Greek cruises - check in time

[marazul]

Have you  had any problems arriving earlier than your assigned check in time? We sure don't want to be hanging around somewhere with our suitcases. The website says:

For the health and safety of all, guests arriving to the terminal prior to their assigned check-in time will be asked to return at their designated time.

[Mr Luxury]

The best thing is to do as the instructions tell you.

Guests are given check in times so that the process is easy and smooth.

If everyone just turns up on mass then things could get a little chaotic and the process will take longer.

I turned up at my allotted time and was onboard in twenty minutes 

 

[marazul]

That wasn't the answer to the question.

Have you  had any problems arriving earlier than your assigned check in time?

[markham]

I have had no problems but that is because the overwhelming number of passengers understand the importance of their assigned check-in slots as far as enabling the staff to process the check-ins efficiently. That includes administering the tests and waiting for the results. So they arrive when requested and can then be on board without an undue amount of time in the Athens heat.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[marazul]

3 hours ago, markham said:

I have had no problems but that is because the overwhelming number of passengers understand the importance of their assigned check-in slots as far as enabling the staff to process the check-ins efficiently. That includes administering the tests and waiting for the results. So they arrive when requested and can then be on board without an undue amount of time in the Athens heat.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

Thanks. 

[Hlitner]

We arrived at the port about 3 hours agreed or our assigned time and were immediately checked-in without comment.   To put things in perspective 

SB is probably averaging about 150 check-ins per cruise.  The assigned times spread that over 4 hours so you can do the math.  The only issue we saw was if independents arrive at the same time as a SB bus transfer there could be an issue.

 

To be honest we arrived early because we had no safe place to stay for several hours.  
 

Hank

[marazul]

That's our issue. 

Thanks, Hank.

I hope you are enjoying Paros.

Leros is great and low-key.  Other than a day beach trip to a neighboring islet we are staying put.  The inter island hydrofoils are packed like sardines.

[Neverlookback]

Don't overthink this... If you arrive early, go to the terminal to check in.  You will receive the normal friendly Seabourn welcome.  Safe travels.

[marazul]

2 minutes ago, Neverlookback said:

Don't overthink this... If you arrive early, go to the terminal to check in.  You will receive the normal friendly Seabourn welcome.  Safe travels.

As usual then. Thanks.

[Hlitner]

On 8/22/2021 at 10:19 AM, marazul said:

That's our issue. 

Thanks, Hank.

I hope you are enjoying Paros.

Leros is great and low-key.  Other than a day beach trip to a neighboring islet we are staying put.  The inter island hydrofoils are packed like sardines.

You raise a great point which should not be ignored.  Not only are the interisland ferries (some as big as cruise ships) crowded (despite capacity controls) but many have been sold out for weeks.  Because of the government imposed capacity controls, and a booming tourist trade, it can be difficult to get a last minute reservation on the most desired ferries.  So folks be advised that if planning on doing some island hopping it is wise to book your ferries weeks in advance.  We learned this the hard way when our two best choices to get us from Paros back to Pireaus were both sold out more then 1 months in advance.  Also, if you are planning on visiting any of the islands and want to dine at a popular restaurant it is wise to book far in advance.   When we called on a Tuesday to get a reservation at one popular Paros restaurant we were told there was absolutely nothing available until the following Sunday!  And this was not unusual.

 

On a personal note I was pleased to see the Greek Islands crowded, restaurants doing well, folks smiling and having fun, beaches crowded (sunbeds were often sold out by noon), etc.  The Greek government has used a common sense approach to COVID and gone out of their way to make tourists feel welcome.  It appears that their gamble has paid off as we met folks from many parts of Europe and the States (no Canadians, Aussies, or Kiwis).   Everyone seemed to be having a great time and we heard very little talk of COVID.

 

Hank

[marazul]

11 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

You raise a great point which should not be ignored.  Not only are the interisland ferries (some as big as cruise ships) crowded (despite capacity controls) but many have been sold out for weeks.  Because of the government imposed capacity controls, and a booming tourist trade, it can be difficult to get a last minute reservation on the most desired ferries.  So folks be advised that if planning on doing some island hopping it is wise to book your ferries weeks in advance.  We learned this the hard way when our two best choices to get us from Paros back to Pireaus were both sold out more then 1 months in advance.  Also, if you are planning on visiting any of the islands and want to dine at a popular restaurant it is wise to book far in advance.   When we called on a Tuesday to get a reservation at one popular Paros restaurant we were told there was absolutely nothing available until the following Sunday!  And this was not unusual.

 

On a personal note I was pleased to see the Greek Islands crowded, restaurants doing well, folks smiling and having fun, beaches crowded (sunbeds were often sold out by noon), etc.  The Greek government has used a common sense approach to COVID and gone out of their way to make tourists feel welcome.  It appears that their gamble has paid off as we met folks from many parts of Europe and the States (no Canadians, Aussies, or Kiwis).   Everyone seemed to be having a great time and we heard very little talk of COVID.

 

Hank

It has really paid off for Greece. Check this out.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1166722/tourism-revenues-rise-to-1-1-bln-euros-in-first-half-of-2021-says-bog/

 

Where I am now it is always possible to get a seat on the ferries to a neighboring island if you are flexible.  An unfortunate side effect of the ferries is that unvaccinated young vacationers from Athens are bringing more cases to the islands. Here it has gone from green to red in about 3 weeks.  That and the crowded ferries are some of the reasons why we are staying put.  Since we are having a great time staying with friends we can avoid crowds and feel perfectly safe. We can also get our PCR test here prior to flying back for the cruise. So, no complaints.

 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.