Tell me about your experience tendering in Santorini on the Jade

[Karysa]

Morning folks. We will be on the Jade and have a 1 pm to 10 pm port time. There is only one other ship in port but with a much different schedule. My goals for this day are to relax and sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast and be off of the ship ASAP. Since I am not platinum on NCL and can't purchase a tender ticket in advance for this port I am looking for advice. The cheapest NCL excursion is $59 and it would get me off of the ship and to Oia. Given our great desire not to have to cue up on a morning of our vacation that we can relax is purchasing this "get off the ship ASAP" ticket worth it?

 

I am very interested hearing about your experience tendering from the Jade or other NCL ship while at this port. Thanks:)

Edited January 25, 2014 by Karysa
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[computerworks]

We were on the Jade on October. Tendering was quick and painless.

 

They use large ferry boats from the shore, so each load is much larger than if they used the lifeboats. It is a short ride to a dock at the base of the cliff, that has shops, cafes and many tour offering kiosks.

[KeithJenner]

I haven't tendered from this port yet, but on the one port that I have tendered from previously, they were allocating tickets the previous day, so you didn't need to queue up in the morning.

 

I don't know whether that is the usual way that they do it, and I'm interested in hearing any replies to your question as we are in Santorini this year too.

 

 

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

We were on the Jade on October. Tendering was quick and painless.

 

 

 

They use large ferry boats from the shore, so each load is much larger than if they used the lifeboats. It is a short ride to a dock at the base of the cliff, that has shops, cafes and many tour offering kiosks.

 

 

That's good to know. My previous experience was using the lifeboats. We just waited until the prebook end ones had cleared then walked on to one, but it took a couple of hours before we could do so.

 

 

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[Delbankin]

Our experience was the same as Computerworks in May. Very easy. It did result in large queue for the cable car though with everyone exiting onto the dock at the same time (in the heat!). You will enjoy Jade and Santorini - especially the lovely sunset.

[jsygrl]

If you do a ship excursion, the large tender boat will not take you to the same port as the regular tenders (Fira, with the cable car & mules). It takes you to a different port (Athinios) where you then board a bus for your excursion.

[Karysa]

Thanks for the Information everyone. Much appreciated.

[Karysa]

If you do a ship excursion, the large tender boat will not take you to the same port as the regular tenders (Fira, with the cable car & mules). It takes you to a different port (Athinios) where you then board a bus for your excursion.

 

Is there anything at this port worth taking a picture of? I am still debating Going on a short ships excursion just to get off of the ship first.

 

Has anyone else taken a ship excursion from the Jade and if so was it worth doing?

[OhJinkies]

Is there anything at this port worth taking a picture of? I am still debating Going on a short ships excursion just to get off of the ship first.

 

 

 

Has anyone else taken a ship excursion from the Jade and if so was it worth doing?

 

 

I visited Santorini on the Gem in 2010 and it's one of my favorite ports! We did not do an excursion ... We took the cable car up to Fira, and spoke with a cab driver who offered to give us a 2-hour tour and stop in Oia. I think he asked for $120, because it worked out to about $30 each for the four of us. He grew up on the island and knew all the best spots to take photos (sometimes from the back yards of his friends' homes). He'd slow down and greet his neighbors if he saw them on the street! He also took us to a small church where they let us take photos, and to a black sand beach. Santorini is one of the most scenic and spectacular ports you'll visit in terms of views - don't miss it!

 

 

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[NJGeorge]

We saw stuff on our own, took the bus.

Don't miss the sunset and Oia. It looks like this...

 

 

 

 

[Karysa]

We saw stuff on our own, took the bus.

Don't miss the sunset and Oia. It looks like this...

 

 

 

 

 

Very beautiful but the sunset time will be 8:15 pm and we would need to get back to Fira, and down to the tender port to board a tender prior to 9 pm. Seems dicey to say the least.

[Karysa]

If you do a ship excursion, the large tender boat will not take you to the same port as the regular tenders (Fira, with the cable car & mules). It takes you to a different port (Athinios) where you then board a bus for your excursion.

 

Does anyone know ithine port of Athinios is just where you get tour buses from or is there things to see here.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Karysa

[jsygrl]

There is nothing to see at the Athinios port, it's just a port at the bottom of the cliff. To get to Oia, the buses have to go up a very narrow, switchback road to get to the main road.

 

Because we were on a ship excursion, we grouped in the theater and then were escorted to the tender boat, so no line to speak of getting to the tender.

 

Also, it's a walk from where the buses let you off, to the cable car back down to the tenders. We were there at the end of July, we watched the sunset at a restaurant just outside Fira at about 8:30pm but it was a rush to get back to Fira and the cable car. It would probably be a better idea to watch the sunset from a café by the cable car, then you could easily make the tender. We were on the last tender and if I remember correctly, that was around 9:20-9:30pm (10pm sail time).

 

After our excursion was over, we all thought that the better way to do Santorini would have been to rent a car and do it ourselves, the island is very small.

[pinkroses]

Santorini is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! We were there in June of last year. After taking the cable car to the top we walked a bit and rented a car from Tonys which I had prearranged. It was perfect. We drove to Oia and toured. Then drove to the other side of the island and sat/swam on the beach of black sand. It was truly an unforgettable day. Search for Virtual Rain's DIY Santorini. Lots of excellent information. Do rush to get on the tender. This place is so very worth it!

[jsygrl]

I took the picture below from the bus going around a switchback on the road from the Athinios port. The Jade is the ship on the right, closest to the cliff side.

 

Unfortunately, I did not take a picture at the port which should tell you something (not much to take a pic of). But if you Google Athinios port for images, you can see what it looks like.

