Trying to figure out what stops need a shore excursion.

[Stockjock]

We usually buy shore excursions.  But there are some ports where that's nearly mandatory, while others really don't need it at all.

Here's our itinerary.  Are there any ports that basically require a shore excursion and conversely, do you see any where it's likely not needed.  I'd exclude the departure port (Venice) and arrival port (Athens).  Thanks in advance!

 

Saturday	Ravenna, Italy		5:00pm
Sunday	Dubrovnik, Croatia	Noon	8:00pm
Monday	At Sea
Tuesday	Santorini, Greece	8:30am	10:00pm
Wednesday	Rhodes, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Thursday	Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey	8:00am	6:00pm
Friday	Nafplion, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Saturday	Athens (Piraeus), Greece	6:00am

[Essiesmom]

It depends on what you want to see.  Hard to remember, but I don’t think Ravenna was walkable, and I wanted to see the mosaics.  Saw them in two locations, walking between in light rain.  I’m also into architecture, loved it.  
  Did tours twice in Dubrovnik.  First time a tour that ended in the old city.  Again in the rain.  Second time took an old sailing ship reproduction that dropped us at the old port.  Love just wandering around.

   Santorini…think I may have been there three times, just tendered ashore and wandered around.  Took the standard tour to Ephesus. Hot.  Lots of walking on cobblestone.  EM

[RichYak]

I've been to Dubrovnik and Santorini and didn't do excursions in either port. In Dubrovnik, the tenders drop you right in the old town. We spent time walking the wall and around town, as well as having lunch.

 

In Santorini, we took a public bus to Oia for some spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Queues for the funicular back down to the tenders can be long, so leave yourself enough time.

[dlh015]

16 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

We usually buy shore excursions.  But there are some ports where that's nearly mandatory, while others really don't need it at all.

Here's our itinerary.  Are there any ports that basically require a shore excursion and conversely, do you see any where it's likely not needed.  I'd exclude the departure port (Venice) and arrival port (Athens).  Thanks in advance!

 

Saturday	Ravenna, Italy		5:00pm
Sunday	Dubrovnik, Croatia	Noon	8:00pm
Monday	At Sea
Tuesday	Santorini, Greece	8:30am	10:00pm
Wednesday	Rhodes, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Thursday	Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey	8:00am	6:00pm
Friday	Nafplion, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Saturday	Athens (Piraeus), Greece	6:00am

IMO, you definitely need a shore excursion for Santorini *if* you would care to see the ancient ruins of Akrotiri with a knowledgeable guide as well as the rest of the island.

 

Also the same for Kusadasi to see Euphesus. I can recommend ekoltravel for that. They were great.  

 

ETA: Haven't been to the other ports (yet)...

Edited December 10, 2022 by dlh015

[Lastdance]

30 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

We usually buy shore excursions.  But there are some ports where that's nearly mandatory, while others really don't need it at all.

Here's our itinerary.  Are there any ports that basically require a shore excursion and conversely, do you see any where it's likely not needed.  I'd exclude the departure port (Venice) and arrival port (Athens).  Thanks in advance!

 

Saturday	Ravenna, Italy		5:00pm
Sunday	Dubrovnik, Croatia	Noon	8:00pm
Monday	At Sea
Tuesday	Santorini, Greece	8:30am	10:00pm
Wednesday	Rhodes, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Thursday	Ephesus / Kusadasi, Turkey	8:00am	6:00pm
Friday	Nafplion, Greece	9:00am	7:00pm
Saturday	Athens (Piraeus), Greece	6:00am

I loved Ravenna and just took the transfer frrom the ship that dropped us off and picked us up, as you could return/leave when you wanted.  The Church is beautiful with the mosaics and it is easy walking around the town.

Dubrovnik is easy to do on your own.  Walk the top of the wall for heat views; take a taxi up to the highest point, or a tour.  Lots of choices.

Santorini:  easy to get off and take the boat to Oia, with the included bus back if you do not do a private tour.  We have done both!

Rhodes:  easy to just walk

Ephesus:  we have done a private tour each time, but the area is quite nice now if you just want to walk, do the beach, or whatever.  I was just there and impressed with the growth and things to do if you do not want to see the ruins; however, if you go, do your own private tour that leaves early and you will love it!  

