Odyssey Excursion Questions

[LMO]

We are going on the Athens to Istanbul cruise on August 29th and are so excited. We'll be arriving in Athens the morning of the 27th. Is it worth hiring a private guide/driver for a half day in order to get the most out of Athens? We also like free time just to explore on our own. Since the ship doesn't offer an excursion for Athens, we're not sure whether forget the private tour and just explore on our own. Any recommendations?

 

The second question is similar but has to do with Istanbul. Again, after arriving in Istanbul on the ship, we will spend the following day in the city before we leave for home the day after that. The ship does offer a private driver/guide for Istanbul for a half day for $349 per person. As you read about it, it also says only one person pays for the car and that's not a per person fee. I'm confused. Will it cost $349 for both of us or double that?

Also, is it worth doing this or should be explore on our own.

 

I'm sorry for the lengthy message, however, any insight would be much appreciated. THANK YOU!

[JaneBP]

When you arrive in Athens, book a car for airport pick-up AND a several hour city tour, which you can direct. Then have the car take you to the port for embarkation.

 

I would assume the 349.00 fee is for the car and driver and two people. However, that has to be clarified by Seabourn Customer Service.

 

If you search the Ports of Call Forum for both Athens and Istanbul, you should find references to car-hire services with whom other cruisers have been pleased.

[wripro]

You can always do better by hiring your own private car and guide than by going through the cruise lines. They make a nice chunk of monay by taking their cut. There are many great guides in istanbul. Google Levant Solmant.

[chriscourt]

Did the reverse cruise (Istanbul to Athens) last October. Hired a really fabulous guide in Istanbul. If you are interested in the contact info, send me an email at guygandjanc@aol.com.

[LMO]

Thank you for your help! Your responses are much appreciated.

[stamfordian]

We are going on the Athens to Istanbul cruise on August 29th and are so excited. We'll be arriving in Athens the morning of the 27th. Is it worth hiring a private guide/driver for a half day in order to get the most out of Athens? We also like free time just to explore on our own. Since the ship doesn't offer an excursion for Athens, we're not sure whether forget the private tour and just explore on our own. Any recommendations?

 

The second question is similar but has to do with Istanbul. Again, after arriving in Istanbul on the ship, we will spend the following day in the city before we leave for home the day after that. The ship does offer a private driver/guide for Istanbul for a half day for $349 per person. As you read about it, it also says only one person pays for the car and that's not a per person fee. I'm confused. Will it cost $349 for both of us or double that?

Also, is it worth doing this or should be explore on our own.

 

I'm sorry for the lengthy message, however, any insight would be much appreciated. THANK YOU!

 

We did Athens to Rome last year on Odyssey and arrived day early in Athens to do same as you. Highly recommend George and his assorted sons/nephews - see his website http://www.greecetravel.com/taxi/. Excellent pick-up at airport - smart, squeaky-clean Mercedes, English-speaking driver in suit and tie, NON SMOKER (unlike most Greek taxis), bottles of cold water in door-pockets - and right outside the main terminal door. He gave us running commentary on way in to city centre and then excellent half-day tour following day taking in all the sites we wanted to see, and very knowledgeable about all the history. Would definitely recommend as there is so much to see in Athens. If you are staying centrally, in Plaka or close by, then get driver to do all the other sites first and finish (and pay him off) at Acropolis and Acropolis Museum as these will take quite a bit of walking time and there's no point paying for him to sit and drink a coffee or two while you do it! Then walk, or get regular cab, back to hotel. Hope you enjoy.

[LMO]

Cool Cruiser - This sounds like a great recommendation! This sounds like a great plan. I will definitely e-mail him. Thank you! I am so excited.