We are here now…09.22.2024. I was concerned about getting up to Fira. We had no wait getting up to Fira and none coming down. There were 3 ships at port. The number of ships makes a huge difference. We also took a private tour of the island…which I would recommend. The crowds were not bad in Fira or Oia.
This is such a great explanation. I did this in 2005 and I don't remember having to ascend - but the donkeys sound vaguely familiar! It wasn't particularly crowded (nearly 20 years ago!) and I thought it was such a gorgeous place!
When we traveled to Europe 20+ years ago, the crowds were much less. Ships can hold triple the capacity of what they used to. Many cities are getting frustrated with the huge influx of people. Towns can double or triple their population in a day, and the infrastructure isn't there. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
If you purchase excursions on Santorini MOST cruiselines take you to a nearby alternate port. Coaches/buses meet the groups there. You are delivered to a point where you have a 10 minute walk to the cable car or stairs. This can be a tough walk for people with mobility issues. Really tough as it is lots of stairs going ip or down. Dont wear cute sandals. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
I would say, Santorini is the worst port call in this cruise. 100 % of the cruise passengers will not go back again, we all have very bad experience in this Island. They do not care about the cruise passengers. I do have very bad experience in this island. we have to wait more one hour to get the shuttle boat to shore, Santorini have very limited capability for the large cruise ship, after we landed at the bottom of the cable station, we learned that we may need to wait more than 2 hours for the cable car, so we paid the premium 30 Euros for the ferry ride to OIA, it took less than 15 minutes to reach OIA, once we go there, they rather send the empty ferry back to the landing area., they forced us to take the shuttle bus to the upper cable car landing, we were tired and exhaust, we end up to wait hours under the hot sun for the cable car down the hill, plus the shuttle bus did not drop us off near the cale car station. they drop us off at the beginning of the shopping area, and they want us to do some shopping, it took us another 30 minutes to reach cable station. We need to wait in line for another two hours for the cable cars. Plus many peoples are cut the line, and their security guard let their own people into cable car station without waiting on line. I will never go back to Santorini again in my lifetime.
I was shocked that there was no shade and no real indication of where the line started. We were there in September and it was hot. I can not imagine standing in 100-degree heat. I am surprised there were not more heat-related emergencies.
@@travelingwiththia I was on Sun Princess arrived on Santorini on 9/3, there were 4 cruise ships at that island, due to Santorini only allow 500 cruise passengers at cable car landing area, we waited two hours for the water shuttle, plus 4 hours waiting for cable cars under 100 degrees hot sun, it is a horrible experience, never go back to that unattractive island again. Santorini really do not care about the tourists,
That really is so sad. We were in Guernsey once and they were having problems with tendering. The town representatives were coming through the line handing out water and WiFi passcodes. Santorini needs to limit the number of ships in port.
@@travelingwiththia If Santorini want to relief some pressure from upper cable cars, why they send the empty ferry back from OIA to landing area, instead, they should load up the ferry at OIA and send the tourists back to the lower landing area, Instead, they send more tourists back to upper cable area via shuttle bus, tourists suffer 100 degrees heat for two hour waiting time for cable car.
That was my original plan but I was overwhelmed by the crowds. I am not comfortable in crowds so I stayed close to my wonderful hubby. Are you going soon?
Thanks for letting me know. My sorority sister who is Greek made fun of my pronunciation of the Greek Alphabet so no surprise I mispronounced. I will work on it.
We are here now…09.22.2024. I was concerned about getting up to Fira. We had no wait getting up to Fira and none coming down. There were 3 ships at port. The number of ships makes a huge difference. We also took a private tour of the island…which I would recommend. The crowds were not bad in Fira or Oia.
Great to know. I am so glad you had good luck.
Thank you for sharing!! We are doing the Greek Isles next year and this is the port I am most concerned about.
What ship are you on?
@@travelingwiththia VV Resilient Lady. We realized we enjoyed the no-kids aspect lol. Helps the ships to never feel too crowded.
So glad you enjoyed it. There truly is a cruise line for everyone
This is such a great explanation. I did this in 2005 and I don't remember having to ascend - but the donkeys sound vaguely familiar! It wasn't particularly crowded (nearly 20 years ago!) and I thought it was such a gorgeous place!
