Santorini : Coming on a CRUISE SHIP [Full Guide]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
- I explain everything you need to know if you're coming to Santorini on a cruise ship. How to get off the ship, how to skip the line at the cable car, what to do, and many more.
Cruisemapper : www.cruisemapper.com/ports/sa...
Phone number of the travel agency that operates the "Water Taxi + Private Bus" package : +30 22860 21563
Link to book the Private Sightseeing Tour around the island :
bit.ly/3O2gZiT ("Santorini: Private Highlights Tour by Minibus")
Chapters:
0:00 Disembarkation Procedure (with tender boats)
0:55 Walking the stairs from the Old Port to Fira
1:20 Cable Car
2:17 How to skip the Cable Car line : Option 1 (shore excursion)
3:28 How to skip the Cable Car line : Option 2 (water taxi to Oia)
5:06 Things to do for Cruisers
6:59 Best Restaurants for Cruisers
7:32 Re Embarkation Procedure
Instagram : / sebi_the_guide
Email : sebitheguide@gmail.com
The BEST Video. No one explained the way you did. Everything that I needed to know. Thank you so much!
This is exactly what I wanted to know! Thank you!
Thank you for this information and your response to my earlier question for you. It proved invaluable! We were on Santorini for one day last month during our 7 day cruise. We got off the ship early so there was no line for the cable cars. We got in line way before the last tender boat to our ship and before sunset. Because of that we stood in line maybe 25 minutes. So we were able to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset from the ship. Plus being able to watch the reflection of the sunset on the island, see the lights come on across the island and then get dark was truly magical for me. I am glad we were on the ship and not the island for the sunset. I bought you a cup of coffee last month in appreciation for the information you provided. My friends were very impressed you actually replied to my question in the comment section of your video.
You managed it all like a boss !! Congrats !
This makes it way easier to understand what to expect by seeing the actual footage of “getting there and back”! Thank you so much! Very helpful!
This sounds so technical but useful to those who have limited time, especially tourists from those huge cruise ships.
This was amazing. Heading there next week and you've just packed out my itinery! thanks
THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SHARING THE VIDEO! IT REALLY HELP FOR ANYONE INTHE FRIST TIME ON CRUISE TO SANTORINI.
This is one of the best videos I have seen and it gives the information I was looking for Santorini. I am looking forward to seeing his other videos!! Thanks!!
Saved me hours of research, Thank You so much !
Very informative for cruisers. Thank you very much.
We traveled to Santorini in July, 2023 and took your advice to take the boat around to Oia. Oia was charming. Thank you for your valuable information and advice.
So far this is the best video. I am taking a short cruise, so it has everything that I need to know and wanted to know. Thank you so much.
this is sooooooo incredibly helpful!!!! thank you!!!!!
You and your video is very helpful! I truly appreciate all your words of wisdom!
I'm goint to Santorini next month in a cruise and this video was very useful. Excellent information.
I have been waiting on videos on Mykonos!! cant wait to learn about Mykonos😊
Your videos are The Bible for me when I travel to Greece. Thanks for your nice wotk!!!
This is amazing explanation! Great tips! Well done!
Great information! Clear and simple.
Thanks a lot for all the info. We should go there during the winter then, to avoid the crowd.
By far the BEST video explaining how to explore Santorini when visiting by cruise. This was so helpful. You answered ALL of my questions! Thank you!!!
This is THEE BEST video!!!! Thank you so much!
Such a helpful video! Thank you so much!!
Thanks was waiting for it !!!
This was so helpful!!! Thank you
Thanks! Excellent information!
Your video is so very helpful. Thank you.
The best Greek guide for a reason!!
GREAT VIDEO!
Love hiking so stairs are good to work out. Public bus are lovely, adventure continues.
I love this video! Very helpful! We are coming to Santorini around October 9th, 2023 and plan on taking the water taxi to Mia, then doing the hike to Fira. We can't wait! It looks amazing!
Hello! We’ll be going in October 2024, how were the crowds and weather in October? Thanks!
This is just what I was looking for! Thank You!!! Cruising October 2023
Hello! We’ll be going in October 2024, how were the crowds and weather in October? Thanks!
So helpful! Thank you!!
Thank you so much for this video ❤
Thanks for sharing this info, I will be visiting soon!
