Odyssey to the Greek Isles - 7 to 16 May 2022

[Rogueperson]

29 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Wow! Effectors is such an impressive show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, what is this?  It strikes familiar to me because just last night, I was googling Rogers the musical, which I *hope* was a gag they actually put together in Hawkeye, but not 100% sure if someone isn't actually trying to do it.  This looks like the license free version of it.

[dani negreanu]

42 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

The excursion buses were all waiting at the tender drop-off.

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

Sorry for being, how shall I say it? A bit "dense" - was the tender drop-off near the cable car or in another location?

[fishiecrackers]

10 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

Santorini...beautiful day...around 70, sunny with a cool breeze.

 

* 7:15 am down to the No.1  tender. I heard 75 onboard...took about 10 minutes to reach the Old Port.

 

* Took 8 minutes up the cable car to Fira. 6Euros/person one-way. You'll have to buy tickets again going down.

 

* Option to walk up or ride the donkey (sorry, I didn't get the price for the donkey ride.) Walkers will go up approximately 500 big steps, winding up the hill and navigate around donkey dung.

 

* We walked straight to the bus station. A leisurely10 minute walk; follow the yellow line on the sidewalk...or ask.

 

* We took the 8:30 am bus to Oia (eeh-yah)...sight of the world famous and highly photographed "Blue Dones". 1.60Euros/person one-way. People huddled around waiting...then a very courteous gentleman started announcing "bus to Oia!"...a line formed and the bus soon arrived.  Note: The man turned out to be the conductor. He firmly stopped those trying to cut the line. The bus was full with a few allowed to stand.  The conductor collected the money and loudly announced each stop. (Best to have small bills or the exact change)

 

* I believe there were 5 stops, but the bus driver only stopped twice...most of the passengers werr going to Oia.

 

* Fira to Oia was less than 30 minutes...but the spectacular scenery along the way will want you wishing the ride was longer.

 

* Oia...simply breathtaking. A short 5 minute walk will take you the Blue Domes...(yup, I took the time and kissed my beautiful wife.)

 

* We shared that iconic spot with a few others...all of us mesmerized...then the crowds came.

 

* We took the 10am bus (left at 10:15) back to Fira. This time the bus had plenty of seats...and no stops. Took only about 20 minutes to get back to Fira.

 

* Walked around Fira and took in more wonderful views...be careful, lots of steps. Personally, the views were magnified and enhanced by the incredible aroma coming from all the restaurants.

 

* Back down the cable car...on to the tender...and back on the Odyssey...1pm.

 

What a beautiful day. 

This is pretty much exactly how I want to do Santorini - thanks for taking the time to review. Also thinking of maybe dropping down to Amoudi Bay, but basically hoping to do Oia itself before things open up and it starts getting super busy.

[Carlos A.]

1 hour ago, MCazer said:

The Tendering is what has me thinking about it. We are doing private tours and need to be off as soon as possible.  I thought, and maybe it was Celebrity, that we had priority tendering (few years ago in Europe as well).  And when I look now, it is not a perk. So perhaps they are making more with The Key and taking it away from Diamond perk.

 

Same here! By any chance someone knows how does the tendering in Santorini works for guest with The Key?

[Carlos A.]

Double post

Edited May 10, 2022 by carlosalonsor

[bonsai3s]

8 hours ago, FionaMG said:

 

I don't notice it as being crowded except in the MDR, but we came back on the tender with some folks who did the transatlantic and they see a huge difference. I expect @bonsai3s can confirm.

Yes, can confirm there's a huge difference. For example, during the transatlantic (just a bit over 2000 passengers), the Solarium always had available loungers, chairs, and one can even find empty jacuzzis...not this sailing.

 

Note: The Solarium Bistro is open now...it wasn't during the TA.

[bonsai3s]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

Sorry for being, how shall I say it? A bit "dense" - was the tender drop-off near the cable car or in another location?

Dani...the tender drop-off is only about 50 meters from the cable cars.

[dani negreanu]

7 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

Dani...the tender drop-off is only about 50 meters from the cable cars.

 

Thank you, but, then, the phrase: "the buses were waiting at the tender drop-off" doesn't make sense☹️ .... at least, to me.

 

I've been there 8 years ago, and the buses can wait only up in Thira, or in Amoudi Bay? ["downstairs" from Oia??]. 

