Santorini cruise port HELL!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- Our nightmare visit to Santorini in July with 40c heat, massive queues at the bottom and top for the cable car, and a treacherous walk up the donkey path! Santorini you need to watch this and do something about it!
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THANK YOU for this brutally honest review. The information is invaluable! I hope Santorini officials and the cruise lines fix this.
I am glad that I was on Santorini in May and by air. It was wonderful. In your video, you can see boats and ships that (although I don't know the price) could easily take you to the village of Oia or a larger port, from where you can then reach the towns of Fira, Oia, etc. either by cheap local bus or taxi.
We were there just three weeks ago and I totally agree; it was crazy then too!The only difference was that we signed up for a tour and we tendered to another location where the tour bus picked us up so we didn’t have to clime the 576 steps. Coming back down was indeed a 1.5 hours wait for the cable car.
We loved Santorini but had same problem. Not much of a line to go up the gondola, but after a nice walk and lunch, decided to take the gondola back giving ourselves 2 hrs to get back.
The line was so long for the gondola we were afraid to miss the ship so we walked down the stairs, in the rain and the smell of donkey poop! Took us almost 1 hr (was 71 y/o at the time). Legs were shaking during last round of steps😳
Thank you for your video. You are right it is too hot in the summer and alot of peoples waiting in line. There is a ferry at the port to go to Oia but it's full too.
This video was so helpful - My husband and I were considering cruising to Santorini but after watching this, I think we will switch our plans and make it a destination, not a cruise stop. Thanks so much from a new subscriber from Chicago!
Thanks for watching ❤️
we just got back from Santorini and it was perfect!! weather was cool in the morning, warm 70 degrees midday. not a lot of people, no huge crowds either. we avoided summer time and glad we did. Locals told us about summer heat and is brutal they say. We loved Santorini.
Very true we experienced the same thing
We were there in July with the Celebrity Beyond. Same thing, 4 ships in the bay. We didn't even bother getting off, instead enjoying the gorgeous views from The Retreat cooling down during the heatwave.
Don’t blame you and what better way to spend the afternoon than in the retreat ❤️🥂
I have been there three times and my favorite trip was the time we stayed in Imerovigli for a few nights. No cruise tourists, beautiful sunsets. We walked to Fira and Oia early in the morning. Best trip ever.
We are in Imerovigli and we love it. So beautiful and quiet. When we went to Fira today their wasn’t any queues at all. The taxi driver said it was so quiet in Fira today so it went smoothly.
@Milly_in_denmark Glad it wasn’t too busy have a great time 👍🏼
Went to Santorini on July 17, 2023. We followed the advice of TH-camr Greece Explained, who outlined options to avoid the tram line to go up. We took the option of the boat tour from the harbor to Oia, which included a bus across the island back to Fira. Oia was charming and not overcrowded. We ate at a nice little restaurant called Karma and did our souvenir shopping in the shops there. Then we took the bus to Fira and found the hours-long serpentine line throughout the downtown to board the tram. (Apparently it was even a longer line to go down because many of the excursions that include bus transport to the top end at Fira and you're on your own to get back down.) Fearful that we would miss our departure, we decided to walk the donkey path down. It was grueling and treacherous, but we made it, and it's a great story. On the brighter side, if you like IPAs, try the Malt 'N Marvel Double IPA brewed on the Island - very nice.
Hi there, I wonder if you would mind helping me with information about the bus tour? I regret that we booked an excursion on this Island (after reading so many awful comments about the tram), BUT having said that, it's always been on my bucket list. We will be there this coming Aug. The excursion we are doing starts in Oia, so it sounds like the bus tour will be perfect for us.
We had the same problems as you guys, absolute nightmare experience. Stay on board if more than three ships.
We did a cruise through the Med a few years back, in early June. Our Santorini stop had just 3 ships in. 2 large, one smaller. Not too bad at all.