Hi again! I just wanted to let you know that €204 per person for an excursion in Santorini is way to much for us! We will be visiting this amazing island next June 20 with NCL Epic, and the prices for excursions are so crazy!
Really good info ❤
Excellent video! We are cruising into Greece in Sept 2024 and I'm not keen on using the ships excursions. This video helped me understand how to get around on my own or what to look for if I choose to book independent tours.
Exactly same, we will be doing this September. Viator has some good cheaper trips.
Very helpful , thank you
So informative thank you very much
Finally a cruise one
Very informative. Thank you. Can you maybe do some videos on Milos and Zakynthos? 😅
Very helpful
Amazing info and videos! I just Googled both Kapari, 5 Senses and Meraki restaurants are labelled "temporarily closed".
That means they re closed during off season and will reopen in April
Thanks tu you , my experience in Santorini was Amazing , will be nice if you can do the same Videos in all Spain 🇪🇸 islands
What a great video! Thank you for making it. I’m wondering if you have a video like this but for coming into Athens on a cruise?
Not yet, no. Sorry :D
@@GreeceExplained ok. I’m sure it will be great when you do make it! :)
I agree with the viewers that this video was the best I've found for cruise visitors (there are many of us). This video directly impacted our discussion to do excursions so that we can be tendered to the other port for bus tour. Please make the similar Athens for cruisers video when you have a chance. Our cruise to Athens is late May 2024. Desperate to hear yor expert opinion from Piraeus port to Athens. Thank you.
In October 2023 I was on a Greek Island cruise and totally enjoyed my stop at Santorini. I’d seen another video re the option of taking a “ferry” from the old port to Oia and was so glad I did. It was fun exploring Oia, and also easy to take the include bus back to Fira. At the end of my visit I walked down those many steps and it was very slippery. I was glad I wore grippy walking shoes as I saw people slipping (even I did at one point) and a couple of other ladies fell down - one was wearing high heels and another wore thongs. Donkey droppings and wee were another hazard, but worse still was to see poor donkeys bringing tourists up the steps and donkeys tethered to the walls waiting for “customers”. Despite all of this I enjoyed the walk and there are a couple of viewing points where you can get off the steps and rest - great photo stops.
Hello! We’ll be going in October 2024, how were the crowds and weather in October? Thanks!
We love all your videos. Will be cruising the Greek Islands in June 2024. Do you know if the water taxis from Old Port to Oia are always available? Or set for certain tomes of the day? Thank you for all the information you give us.
Water taxis are available for every incoming cruise ship, yes !
These videos are fabulous!! I had a completely different idea in my mind of Santorini... now I'm informed and even more excited. Thank you! I really wanted to do a catamaran boat tour- We arrive July 28, 2023, in port 7AM to 8PM. Do you think it's possible with logistics or should I let that dream go? I watched your video on boat tours. Could we make it to Vlychada?
Yes you can make it ! This one : bit.ly/3JE9zQF
Choose the MORNING option and ask to be picked up in front of Mcdonalds (pickup and dropoff are included in the price). Mcdonalds is a 3min walk from the cable car station in Fira.
i was once with ncl at Santorini it was to stressfull for me and family in my last cruise i decided to remplace Santorini with Crete and Mykonos .
super...thank you
Do you have any videos for cruisers going to Mykonos? I love your videos they are so interesting and informative. I searched but couldn’t find Mykonos.
No I dont, sorry !
This is a great video and explains a lot. The boats will take us from the cruise ship to the old port, that I understand. Question please, At the old port if I wanted to take a small boat to Athinios, are they available as well? You said there are boats to take from the old port to Oia, but are there boat to take you from the old port to Athinios?
Nope that doesnt exist unfortunately !
We love your videos! Our group is coming on a cruise and will be in Santorini 16th September. We were watching your video. Our group likes likes your option of the water taxi to Oia then private bus back. I do not see any link on your channel. Could you send me more information! We already booked one of your recommendations in Athens! Love your videos! Link to tour please 8 people.
The water taxi package can only be bought on the spot, not online.
Thank you so much for your wonderful video, quick questions do they take credit cards or do I need cash for the cable cars and the water taxi?
