ELIZG

We were in Santorini this year from 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm.   Check to see how many ships are in port the same day and what times they arrive / depart.    There were a total of 3 ships in port (including ours).    2 arrived early (before us) and left before us.     We had priority disembarkation and were the first tender off the ship.    There were no lines at the Cable Car.     Coming back we waited maybe 10 minutes for the cable car.     We were back on the boat before sunset and headed to the top of the ship to watch it.     Depends on what time your ship leaves port if you will see the sunset from a restaurant.   

On ‎8‎/‎13‎/‎2019 at 6:11 AM, Host Clarea said:

 

Yes, but dress suggestions are hardly enforced anymore.

On our sailing on July 7-14, it was referred to as "Wear your Best".    Say goodbye to Formal Night and hello to Wear Your Best.   it's time to shine - your way.

The boats know when the cruise ships are in port... they were there when we arrived at 2:00 pm.    

We were in port from 2:00 - 10:00 (in July 2019), and there were 3 other ships in port.    Luckily the other ships all left by 8:00 so the cable car back down wasn't an issue.   But we were back on board for sunset.   But it was still spectacular.    

When we got off the ship in Pireaus (July 2019), the only thing that was there to book were the Hop On / Hop Off busses.  There were 3 different companies in the parking lot.   There was nothing else around to book.   

I have heard mixed reviews on the Entertainment offered on Jewel of the Seas.   On our sailing (July 7-14), there were a couple of great shows..... Tango Buenos Aires and Barricade Boys

31 minutes ago, Paulette3028 said:

Since you recently were on Jewel, perhaps you can remember who the Activity Manager on board was?  Is so please let me know and what date the sailing was.  I appreciate it since I try to keep as up to date as possible a list of the Activity Managers on Cruise Critic.   Thanks.

Cruise Director was Simona and the Activity Manager was Luana (7 - 14 sailing)    (Looking at the Cruise Compass)

1 minute ago, brillohead said:

I have to question if that was a mattress topper.  IME, if you have the beds together as a king sized bed, the two twin-sized comforters are in a zippered bag under the bed.  If you have the beds separated into two twin-sized beds, the king-sized comforter is under one of the beds in a zippered bag.  

In all likelihood, you were looking at a comforter, not a pillow top mattress pad.  However, if you had asked, the room steward could have put that comforter under your fitted sheet to add some softness to the mattress.  

It's the egg crate foam toppers that have allegedly been discontinued for hygienic reasons.  A pillow top mattress pad can be sent through the ship's laundry, so there would be no reason to discontinue those.  

Good question... we assumed it was a quilted mattress topper.   The beds were apart and there was one under each bed.    We didn't see them until the last night when we pulled our luggage out from under the bed.   We didn't pull them out to look at them.       Doing a survey at our Dinner table on the last night, some of them had them on the bed and some didn't.... why we thought it was a mattress topper (not the egg crate kind).

This may sound silly, but check under the bed.   We didn't realize our pillow top was under the bed until we were leaving the ship.   (Jewel of the Seas)

Attached is the Departure information we received on Jewel of the Seas - Greek Isles (July 2019). 

Jewel of the Seas - Deparature.pdf

I can answer this one as I just got home from the Jewel Greek Isles on Sunday.....with the Key.  

Embarkation was super fast... with or without the key.     We were the first ones there and were on the ship and at the pool at 11:15.     There were lots of signs for the key, but it didn't matter.    The terminal is huge, super fast and very smooth.

We had no luggage to leave when we got on the ship (only had our beach bags)... key didn't matter.

Lunch at Chops was great.

Internet package was good.

Disembarkation was a non factor....because  we had a Royal Transfer to the Rome Airport we had a set time to leave the ship. The luggage was sorted with all the others and could not have been easier to find.    

Because we left the ship early, there was no debarkation breakfast.

We did receive two fruit baskets on Day 3.   Had to ask why and were told because we had the key.    Gave them to the cabin steward.

There were set times for the Rock Wall but we didn't use it.

Why we got the Key ...... we were the first off the boat in Santorini.      It was nice not having to line up to get a tender time.   But... from what others told me the process was very fast.

In Mykonos (the other tender boat), it was first come / first serve (and there were no lines / problems getting off).   We did ask at Customer Service and they said to just go to deck... there will be no problem.. and they were right.    Walked right onto the Tender boat with no problem.

IMO....  wasn't worth it.

Any other questions just ask.

For an FYI.... I have seen others ask about Pillow Tops.... there was not one on our bed and we didn't ask as I thought they didn't do them anymore.    On our last night when we were pulling our luggage out from under the bed we found our pillow top cover in a sealed plastic bag.    So if you don't have one on your mattress.... check under the bed.

To answer your question about what time will you disembark... depends on if you have a flight, what time, and if you have a transfer with Royal.    Our flight was at 11:35 and were off the ship at 7:15.   I know others that had a 1:30 flight and were off the ship at 8:30.    Once I unpack and find my paperwork, I can scan (I think I still have the list and Cruise Compasses).

