Which port to stay on ship? (Greek Isles itinerary)

[Thisguylikestocruise]

Port heavy cruise, I want to add a sea day to enjoy our suite on Odyssey, by staying on the ship at 1 of the ports. I’m considering Athens the most for this. The city itself doesn’t look appealing, and I’m already seeing a lot of ruins elsewhere. First time doing a Med cruise.

 

ROME 

NAPLES

CRUISING

MYKONOS

ATHENS

EPHESUS

SANTORINI 

CHANIA, CRETE

CRUISING

ROME 

 

[mel76]

I would chose CHANIA, CRETE

[nunuc2000]

Having done that itinerary, I would actually say Santorini, probably against popular opinion.  Santorini was actually a little boring for us, and while seeing Oia is pretty (the famous blue roofed white domed buildings), there really wasn't a lot else there for us. We took the tram up the mountain, though some in our group chose the donkey route - they regretted that after one of them got scraped up knees on the walls due to their cranky animal. Ooops.

 

But we really loved going to the Acropolis in Athens so much!!! The history, the views, and then enjoying traditional Saganaki, bread and wine in a little streetside cafe afterwards.  

 

 

[Preziosa]

Be early on the ship, then you have nearly a whole Day in your suite. Don t miss the places you visit. Every place have something you Will enjoy.

[Deeliteful]

I would agree with Santorini, it looks beautiful from the sea, so great for pics but it gets so busy it’s quite ridiculous. All of the rest are must sees IMO, enjoy your cruise.

[little britain]

Skip Santorini. Overrated crowded tourist trap with appalling animal cruelty 
 

Chania is a charming little town and very relaxing. 
Ephesus and Athens are the jewels on this trip. 

Edited December 4, 2022 by little britain

[Homosassa]

Stay on board in Santorini.

 

If your ship is there with multiple other ships, sightseeing on shore resemble the famous wood cut of Dante's seven circles of Hell with the condemned trudging shoulder to shoulder.

 

https://apps.lib.umich.edu/blogs/beyond-reading-room/inferno-according-alessandro-vellutello

[Thisguylikestocruise]

Surprised to see the Santorini comments. Would it being late September matter? Or is it always crazy busy there?

[Bennyboats28]

Both Mykonos and Santorini can get seriously overcrowded depending on how many ships they have in port. 

 

For both of these ports the best thing would be to check on the day how many ships there are in. If there are more than two I would forget venturing ashore. 

[dani negreanu]

I wouldn't skip Santorini. The colors, the contrast between sea and red mountains. Amazing. Must see at least once. We've been there twice.

 

I wasn't impressed with Mykonos. Would not bother to return.

 

Ephesus - the same, I even try to find itineraries which do not include it.

 

OTOH, Acropolis is Acropolis. Granted, crowded, but still...

 

I've only been to one side of Crete (Heraklion), but I wouldn't mind a stop in Chania. Crete is beautiful.

 

[pstone1]

If there were multiple ships the same day, we would skip Santorini!  It’s just way too crowded, even in October!  Honestly though, I wouldn’t skip any of those Ports!

 

In Crete, the Jeep tour excursion was excellent!  We had a great day with beautiful scenery and delicious food!

 

In Mykonos, take a tour that visits Delos!  The boat ride is lovely and the ruins and history are fantastic!

[Norwich Cruiser]

If you’re not planning to return I wouldn’t skip any of them.

[teddie]

Wouldn’t miss the Acropolis. Needs a visit at least once in a lifetime. 
 

teddie

[Chippendale]

Totally disagree with those that say to skip Santorini.  You will see views like you have never seen before.  A bucket list port for sure.  

 

If you have not been to Athens, then you should get off for the Acropolis.

 

Consider tours only take part of a day.  

[Tlbecker1]

You shouldn’t miss any of them.  

[European_CruiseGirl]

Op are you on the Odyssey leaving from Rome on September 24th 2023? If so skip Santorini.

You’ll be at Santorini on September 27th. The following ships will be at Santorini that day: 

Odyssey of the Seas

Seadream II 

Celebrity Constallation

Wind Star

Star Legend 

Costa Deliziosa

Azamara Quest 

Celestyal Crystal 

 

Granted some of those ships are small but still. It’s going to be crazy busy. 

 

Now if you are leaving from Rome on September 15th 2023 you’ll be at Santorini on September 18th. Thats a bit easier day. The following ships will be at Santorini that day:

 

Odyssey of the Seas

Seadream II

MSC Musica

Resilient Lady 

 

Even that is much but well could be doable. 

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by European_CruiseGirl

[Thisguylikestocruise]

10 minutes ago, European_CruiseGirl said:

Op are you on the Odyssey leaving from Rome on September 24th 2023? If so skip Santorini.

