budmeister

Hi, I am going the second week of September. Allowing for 1.5 hours at the cable car line and 1 hour b4 the last expected tender, I plan to get in the cable car line at about 6:30 ish.

I would take a balcony if I was not skipping any excursions due to price. You can dress warm there just as well as on deck. We went in June and wore everything from shorts and tees to hats and gloves. Our excursions were long days, so the weather varied a lot. We had an inside room, and enjoyed the expansive views views from the open decks. While a balcony is always nice, I do not think we could have gotten the big picture views from it, and of course only side views. We spent a lot of time on deck watching the seals and coasts. If you have to choose, spend the money on expensive excursions. We did everything we wanted to, even helicoptering or some kind of sea plane over the glaciers. They look nothing like I expected when seen in real life! We hiked, canoed, and walked across sand beaches up to waterfalls at the edges of glaciers. We also did the dog sledding. Go on the long excisions, they are fabulous! Normally we are 4 hour excursion people, we like to relax, but Alaska is another world and worth the long days. Enjoy

Hi, We are in our 50, no kids, and love the shows( but not Cats!!! ) and variety of live music and the variety of eating places. I especially love sitting in Central Park with my coffee and snacks from the Central Park cafe. I get a lox and bagel there for breakfast almost every day and enjoy it sitting in Central Park. I have been on every size ship but the very newest- Icon and Wonder- and never have a problem with the size or crowds. I do not sit at the pool though, or go to the bars or casino. We do go to a variety of lounges for the music. Enjoy!

Thanks! By the time I get there, I will be so educated!

Thank you for answering! Do you have a suggestion for a drop off/pick up spot in Oia? I will need to give the reservation a destination.

It turns out that due to my excursion choice, I may be skipping a visit to Oia. We will not be back, this is a life-time special trip for us. I could take a pick-up from Fira at about 4 pm, and then one back to the cable cars at 6 pm. Is it worth it? I know I will see plenty of views on my trip, and will not like it if the streets are unwalkable due to crowds of 5 ships in port (one will be arriving at 4 pm, not counting it!) Ship are there till 8,9,10, and 11 pm. I am not interested in shopping. I just wonder if simply seeing Oia, and the views are not to be missed. Thoughts?

Hi, Thanks for your information! We will be there this Sept., and there will be 6 ships in port. How long did it take you to get to Oia from the excursion time start? I booked that too, just to get there. I was trying to take an excursion from Oia at 9:15 am, and reluctantly decided I could not be sure to make it. About what time did you take the cable cars that the line was not too long? Our ship is in til 10:00pm , I expect all-aboard at 9, and I aim for 8:00 pm. Would you think it would be worth it crowd-wise and scenery -wise to take welcome -pickup to Oia at about 4 there and 6 back to the cable cars? I don't care about shopping, I wonder if seeing and the views are worthy of the quick trip there and back, and if it will be unwalkable due to crowds there by 4pm ish. I can do that, or just skip seeing Oia, as I am taking an excursion til 3:30 pm. I would like to wait and see, but I expect same day reservations will likely be unavailable. Thanks for your thoughts!

So true.

Now I have learned even more about the workings of it all!

Luckily, it ends in Fira, at that Vista address it put on the map I pasted earlier, and I will have 5 hours to get to and through the cable care line! My ship does not leave until 10 at night.

Hi, I think you nailed it- I think I will take the Vlyhada one, get off at Athinois, and book private transportation to Vlyhada port. Even if I do not end up getting off the ship until 8:45, I will still have time to make it. Thanks for your efforts! I would have missed my sailing if did not have the advice from people who know stuff. I would have expected to get off the ship at Oia at 7:30 am! I sure would have received an unpleasant surprise!

Hi, I think you have nailed it down pretty well! Hi, Thank you. This whole plan would have been much simpler if I had the understanding in the beginning about about the tender, bus, and timing situation, and I was not worried about having like 7000 passengers there in the morning. I will looked at the Fira sails that go around the volcano area. Thank you for checking on those for me! I would choose one as an answer if I had to. I have more of the 18 person lunch-on-board several beach sail planned. But it is very nice to have a back up. I will still probably not know what time I can expect to be off the ship, even if I plan on just getting off at Fira as I now realize it stops at Athinios port first for all the excursion people. Who could guess what time it will pull into Fira??? .These cruises generally start later, so they probably know. I like a solid schedule , and there just is not one provided. I am paying attention the the timing you suggested earlier. Thank you.