I think they take credit card, but in Greece it's always good to have some cash on hand :-)
Our excursion drops us off in Fira and then we are to take the cable car down on our own. Is it possible to travel to Oia and take a water boat back to old port to catch the ship’s tender? If so what would be our options for traveling for Fira to Oia? We are a group of 6, with some older ladies in our group.
No, not possible.
This is a great video, thx so much for the tips! We are traveling from a cruise ship in August 2024 7:00am-8:00pm. I would love to do a 1/2 day catamaran excursion(seems they only leave from vlychada) and visit Oia...is this realistic and if so, how would you advise the best way to do it? (Also, As of now, it says on cruise mapper that only 1 other small ship is scheduled to dock that day...can this change?)
I'd book the morning tour of this one : www.getyourguide.com/santorini-l753/sun-set-sailing-tour-in-santorini-t33375/?partner_id=OMW3ALO&placement=%22other%22&mkt_cmp=true
Ask to be picked up in front of Mcdonalds (its a 3min walk from the cable car station in Fira). You'll have to take the cable car up, but since you're (very) lucky to be the only cruise ship in port that day, you shouldnt have any issues with long lines.
The tour will finish around 3pm so you still have some time to go to Oia. You can ask the catamaran company to drop you off in Oia, usually they dont mind. If not, then you're gonna be dropped off in Fira again, and from there you go to Oia by bus or taxi (takes 20 minutes).
Hope this helps ! In case you wanna support my channel, here's a link to make a one time donation : www.buymeacoffee.com/greeceexplained
very helpful!! Thank you! instead of taking a car around the island, we were planning on renting ATV or a buggy? do you recommend??
Buggies are fun. ATV's, I dont recommend coz you're not protected by anything, and there are lethal accidents every year.
Thanks! great video!
What is the cost of tender boats from the cruise ship to the shore?
They're free
@@GreeceExplained Thank you so much man! 👍
Are there any water taxis that will bring you back to the Old Port Fira from Oia?
Great advice. We will be in Santorini in July and have booked a private car to take us around the island. We are due to meet in Fira however we might be better to meet at another location if we don't get off the boat early. Is there a water taxi to Athinios and if so how much one way per person. Thank you
Hi ! No there are no water taxis between the old port and Athinios unfortunately.
Hi, Great video! I've read the cable cars stop at 6pm when our cruise stops there in early November. Are the stairs lighted or should we make sure to get the cable car? I've also read that some folks stay in line for hours to get back and then are told the cars have stopped for the day so they're out of luck. Does that sound accurate? Thank you!
I dont know, sorry
Hello! My family and I are going to Santorini in July, very busy time. Our ship is tendered from 8 am to 10 pm, what would you do if you had all this time? Book the boat excursion first for the whole morning and maybe eat at 5-6 pm at a restaurant you mentioned to enjoy the views? Or are there any other particular spots you would reccomend? Thank you!
Hi Paco ! Yes I would do an excursion first, but then before dinner, I would do this 1h walk in the Fira area : th-cam.com/video/zdWbX0SMdlg/w-d-xo.html
Hi , a guide for mykonos too please
thanks for the video! Are water taxis from Oia back to Fira as well?
Not that I know of, no
@@GreeceExplained good to know, thanks my friend! we have a 4 years old girl, so getting one of those cruise tours is not an action since we need to go to our own rythm (well hers actually hahaha) to this give me flexibity to decise the time that we can spend in each location and not to hurry to keep up with the tour group! you save us with this video man!!!!
3 cruise ships on the day I visit. Will that be busy?
Anyone know a site where i can find cruise ships to Greece from Spain? Or do i have to search each individual cruise company?
Bro how about renting a car? Would you recommend it? Anyway, thanks for the tips and tricks, I'm only watching a couple of minutes but got amazing amount of knowledge. Huge thanks!
If you're coming on a cruise, I'm not sure it's worth losing 1-2h getting to the car rental, signing all the papers, and then having to bring it back later. If somehow you could be dropped at Athinios and rent a car from there, it would be much faster. But as I explain in the video, you'll be dropped off at the Old Port, with no road access.
@@GreeceExplained Thanks a lot for your insight! Looking forward to watching your other videos. Keep up the good work :)
QQ: I will be stopping in Thira for 5 hours on ferry from Crete to Milos. In Aug is there a place to store luggage on the port itself (not Fira)?