I think it is best to try and avoid the European school holiday periods. Summer school holidays start late June - early July and generally last 8 weeks +. So July and August are going to be crowded. That includes lots of full cruise ships floating around at that time. Companies even relocate ships across the globe to follow the ($) crowds.
Thank you we will be there May 16 a 11 day cruise, I checked it 2 small ship and one RC Voyager of the seas, Azmara aand Regent
Just left Santorini last week. Very crowded. I have to say that I find it interesting that “Santorini” has to fix this problem. How about people don’t book cruises to Santorini? Especially if it is high season? Take some personal responsibility. One of the most well know islands in the world and it is crowded, absolutely it is crowded. I expected it to be crowded and it was. No surprise here. Does anyone think “Santorini” would be upset if people boycotted the island? My rant is over. This year’s trip to Santorini was very crowed and so was our trip in May two years ago. It’s going to be hard to find a slow season soon. Thumbs up for the video even if I don’t agree.
We took an organised tour and disembarked at a different part of the island but it remains your responsibility to take the cable car back to the ship and there is no other alternative but to queue.
First time in Santorini we don’t know what to expect. We stand in line for 2 1/2 hours and luckily made it to the last shuttle going back to the ship. It’s horrible! Our second time we went to Oia for the excursion and when we came back we went straight to the line luckily it’s only 30 minutes on line. Santorini really needs to do something about this. I feel sorry for the donkeys it’s animal abuse!
Thank you for the honest review/warning. Our NCL cruise stops in Santorini at the end of September. Our plan was to bus to Oia then take the steps down. Will need to re-evaluate that plan. Cheers from 🇨🇦 !
Oh my, Thank you S and C for such a great blog again you keep the collective so well informed, it sounded so treacherous and as you have said an accident waiting to happen. Your detailed information hopefully will keep people a little safer on unknown pathways ensuring they will be well prepared with water, hat, sunscreen and good footwear. I hope you both had a cool and refreshing beverage on your return. 🥂
You two are at least still getting along. Thank you for the honest review. I’m smiling at how honest you are.
Might as well tell the truth and when you’re dehydrated and have sunstroke it’s easy to pour out the emotions 🤣
We have been to Santorini many times and have hiked up the trail more than ten times with no problems, usually about 20 minutes. This is for someone that hikes a bit regularly and is not mobility challenged. The worst thing we found about the donkey trail is the smell and walking around the poop, but it is better than the cable line. Just our thoughts. Enjoy your videos. Cheers
Whoo, whoo. We did our homework before going and noted the bottleneck at the dock. Our cruise line offered an excursion that arrived in the same harbor but, the tender took us to a different dock.From there, a bus drove up the switch back road to the top.
Perhaps your cruise line didn’t offer this option. But homework made our trip to Santorini a joy.
My girfriend and I just went to Santorini in the last week of March and it was beautiful. Weather was amazing, cool in the morning and warm 70 degrees midday! Crowd?? very low. I would recommend go on march-April or September, offseason time. I heard so many bad stories like this during peak summer time.
Went last week. Far too busy as there was 5 cruise ships in port that day, this definitely needs to be limited. Locals need the tourism but it's really unfair on them. I got up to Thira early, got my nice photos and left before the cable car queue got to big. The island is overrated, in my opinion, Kefalonia was far more beautiful for me.
Please don't use the donkeys, seen a few americans doing this, loose a few pounds before you visit instead, and walk up.
What time did you head up Fira in the morning off ship? What time did you head back cable car?
Great informative video here! My wife and I arrived in Santorini via Celebrity Cruise last week and it was around 36-38 Celsius that day. Here is what we strongly suggest to those arriving for the first time:
1. Arrive there EARLY. Take the early tender boats in order to avoid the heat and long queues.
2. Don't take the donkey trails. Those poor animals are taking tourists up and down that slippery uphill path, in the extreme heat, with all that weight on their back with NO food nor water.
3. The cable car tram is 6 euros a person each way. Unless you're in good physical good condition to walk up that path (est. 45 min walk uphill), take the cable car.