Hi, One is in Fira, another is in Oia ( Ammoudi Bay). I will go with whichever one I feel most confident of making required pick-up times for. Now that I know that I can schedule a personal Athinios pick-up, the Fira one is closer, but I still need a pick-up time that I will be off the ship for. I did not understand that at first, and thought I had to go to Oia on the ship excursion. It sure would have been nice if the excursion mentioned first tendering south of Oia and then bussing to Oia, with a time table for bussing and arrival. But no..... It just says explore Oia and lists 7:30 am as the start time. Things should not be this confusing. I think it is incorrect advertising on the ships part. Not everyone knows that Oia only excursions cannot be counted on to get there until 9:30 or later, with a 7:30 start time, or that you have to tender and bus first. Other excursions do have such a description.

Ah, that makes sense. I changed sails due to arrival time issues- that one wanted a 8:45 Athenios pick-up . Although now that I have realized that I can schedule a private pick-up from Athenios ,I may be back to that one. I really need to know what time I can count on to to be off the ship. So, far the two responses have been about 8:30. Thanks for chiming in! I appreciate it!

Close! Private ride to Oia, but you do get it!

Yes, I know! Unfortunately, none of them leave more than 15 min later. It is a catamaran sailing tour I have my heart set on. There is no issue with returning through Fira and the cable cars. I have plenty of time then. Thank you for your thoughts on the route timing.

I will absolutely tell my guide that I am leaving the tour! And thanks for your advice on the rest. I want a guarantee that I can be in Oia a by 9:15,. but I know I am not goin to get one. I am just trying to to the best I can to go on the sailing tour I really want.

It is an Oia on your own excusion, the description says Oia on your own then a bus to Fira.

Hi, I thought I had it worked out- I booked an excursion from Celebrity Infinity at 7:30 am for an Oia tour in Santorini just to get off the ship at the Athinios port and to Oia asap.I have to be in Oia by 9:15 am. I figured 1 hour 45 min was plenty of time for the ship excursion to get us to Oia. The non-ship sailing excursion company is not as certain, and will not refund if I do not make it. So, I thought I would pay for a pre-arranged transportation service to get me there, pick-up at Athinios, instead of getting on the ship bus. I do not know what time to book the pick-up for. The transportation company does not know either, and was quick to say that I need to be on time. Has anyone done a ship excursion starting by getting off the ship at Athinios port? What time would you suggest I schedule my pick up at the port for? I hope to collect actual experiences- or second, third hand knowledge too- over the next few weeks and schedule a time. Thanks!

I am looking for a quieter, less crowded beach that we can be guaranteed chairs and umbrellas, and have food and bathrooms available. I was thinking I would try to pre- arrange transportation. Any suggestions?

Thanks! We will.

Hi, Here it is: Overview Enjoy a carefree day in Oia on a self-guided excursion that allows you to explore this artful village at your leisure. Oia is perched atop a sheer seaside cliff at the northern most point of Santorini and offers inspired views down the coastline. Marvel at the weathered faces of soaring cliffs and stroll cozy streets for an up-close look at the town’s traditional Cycladic architecture. Be sure to pop into a few of the town’s many art galleries (it’s no surprise that such a breathtaking setting would inspire great works by painters and artists). Soak up the ambiance and see the sights at your own pace on this lovely day in Oia. Afterwards, the tour stops in Fira. You can either continue back to the ship or stay for a little local shopping. When you’re ready, a scenic cable car ride will take you back down to the port. This tour is provided by an operator that has been third-party certified to meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's Criteria for Tour Operators. Highlights Stroll through the village of Oia and admire the classic Cycladic architecture that lines the streets. Gaze out at stunning panoramas of Santorini’s jagged seaside cliffs. Stop in the village of Fira and enjoy some time to browse the local shops. Important details and advisements Guests in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility should not select this tour. One-way Cable car ticket from Fira to tender loading included. Expect waiting and queuing time at cable car station.

Hi, The ship excursion desc. does not say, and my private excursion is at 10 am. No easy answers!

Is that where the Oia excusion on your own goes? Or does it go directly to Oia? I have the same question concerning getting to a private tour meeting place.

Missed that, thanks!