 

[computerworks]

we all thought that the better way to do Santorini would have been to rent a car and do it ourselves, the island is very small.

 

That's what we did... the island is very small and we toured it completely.

 

Drove South to sightsee and then traveled up the East coast to Oia for dinner.

[computerworks]

There is nothing to see at the Athinios port, it's just a port at the bottom of the cliff.

 

Here's the 'tour' port from the sea; you can see that switchback road for the buses.

 

[coka]

Hi Karysa, I sailed Jade last August. Below is an edited account of Santorini, tendering, and what we did. Have a great trip! Coka

 

"Our first words upon viewing our sail into Santorini were "What on earth were they thinking?" House upon house atop cliffs of volcanic rock. An interesting sight to see, we knew it would be more interesting from atop those cliffs...

 

I selected the Greek Style Fiesta Tour through Norwegian for 159 dollars...Everyone met in the Jade stardust theater and assigned bus numbers as we left the ship. The staff gal was well organized, clear with her directions, and ensured all knew what to do. A beautiful boat picked us all up from the ship and took us to a nearby section of the island. One can sit outside upstairs or sit inside downstairs on very comfortable pleather cushioned seats. I was first impressed by the luxurious appearance of this Greek tender. I was next impressed by the very comfortable air conditioned bus that had bottled water available to us. Each bus had a tour guide and not once did it get crowded as some took different routes to places.

 

I thought I got my money's worth once the bus zigged and zagged its way to the volcanic cliff top. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept us organized when we all stopped to take pictures from a vista. The local winery was amazing too. The winery was atop a hill with another gorgeous vista. Tables and chairs were set up overlooking the sea. Tables full of sweet, red, and white wine filled glasses were for our consumption. Tables of olives, cheeses, tomatoes, breads, and cracker plates were abundant. We could stand, sit, or walk around the area to take awesome pictures of the moment. A rooftop covered most of the open view which provided shade as the Adriatic breeze assisted in our happiness.

 

Our bus took the back way to Oia where we could see the other side of the island closer to sea level. Oia is beautiful too and it has a lot of shopping opportunities. If you are elderly, know that there were lots of stairs our guide took us up in order to get to certain lookout vistas. I think we got about 1.5 or so hour free time in Oia before heading out to dinner.

 

The restaurant for the traditional Greek cuisine is called Lolos located on Kamari Beach Road. The four busloads all met here at the same time (although we did not travel together the entire time). The restaurant had long tables with each bus number assigned to them...

 

The buffet dinner of traditional Greek fixings was absolutely delicious. The indoor/outdoor setting was beautiful as were the huge karafes of red and white wine per each four diners. A band of musicians played Greek music and the hired dancers showed us traditional dance techniques that told stories. The dancers did a great job at getting most of us to partake in the festivity...

 

The entire tour lasts a long time and know that the bus will drop you off in Fira and your guide walks the group up a big hill to get to the road that leads to the cable car. There are stairs that lead to the cable car and the cable car has stairs as well in order to get into them. As we walked to the cable car, the sun had set and I was envious of the people who did not have to catch a cruise ship. The shopping here looked great and the restaurants all along the top looked romantic. Now that I have seen a large part of Santorini, if I ever went back on a cruise again, I would just hang out at the top of Fira..."

[Blondie008]

Love Santorini :)

[PorkChopKid]

We cruised to Greece aboard NCL Jade in June 2011...

Here is an image of the tender--> TENDER (hold your cursor over the image)

We used the cable car method for getting up top. The view is breath taking! Here is an image of Jade at anchor in--> NCL JADE

Ships anchor off Fira with tenders dropping you off at the base of the cliff. Here is a satellite image showing where things are--> SATELLITE IMAGE (hold curser over the image)

While Fira is nice, taking a public bus to Oia is worth the effort if time permits.

We were back in Greece this past September but not by cruise ship. Our images of Santorini (and Oia) can be found on this webpage--> GREECE

Edited January 26, 2014 by PorkChopKid

[Karysa]

Wow, you guys went above and beyond on this one. THANKS!

 

Are thinking now is to visit Fira first and then take a taxi to Oia and scout out a place to take pictures at near sunset time fairly close to Fira and the continue to Oia. We then plan to sightsee around the town of Oia and take some pictures but leave in time to get back to our previously selected spot before sunset. I will keep one eye on the sunset and one eye on the clock to make sure that we make it back in time. We will also hire a taxi driver ( hopefully the one that we have that takes us to Oia ) to make certain that we have a ride with us from Oia until we get back to the cable car (if it's running) or steps and down to the tender and back to the ship.

 

Thanks again to all that replied.:)

[computerworks]

Karysa...

 

Here is a link to our Review...Post #68 starts our day on Santorini.

 

Maybe some ideas for you...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1939374&highlight=greek&page=4

[Karysa]

Thanks Computerworks I appreciate it.

[Karysa]

We are new to Gold Status and I just read that we will have priority tender as a perk. Does anyone know how you get your tender tickets with priority tendering? Do you get them with your welcome package?

[cowtowngals]

Is there anything at this port worth taking a picture of? I am still debating Going on a short ships excursion just to get off of the ship first.

 

Has anyone else taken a ship excursion from the Jade and if so was it worth doing?

 

We did the Charming Oia village excursion on our visit to Santorini on The Jade. The village is lovely and it is where you will get your photo of that blue domed church that shows up in every picture if you google Santorini ,as that picture is actually in Oia.

 

The tour allowed a lot of time to leisurely wander Oia and then dropped us back in Firi and gave us our cable car ticket to get back. We had lots of time to tour there and have a lovely dinner and watch the sunset.

The tour did get us priority tender but talking to people who went on their own they waited until after the excursions had gone and then rode over.