4. We arrived around 830AM and waited about 40 minutes or so and departed around 5pm where we waited 5-10 minutes to get down the hill via cable car. According to our cruise, 9AM-11AM & 2PM-4PM is when the queues for the cable cars are the worst.
Heres what i suggest... please don't visit us here on Santorini AT ALL on a cruise ship. You are making our lives here on the island a living hell. Can't wait till November when we claim our island back for us locals
I was in Santorini in the beginning of June. The temp was comfortable. Also, we had an excursion which took us up to the top by bus. We had to take the cable car down which was a hour and a half wait. We were on the Celebrity Beyond. The tender took us to a different area where many buses were waiting.
For those accustomed to Fahrenheit, 40°C is equal to 104°F.
We are cruising right now, Santorini 2 days ago, this couple is quite generous with their critique. What they didn't mention is there is donkey poop all over the steps, people are falling, bleeding. The donkeys are worked to death. Quite sad. Santorini is beautiful, they have to figure out another way to get you down. Buses , cabs , cable cars and stairs take you up. Why can't buses and cabs take you down?
No roads.
We went on Marella Explorer last year to Santorini. What THEY offer as a shore excursion is : a private tender over to a different dock and then a coach to Santorini. It is a fairly short walk from the coach park and the guide on the coach showed us the way and the meeting point to meet up at the end as the coach may not be in the same place. We got there about 09:30 before most of the shops were even open and before It was too crowded. Most of the shops are typical tourist shops but we did buy some lovely white trousers and shirt! By the time the crowds were getting overwhelming, we were heading back to the meeting point!! We were so lucky to have that option.
Thanks for the heads up ! My wife and I will be there August 2024. We might just stay on board and enjoy the pool that day.
If you’re lucky and there’s fewer ships in then worth a shot as it’s beautiful, and maybe the Greek government may do something about the numbers next year! The other alternative is book a ships excursion so you avoid the outward cable car queue as they drop you at a different point. You will still have the wait at the top though on the return as they drop you back in town, and in August that’s not great to be honest! Have a great cruise. 🥂🛳️
We will be there in September 2024 and as much as we were looking forward to santorini I've already decided to stay on the ship also and listen to the horror stories from the other passengers when they return.
So glad we are going in April. I would much rather see the island empty and cold than deal with crowds and heat.
we just got back from Santorini and it was perfect!! weather was cool in the morning, warm 70 degrees midday. not a lot of people, no huge crowds either. we avoided summer time and glad we did. Locals told us about summer heat and is brutal they say. We loved Santorini.
Visiting Santorini now during island hopping. Stayed near Fira. Hired driver for 40 euro to drive us to Oia at 5 am so we could enjoy the opening of the city. Lovely day and no crowds until hours later. 😀
Quite simply they should tender the passengers to the maim Athinos Port and bus every body to Fira as the journey is 15-20 minutes. I understand it will take longer depending on the amount of ships, but if they worked between the cable car and main port it would take the pressure off. Very honest and TRUE video chaps well-done
What a perfect idea! Something need to be done asap. Thanks for your lovely comments ❤️
Santorini has attempted to limit the number of cruise passengers. Your beef should be with the cruise lines who refuse to honor local requests for limits and greedily overrun communities where they are not wanted, or not wanted in the numbers that swamp them.
Interesting.. well hopefully the cruise ships will take heed now their clients are having awful experiences and complaining about it to them. All the people we spoke to were going to complain to the tours desk/guest services and on the questionnaire so let’s hope they listen, but as you say greed can be a big motivator.
Well done on highlighting this, I agree 100%. We were there last June too in 40 degrees of heat. We decided to walk back down the path and what a mistake that was. When we finally got down I went back up to help our friends, and on my way I had to bring two people down who had heat exhaustion (I’m a Paramedic). It was absolutely nuts and for anyone who thinks it’s cool to get on a donkey without seeing the cruelty needs to take a long hard look at themselves.
