Greece civil unrest

[downundermatt]

I hear in the news a lot of civil unrest in Greece due to the financial situation - thousands striking affecting transport etc.

Am not cruising until early November to Santorini and Athens and hope the situation will be calmer then.

I know strikes are not uncommon in Greece (and Italy) but was wondering if anyone had recent local experience as I planned on doing it myself in these ports - and will be fairly reliant on local transport - coaches, trains, busses etc.

Perhaps someone there now can provide an update -

Many Thanks

[Sheindoors]

Have a look at this site, it may ease your mind :).

http://gogreece.about.com/

 

Di

[Fblack]

Problem with Athens is that the unions often call a strike with little notice. Sometimes they close public attractions. Sometimes they block the pier area. Mostly they are peaceful. They just came off of a 2 day strike a few days ago. Just be prepared to change your plans at the last minute.

 

9/24/2013: Greek civil servants walk off job at start of 2-day strike to protest job cuts

 

"...ATHENS, Greece — Greek civil servants walked off the job Tuesday at the start of a 48-hour public sector strike, the second in as many weeks, to protest job cuts required for the country to continue receiving international rescue loans...."

 

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-24/business/42333868_1_rescue-loans-job-cuts-primary-budget-surplus

[KirkNC]

I think this is a little less of a problem then it was a year or so ago.

[lexiemom]

We just returned from a cruise last week and our stop in Athens on Wednesday was cancelled due to the strike. They substituted Mykonos...so although disappointing to miss Athens, not too bad.

[gerryl12]

We are in Athens now and the only problem we had was a large group out in the street blocking all but one lane by Syntagma Square for a few hours. Of course that didn't really affect the traffic as it crawls at its best anyway.

[kernow]

We were on Navigator of the Seas a couple of weeks ago, we were supposed to have gone to Athens but were told on boarding that it had been cancelled due to a general strike. We went to Mykonos instead.

 

If the ship knows of any planned strikes I don't think they will visit.

 

Julie

[hansolosmom]

In July we were on Reflection and they switched our scheduled stop in Athens. So we went to Mykonos the day we were supposed to go to Athens and went to Athens on the Mykonos day. It didn't really cause an issue.

[Fblack]

And as an FYI, they have called for a one day strike on November 6th. And in addition to both major unions calling a strike, the Merchant Marine Engineers have called a strike for the same day. This may close the ferry's and some port operations.

 

10/15/2013: General strike called to stop sackings in Greece

 

"... Both Greece’s main union federations have called a general strike against public sector mass sackings on Wednesday 6 November. There have already been public sector general strikes and major ongoing strikes of teachers, local government and civil service workers.

Universities are in their sixth week of shutdown due to an admin workers’ strike supported by students and lecturers. Services are already understaffing due to previous cuts.

 

and

 

"...ATHENS, OCTOBER 15 - The Greek seamen's union (PNO) is planning a 24-hour walkout on November 6, the day that the country's main labor union is expected to hold a one-day strike, ... . The strike would disrupt all passenger and cargo ferry schedules...."

 

 

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art/34630/General+strike+called+to+stop+sackings+in+Greece

[NoWhiners]

We just got back from a cruise around the Black Sea that started and ended in Athens. We arrived in Athens on Oct 1, got from the airport to our hotel using the X95 bus and metro, no problems. We passed thru Syntagma Square when we transferred from the bus to the metro, no strikes/demonstrations. We also went to the Acropolis and walked by the Plaka that day, no strikes. We returned to Athens on 10/14, and took a private tour of areas out side Athens, again, no issues.

 

I guess it just depends on the day.

 

Good luck

ML

[9876]

We are on Splendour of the Seas and we are due to arrive to Athens on November 6th. Bad timing for us. Hopefully the line will switch ports and we will go another day. It would be extremely disappointing if we are unable to visit the Athens sites but there is not much to do.

[needhols]

First time cruisers and we are on the Splendour with Athens as our port on the 6th November, had planned a DIY day, done loads of research as we have never been to Athens and it was going to be a highlight for us. Hopefully they will change the itinerary to enable a stop at Athens on another day. For all you experienced cruisers, when will RCCL notify of any change. Many thanks

[kernow]

First time cruisers and we are on the Splendour with Athens as our port on the 6th November, had planned a DIY day, done loads of research as we have never been to Athens and it was going to be a highlight for us. Hopefully they will change the itinerary to enable a stop at Athens on another day. For all you experienced cruisers, when will RCCL notify of any change. Many thanks

 

We had Athens completely cancelled and were only told by RCL when we boarded the ship. It didn't really matter to us as we'd been before, but lots of people were very disappointed.

 

Julie

[needhols]

We had Athens completely cancelled and were only told by RCL when we boarded the ship. It didn't really matter to us as we'd been before, but lots of people were very disappointed.

 

Julie

 

looks like we could be in for the same disappointment :(

[9876]

looks like we could be in for the same disappointment :(

 

If we get to Athens we are planning a DIY day also. Hopefully they will change days for us so we can avoid the strike. If not then I guess we will just explore the local port area. Yes, it is a disappointment to say the least but it is something we could not plan for. See you on the ship!

[cruisemom42]

If we get to Athens we are planning a DIY day also. Hopefully they will change days for us so we can avoid the strike. If not then I guess we will just explore the local port area. Yes, it is a disappointment to say the least but it is something we could not plan for. See you on the ship!

 

If you're limited to Piraeus, there's a wonderful (very small) archaeological museum there, walkable from the port. It has 4-5 fantastic bronze statues from the Classical and Hellenic eras that rival -- if not surpass -- any equivalent bronzes in the Athens Archaeological Museum.

[9876]

If you're limited to Piraeus, there's a wonderful (very small) archaeological museum there, walkable from the port. It has 4-5 fantastic bronze statues from the Classical and Hellenic eras that rival -- if not surpass -- any equivalent bronzes in the Athens Archaeological Museum.

 

Thanks for the information!

[needhols]

If we get to Athens we are planning a DIY day also. Hopefully they will change days for us so we can avoid the strike. If not then I guess we will just explore the local port area. Yes, it is a disappointment to say the least but it is something we could not plan for. See you on the ship!

 

We are really looking forward to this our first cruise , and if Athens does not happen we will make the most of any alternative. See you on board ( never said that before)

[Fblack]

Most of the ship cancellations at a port are due to last minute and unscheduled strikes or weather conditions. You would think right now the cruise lines should be scheduling around the November 6th Athens strike. We once had Mykonos substituted for Rhodes at the last minute. So I know it can be done. But I guess it also depends on each itinerary.