Polos12 Posted February 26, 2023 #1 Share Posted February 26, 2023 Hi, We have party of 6 booked a cruise from Athens (Piraeus) in May. Exploring cost-effective options from any of YOW/yul/YYZ airports with a reasonable price/duration/stops. I would like some advice on flight route, specific airlines to avoid and if we should select hotel close to port or Athens city center, for embarkation/disembarkation. I did some research and flights are above $1800 except few of them with bad connection/long layovers. 2ndly would like to know if anyone knows a good excursion company to book 1 or 1/2 days tours in Santorini, Mykonos. Thanks and your precious pointers will be much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted February 26, 2023 #2 Share Posted February 26, 2023 not know when and where you are flying out of you it is hard to say if $1800 is a lot Try google.ca/flights try Airbnb for a place We stayed here one time https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/17342908?adults=5&checkin=&checkout=&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&wishlist_item_id=1437299091&source_impression_id=p3_1677441816_srBCohNwXNDI%2FG7T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted February 26, 2023 Author #3 Share Posted February 26, 2023 3 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said: not know when and where you are flying out of you it is hard to say if $1800 is a lot Try google.ca/flights try Airbnb for a place We stayed here one time https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/17342908?adults=5&checkin=&checkout=&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&wishlist_item_id=1437299091&source_impression_id=p3_1677441816_srBCohNwXNDI%2FG7T Thanks for airbnb - the issue is most flights (with good price) on May 14 /15 departs around 5:00AM - so either we come early/late at airport (11pm) and stick around or leave from hotel/airbnb at 2AM (not sure if taxi/uber is possible at that time..? 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 26, 2023 #4 Share Posted February 26, 2023 if you give the exact itinerary departure dates & cities it would be more helpful to help you Try ITA matrix to search for flights that may work for you I am not seeing any cheap flight to Europe this year so you will need to make choices either pay the price or get up in the night to get to the airport If you are trying to book 6 seats on one booking you may be getting higher prices try to price 2 & see what happens Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted February 27, 2023 Author #5 Share Posted February 27, 2023 18 hours ago, LHT28 said: if you give the exact itinerary departure dates & cities it would be more helpful to help you Try ITA matrix to search for flights that may work for you I am not seeing any cheap flight to Europe this year so you will need to make choices either pay the price or get up in the night to get to the airport If you are trying to book 6 seats on one booking you may be getting higher prices try to price 2 & see what happens Good luck Thanks; I have the option of leaving on May 2/3 and return on May 15 from YOW-ATH; or YUL-ATH. I found a great hotel next to airport upon return (so that problem is solved :). I tried going to Rome and use small airlines to get to ATH but cost is not that much. Where do you nornmally book your ticket from when many airlines/combination are involved. Should I book individual depart tickets and return (not complete return with one). We used exp* 10+ years ago on europe trip but exp** as 3rd party european agents were not helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 27, 2023 #6 Share Posted February 27, 2023 4 hours ago, Polos12 said: Thanks; I have the option of leaving on May 2/3 and return on May 15 from YOW-ATH; or YUL-ATH. I found a great hotel next to airport upon return (so that problem is solved :). I tried going to Rome and use small airlines to get to ATH but cost is not that much. Where do you nornmally book your ticket from when many airlines/combination are involved. Should I book individual depart tickets and return (not complete return with one). We used exp* 10+ years ago on europe trip but exp** as 3rd party european agents were not helpful I would book all on one ticket We usually book with AC KLM or BA depends on where you are going & the price You could do AC Yow to ATH connection in YYZ or YUL for about $2000 for more $ YUL ATH nonstop flights are later in the morning so no need to get up so early Check AC site 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted February 27, 2023 #7 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) With Westjet no longer flying to Gatwick from Eastern Canada , and you are to early for Air Transat flights , it is more expensive Have you check with the cruiseline for there air packages Edited February 27, 2023 by Ex-Airbalancer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepcman Posted February 27, 2023 #8 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Checkout www.skiplagged.com. Lots of good options since they use the low cost European carriers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabric Posted February 28, 2023 #9 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Have you looked at the cruiseline air prices? I stayed at Athens Gate pre cruise, has a restaurant and close to Hop On Hop Off bus. I used Welcome Pickups www.welcomepickups.com a private car service from Athens airport to hotel and the next day hotel to port. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted February 28, 2023 Author #10 Share Posted February 28, 2023 21 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said: With Westjet no longer flying to Gatwick from Eastern Canada , and you are to early for Air Transat flights , it is more expensive Have you check with the cruiseline for there air packages Thanks yes i did; their prices were not that cheap but lot of uncertaintly of number of stops and last moment (2days earlier only). What I read so far that they made bad connections sometimes and didnot confirm until last moment. Doing my way I can add 3 days before to sight seeing in ATH before cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted February 28, 2023 Author #11 Share Posted February 28, 2023 4 hours ago, phabric said: Have you looked at the cruiseline air prices? I stayed at Athens Gate pre cruise, has a restaurant and close to Hop On Hop Off bus. I used Welcome Pickups www.welcomepickups.com a private car service from Athens airport to hotel and the next day hotel to port. Thanks - looks good; will do 🙂 Is it easy to goto city center (metro train?) to do sight seeing as we are staying 2-3 days before. So you used welcomepickups to go the Pireaus port - is the price/service reasonable. Best regards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabric Posted February 28, 2023 #12 Share Posted February 28, 2023 37 minutes ago, Polos12 said: Thanks - looks good; will do 🙂 Is it easy to goto city center (metro train?) to do sight seeing as we are staying 2-3 days before. So you used welcomepickups to go the Pireaus port - is the price/service reasonable. Best regards! I forget the price as in was 2019, paid Euro in advance. It was the convenience of being met at airport after a long flight from Toronto and met at the hotel to port. Price is per car not per person. Both times the driver was waiting for us, clean cars, spoke English. We only stayed the night before the cruise and used the HOHO bus after checking in the hotel. The roads everywhere had heavy traffic even the HOHO took a long time going. I had booked through Princess EzAir - Air Canada - YYZ-ATH non stop in 2019. Always fly minimum one day in advance to get over the jet lag and depending on the time of your return another day after the cruise. Check out Ports of Call - for tours suggestions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted March 2, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Does anyone has experience with EMIRATES connection from newark....does it get delayed or how is staff of emirates finding alternate flights, customer service (800), check-in assists...just wanted to know in case the flight is cancelled (since they they only fly /day). I plan to leave 2 days before - is it enough risk management to not miss cruise.. ii) should we book straight on emirates or go through agent - any pros/cons? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted March 2, 2023 #14 Share Posted March 2, 2023 57 minutes ago, Polos12 said: Does anyone has experience with EMIRATES connection from newark....does it get delayed or how is staff of emirates finding alternate flights, customer service (800), check-in assists...just wanted to know in case the flight is cancelled (since they they only fly /day). I plan to leave 2 days before - is it enough risk management to not miss cruise.. ii) should we book straight on emirates or go through agent - any pros/cons? Thanks in advance! It is rated the best economy section in the world https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/the-best-airlines-of-2022-emirates-ranked-worlds-best-economy-class-airline-1.1664167898580 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelexpert35 Posted March 2, 2023 #15 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) You should definitely be using a travel agent for your flights to Athens as they will be able to do the research for you. They’ll charge you a service fee but in the long run it will be worth it. If there are any delays you can contact them. Edited March 2, 2023 by Travelexpert35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Airbalancer Posted March 2, 2023 #16 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Which cruiseline are you sailing on ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 2, 2023 #17 Share Posted March 2, 2023 @Polos12 Are you on Oceania for this cruise ? You can now fly in up to 3 days early & stay up to 3 days after the cruise no extra charge with O air if you trust them to pick the flights for you I am guessing you opted out of the air with them so maybe check what it would cost to add it back on now ? Just give the gateway that suits you best they use YYZ YUL & YOW JMO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
