Apex B2B - duplicate itinerary - local port options?

[ian441672]

Hi

 

Since we cannot go to Israel on our B2B 24 July & 31 July, we have a duplicate (more or less) second week. Struggling to find different or interesting tours to spread across the two weeks, and also trying to find different posts on different threads, I was wondering could anyone clarify what would we be able to do locally, either walking into town, or shuttle etc?

 

- Rhodes: can you walk into town / decent things to see/do locally (shops, cafe's, local sightseeing etc.)?

- Mykonos: looks like we are tendering; would this be to the new marine pier? If so, I understand there is a 20 minute shuttle bus to the town with quite a bit to see and do? Or even take a sea-bus? If this is not to the 'new pier', what are the options to get to town please?

-Limassol: We already have a Journey to Paphos tour booked. Is the town local near the dock, or not worth it - should we just stay on board that day?

 

Shame about Jerusalem, but we are lucky to have a SS at the very back of the ship, so with the extra time on board, at least we can enjoy the drinks package and exploring the ship!

 

Thank you.

 

[ian441672]

Incidentally - for the second week itinerary, there are no tour options open yet for Mykonos or Limassol.  I guess they will be coming soon, perhaps with more options?!

 

I have also booked Best of Rhodes tour, Santorini Island and Oia tour, and Best of Mykonos tour.

[jelayne]

Have you checked the Ports of Call boards.  You can also post your question and reach a broader audience than just X cruisers.

[ian441672]

49 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Have you checked the Ports of Call boards.  You can also post your question and reach a broader audience than just X cruisers.

Thanks, that's helpful. I didnt even know that was there!  Thank you.

[Bruin Steve]

As you know, Ian, we are "in the same boat", so to speak!

We've got the additional issues of:

1)  Having been to all of these ports multiple times and

2)  Having a lot of OBC to spend.

 

I assume that, when the shorexes come up, they will be the same as on the other leg.

Here are our thoughts, by port:

 

Mykonos:  We already had two stops there...and we've seen most of the island on past trips.  This time, to use OBC, we are doing the Pyrgos shorex on one and the "Best of" (which includes Oia) on the other.  In the past, we've also been to Arkrotiri--which is interesting...and, one time, rented a car and drove to the far side of the island and up to Ancient Thira--which is a great archaeological site that the shorexes don't go to--likely because a bus would have trouble handling all of the hairpin turns and narrow road.  The views from up there are INCREDIBLE.  Just to wander the main town, it's an easy cable car ride up and down from the tender port.  Oia can be reached by bus.

 

Rhodes:  The other port we already had twice.  We've been before and did a shorex to Lindos.  We've also wandered the main town on our own...it is a very short walk from the dock.  We've also visited the very beautifully restored Synagogue and Jewish Museum.  This time, we intended on doing the full day Lindos and Old Town shorex on one, and, to change things up, the Kallithea Springs and Bee Museum on the other...but, they canceled the Bee Museum tour, so we've opted for the "Small Group" shorex on the second--which has a guided inside tour of the palace.

 

Cyprus:  We've also been to Paphos before, so this time we decided to do the 4x4 shorex just for something different.  Now that we're going twice, we'll add the "Small Group" Paphos shorex.  it's been a while since we last visited.

 

Mykonos:  If you haven't been to Delos, go.  One cruise, we had Delos canceled to to bad weather, high winds.  Last time, we were able to do it...Great archaeological site.  This time, we're doing the full day tour, so it goes to Delos...and the Monastery and an island tour...Pretty all-inclusive.  Now that we have a second stop there, just to do something very different, we'll sign up for the Cheesemaking shorex--once they make it available.  We've walked into town from the cruise dock before (still not sure if we are docking or tendering.  Website says tender, but reports from the first Apex cruise said they docked...and shuttle buses were available).  The walk is a little long, but not difficult.  The town is very walkable once there.  Windmills right above the town...lots of touristy shopping and restaurants/cafes/bars.  Popular beaches require a taxi. 

 

Good luck...See you soon!

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, Bruin Steve said:

Mykonos:  We already had two stops there...and we've seen most of the island on past trips.  This time, to use OBC, we are doing the Pyrgos shorex on one and the "Best of" (which includes Oia) on the other.  In the past, we've also been to Arkrotiri--which is interesting...and, one time, rented a car and drove to the far side of the island and up to Ancient Thira--

 

Should be Santorini 🌷

 

Would you pls. tag me if the speed boat for Oia is still offered? Thanks.

[ian441672]

12 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

As you know, Ian, we are "in the same boat", so to speak!

We've got the additional issues of:

1)  Having been to all of these ports multiple times and

2)  Having a lot of OBC to spend.

 

I assume that, when the shorexes come up, they will be the same as on the other leg.

Here are our thoughts, by port:

 

Mykonos:  We already had two stops there...and we've seen most of the island on past trips.  This time, to use OBC, we are doing the Pyrgos shorex on one and the "Best of" (which includes Oia) on the other.  In the past, we've also been to Arkrotiri--which is interesting...and, one time, rented a car and drove to the far side of the island and up to Ancient Thira--which is a great archaeological site that the shorexes don't go to--likely because a bus would have trouble handling all of the hairpin turns and narrow road.  The views from up there are INCREDIBLE.  Just to wander the main town, it's an easy cable car ride up and down from the tender port.  Oia can be reached by bus.

 

Rhodes:  The other port we already had twice.  We've been before and did a shorex to Lindos.  We've also wandered the main town on our own...it is a very short walk from the dock.  We've also visited the very beautifully restored Synagogue and Jewish Museum.  This time, we intended on doing the full day Lindos and Old Town shorex on one, and, to change things up, the Kallithea Springs and Bee Museum on the other...but, they canceled the Bee Museum tour, so we've opted for the "Small Group" shorex on the second--which has a guided inside tour of the palace.

 

Cyprus:  We've also been to Paphos before, so this time we decided to do the 4x4 shorex just for something different.  Now that we're going twice, we'll add the "Small Group" Paphos shorex.  it's been a while since we last visited.

 

Mykonos:  If you haven't been to Delos, go.  One cruise, we had Delos canceled to to bad weather, high winds.  Last time, we were able to do it...Great archaeological site.  This time, we're doing the full day tour, so it goes to Delos...and the Monastery and an island tour...Pretty all-inclusive.  Now that we have a second stop there, just to do something very different, we'll sign up for the Cheesemaking shorex--once they make it available.  We've walked into town from the cruise dock before (still not sure if we are docking or tendering.  Website says tender, but reports from the first Apex cruise said they docked...and shuttle buses were available).  The walk is a little long, but not difficult.  The town is very walkable once there.  Windmills right above the town...lots of touristy shopping and restaurants/cafes/bars.  Popular beaches require a taxi. 

 

Good luck...See you soon!

Brilliant - thanks!  Lots of helpful information....I'm sure we will all have a great trip wherever we go and whatever we do!