Agree totally 👍
My wife and her elderly mother were on one of these cruises to Santorini and she said that was an absolute disgrace she will never go on another cruise as long as she lives
That’s such a shame, cruising is wonderful. Just a shame Santorini ruined it for her 😢
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@theposhtravelblog Santorini didn't ruin it for her.... YOU all ruin Santorini!!!!!!!
Been to Santorini several times before the cruise ships wrecked it. Stunning sunsets an hospitality. Now totally wrecked by numbers.
We were there in June. Nightmare at the top. Couldn't wait to get out
We avoided coming up the cable car by tendering to Oia which is at the other end of the island . This was an offered ship excursion on the Celebrity Constellation which included a bus trip from Oia to Fira where the cable car is. Unfortunately we still had to queue up to come down the cable car.
Thank you very much for keeping our options open
MSC at Sentorini tour was take a bus all scared to death to the top. Took 4 places including the Ruins Museum and wine tasting, besides oia and Fia and Oia, too short but no suffering. Tour name : best of Santorini" 🎉
OMG My kids and I were there on a Celebrity cruise a few days ago and suffered as well. Coming down the line was so long we decided to take the stairs down, BIG mistake! We had sneakers/trainers on and the steps were SO slippery, my daughter fell twice, my son once and I barely stayed up. We ended up walking sideways like crabs down and it took 42 minutes. It was excruciatingly hot and there were people we passed in full blown heat stroke and no assistance for them. We heard later several were taken to hospital. Unbelievable, this is allowed.
It was absolutely crazy and Santorini need to sort this out asap! It didn’t help we were there during a heatwave. It’s a disaster waiting to happen and I expect someone needs to be seriously injured or killed before they will take action. We walked UP the donkey track the week before as we were on a back to back cruise and that was horrendous! The worst though was waiting at the top in blistering heat, we nearly passed out it was awful. Next time we stay on the ship!! 😫
Book an excursion which takes you up by bus. Unfortunately you have to go down by cable car which is a hour and a half wait. The tender takes you to a different area to get the bus.
@@billrichardson2134 yes just watched another video on this and they take you to another dock. Also you can jump on boats at the fender dock and go to another town instead called Oia and get the bus back but then you still have the cable car to contend with down the hill! 🙈
Perhaps we were on the same Celebrity cruise - October 9 to 19. When we saw the long line-up for the cable car, we put an abrupt end to our sightseeing and got in line to reach the cable car some 75 minutes later! I will never forget Santorini and that long wait with little kids all around begging for money with the mothers’ approval... wailing and looking so gloomy.
How about instead of blaming Santorini, how about blaming the cruises? They are the ones dumping several thousand of their passengers at the same time to maximize profits and screwing up the experience for everyone, including the non cruise tourists. You want Santorini to fix it? Easy, ban every ship over 1000 passengers. Or do a lottery on board which 1000 passengers are allowed to leave. We were there in June and Oia was already overrun at 10am with cruise tourists and then at night we sat high up at Thira and enjoyed…the loud party music blasting from the Carnival Cruise ships. I hate when people trying to blame the places or their infrastructure
Thank you for your honest review about Santorini. It's one of the stops on our upcoming cruise. I'm terrified of heights and very claustrophobic, I'll probably just admire the view from the ship.
Ah that’s a shame. We’ve found out if you book an excursion they tender you to a different port area where the coach can collect you from, so you could book a trip to avoid the cable car up. Some of the trips however drop you back in the town so you have to cable car down or walk the donkey trail (not so great!) Have a look at your excursion options. If you’re there out of the main season it’s not as bad and not as hot. It’s a beautiful place with stunning views so would be a shame to miss it. Have a great cruise 🚢 🥂
Thank you for this video as I plan my trip to Santorini.
My wife & I were there 8 days ago (late September) and it was as bad as you described in mid Summer. We had a drink in one of the cafes on the quay and headed back to the cruise ship.
We were there last week, and it has finally started to die down. Still a load of ships in though. We disembarked late from our ship, and had to wait about 20 minutes for the cable car and then wait about 45 minutes to get back down, so still not wonderful, but cooler thanks goodness!
