have been on the same itinerary and ship would be able to confirm your choice.

We like Platis Gialos. Beautiful sand. Very good restaurant. Look at this for more ideas: https://santorinidave.com/best-beaches-mykonos

Amen!

That is the point! When people earn decent wages, you tip little or nothing. It is the mandatory, guilt driven tipping culture that is wrong. Nothing stops you or anyone else from rewarding exceptional service. Ordinary, competent, but not exceptional service deserves fair wages by the employer. Not practical blackmail of customers to make up for the lack of compensation that should be paid by the employer. And the question is, when the job description of Seabourn employees is to provide outstanding, attentive service to all (not just to you) and they are paid a better than decent wage for their job, should you tip? When exceptional service without flattery is the norm, is it exceptional?

I think a better analogy would be do you tip the store clerk who sells you a shirt? Or do you tip the checkout clerk at the supermarket? You might even be served by the same person often. The answer is no, because they are paid a full (even if not generous) wage. Waiters should be paid full, fair wages, not have to depend on tips.

Porchetta - L'antica Salumeria, Piazza della Rotonda (Pantheon). Carciofi alla Giudia - several restaurants, like BaGhetto, on the Via del Portico d'Ottavia. Pizza - Amerina, Emma

The tour providers keep track of the ship's port arrangements. Just tell them the name of your ship and time and they will be at the appropriate place. You will also have each other's phone so they can get in touch. This is not unique. It is the way they operate for the thousands of passengers they serve.

It depends on the ship and the size of the ship. You can get many different responses. Look at post #5 again.

Tell your friend to bring a Visa or Mastercard which are accepted everywhere. Discovery will be practically useless. AMEX will be accepted by many, but a large number of merchants will refuse them because they charge a higher commission to the merchants than either Visa or Mastercard. And whatever you bring, always ask to be charged in the local currency, not in US$. You will get a much worse rate of exchange if you charge in US$.

Those two ports are two hours appart by road. Your cruise information should show the name of the port as Crete (Chania) or Crete (Heraklion) or something similar. Look at your cruise website. It should also show you a map with the itinerary. It would be useful for you to know since you want to go sightseeing to places near your actual port. Plenty to see at both. Follow the hints in @edinburgher's post above for info.

I meant you were going east towards the peninsula and north of the islands, so you would be approaching Stromboli from its west side and your starboard side. Badly expressed, but in the same direction

🤪😱

Ooops. There are two choices for General Admission. The first one is just for Acropolis and Slopes and it is 20 euros. The second one also lists the other sites and it is 30 euros.Yes, this is new.

Never saw it in Italy. But, who knows?

Interesting. Now the General Admission for 20 euros covers all the other Athens sites. Good deal.

No idea what that is.