Nafplion:  I have not been to this port, but would want to see the lion carved into the rock, as it reminds me of Lucern, Switzerland.  The town looks lovely!  Always do your own research, along with info' on CC in the Ports section.

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by Lastdance

[Essiesmom]

None of the times in Dubrovnik did we tender.  We could see Ponant ships tendering into the old harbor.  EM

[LGW59]

13 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

I loved Ravenna and just took the transfer frrom the ship that dropped us off and picked us up, as you could return/leave when you wanted.  The Church is beautiful with the mosaics and it is easy walking around the town.

Dubrovnik is easy to do on your own.  Walk the top of the wall for heat views; take a taxi up to the highest point, or a tour.  Lots of choices.

Santorini:  easy to get off and take the boat to Oia, with the included bus back if you do not do a private tour.  We have done both!

Rhodes:  easy to just walk

Ephesus:  we have done a private tour each time, but the area is quite nice now if you just want to walk, do the beach, or whatever.  I was just there and impressed with the growth and things to do if you do not want to see the ruins; however, if you go, do your own private tour that leaves early and you will love it!  

Nafplion:  I have not been to this port.

 

Agree Ravenna is very walkable, I'd def not do a tour there. 

[Alakegirl]

Without knowing what you’re interested in it’s very hard to say what kind of short experience will fit you best. Do you want to shop? go to a museum? go to a beach? take a hike? See ruins?  Do you have any mobility issues?  
 

 

[Stockjock]

10 minutes ago, Alakegirl said:

Without knowing what you’re interested in it’s very hard to say what kind of short experience will fit you best. Do you want to shop? go to a museum? go to a beach? take a hike? See ruins?  Do you have any mobility issues?  
 

 

We are mobile and I'm 60, GF is 58.  While we'll see the Acropolis in Athens, we are not ruins or museum types, for the most part.  We were joking today that ruins are ruined, and we prefer to see things that are not ruined.  So as an example, in Kusadasi, I doubt we will do Ephesus, which is where most seem to end up.  Don't really care for the carpet and leather "demonstrations" either, which are basically a hustle to sell you their products.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Stockjock

[TMLAalum]

On our own in Ravenna, Dubrovnik, and Rhodes at older ages than you two, Stockjock!

Did Celeb tour to Oia Santorini and ditched it there. We explored Oia before the crowds arrived and then walked down to Ammoudi "port" for lunch and to take a private boat back to the tender area. (not sure this is possible anymore). 

We had a private tour in Ephesus- be sure to see the Terrace Houses!

 

[Maya_C]

12 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

On our own in Ravenna, Dubrovnik, and Rhodes at older ages than you two, Stockjock!

 

 

Curious about your screen name. Are you a Mary Louis alum?

We also did Ravenna and Dubrovnik on our own. The next time we're in Ravenna, I'd book a private tour. The mosaics were beautiful, but eavesdropping on some tour groups, I realized that a guide would have helped us understand and appreciate the mosaics more.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Maya_C
Somehow my message got to be part of the message I was quoting.

[TMLAalum]

6 minutes ago, Maya_C said:

 

Curious about your screen name. Are you a Mary Louis alum?

We also did Ravenna and Dubrovnik on our own. The next time we're in Ravenna, I'd book a private tour. The mosaics were beautiful, but eavesdropping on some tour groups, I realized that a guide would have helped us understand and appreciate the mosaics more.

Yes, I am! You? If so, you are only the 2nd alumna who has picked up the connection to our high school since I joined Cruise Critic!

[Maya_C]

5 minutes ago, TMLAalum said:

Yes, I am! You? If so, you are only the 2nd alumna who has picked up the connection to our high school since I joined Cruise Critic!

Yes. I don't spend much time on CC, so it was just by chance that I noticed your screen name. Two days ago I was on what we call our TMLA Zoom call with some classmates. One of them has been my best friend since freshman year and lives nearby. The others I had seen only once or not at all since graduation, but we reconnected after Covid hit, and now we meet virtually 3 or 4 times a year. 

[TMLAalum]

@Maya_C

Would be lovely to meet on a Celebrity cruise one day! In addition to the one we've booked for February, we are ready to commit to Iceland/Greenland/Boston for 2024 as soon as the sail date is published. Any interest?

[PurpleTraveller]

Dubrovnik - We walked from the port to the old city but there was a shuttle for a cost. We walked the old walls (great views) then went into the old city for lunch and to explore. No need to do a tour if you just want to walk the walls.