I think it all comes down to how many ships are in port. There were 5 when we were there and it was totally as per your video. Someone I know chose to walk down, his wife slipped, fell in donkey poo & hurt herself badly@@theposhtravelblog
@@Keithjsullivan yes it’s a nightmare. A lady on this ship rode a donkey up and it hit the wall and virtually broke her ankle. She’s now limping around!
I will just say one last thing before moving on, just in case anyone is reading this and thinking 'what a nightmare', the cruise we just had onboard Celebrity Constellation was superb -@@theposhtravelblog
Not all tenders go to the port if Fira (cable car). Some tender to the older port where tour buses waiting to drive guests up.
Yes that’s true but they usually drop you back in Fira and you have to get the cable car down… 😳
Did you intend to get off the boat just for the experience of fighting the crowds in the 40 degrees heat in Fira? Scary thoughts of going there!
Fira is stunning and didn’t want to miss out but would think twice next time now we have seen it..
Don’t go on the donkeys!
PLEASE DONT use the Donkeys!! It’s so cruel! Either walk up the steps or use the cable car
What is shocking is that no cruiser excursions are returning people to the New port, and the ships are NOT sending tenders to the New port for the return trip. Problem solved?
It was the first stop on our cruise and a poor women broke her leg going down the steps and had to be flown to Athens for surgery. Missed the whole cruse. Also heard someone else fell and had to have several stitches
No wonder locals are rebelling against mass over tourism around the Mediterranean. Their communities are becoming unrecognisable. Tourist income comes second to quality of life
We were on the Royal Caribbean Odyssey with stop in Santorini end of June 2023. This video only skims the surface of this complete nightmare of a stop. It is hard to believe that cruise ships do not properly prepare customers of the true reality of the port. I would not advise ANYONE who is not physically fit and in good health to bother attempting getting off the ship. Lines for trams 3 hours long to t
he top. The decent is far worse. We would have missed our ship if we had waited in line for the tram. Passengers are not properly informed on the conditions of walking down. Our family of 3 teens and 50 year old parents walking at a very fast pace with proper walking shoes. The path stone path is uneven with pot holes with layers and layers of donkey manure. This creates a extremely slick surface. We witnessed multiple family members having to physically carry older parents down. Multiple falls. Once you start the decent and release it much harder than expected guests have no other option but to keep going. Stay away from this port. Staying on the ship would have been more enjoyable with a beautiful view. The Port truly is Hell.
It’s our cruise stop this late April, hopefully won’t be too crowded. We’ll do cable cars. I always avoid busy summer. Thank you!
You should be absolutely fine in April and the weather will be springlike so no 40c temperatures to contend with. Have a fantastic time 🚢❤️
Went to Santorini in the mid 1970s on a small cruise ship, about 250 passengers. Only way to the top was by donkey or walking. Absolutely beautiful back then; authentic Greek village, hardly any tourist tat. Now it's just another place that has lost it's charm and just a tourist trap.
Wow - what a nightmare. My wife and I have never been to Santorini, but we will be there in late October of 2024. At least the weather should be cooler, although I suppose the crowds and lines will still be monstrous.
Thanks for posting this video.
Steve & Connie
Maybe in October it will be a whole different experience, we’ve been there out of season before and it wasn’t such a problem, although still queues it wasn’t too hot so you don’t mind as much. It is a lovely place and make sure you have your phone/camera with you for the amazing photos! 👍🎉
You're standing on the caldera of a volcano there. It smokes and smells of sulphur. Last erupted about a hundred years ago.
We had booked a 10 night cruise on Reflection that stopped in Santorini but canceled when noticing 8 ships scheduled on our day. Ended up just flying and doing 5 nights in Corfu and 5 nights in Santorini. Recommend just flying to Santorini rather than cruise stop unless perhaps you could arrange water transport to Oia rather than going up to Thera Fira.
