Review of cruise to Greek Islands and Ephesus

[echokat]

This is a quick review of our Cruise in mid-October to Greece.

We were on board the RC ship Rhapsody of the Seas and we left Rome/Civitavecchia on October21,2015. We took the train from Termini in Rome to Civitavecchia for 5 euros each. Then in Civitavecchia we bought a local bus ticket for bus #10 to the port. This bus ticket cost 2 euro each and there was plenty of room for luggage. At the gate to the port, Royal Caribbean had a shuttle bus to the terminal. Boarding was fast and seamless.

 

Our 1st port was Chania. We docked at Souda and took bus to Chania for 2 euros each. In Chania we walked to the market and to the harbor. The sea wall had an old fort and lighthouse. We did not do anything special, just walked around and had lunch at one of the bayfront cafes. Very good Greek food.

 

Our next stop was Mykonos, but it was very rainy with high seas. We were tendered and the people with planned ship excursions went to the port. Eventually the weather looked like it was starting to clear, so we decided to try to make it to shore. The captain closed the port just before we were to board a tender. I heard a lady almost fell in the brink, so it was deemed too dangerous. I was disappointed not to get to go to Mykonos, but I really did not want to go in a downpour.

 

The rain cleared and our next port was Ephesus. We docked at Kusadasi. We had booked a semi private tour with Ephesus Deluxe and it was a memorable excursion. We went to the House of the Virgin Mary first and then to the Ephesus ruins. It was spectacular!! Our tour also included a tour of the Terrace Houses in Ephesus (which none of the ship sponsored tours had and for 1/2 the price or less) our group was only 8 so we could avoid the large groups easily. After the ruins there we drove past the Temple of Artemis which only had one column standing. Lunch was at a rug weaving cooperative. The Turkish food served was very good and we had the lesson on the silk industry and demo then the display of all the rugs. There was not a lot of pressure to buy a rug and they certainly were very beautiful.

 

Our next port was Santorini. We got off the tender and took the boat to Oia.

The cost was 15 euros each for the boat to Oia and a bus ticket to Fira. There were 2 or 3 different boat companies to shuttle people to Oia. Oia was a true gem. We really enjoyed it before the rush of people got there. Fira was more crowded when we got there, but had lunch and enjoyed the beauty of the island. We took the cable car down to the beach for 5 euros each. The donkeys (actually they were mules) did not appeal to me.

 

Athens was the next port. We docked at Pireaus and had arranged the guided tour of Athens with Olympic Traveller. This was a wonderful tour and our group was only 12 plus 2 little kids. We drove close to the Acropolis and walked up to see the Parthenon and Erectheion and Temple of Nike. Great photo ops. Although I have been here before, the impact is powerful.

After the Acropolis, we went to the Acropolis Museum and our guide took us through the important things. We could have spent a couple days there at least, but unfortunately we had to hurry to get lunch and back to the ship.

 

Our last port was Olympia. We docked at Katakolon and met out tour group. We had booked another tour with Olympic Traveller to Olympia. Our guide met our small group and we went straight to the site. The area was very large and filled with many broken columns and blocks of stone. We viewed what was left of the Temple of Zeus and Temple of Hera and the arena. We then went through the museum and our guide explained about the many artifacts there. Then back on the bus to a country restaurant and farm and had a feast of Greek food.

 

We then had one more sea day before we returned to Civitavecchia and just reversed the order to get back to Rome.

[tampagirl2]

Thank you for the review! Was there a long line for the cable car down in Santorini?

[tassietravellers]

Thanks for the review. We will be in most of the same ports next June, so great to read up on them :-)

[Keith1010]

Thanks for your review.

 

Keith

[FloridaTourist]

Thanks for a great review. I will be in several of those ports in April on theOosterdam

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review.

[maryann ns]

This is a very useful review for those who like to go on their own or have small group tours. Thanks for posting.