em-sk Posted March 3, 2023 #18 Share Posted March 3, 2023 On 2/26/2023 at 11:49 AM, Polos12 said: Hi, We have party of 6 booked a cruise from Athens (Piraeus) in May. Exploring cost-effective options from any of YOW/yul/YYZ airports So out of those those airports which is your preference? Ottawa, Montreal or Toronto. I would keep everything on one ticket. When you do that if there is a delay the airline is responsible for rebooking at their cost. If your in Ottawa the first leg is going to be Air Canada, WestJet or the Air France bus to Montreal. In the summer Air France is also going direct. I would avoid connecting through the US. You can do it but it is a pain if you have checked baggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted March 3, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted March 3, 2023 9 hours ago, em-sk said: So out of those those airports which is your preference? Ottawa, Montreal or Toronto. I would keep everything on one ticket. When you do that if there is a delay the airline is responsible for rebooking at their cost. If your in Ottawa the first leg is going to be Air Canada, WestJet or the Air France bus to Montreal. In the summer Air France is also going direct. I would avoid connecting through the US. You can do it but it is a pain if you have checked baggage. I dont think there is much option from YOW, so next will be YUL. One ticket you mean, deal with only one airline all the way (AC or AF or Emirates or Delta) and not combination of AC/EMI, AC/Luft? or you mean one booking reference# so I dont have check-in each leg/segment. No Westjet and AF bus is very expensive now :). I think baggage will be checked through to ATH. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted March 3, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted March 3, 2023 17 hours ago, LHT28 said: @Polos12 Are you on Oceania for this cruise ? You can now fly in up to 3 days early & stay up to 3 days after the cruise no extra charge with O air if you trust them to pick the flights for you I am guessing you opted out of the air with them so maybe check what it would cost to add it back on now ? Just give the gateway that suits you best they use YYZ YUL & YOW JMO No, its NCL. Thx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted March 3, 2023 Author #21 Share Posted March 3, 2023 23 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said: It is rated the best economy section in the world https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/the-best-airlines-of-2022-emirates-ranked-worlds-best-economy-class-airline-1.1664167898580 I saw that and heard however trying to reach their contact/customer number from last 2 days - they just play a VM msg and hang-up! thats horrible - no call back option; no wait...what if I need to reach them for anything...? Chat folks cant do much other than scripted messages 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polos12 Posted March 8, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) Just updates that we decided to not take Emirates & EWR long layover connection. Thanks Edited March 8, 2023 by Polos12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
em-sk Posted March 11, 2023 #23 Share Posted March 11, 2023 On 3/3/2023 at 8:14 AM, Polos12 said: I dont think there is much option from YOW, so next will be YUL. One ticket you mean, deal with only one airline all the way (AC or AF or Emirates or Delta) and not combination of AC/EMI, AC/Luft? or you mean one booking reference# so I dont have check-in each leg/segment. No Westjet and AF bus is very expensive now :). I think baggage will be checked through to ATH. Thanks If it is all on one ticket that means there is a single airline that issued the ticket. The ticket can include flights operated by other airlines, that is not a problem. When it is all on one ticket the airline the issued the ticket is responsible for getting you to your end destination. AC, Lufthansa Group and United operate as a joint venture between North America and Europe. Not a big deal if you mix and match them. If it is on one ticket it is checked through. If you buy two separate tickets than it is not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postcards Posted March 23, 2023 #24 Share Posted March 23, 2023 We are also sailing with NCL out of Athens. However as Oceania and NCL, same company,,, perhaps NCL may change to 3 days also. Never hurts to ask That would be great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted March 23, 2023 #25 Share Posted March 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Postcards said: However as Oceania and NCL, same company,,, Not exactly That would be like say Carnival & Princess/HAL are the same company They are under the same corporate umbrella but do manage their companies as a separate entity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now