You’ll be at Santorini on September 27th. The following ships will be at Santorini that day: 

Odyssey of the Seas

Seadream II 

Celebrity Constallation

Wind Star

Star Legend 

Costa Deliziosa

Azamara Quest 

Celestyal Crystal 

 

Granted some of those ships are small but still. It’s going to be crazy busy. 

 

Now if you are leaving from Rome on September 15th 2023 you’ll be at Santorini on September 18th. Thats a bit easier day. The following ships will be at Santorini that day:

 

Odyssey of the Seas

Seadream II

MSC Musica

Resilient Lady 

 

Even that is much but well could be doable. 

 

 

9/22/2024

[European_CruiseGirl]

28 minutes ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

9/22/2024

I guess that puts you to Santorini on September 28th 2024? Ships that day at Santorini are: 

 

Odyssey of the Seas 

NCL Epic 

NCL Getaway 

 

While that might sound quite easy all three of those ships are big ones. Odyssey with double capacity of 4198, Epic 4100, Getaway 3963. I’d definitely skip Santorini with 12261 pax in port that day but then again I live in Europe so can go whenever I want to Santorini for a 7 day land based holiday. But if it is a once in a lifetime kind of trip to Greece you might want to get off at each port regardless of the crowds. 
 

It will be crowded though at Santorini that day, thats for sure.

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by European_CruiseGirl

[Deeliteful]

Just shows how different we all are, no way would I suggest missing Ephesus, it really is a must see place. I’m not generally one for ruins but Ephesus is just awesome. The site of one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world,though that’s not there of course but what has been unearthed is really out of this world.

I have only visited twice but would return in a heartbeat.

As others have said, all of these ports are fantastic but I would still miss out Santorini and view it’s beauty from the ship and sea.

[willtr03]

After visiting those ports this last October, I would skip Ephesus. Especially anything rug related as they try to hard sell you on them and it is quite off putting. 

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

2 hours ago, European_CruiseGirl said:

I guess that puts you to Santorini on September 28th 2024? Ships that day at Santorini are: 

 

Odyssey of the Seas 

NCL Epic 

NCL Getaway 

 

While that might sound quite easy all three of those ships are big ones. Odyssey with double capacity of 4198, Epic 4100, Getaway 3963. I’d definitely skip Santorini with 12261 pax in port that day but then again I live in Europe so can go whenever I want to Santorini for a 7 day land based holiday. But if it is a once in a lifetime kind of trip to Greece you might want to get off at each port regardless of the crowds. 
 

It will be crowded though at Santorini that day, thats for sure.

 

 

Potentially not a complete list yet either!

 

There is no question for me with that many people in port.  I would skip Santorini.  You see the best views there at sunset anyway and usually need a land stay to get that.  Agree with all those who say the Acropolis is a must see. The Acropolis museum is also a treat and no trip to Athens is ever complete without a stop at

O Thanasis for a souvlaki/gyro! 

 

Athens is really a remarkable city, despite it's blocky apartments and sometimes gritty appearance.  If you think you might do another Med cruise, choose Athens as your departure port so you can experience the majestic floodlit Parthenon atop the Acropolis from a rooftop restaurant! One of the most beautiful views anywhere!

Edited December 5, 2022 by Steeler Nation At Sea

[F27TW]

Nassau or Labadee 🤮

 

(Yea, yea , i know this was about Greece)

[bonsai3s]

4 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

Port heavy cruise, I want to add a sea day to enjoy our suite on Odyssey, by staying on the ship at 1 of the ports. I’m considering Athens the most for this. The city itself doesn’t look appealing, and I’m already seeing a lot of ruins elsewhere. First time doing a Med cruise.

 

ROME 

NAPLES

CRUISING

MYKONOS

ATHENS

EPHESUS

SANTORINI 

CHANIA, CRETE

CRUISING

ROME 

 

We have been to all these ports many times…and  sailed on the Odyssey earlier this year…same itinerary. That said…

 

• Try not to miss any of the ports. So much to see and experience in Athens. Even if the only thing you do is walk up the Acropolis, and stand in front of the Parthenon…it would be memorable.

•  For Santorini, you as a suite passenger, will have the ability to be on the first tender. The suite concierge will escort you down to the tender.

 

•  If this is your first time visiting Rome, I hope you will consider staying a few days before or after your cruise…some of the sites are within walking distance…St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel D’Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. Also the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum.

 

•  My humble idea: Get off the ship early in Mykonos. (Odyssey docked.) Directly across the street from the ship is the “Sea Bus”, 2€ person each way to town. Take a leisurely walk around town…visit the windmills…then head back to the ship. You could do this in 2 hours.  Note: The streets (small, winding, and narrow alleys) were originally designed to confuse attacking pirates…so part of the charm is getting lost.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome

Capri/Naples 

Windmills of Mykonos

The Library at Ephesus, Kusadasi

Acropolis, Athens 

Oia, Santorini 

Chania (Harbor)

[1025cruise]

If I were on that itinerary, I would not be staying on the ship.

[taglovestocruise]

Sometimes a little crowded