Dont think there's anything at the port. But if you take the bus up to Fira, you will find several storage facilities there.
Why don’t they run the fast ferry back from Oia to the Old Port?
Why is there no water taxi available to do the reverse of what is being suggested? The day I am there is going to be super crowded and I was thinking I'd rather take the cable car up, bus to Oai then take the water taxi back to the tender to catch my cruise ship but it seems the water taxis only run one way is that correct? Why? Seems like a waste of resources.
So if doing water taxi and bus returns you to Firo you still need to do the cable car down to port?? You did not mention that?
Yes you do
For coming back to the cruise, you mentioned that nearly everyone has to take the cable car back down. But can we take a water taxi from Oia to the Old Port?
Not that I know of, no.
how is nektar lounge to view the sunset??
Hi are the links to water taxi services OR do I simply look for an option when I exit the cruise ship?
No links. Just go and talk to them as you exit the tender.
Don't go, it's a nightmare on some ships, and there are 6-7 cruise ships in any given day in the summer and it's too crowded. The tendering operations on some lines are just not up to the task, and shoreside it can turn into a nightmare waiting in 40 degree celcius in a cue to wait to get back on the ship and then you find out you are waiting in the wrong line. Santorini should make a covered walkway down by the sea .
Add another cable car too.
How long would you anticipate cable car wait if only one cruise ship and not scheduled for ship excursion. Looks like princess only cruise ship at port on 3/2/24 (very off season 😏)
No line at all
Hello, it’s Alicia again 😌 I was going to go with your recommendation to eat at Lambranos by the water, but Google says it is temporarily closed 😳! Is this accurate information? If so, so you have another recommendation for seaside dining while we are there 🙏🏼
Its temporarily closed during the off season. But then in late March / early April it reopens :-)
if we take a ' speedboat" from old port to amoudi and take bus or van to top of mtn at oia is there a way to take that same route back to old port?
There are water taxis going from Oia to the old port, but they dont have a website and its never clear when they will be operating and when not. So I wouldnt count on those.
Hi Sebastian, I love your information. I have a few questions that I am hoping you could provide answers to. Which of the restaurants that you mentioned of Aris and Naoussa is closer to either the steps down to Old Port or the cable car down? Since it looks like when we are there sunset will be around 830p, and our ship leaves at 10p, would you estimate that we would need to see the sunset from one of those restaurants and then make a b-line to the stairs or the cable car after? And, if reservations are recommended, would 6pm be too early or right on time to make a reservation?
Aris is a little closer, by like 2 or 3min on foot. Basically both are extremely close to the cable car station.
I'd book a table 1h30 before sunset time, so 7pm in your case. And as soon as the sun has set, pay the bill and start lining up for the cable car.
@@GreeceExplained I appreciate such a quick response. I also appreciate the advice. Not sure if you know how far in advance Aris takes reservations, and should I do it via email or phone? Thank you again!! Keep up the great work. (I've watched many of your Athens videos and now some of your Santorini videos!!)
I'd call them 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
@@GreeceExplained Thank you!!
Is it possible to eat and catch the sunset at Oia and make it back to the ship that leaves at 9pm? Or is it better to go to Fira to have dinner?
It all depends which month you're coming, sunset time keeps changing. You can find the exact time by googling "sunset time Santorini [date]". I'd say you need to leave Oia 1h30-2h before ship departure.
Our ship arrives in Santorini at 1pm on July 27th and we were planning to take your advice and take the speed boat to Oia and then do the hike from Oia to Fira. Do you think it will be too hot? The temp says 78 degrees for that day which doesn't seem super warm. Or would a private tour be the better option? Thank You!
Santorini is usually breezy / windy, so you dont feel the heat too much. If you're used to doing 5+ miles hikes, you'll be fine. Enjoy ! :-)
@@GreeceExplained Do you know how much the one-way boat fare is from the port to Oia if we just hike back? (We don't need the bus portion). Does that make sense?
@@user-km1it1nu2n I don't think that exists. The way back is always included in the package. And even if you do find it, I dont think it's gonna be much cheaper than 30€pp.