Probably a good decision as 8 ships is madness! Found out recently that if you do arrive on a ship and take the tender then you can take a ferry from the tender drop off point to Oia and then bus back included in the trip, buy tickets in one of the offices after tender drop off. This way at least you avoid the cable car queues up, but you still have to queue to come down..
I visited Venice once. The Venietians give their city over completely to the tourists in summer. Apart from essential staff they go elsewhere those who can. Mass tourism is largely hated but the locals put up with it for the money.
Someone just messaged us and said the people of Santorini are trying to get the ships reduced as it’s too crazy for words, it’s the ships who don’t want to give up on the port as it sells cruises 🙈
I will be there in a few weeks and according to various apps 8 Ships will be there that day. 8! I have booked a catamaran cruise so first part will be ok, but we are supposed to take the tram down. Wonder what it would take for the cruise industry to become more organized? Only 1 ship the next day and none the day after that.
Oh crumbs 8 ships is an awful lot! 😩 The cable car will be busy 😞
I’m not entirely sure what you expect Santorini to do. There is a cable car system, and steps, all 589 of them and a donkey if you really need it. If 800 people get off a cruise ship all at once of course there is going to be queues. Santorini is hot. streets are narrow, people descend on the place in then tens of thousands every day. Hardly Santorini’s fault. Fira along with Oia is on the side of a cliff face so access is difficult but you can get a boat to another port then bus from there. It’s well documented how busy the island gets. Personally I don’t find the steps slippery at all in the dry. It’s all first world problems, I see nothing to moan about personally.
Maybe they could reduce the number of cruise ships for a start? There were 5 ships in when we were there. No Santorini aren’t entirely to blame, but the cable car is never fully utilised and always lots of spare seats even though the queue is an hour long, the path is slippery as we’ve done it on a number of occasions and we have had so many comments from people who have experienced the same. It is hot in July and one elderly gentleman this year couldn’t even get back in the cable car due to the queue and time constraints and collapsed on the donkey path and had to be carried down by 4 men in a unwell state. There is a serious problem and I disagree it’s a ‘first world’ problem, It’s mismanagement, and greed on both sides. One lady took the donkey on our last cruise last week and the donkey crashed into the wall and broke her ankle, so the safety isn’t good either. Fira and Oia are beautiful towns, Santorini and the cruise lines need to come to some arrangement so 15000 cruise passengers aren’t in port all at once.
@@theposhtravelblogwe will agree to disagree. If people choose to get on a cruise ship and visit a hugely popular island at a time when temperatures are at their hottest without knowing these issues then they only have themselves to blame. If they are aware of the issues and still go then again, they only have themselves to blame. I can’t remember the other port name off the top of my head but you could have taken a boat straight there, they are the first to leave from then ship. You are on a cruise visiting Santorini, it really is a first world problem. Correct footwear on those steps aren’t slippery. Literally done it a month ago. People visiting are the problem, you and I who have gone there make up those numbers so we can’t complain. What I will say, explore the rest of the island. There’s a lot more to see of Santorini than Fira/Oia but I understand your trip was limited.
@@theposhtravelblog They need to use the New Port to tender people back to the ships.
I was there recently . Didn’t go down to port this time but there were queues - over two hours to get back to ships. Hot and very difficult. Steps down can be precarious. Donkey poo and urine - can be quite a lethal mix. People SHOULD bring water and SHOULD not wear flip flops. Santorini authorities should cut the cruise ship numbers for sure . Unfair on tourists and very importantly residents. I would not see the post as a moan - it’s all true .
You're on a massive cruise ship, swarming a tiny destination. What do you expect? Cruise ships are a pain in the rear tbh. They've ruined Dubrovnik, Venice, Santorini and many many more once quiet destinations.
Thank you for your honesty! You have confirmed our decision to cruise Greece in the fall. ❤
Good choice! ❤️
We are pensioners, got prepared for the location, walked up the donkey path in 40 degrees, walked around the town, had lunch in a taverna and caught the cable car down, stood in the heat but looked at it as part of the experience. Young people are never satisfied and do not prepare themselves well. Should have stayed on the ship.......