When we traveled to Europe 20+ years ago, the crowds were much less. Ships can hold triple the capacity of what they used to. Many cities are getting frustrated with the huge influx of people. Towns can double or triple their population in a day, and the infrastructure isn't there. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.
If you purchase excursions on Santorini MOST cruiselines take you to a nearby alternate port. Coaches/buses meet the groups there. You are delivered to a point where you have a 10 minute walk to the cable car or stairs. This can be a tough walk for people with mobility issues. Really tough as it is lots of stairs going ip or down.
Dont wear cute sandals. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Great tip!!! Also if you walk with a cane, it is so crowded, it may be tricky!
I would say, Santorini is the worst port call in this cruise. 100 % of the cruise passengers will not go back again, we all have very bad experience in this Island. They do not care about the cruise passengers.
I do have very bad experience in this island. we have to wait more one hour to get the shuttle boat to shore, Santorini have very limited capability for the large cruise ship, after we landed at the bottom of the cable station, we learned that we may need to wait more than 2 hours for the cable car, so we paid the premium 30 Euros for the ferry ride to OIA, it took less than 15 minutes to reach OIA, once we go there, they rather send the empty ferry back to the landing area., they forced us to take the shuttle bus to the upper cable car landing, we were tired and exhaust, we end up to wait hours under the hot sun for the cable car down the hill, plus the shuttle bus did not drop us off near the cale car station. they drop us off at the beginning of the shopping area, and they want us to do some shopping, it took us another 30 minutes to reach cable station. We need to wait in line for another two hours for the cable cars. Plus many peoples are cut the line, and their security guard let their own people into cable car station without waiting on line. I will never go back to Santorini again in my lifetime.
I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. It is a one-and-done port for me. It was way too crowded and complicated for my liking.
I was shocked that there was no shade and no real indication of where the line started. We were there in September and it was hot. I can not imagine standing in 100-degree heat. I am surprised there were not more heat-related emergencies.
@@travelingwiththia I was on Sun Princess arrived on Santorini on 9/3, there were 4 cruise ships at that island, due to Santorini only allow 500 cruise passengers at cable car landing area, we waited two hours for the water shuttle, plus 4 hours waiting for cable cars under 100 degrees hot sun, it is a horrible experience, never go back to that unattractive island again. Santorini really do not care about the tourists,
That really is so sad. We were in Guernsey once and they were having problems with tendering. The town representatives were coming through the line handing out water and WiFi passcodes. Santorini needs to limit the number of ships in port.
@@travelingwiththia If Santorini want to relief some pressure from upper cable cars, why they send the empty ferry back from OIA to landing area, instead, they should load up the ferry at OIA and send the tourists back to the lower landing area,
Instead, they send more tourists back to
upper cable area via shuttle bus, tourists suffer 100 degrees heat for two hour waiting time for cable car.
Great job.🛳️🚢
Thank you so much! Have you been to Santorini? If so what did you think?
I would take the stairs just for the exercise, my husband the cable cars. Thank you for the tips.
That was my original plan but I was overwhelmed by the crowds. I am not comfortable in crowds so I stayed close to my wonderful hubby. Are you going soon?
@@travelingwiththia Nope no time soon but this cruise is on our close to retirement gift to eat other for sure.
What a wonderful present to each other.
Please learn how to pronounce the towns. Fira is "feera" not feriya. Oia is "eeya" not oya. Otherwise, great info.
Thanks for letting me know. My sorority sister who is Greek made fun of my pronunciation of the Greek Alphabet so no surprise I mispronounced. I will work on it.
If you can’t do ship excursion Santorini just average port. Not see 1 thing famous for so feel overhyped
Thanks so much for watching. I felt like it was one souvenir shop after the other.
Been There, Done That, NEVER AGAIN
Agreed!!!! Where is your favorite port?
Santorini is an overrated port,
Santorini no interest at all 💁
I like Mykonos much better. Where is your favorite port?
@@travelingwiththia Malaga 🇪🇦
@@guidine7 we are going in November any tips?
@@travelingwiththia Mercado Central de Atarazanas - food market 💁🇩🇪
I LOVE European food markets. They are one of my favorite things to do! Thanks so much.