Should One Cruise to Greece During the Financial Crisis?

[ptrpanpens]

It's Vancouver you should be scared of, be afraid, very, very afraid :p

 

I assume you are kidding. Just returned from Vancouver and thought it was one of the nicest and cleanest cities I have ever visited.

[Cruise Junky]

I assume you are kidding. Just returned from Vancouver and thought it was one of the nicest and cleanest cities I have ever visited.

 

Well kind of? I live here, I know how beautiful it is but we were the ones with the Stanley Cup Riots, which is what we were talking about. And, thank you for the compliment, were are very lucky to live here.

[boscobeans]

My thoughts concerning the financial problem are with the many services that may stop if the government is not able to pay civil service employees. I've seen streets piled with uncollected trash when payrolls or contracts run out. Public transportation such as busses and trains along with a host of other services may be affected as well.

 

Time will tell and I hope they can work this out without major problems for the people of Greece as well as the tourist trade.

 

bosco

[Evangaline]

wow. So much hatred and hostility directed at Canadians. This is really ugly.

 

And as far I can tell, this outburst was because someone (apparently from Montreal) said that as there is a risk of riots and demonstrations in Greece, it is a place to avoid for the time being. That is pretty well the advice extended by everything from guidebooks to foreign affairs websites worldwide when there is a risk of demonstrations and rioting. It's not like it is a crazy statement to make.

 

Is this still just about travel to Greece?

[lovemylab]

wow. So much hatred and hostility directed at Canadians. This is really ugly.

 

 

 

And as far I can tell, this outburst was because someone (apparently from Montreal) said that as there is a risk of riots and demonstrations in Greece, it is a place to avoid for the time being. That is pretty well the advice extended by everything from guidebooks to foreign affairs websites worldwide when there is a risk of demonstrations and rioting. It's not like it is a crazy statement to make.

 

 

 

Is this still just about travel to Greece?

 

 

The individual also suggested people avoid all of Europe and just stay in North America.

 

I haven't read anything suggesting tourists avoid Greece. In fact, the Canadian Foreign Affairs website states the following:

 

"There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Greece. Exercise normal security precautions."

 

Everything that I've read has states that tourists should take cash with them and avoid the areas in Athens where the protests occur.

 

If Greece isn't safe to travel to, Celebrity will change the itinerary.

[villageneighbor]

One perspective that might be helpful in this situation.

Many of Celebrity's captains and senior staff are from Greece.

 

While I'm sure parent company RCI is evaluating the Greece financial/stability, since many of the Captains and senior staff are Greek, they would also have the benefit of informal discussions with their family, friends, other captains/staff on leave in Greece to help them make informed decisions.

[sheba2008]

I truly believe going to a country in potential collapse is not wise .Do you think these people will have tourists in mind if all hell breaks loose.I do expect demonstrations ansd rioting

..people cannot get their funds ...so bo food or anything ...things may get worse before they get better

I wouldcancel ...who needs to buy trouble with money ???

I think all of Europe is going to have very hard times

Ill sty in North America

 

WOW, I hate youre comment. To the OP please visit Greece, I loved it.

Take Euro's with you and support tourisme, thats all they have left for now,

so sad :(

[Chunky2219]

...........................

Ill sty in North America

No doubt whatsoever - that's your loss, not Europe's.

 

By the way, I like Canada - even the bit where they speak the wrong language and give the Scots silly ideas.

 

.

[Minoushka]

Some people on this site really clearly cannot read .I said and will say it is not wise to go to a country where people have no access to their funds as banks are closed .im sure eventually there will be less food or gas available ..for everyone including tourists .Many businesses cannot access their funds to pay purchases and that includes restaurants etc .why go where there is serious trouble brewing ....I liked Greece ..been there many times ....however now to me this is not the best time unless one carries loads of cash which causes other fears .....

Re montreal and pots and pan demonstration ...no rioting ,no looting ..just walking and clanging on pots .....not exactly as portrayed on CNN .....

If people feel secure in these times ...go ...but you have been warned ....not by me but by

Canadian agencies who now do not recommend travel in Greece

Look what happened in Tunisia at the Bardo ....people ignored that and .went on holiday ....look what happened now ...killing on the beach

Im not saying it will happen. In Greece ..but desperate people may do desperate things

Better safe than sorry

I will say to cruise is probably safer than any other kind of travel in those parts ....

Whoever decides to go ...Bon Voyage ...stay safe

[Minoushka]

No doubt whatsoever - that's your loss, not Europe's.

 

By the way, I like Canada - even the bit where they speak the wrong language and give the Scots silly ideas.

 

.

 

French is not the wrong language .....it is my mother tongue ...and i speak it proudly as a bilingual Canadian

[lovemylab]

 

Re montreal and pots and pan demonstration ...no rioting ,no looting ..just walking and clanging on pots .....not exactly as portrayed on CNN .....