[bonsai3s]

FionaMG...I apologize for backtracking to Naples. Just wanted to share few random information:

 

* Onboard Guest Services exchange rate - $1.17 for 1 Euro.

* Ticket price for the ferry to the island of Capri - 20.45 Euros/person/one-way. Travel time - approx. 1 hour each way.

* You can walk up the central square or take a funicular - 2Euros each way.

* The ferry to Capri is literally next door to the cruise terminal.

* Early morning tickets for Capri sells out fast...most of the early tickets were purchased by tour groups or ships.

[bonsai3s]

21 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Thank you, but, then, the phrase: "the buses were waiting at the tender drop-off" doesn't make sense☹️ .... at least, to me.

 

I've been there 8 years ago, and the buses can wait only up in Thira, or in Amoudi Bay? ["downstairs" from Oia??]. 

You are correct...we'll have to let FionaMG respond to that.

[cloud_nine]

13 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

I've been there 8 years ago, and the buses can wait only up in Thira, or in Amoudi Bay?

The tender boats drop the tours at Athinios port (where the buses are waiting to pick you up) and everyone else at the old port of Fira. 

[little britain]

Hope you saw Wild Boys last night… they are fantastic! 

[little britain]

14 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

FionaMG...I apologize for backtracking to Naples. Just wanted to share few random information:

 

* Onboard Guest Services exchange rate - $1.17 for 1 Euro.

* Ticket price for the ferry to the island of Capri - 20.45 Euros/person/one-way. Travel time - approx. 1 hour each way.

* You can walk up the central square or take a funicular - 2Euros each way.

* The ferry to Capri is literally next door to the cruise terminal.

* Early morning tickets for Capri sells out fast...most of the early tickets were purchased by tour groups or ships.

What time ferry did you get over and back please? 

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, cloud_nine said:

The tender boats drop the tours at Athinios port (where the buses are waiting to pick you up) and everyone else at the old port of Fira. 

 

Thank you so much Steph, for the clarification. The tours are dropped off at Athinios....

[bonsai3s]

2 hours ago, little britain said:

What time ferry did you get over and back please? 

Hi LB!

9:30am departure and 1:40pm return.

* breathtaking views when you exit the funicular.

[FionaMG]

21 hours ago, Rogueperson said:

 

Okay, what is this?  It strikes familiar to me because just last night, I was googling Rogers the musical, which I *hope* was a gag they actually put together in Hawkeye, but not 100% sure if someone isn't actually trying to do it.  This looks like the license free version of it.

It's sort of a super heroes thing. There's not really much story to it. The wow factor comes from the use of technology, lights and special effects during the performance. My pics are really only a tiny taster but @twangster posted a large number of excellent pics of the show a few months back that give you a much better idea.

[FionaMG]

19 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Thank you, but, then, the phrase: "the buses were waiting at the tender drop-off" doesn't make sense☹️ .... at least, to me.

 

I've been there 8 years ago, and the buses can wait only up in Thira, or in Amoudi Bay? ["downstairs" from Oia??]. 

No problem. The regular tenders drop off at the cable car. The excursion tenders drop off at a different place where there is parking for the buses. 

However, the buses don't take you back there even if you're on an excursion. You have to get the cable car back to the regular tender drop off point. Some excursions include the cost of the cable car back down, in which case you're provided with a voucher on the bus. For excursions that don't, the cable car tickets are 6 euros per person each way and you get them at the ticket office at the entrance to the cable car (just join the line because everyone has to go right past the ticket office on the way in).

[FionaMG]

19 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

FionaMG...I apologize for backtracking to Naples. Just wanted to share few random information:

 

* Onboard Guest Services exchange rate - $1.17 for 1 Euro.

* Ticket price for the ferry to the island of Capri - 20.45 Euros/person/one-way. Travel time - approx. 1 hour each way.

* You can walk up the central square or take a funicular - 2Euros each way.

* The ferry to Capri is literally next door to the cruise terminal.

* Early morning tickets for Capri sells out fast...most of the early tickets were purchased by tour groups or ships.

No problem. Thanks for the excellent information. 🙂

[FionaMG]

5 hours ago, little britain said:

Hope you saw Wild Boys last night… they are fantastic! 