 

Santorini - We got the cable car to the top then the local bus to Oia before the crowds to explore and see magnificent views. Got the local bus back to Fira to explore more. No need for a tour if you only want to go to Oia.

 

Rhodes - A very short walk from the dock to the old city where it is lovely to walk around.

 

Kusadasi - If you want to go to Ephesus do a tour. If you don't want to do a tour you can walk along the waterfront and visit the markets which are very close to the dock.

 

Nafplion - Haven't been there.

 

Whether or not you do a tour really depends on your interests and mobility. Enjoy your cruise which has a great itinerary. Happy sailing! 🚢

 

[cruisemom42]

There are ruins and there are ruins. IMO you'd be doing the place a disservice if you don't go to see the ruins at Ephesus. They are phenomenal. Many people don't realize before going there how outstanding they are.

 

 

The skill of the builders, the art, the size of the city, the sheer achievements from 2,000 years ago seem reason enough to enjoy visiting ruins. How hard is it to build a Burj in the UAE with all of the tools and technology we have now, versus the innovations they were discovering and creating that changed the Western world forever during this period?  Styles that still influence architecture today:  football fields with design features of the Roman amphitheatres; triumphal arches in Paris and Germany modeled after Roman counterparts; even our public buildings in Washington DC -- heck even our train stations in NY are built using the same styles, decorations, proportions....

 

 

 

 

[jwlane]

Ravenna is actually your embarkation port, not Venice.

[Stockjock]

35 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Ravenna is actually your embarkation port, not Venice.

Yes, I should probably put "Venice" in quotes.

[Maya_C]

2 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

@Maya_C

Would be lovely to meet on a Celebrity cruise one day! In addition to the one we've booked for February, we are ready to commit to Iceland/Greenland/Boston for 2024 as soon as the sail date is published. Any interest?

 

Maybe we will meet on a cruise someday. We were booked on a February cruise out of San Juan, but cancelled in favor of a land stay in the Virgin Islands. Decades ago on a ship from New York to Southampton in June, I was seasick and cold for the entire crossing, so I'm not keen on spending as many days on the North Atlantic as the Iceland-Boston itinerary requires. I always look for a cruise with as few sea days as possible. Enjoy your February cruise!

[montythecat]

Nafplion :  Corinth Canal and ancient Corinth (however, more ruins !  ?) Excursion required.
Quite an attractive town.

Kusadasi : Ephesus is magnificent. Go on, give it a try. We had a very good tour booked

through Viator. Not much to do in Kusadasi apart from a gentle stroll to nearby island.

Dubrovnik : No excursion needed. Stunning place, much of it rebuilt recently but you

would never know.

Rhodes : Rhodes Town has plenty to look at . Walkable from the ship. If you want to go

further afield Lindos is very attractive. Excursion or maybe local buses.

Santorini : Beautiful. Thira Town is nice but Oia is the prettiest place with wonderful views. We

used local buses.

 

Enjoy !

 

[Stockjock]

29 minutes ago, montythecat said:

Nafplion :  Corinth Canal and ancient Corinth (however, more ruins !  ?) Excursion required.
Quite an attractive town.

Kusadasi : Ephesus is magnificent. Go on, give it a try. We had a very good tour booked

through Viator. Not much to do in Kusadasi apart from a gentle stroll to nearby island.

Dubrovnik : No excursion needed. Stunning place, much of it rebuilt recently but you

would never know.

Rhodes : Rhodes Town has plenty to look at . Walkable from the ship. If you want to go

further afield Lindos is very attractive. Excursion or maybe local buses.

Santorini : Beautiful. Thira Town is nice but Oia is the prettiest place with wonderful views. We

used local buses.

 

Enjoy !

 

While I could change it, for Kusadasi, we booked a Turkish wine tasting that sounded interesting.