 

 

 

You may want to google 1993 Stanley Cup riots or a general search for riots in Montreal. That was not exactly clanging with pots and pans lol

Edited July 2, 2015 by lovemylab

[lovemylab]

 

If people feel secure in these times ...go ...but you have been warned ....not by me but by

 

Canadian agencies who now do not recommend travel in Greece

 

 

Can you post some links to these agencies?

 

The Canadian Foreign Affairs website doesn't indicate any such warning for Greece.

Edited July 2, 2015 by lovemylab

[Evangaline]

French is not the wrong language .....it is my mother tongue ...and i speak it proudly as a bilingual Canadian

 

Additionally, the first Scottish succession crisis dates to 1290 followed by Scottish Wars of Independence which took place before Quebec was even founded, so who is giving whom "silly ideas"? :)

[Chunky2219]

French is not the wrong language .....it is my mother tongue ...and i speak it proudly as a bilingual Canadian

Who mentioned French?

 

 

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[keesar]

I have been to Athens a couple of times. From our hotel in Syntagma Square in Athens, there were planned demonstrations outside. Cars had been moved prior to the demonstration. We felt safe in that area and encountered no problems. We used public transportation and all went smoothly.

 

What was more of a concern was the sudden striking by workers. The airport security personnel checking passengers walked off their jobs. People just walked through and headed to their planes. There were disturbances in the airport as well.

[peteukmcr]

All this arguing about whether to take a holiday (vacation) in Greece or not is not the same as the OP's question 'Should one cruise to Greece?'.

 

So let's think about this, ignoring all the so called experts around the world who are being quoted as saying we shouldn't travel to Greece.

 

BTW this could be a long analysis of 'Should one cruise to Greece?'

 

Our upcoming cruise in Sept departs from Civitavecchia, the next port is Sorrento and then onto Messina in Sicily, all of which are in Italy which also uses the Euro currency.

 

So I have the opportunity on 3 days prior to arriving in Greece to get Euros from ATM's if I don't have enough on me.

 

Then we arrive in Piraeus for Athens. If there is unrest and access to this or any Greek port is not possible, then no doubt the captain will sail elsewhere, so we won't be in any danger.

 

If we do dock in Piraeus, but the public transport is not functioning, then hey, we'll just wander around carrying few valuables or money to be stolen. If the public transport is working, we'll head into Athens, but again not carrying any valuables that are worth stealing. We are lucky we have visited Athens on previous occasions.

 

Next is Santorini, once again an island we have been fortunate to visit before. I cannot really perceive any issues here, unless the tenders aren't operating as it is a tender port. If the cable car is not working up to Fira, maybe I'll walk.

 

After this our final port stop in Greece is Rhodes. Once again if the port is closed I assume it'll be 2 slow sea days to Istanbul in place of just the 1.

 

The entrance to the old town (which is one of the best places to visit) is only 500 feet from the dock. Going back to when I spent 14 nights in Rhodes, I remember how the shops, bars & restaurants on the main street in Rhodes old town (Sokratous) stayed open all day and late into the night when cruise ships were in port. I don't imagine for minute that will change when we dock! Celebrity Reflection is also with us in Rhodes so I'm sure the local shopkeepers, restaurant and bar owners will welcome us with open arms.

 

So to summarise, 'Should one cruise to Greece?'.

 

Of course you should. It is nothing like being on a land based holiday (vacation) for 14 nights which is what many of Brits do and having to organise yourself to have enough Euros for 14 nights and then worry about it being stolen.

 

Think about it, how much Euro currency do you really need that you cannot organise before you get to Greece for 3 port stops? Come on folks, overreacting here I think about ATM's not working and if they do, just because local people can't withdraw more than €60 per day and foreigners like us can, they will target you and steal from you. What's the worst scenario? You can't get any Euros, or there's no public transport. Well at least on board you will be fed and have the chance to consume beverages of your choice. You don't need to go hungry or thirsty.

 

Just be sensible and try not to walk around like the typical tourist with expensive cameras, smart phones, iPads, watches, jewellery etc. Don't invite trouble. And gentlemen, please for the sake of my nerves, do not walk around with a bulging wallet stuck in the back pocket of your shorts/pants full of cash and all your credit cards (which I see time and time again in all ports) not just Greece! That is an invitation for you to be pick pocketed.

 

So, once again, 'Should one cruise to Greece?'. Heck yes, you'll be on a cruise ship where the captain will do his upmost to make sure you are safe.

 

The Greek people will welcome us with open arms as tourism is one of the mainstays of their economy, especially on the islands.

Edited July 2, 2015 by peteukmcr

[denatravels]

I wouldn't panic just yet, we haven't reached the stroke of midnight, so to speak, a possible deal is still on the cards.

 

 

 

But the advice above is good, cash is King, so some Euro or Dollar or Pounds will probably be more than welcomed.

 

 

 

Anyway on a cruise you're just there for the day, and in reality you don't need to purchase anything locally to survive

 

 

I am leaving today for 16 days in Italy, followed by a 7 night Greek cruise on Royal. I DID book ship excursions to cover myself and plan to take enough cash-- but I have a bed to sleep in and food to eat. The only port I'm a little concerned about is Athens, but will wait and see.