That performance clashed with dinner for us but they're on tomorrow night after dinner so we'll see them then. Thanks for the heads-up. 🙂

[FionaMG]

Day 5 compass, a bit worse for wear after being in my bag all day. 😕 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by FionaMG

[FionaMG]

MDR menu:

 

Roasted pumpkin soup 

 

Achari gosht. I really liked this. My first curry of the cruise. 

 

 

No dessert picture tonight. I had the warm cookie and by the time I remembered I was supposed to be taking a pic there were only a few crumbs left. Oops. 😄

 

 

[FionaMG]

Today we were in Kusadasi, Turkey.

 

We had never been here before so we booked a ship sponsored tour to Ephesus, Didyma and Miletus. This was an all day affair and included lunch.

 

We went first to Miletus, which included some time at the ancient theatre and at the museum. There were bathrooms available at both of these sites.

 

 

 

We then continued to Didyma where we spent some time at the temple:

 

 

 

There were no bathrooms here but the restaurants across the street will let you use theirs even without a purchase.

 

From here we went for lunch at a 5-star hotel called Pine Bay. It was a very impressive place and the lunch was fine. It was served buffet style with salads, main courses - chicken and donner kebab with rice, vegetables and pastries - and a dessert buffet with various traditional Turkish sweets, including baklava, which is one of my favourites:

 

 

 

After lunch it was time for the main attraction of the day, Ephesus. There are no words to describe it. Simply awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are bathrooms here too but none of us fancied using the. I wonder why... 😱

 

 

This was the last stop of the tour except for the carpet place just outside the port. Never have been to one before we found it quite interesting and thought the carpets were beautiful.

 

Walking back to the ship, we were surprised at how many shops there were, all selling what looked like pretty decent stuff.

 

The guide told us that the area was really badly hit by the loss of cruise passengers as a result of the Syrian war and then covid, so they are hoping and praying for a good summer season this year 

 

All in all I really liked this tour and thought it was reasonable value for money as cruise ship excursions go, but I purchased it during a sale (a real sale, for once) and it was selling at about 30 dollars more by the time the cruise planner closed.

Edited May 11, 2022 by FionaMG

[MLAW]

Love your pics of Ephesus.  One of many amazing places we visited on a cruise 15 years ago.  Hoping to get back to Turkey someday.  I am REALLY enjoying your report!!!  Thank you!

[TwinMamainMN]

We sailed on Odyssey in late February/early March and really enjoyed both the ship and our ports (Coco Cay, Aruba and Curacao). Have a quiet breakfast in Cafe 270 and enjoy the aft view for me, and later in the day, go see if Julio from Brazil is working at Playmakers and ask him for his special Coconut Mojito. Enjoy the rest of your amazing cruise! Turkey looks incredible!

[AussieGirlKaz]

On 5/8/2022 at 1:15 AM, FionaMG said:

We just boarded Odyssey this morning in Civitavecchia. 

Covid tests yesterday morning at a pharmacy round the corner from our hotel. Cost was 20 euros each. The 10 minutes waiting to get the results back were horrible.

Boarding was a breeze. We had the first time slot and the cabins opened up not long after.

After a quick lunch in the windjammer we did the North Star and watched braver folks than us on the flow rider and ifly. The weather was not being terribly friendly. 

 

 

 

We left Civitavecchia 3 hours late, something to do with an issue regarding clearance.

 

The MDR seemed very busy. We had my timing with a table booked for 8 pm but it seemed like they improvised rather than having a table allocated in advance. However our server was very attentive to our needs.

An interesting development on the menu is the appearance of a nightly pie and a curry dish. Those usually only show up on cruises with a large British contingent. 

 

 

Wild mushroom soup

 

Two Maryland style crab cakes as my mains just because I like them even though I've been told they're nothing like the real thing. 

 

Royal chocolate cake for dessert. One of my favourites. DH 's cheesecake and a shared scoop of vanilla ice cream in the background.  😋 

 

The show in the theatre after dinner was a singer called Mike McLean. He had a decent crowd and gave an enjoyable show.

 

 

Tomorrow is Naples, from 8 am till 6 pm.

 

I'm just going to wind this post up by tagging a couple of folks who might be interested in following along.

 

My joint blog buddy from Navigator @Rogueperson because he always remembers to tag me for his live reviews.

 

And @BennyBrun because he's off to the Greek Isles in June and I might conceivably post something that would be of use to him.

 

I'm happy to try and answer questions if anyone has any.

 

Thanks for this. I am on the cruise after yours so look forward to seeing your experience.