July 2024
@@peterbeard933 Built of different stuff in those days 😂
@@theposhtravelblog we took notice of the ships announcement with regard waiting times for the cable car and the temperature on the dockside also how busy it gets in the town once up there so prepared ourselves with extra water and fruit as we wanted to see what Santorini had to offer. We are not built of different stuff just a couple of older people who know the value of being prepared for what was said. They will never fix this problem as the place does not have the infrastructure to change a way of life. Your review will be a valuable tool to future cruise explorers but hope it will not put them off from what for us was an experience that will never be forgotten, especially the walk up although it took us over an hour, we enjoyed every step.
@@peterbeard933 We’ve been to Santorini on a number of occasions and on the occasion we did the video it was over 40c and elderly people were collapsing with exhaustion on the donkey trail, it was very bad. Also there were around 5 ships that day which is crazy, maybe over 12000 people descending on beautiful Fira. The idea of the video is to bring attention to the overcapacity being caused by too many ships being allowed to tender on one day into this port and maybe find an alternative way to cope with it. Anyway glad you had a good experience that’s the main thing. 👍
And once you get to the top, you can get a 10 Euro bottle of water and an 97 Euro sandwich. Never coming back to this tourist trap.
Back in the '60s we rode donkeys. There was no cable car. There were perhaps 20 other visitors. One had to speak Greek as best one could. Mass tourism has trashed the Greek Islands. Fifty years ago the islands had their own economy. The villages had the farmer, the fisherman, the baker, the taverna owner, the priest. And now? Selling everything to the tourists, much of it from China. We who wandered the Aegean in the '60s will never return.
Yes, I won't go back. Once the cruise ships started it was ruined.
They should bus people up from the new port
Thank you for the Video, I was just laughing, our friends were there 3 weeks ago and they said it was hot 1) why did you go on a Donkey, don't you butt hurt?lol 2) we won't ride a Donkey even if that Donkey won Kentucy Derby We will be there in May 01, 2024, If we take Excursion with Royal Caribbean we still have to go thru the lines or they take you by boat?
😂. Avoid the donkeys!! 😂 If you book an excursion you still have the lines, but probably quicker as you are usually off first really early in the morning!! 👍😂
This is not a Santorini problem. It's a cruise ship problem.
Partly… Santorini are allowing all these ships to dock in its waters…
This is a very accurate video. Thanks for doing this video. We were on a the Celebrity Beyond cruise. It was beyond miserable - the heat, long lines, and very crowded! Santorini is beautiful but our experience was not. Unfortunately, we got very sick towards the end of thr cruise (we did a back to back cruise). At some point we were so ready to go home. Lesson learned. 🥵🥵🛳️🛳️
Oh no poor you, nothing worse than being ill on holiday, I was sick for 3 days of our holiday too and strangely enough it was after our visit to Santorini! Yes lesson learned for us as well, cruise out of season next time! We did a HAL Oosterdam cruise last year and no problems at all, maybe because tail end of covid and it was quieter, or maybe as not a family orientated ship, but won’t be rushing back again in July that’s for sure! C x
Why not just walk to the top? Its 600 steps and takes about 20 minutes. I get it that the elderly can't do it but for 18-50 year old passengers it shouldn't be a problem.
Why toyrist has to use cable car or donkey and where they headed?
Ship drops you off on quayside and to get to Fira you take the cable car or walk the donkey path! 👍
You didn’t mention all the kaka from the donkeys. It gets in your shoes and smells. Take a cruise bus up and down.
same experience, it is not set up for so many people.
Do you recommend an excursion with Royal Caribbean, I don't want to go thru what you guys went thru
To be honest May is so much quieter and nowhere near as hot so you probably won’t have a problem. If you want to visit the town on the cliff, Thira, which is amazing, you don’t need to book a trip, just take the tender boat and the cable car and do your own thing. We were there this July and it was too hot and too busy but May should be great 👍
@@theposhtravelblog Thank you, we have 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in Santorini, so no rush we will di it on our own. The donkey you was riding
is he still alive? Joke
@@AsifKhan-jq3vw we never rode one not our style!!😂😂👍
Where can you buy ticket for the cable car ? At the Santorini o ahead of time ?