[bama4cruisin]

Peteukmcr, thank you for a very well-thought-out post. I look forward to meeting you on board the Constellation in September!

 

Having never visited Greece, I certainly hope we are able to visit all three ports, but will live with and appreciate the decisions made by Celebrity.

 

As the previous poster said, we'll be well fed and we'll have a bed.

 

When we go ashore, we'll take only the amount of cash we anticipate needing that day along with one credit card. Your caution about bulging wallets in hip pockets is the very reason that on such trips Chuck uses a wallet specially made for a front pocket.

[wifeofbedo]

Well said Pete!

 

I too am just going to trust the ship's crew to make the decision of docking in Greek ports and heed the advice of travelling smart, eg) pickpocket artist avoidance ;) We are in Greece in about 2 weeks time and I'm sure things will be clear on what to expect by then.

[peteukmcr]

Peteukmcr, thank you for a very well-thought-out post. I look forward to meeting you on board the Constellation in September!

 

 

 

Having never visited Greece, I certainly hope we are able to visit all three ports, but will live with and appreciate the decisions made by Celebrity.

 

 

 

As the previous poster said, we'll be well fed and we'll have a bed.

 

 

 

When we go ashore, we'll take only the amount of cash we anticipate needing that day along with one credit card. Your caution about bulging wallets in hip pockets is the very reason that on such trips Chuck uses a wallet specially made for a front pocket.

 

 

Thank you and look forward to meeting you both too.

[peteukmcr]

Well said Pete!

 

 

 

I too am just going to trust the ship's crew to make the decision of docking in Greek ports and heed the advice of travelling smart, eg) pickpocket artist avoidance ;) We are in Greece in about 2 weeks time and I'm sure things will be clear on what to expect by then.

 

 

Thank you and you'll be able to give us a cruisers view in a couple of weeks. Have a great time.

[Evangaline]

Who mentioned French?

 

 

.

 

Well you are from the UK. I heard they spoke English there. Unless, of course that is the wrong language you are talking about and feel everyone should be speaking gaelic instead:)

[Evangaline]

In seriousness, I did decide to cancel my cruise as a large part of it is Greek ports as I felt it would likely be better to see Greece in better times and to allow Greece to show its better side as well. The problem with these things in the need to lock in 3 months ahead and the immediate future here is a great unknown. It could be anything.

 

Anyway, it turned out that my Travel Agency had processed my payment 10 days before last payment was due and while I could get my money back, the cost was 4.3% to change currency into US dollars, then another 4.3% to get it back. Then the Travel Agency wanted another $100 pp on top as well. Given that I had stupidly splurged on this fancy cabin, the 8.6% plus $200. penalty came to quite a sum. Then there was the issue of airfare to Istanbul. Should I just stay in Turkey for 2 weeks and do an escorted tour? Anyway, it got way too complicated, so I am sticking with the cruise and hoping for the best.

 

If it is just Athens that doesn't happen, it is not the worst, but I really do not want 4 extra sea days. I did not spend a stupid amount of money on airfare to get to the other side of the planet to have sea days. I can just drive to a port to get a cheap cruise that does that.

 

Anyway, thanks to all for your input. Be interesting to here the experiences of those going out soon.

[Tiggertastic]

They are voting today. Great article in the UK Sunday times about what s happening money wise. We're going and I'm hoping that the cruise lines continue to dock and add to the economy with tourists spending some cash.

[4774Papa]

As a visitor to Canada in October 2014 I find your comments offensive. If you think Greece is not worth your support stay at home. Dig a bunker. Be parochial. It is only by supporting our fellow human beings that we show our own worth. Yes life can be difficult but if all you worry about is your Canadian $ then Europe doesn't need/want your support. At the end of the day you sail away to a very comfortable life on a very comfortable ship. The Greek people are living through this and need all the support they can get.

I see some wisdom from the Canadian poster regarding visiting a country torn by political and/or economic turmoil. Clearly, some places can become more risky to visit. An extreme case would be Tunisia, Libya, Syria and even Egypt. Eastern Ukraine would not be a smart place to tour.

 

I would be somewhat concerned about visiting Greece right now, but more so in Athens than on the islands. At a minimum tours may be cancelled and public transport unavailable. Also, it is possible that tourists could more likely become victims of crime.

 

Where my opinion diverts drastically from my fellow North American is to argue that all of Europe is unsafe, calling for staying in North America.

 

That statement is absurd. Why couldn't you visit 95% of the countries in Europe right now?

 

Still, I also disagree with my European friend that call for supporting the Greek people, by touring in Greece. i am found of Greece, having been there several times. The people are friendly, the history is wonderful and food is fantastic. However, I do not tour a country to provide financial support the people.

 

Further, I would opine that much of Greece's problems were created by Greek politicians, elected by those very people.

It seems that after considerable financial support from primarily Northern European countries like Germany, that the Greeks have failed to understand were the problem lays. They need to look in the mirror. Eventually, they are going to run out of other people's money and have to work out their runaway spending on their own.