Also.. the evening entertainment (shows) were great and the food in Tides was worth it every night.  But we had a great table and that helps.    But don't expect Lobster night on European sailings.   We asked and were told that is a North American thing.    You can purchase Lobster as an add on---- but ask the head waiter for a special price.   We got it at 50% off.

It is a small port with a narrow / steep hill in front of you when you get off the boat.   There were private cars parked on both sides of the hill but we saw no taxi's.     We were the last two off the boat and followed the people in front of us.     We got half way up the hill and thought this can't be right and started to go back down to look for assistance.    A guy on a motor bike came down the hill and started yelling at us "I told you to walk to the top and look for the big white bus".     He must have told the first people off the bus, because he didn't tell us.     It was very unorganized.    Getting the bus back to Fira was no better.    There were hoards of people to get on one bus.    Luckily we got the last two seats but there had to have been 30 people still waiting to get on the bus.    They said there would be another bus, bus coming but it was very unorganized.        For reference, there were 3 ships in port that day.

I posted this on another thread yesterday... it is an update as I just got back from a cruise to the Greek Isles.

I am resurrecting this thread as I just got back from the Greek Isles and did the Santorini ferry to Oia.      We purchased the tickets from Aegean Traveller to take us from the port in Fira to Oia, a bus up the hill to Oia and a return bus back to Fira.

A few things to note.      It is VERY misleading that the bus will take you up the hill to Oia.   IT DOES NOT.   You have to walk up a very steep, long hill to get to the top.  The bus will then take you to the depot.     The hill is the hardest part and if you have medical issues or a hard time walking, it will be a very difficult climb.     We were told to look for a bus when we got off the boat that said NST.    We did find one at the bottom of the hill, but the driver kept yelling at us to walk to the top to look for a big white bus.    

Also what they don't tell you is that there is one dock for the boats and catamarans .... so there was a long line of boats to dock and let people off / on the boats.    

On a positive note, the lineup for the Cable Car at the end of the day took about 15 minutes.

Just came back.    We docked in Terminal B.   Walked off the ship and there were 3 different "Hop on Hop Off" bus lines waiting for us.... all vying for our business.     I think they all had similar routes.   The one we selected had two lines.... the one to take us from the cruise port to Athens and the second line to the you around the sites.      You had to change lines at the Acropolis.   Could not have been easier.

I am resurrecting this thread as I just got back from the Greek Isles and did the Santorini ferry to Oia.      We purchased the tickets from Aegean Traveller to take us from the port in Fira to Oia, a bus up the hill to Oia and a return bus back to Fira.

A few things to note.      It is VERY misleading that the bus will take you up the hill to Oia.   IT DOES NOT.   You have to walk up a very steep, long hill to get to the top.  The bus will then take you to the depot.     The hill is the hardest part and if you have medical issues or a hard time walking, it will be a very difficult climb.     We were told to look for a bus when we got off the boat that said NST.    We did find one at the bottom of the hill, but the driver kept yelling at us to walk to the top to look for a big white bus.    

Also what they don't tell you is that there is one dock for the boats and catamarans .... so there was a long line of boats to dock and let people off / on the boats.    

On a positive note, the lineup for the Cable Car at the end of the day took about 15 minutes.

14 til Jewel of the Seas - Greek Isles.

32 days until Jewel in the Greek Isles.    

I am sure there are others, but when I googled, this is what came up (and was easy to use).   http://crew-center.com/santorini-greece-cruise-ship-schedule-march-july-2019

10 hours ago, Ashland said:

We just this week returned from our RCI cruise stop in Santorini. Our departure time was 5:00pm and the last tender was 4:15pm. Your ship will give you the exact timing for your visit. 

Allow plenty of time...the cable car line was very long and was taking well over an hour...we started the walk down the steps but ended up opting for the mules...BRUTAL....not sure that was a good decision....but very memorable. 

Can I ask how many ships were in port on the day you were there.    Will be there on July 9th.   There will be a total of 3 ships in port.   Ours is the last to leave at 10:00 pm... trying to gauge how busy the cable cars will be.

I went to the source and contacted the company in the link above (aegeantraveller).   

For those interested.

The last boat leaves Fira to Oia at approx. 3:00 pm

The last bus leaving Oia to Fira runs at 7:00 pm

Thanks Hank.    There has many conflicting reports on this service.   Glad to hear this is do-able within the time we have available.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.    I have sent off an email to see when the last water taxi and bus is... as we are in port from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Greatly appreciate the contact info.

Thanks for the input.     Ugh...  We don't dock until 1:00 pm and depart at 10:00 pm.     If the busses stop running at 2:00 I am guessing we are on our own.     Wonder if they adjust the bus schedule to accommodate the ships in port.      There will be 3 ships in port.... one arrives at 7:00, one a 9:00 and ours at 1:00.    

On 5/18/2019 at 5:38 PM, QueenP said:

The boat to Oia is super easy and convenient. We spent several hours there and caught the last bus back - it goes along a ridge with lovely views. No hassles at all, enjoyed our day very much thanks to people on this board!

Can you confirm when you were there?   Was it this year / recently?    I am heading there in July and just want to confirm the boats are there.   I had read different threads from last year that said there were not boats / water taxi's to the base of Oia.     Thanks much.   

70 - Jewel of the Seas