@@hhuynh5273 only on the day at the cable car ticket office
Its a shame how Santorini has been destroyed by the cruise industry :(
Cruise ships arriving in ports of the Med absolutely ruin these places. they can not cope with this many people arriving. So So wrong. I would never do a cruise and this reinforces. I will now book my trip around making sure I don't go anywhere a cruise ship docks!
I am sorry you have to go thru this , but I watched your Video 3 times and always have a big laugh when I see the poor Donkeys, most of the Baba's on cruise ship are Fat, Obese and
eat like there is no tomorrrow, if one of those guys get on the Donkey, the Donkey will not go, you won't pay me million dollars to ride the donkey, I am skinny guy 127 lbs, we live in GAlveston TX and go on a cruise every month, this will be our first TA cruise very excited about it Galveston >>>>Barcelona (15 days)>>>Athens (11 days)>>>> Venice (7 Days) same ship Voyager of the seas and same Balcony Room
' a cruise every month.'.....Wow.!
Can't imagine how much 12 cruises a year would cost.
Where do you find time to live in Galveston,? hardly worth unpacking your cases.
@@spearmint47 We are retired, live 10 minutes to the port by UBER, Our shedule 20th and 27th Aug on Allure B2B, 24th sept and Oct 01 B2B allure, Nov 5 and Nov12 B2B Harmony, Dec 10 and Dec 10 B2B Harmony, Jan 28 and Feb 05 B2B on Harmony and 33 days TA same ship, same room..LIFE IS GOOD
@@AsifKhan-jq3vw good for you Asif. That's handy getting the same ship, even the same room every time. You'll know every inch of it. Your loyalty points with Harmony must be sky high by now. You'll soon be getting a free trip.
A total disaster from Norwegian cruise in Santorini and Mykonos , more than 3 hours to get off the ship in both tender ports
in Santorini maybe its the authorities with the cruise line but in Mykonos there is no excuse just Norwegian cruise(no cable cars or donkeys to get to town ) waiting time more than 3 hours in both ports just to get in to the tender. Just a total disaster . We took this in summer (2023).Never again in Norwegian cruise.
Never go to Greece in July, dah!!
next time when you get there, go to the booth near the line and purchase the fast boat to ola, that will take you out of there and take you to the city most people want to see. Then it includes a bus drive to fira which brings you back, but yes, you will need to wait in line to come down and that is no treat. Ticket for the boat ride, but up the hill and then bus to the next town is 30 pounds. So worth the money. They do not have a boat that goes back, not sure why. I would pay 100 pounds per person for that. To be honest with you, the town of ola is amazing and fira was ok. Note that if you need to use the bathroom, bring 1 uro to pay for the attending person.
Thanks so much for your advice and unbelievably we are in Santorini tomorrow on Holland Nieuw Statendam so will follow your instructions and I’m sure we will have a brilliant day! Thanks 🙏 🎉🥂
Do not ride the donkeys. Poor things.
Couldn’t you have taken a transfer to Oia? Seems like the best option to avoid the congestion at the old port(assuming that’s where you were)
This video explains a lot about your options while in port.
th-cam.com/video/IcU3n3Efmew/w-d-xo.html
Didn’t know about that option but do now! Thanks for that 👍
Is it possible to do the boat transfer from oía to get back to old port? The TH-cam video only mentions taking the boat to oía then bus to fira and cable car down
@@paulabaker672 No unfortunately they only do the boat transfer one way and then drop you back in Fira Town where you have to take the cable car back..
Fly
Hi why you bother going on it you don’t need to I’ve been their and I loved the park why bother if your going to moan common sence say don’t cue x
We loved it too but got caught in the queue going down.. no avoiding that one!
imagine going on a cruise ship after covid...🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The worst vacation you can go on is a cruise.