 

Overview

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Turkish countryside to visit the Seven Sages Vineyard or "Yedibilgeler" in Turkish, a charming wine-making facility in the Kusadasi region. During the drive, your guide will impart fascinating facts about your surroundings and Turkey's wine industry - like the little known fact that Turkey is actually the world's fourth leading producer of grapes, and is home to hundreds of distinct varieties. The winery, housed in a stone chateau, is a state-of -the-art winemaking facility set in a lush green valley, with lavender gardens and, of course, beautiful vineyards. The resident wine expert will welcome you and escort you on a tour of the facility. You'll sample some of these award-winning wines, accompanied by an assortment locally produced specialty cheeses. After your winery exploration, you'll stop at a handicraft village; see Turkish weaving arts, and a carpet presentation. 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

• Visit the beautiful Seven Sages vineyard in the heart of the Turkish countryside.
• Enjoy the chance to sample the locally produced wines and cheese.
• See Turkish weaving arts, and a carpet presentation during a stop at a handicraft village.

 

 

[LGW59]

16 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

While I could change it, for Kusadasi, we booked a Turkish wine tasting that sounded interesting.

 

Overview

Enjoy a scenic drive through the Turkish countryside to visit the Seven Sages Vineyard or "Yedibilgeler" in Turkish, a charming wine-making facility in the Kusadasi region. During the drive, your guide will impart fascinating facts about your surroundings and Turkey's wine industry - like the little known fact that Turkey is actually the world's fourth leading producer of grapes, and is home to hundreds of distinct varieties. The winery, housed in a stone chateau, is a state-of -the-art winemaking facility set in a lush green valley, with lavender gardens and, of course, beautiful vineyards. The resident wine expert will welcome you and escort you on a tour of the facility. You'll sample some of these award-winning wines, accompanied by an assortment locally produced specialty cheeses. After your winery exploration, you'll stop at a handicraft village; see Turkish weaving arts, and a carpet presentation. 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

• Visit the beautiful Seven Sages vineyard in the heart of the Turkish countryside.
• Enjoy the chance to sample the locally produced wines and cheese.
• See Turkish weaving arts, and a carpet presentation during a stop at a handicraft village.

 

 

Sounds like a wonderful winery tour!  Just be prepared that the weaving & carpet presentation is much more than a simple oh look what we can do presentation = hard sell, with no exit until the tour leaves

[markeb]

22 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

There are ruins and there are ruins. IMO you'd be doing the place a disservice if you don't go to see the ruins at Ephesus. They are phenomenal. Many people don't realize before going there how outstanding they are.

 

 

The skill of the builders, the art, the size of the city, the sheer achievements from 2,000 years ago seem reason enough to enjoy visiting ruins. How hard is it to build a Burj in the UAE with all of the tools and technology we have now, versus the innovations they were discovering and creating that changed the Western world forever during this period?  Styles that still influence architecture today:  football fields with design features of the Roman amphitheatres; triumphal arches in Paris and Germany modeled after Roman counterparts; even our public buildings in Washington DC -- heck even our train stations in NY are built using the same styles, decorations, proportions....

 

 

 

 

 

It was a long time ago, and we really didn't know where we were going (pre-internet). At the time, you entered Ephesus through some sort of gate into a set of non descript ruins. Then you went around a curve, and THIS!. 

 

I believe that's the "library", which was a fascinating story unto itself...

 

To the OP, we're all different, but I can't imagine traveling around the world to one of the most ancient sites on earth, amazingly cared for and preserved, and NOT going to Ephesus.

 

And the "weaving arts" and "carpet presentation" is a sales pitch. Think timeshare. The "presentations" are pushing sales. And I'm sure the winery will explain their delivery program to your ship, or there will be a nice cargo bay under the bus to fit cases of wine...

[Stockjock]

34 minutes ago, markeb said:

 

It was a long time ago, and we really didn't know where we were going (pre-internet). At the time, you entered Ephesus through some sort of gate into a set of non descript ruins. Then you went around a curve, and THIS!. 

 

I believe that's the "library", which was a fascinating story unto itself...

 

To the OP, we're all different, but I can't imagine traveling around the world to one of the most ancient sites on earth, amazingly cared for and preserved, and NOT going to Ephesus.

 

And the "weaving arts" and "carpet presentation" is a sales pitch. Think timeshare. The "presentations" are pushing sales. And I'm sure the winery will explain their delivery program to your ship, or there will be a nice cargo bay under the bus to fit cases of wine...

Out of fairness, even the Euphesus tours seem to involve a "carpet demonstration" and/or a stop at a leather factory, both of which are obviously hustles.

[HeddaGarbled]

Has anyone ever managed to find an Ephesus tour that didn’t end with a carpet demonstration?