@@GreeceExplained - thank you for that information! I guess we will try and get off the ship as early as we can, take the cable car up and do the Fira to Oia hike, and find a bus ride back. Love your videos!
Also, once I get a package at the 'old port' and return to Fria, how do I get back to the Old Port?
With the cable car.
Going there on Oct -my husband has limited mobility- is it a long walk going to the cable car?
2-3 minutes
Are there water taxis to Vlichada Marina from the old port?
Nope
5 cruise in my day bummer
Thank you! My husband has his motorcycle license so he’s able to drive one there. 2 questions: does he need an international license and do you even recommend it?
Which country is the license from ?
@@GreeceExplained United States
@@sharoncook9694 You dont need an international license.
Coming to Santorini on a Celestial Cruise but will only be there for 5 hours. We are doing an excursion off the ship, so hopefully that will help! Any idea which port Celestial Cruises tender to? Thank you!
Same as what I explained in the video :-)
Enjoy !
Will you be cruising Celestyal Journey in October?
I want it to ask that same question if this person was going to be on Journey ship. We were thinking about using Celestial but heard a lot of negative things about the refurbished journey. Trying to find out if they completed their renovations. @@mikedellar8762
Which Celestial ship will you be cruising on
Hi...we are staying in Athens for 5 nights ..2 nights Athens 1 night Santorini ( with very early morning flight) and again 2 nights Athens ..same hotel...we are confused as to a hotel near syntagma square better or near airport..as we have almost 4 flights to n fro from Athens ...plz advise
I'd stay close to the airport.
If cruise leaves the port at 10pm in august. What time should I be in line for the cable car to make sure I’m back on the ship?
Depends on how many other ships leave at the same time, but I'd say around 8pm.
Next Video should be Athens: Coming on a cruise ;)
My tender is at 9am on 31st July, will it be too hot for the fira-oia hike? We are in our 20s and fairly fit but just wondering whether its a good idea or not. Thanks
If its windy, it'll be bearable. On a non windy day, forget about it, you're gonna be miserable.
Thanks, do you think its a safer bet to walk from Imerovigli to Fira? If so, we plan to either head straight to Oia to beat the crowds, then do that walk in the afternoon (but are worrying itll be too hot), or do the walk first from Fira then catch the bus the remainder of the way to Oia, but then face the crowds in Oia. What do you think?
@@samwaters158 Oia will be crowded no matter what ... So I'd go for option 2.
Also is areas near Athens airport safe ? Any good hotel suggestions there
Yes very safe. No suggestions though, I'm not an expert of that area sorry.
@@GreeceExplained Thank you so much for all your replies
Can we use a credit card to pay for the water taxi to Oia/bus return to Fira?
I believe you can, yes. If not, no worries there's an ATM at the port.
Do we get taxis easily at 4am ..n 12 midnight ? Any reliable taxi service for pre booking for airport transfers??
You can Uber it, thats what I would do.
@@GreeceExplained 1 more question....Rtpcr needed in greece ?
I have read that the water taxi speed boat to Oia is no longer available. Has this dispute been resolved?
THE WATER TAXI SERVICE FROM THE OLD PORT DIRECTLY TO OIA (AMMOUDI PORT) IS NOT AVAILABLE ANY MORE DUE TO LEGAL ISSUES. LAST UPDATE ON AUGUST 25TH, 2016.
Water taxi is operating just fine :-)
Hello, we arrive 14th of September. 6 ships scheduled on that site with 4 arriving on 14th. We are the only ship leaving at 10. We have a 6 hour private tour outside the ship excursion. Do you think its okay for us to return at 9pm?
Yes 9pm should be fine, or maybe 8:30 just to play it safe.
Thank you. Where do you suggest our tour guide drop us off?
Mcdonalds. Its a 3min walk to the cable car station.
You're amazing!! Thank you 😊
Greece in particular and Europe in general have been slow to wake up to trashing of destinations caused by cruise ships. Now, major targets, including Amsterdam, Athens, Venice, Dubrovnik, etc. are trying to get nuisance tourism under control. For the best known Greek Islands it is too late.
can I walk from Fira to Imerovigli AFTER DARK?
Yes absolutely. Since the whole area is full of hotels, it's perfectly lit !
I think I will stay on the ship, sounds like a pain in the neck