One of the best activities on Santorini is a caldera boat tour and a trip to the active volcano but neither are possible when you visit Santorini on a cruise ship. You have to do a tour or a chartered/private tour. The best Santorini boat tours are day trips you do while staying on the island but you wont have time to do a volcano boat tour if visiting from a cruise ship. A fun and easy-going way to explore the Santorini coastline. And the boats are very generous with their alcohol after every tour, I ask myself how they make money when theyre so lavish with the food and drink. A view of Santorini from a cruise ship. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket (just in case). But the more the better holiday workers really rely on tips to make a living wage. Is there a sailing trip that just goes for a trip around the caldera, with no swimming or snorkeling? Romantic Rhine River and Greek Island Discovery. Cruise Line & Cruise Ship Just found this fantastic website thanks Santorini Dave, have been finding it really useful! It is expensive but Im sure youre expecting that already. If they do travel in early March then a trip to Santorini and Naxos or Santorini and Paros would be better. If they want to visit Santorini and Mykonos on the same trip its much better that they wait until late March (when there should be ferries running between the two islands) or April/May (when there will be direct flights between London and Mykonos, and between London and Santorini). The line-up for the cable car can stretch far around the corner. Paris - 3 days. Between all the Santorini cruises on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Holland, Viking, and Disney Cruises do you recommend any cruise line? Sailings include themed "Mamma Mia!" In Athens, visit the famous ruins of the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that dates back to 438 BC. Required fields are marked *. Seabourn is known to be one of the best luxury small ship lines in the Greek Islands and beyond. Explore fascinating historical treasures on a cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean. There are actually two ports within caldera, Fira and Athinos. Cruise ships are just as ugly and awful when they visit Mykonos. Typically, a private cruise in Santorini starts from Ammoudi Port or Vlychada Port while the drop off may be the Old Port of Fira. Theres a kitchen and 3 bathrooms, safety vests, and snorkeling equipment. Its still enjoyable even with the crowds. Estate Argyros Atlantis Red 2020. But water can still be a bit chilly. Windstar Cruises You get a very limited amount of time on the island (just 3 to 8 hours when you account for getting up to the top of the caldera). Cruises taking in the Cyclades -- one of the six major Greek island groups that's located southeast of mainland Greece -- include a transit of the Mycale Strait, which separates Samos from Anatolia in Turkey and is less than a mile wide at its narrowest point. Highly recommend!! In Athens, visit the famous ruins of the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that dates back to 438 BC. Its much more fun, relaxing, and beautiful on the island after the cruise ships have sailed away. Viking, If you can stay a few nights on the Santorini, youll see a completely different side of the towns, restaurants, and attractions. What private boat tour would you recommend to take for the volcano tour? Both tours last 5 hours. Here, enjoy some free time to walk around the volcanic crater and swim in the therapeutic hot springs. If this tour is fully booked then try the Caldera Cruise or Santorini Sunset Cruise. Earn Exclusive DOUBLE CRUISE MILES worth up to 6,399*. Cruise Nation are delighted to bring you our great range of Santorini Cruise & Stay Holidays. Boat tours; Catamaran cruises TOP; Overnight in Santorini. If by winter, you mean December, January, and February then there will be few (if any) boat tours running and I dont think Id recommend them. Board the sightseeing boat at the port and admire Santorini's cliffs as you cruise to Nea Kameni. Taxis also abound (negotiate a rate in advance) and are a more reliable option if time is at a premium. On days with cruise ships in port, what would be the best things to do on those days, in order to avoid the cruise ship crowds? What cruises are going to Santorini this year? Private Boat Tours & Cruises in Santorini, Private Boats for Parties and Events in Santorini. Greek Isles, Italy and Egyptian Wonders. Santorini is beautiful but not so great as part of a cruise. Thanks, A fantastic day, very relaxing stopping at a few beautiful spots for a swim and lunch. Cruise ships near Fira are just visible in the distance. Cruises to Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island). A shore excursion from a cruise ship. Yuck. The almost vertical towns of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches will rise above the blue Aegean like an oasis of beauty and calm. Sail | October 2024. Hi Dave Awesome site. If we do the sunset tour will we have enough time to swim? Make a booking now for this stunning offer and get ready for this event. There are small boats that do regular routes to the neighboring island of Thirassia (that forms the western side of the caldera) but this isnt the volcano. In the summer, a never-seen-before itinerary allows guests to visit Greek and Balearic Islands Amsterdam - 2 days. From there its a long walk or cable car to Fira. Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line May 21, 2023 Jun 11, 2023 Jul 2, 2023 Jul 23, 2023 Aug 13, 2023 Sep 3, 2023 Sep 24, 2023 Oct 15, 2023 No prices currently available for this sailing. Most have wonderful sunset views. Would you recommend a boat tour? Geologists marvel at the cliffs' multi-hued strata of rock, lava and pumice, so take your camera and be prepared to feel the earth move (perhaps even literally -- Santorini's most recent major earthquake was in 1956, although there was one nearby in 2009). With the ferry schedules, its difficult to get more than a few hours on neighboring islands when you do a day trip. September 30th, and October 14th, will instead explore Istanbul (Turkey) where guests can stay overnight during the September & October departures . On a catamaran, you feel like youre on vacation. More cruise-ship fun. Ubiquitous -- and noisy -- Greek motorcycles. The white rock towers of southern Santorini. Officially the island is Thira, yet the Latin name of Santorini persists. It was an amazing experience. Stops in Gibraltar, Ibiza and Barcelona; Seville overnight. Ephesus and Patmos cruise excursions, breakfast and dinner daily, 3 lunches, full time English speaking tour escort, services of air conditioned deluxe motor coach, all guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary, baggage handling at hotels (one piece), tips to driver, guides, hotel staff, and cruise staff . While aboard, passengers can expect to experience unique island cultures, ancient treasures and beautiful Greek beaches. PRIVATE CRUISES Indulge yourself with the absolute sailing experience. Quick View. We have 5 hours in Santorini and want to do the the hike between Oia and Fira. Answer 1 of 7: We'll be in Santorini for 6 days this August. 5. Another luxury option if you want a little longer on the water is the fantastic 7-Hour Private Catamaran Cruise. Rome - 3 days. Great informative website! , Well organized! After lunch. Fun Fact #1. You can read more about travel agencies for Santorini vacations here. Cruisers can witness these splendors while exploring the most alluring Greek islands, such as Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete and Paros. Originally built as a private yacht in 1931, Sea Cloud is a classic four-masted windjammer that carries 64 passengers; Sea Cloud II, accommodating up to 94 guests, was launched in 2001 as a modern take on a tall ship. The Morning Tour and Evening Tour stick to the south coast of the island. Are the cable car lines always long? Were staying in Oia what might you suggest? Reserve select Europe and Egypt sailings with AmaWaterways The hike from Oia to Fira is a highlight of Santorini. Wonderful private cruise of the caldera. A Greek island cruise is packed with world-famous sights, such as the Parthenon, charming seaside tavernas and crystal-clear waters. Anything you can tell us that would help make our decision easier? SANTORINI, MALTA AND OVERNIGHT IN MYKONOS FROM JUST 1,259pp MSC Divina 7th July 2023 7 nights Interior Cabin Fantastica Experience . Seabourn, The all-inclusive sailings feature five-star dining and the only "raw food" menu at sea with dishes prepared using raw, organic and vegan ingredients. $4999. Oia can (and will) be busy during sunset, but if you have a reservation for a table at Kastro youll be fine. No, sorry. You wont have time to do any of the best Santorini tours: a catamaran tour of the caldera, a boat tour to the volcano, a winery tour, a photography tour, a fishing tour. More appetizers than the full meal you get on the other two. Its truly awful. Island hop from Santorini to Mykonos, discover Croatia's stunning coastline, or sip Chianti on the cobble-lined streets of Italy. Programming on any Virgin cruise is upbeat and geared toward adults. That makes sense as these adult-only cruises are great for an altogether different island adventure in Greece. Protests like this one against cruise ships in Venice, Italy, are becoming more common throughout Europe. I have been reading the cruise forums and there are many reports of people missing their cruise (or almost missing their cruise) due to long lines at the cable car. Thanks for all the information on this site. After booking, you will receive a voucher via email which contains a map with the pickup location. Santorini is a great year-round destination. The Private Half-Day Catamaran Cruise of Santorini is simply awesome. At Sailawaze we know a cruise holiday is the ultimate . Its not so much what is the best tour but more what is available. A highlight of our tour will be our 4-night Greek Island cruise aboard one of the ships in the Celestyal Cruises fleet. Book your stay in Santorini at Elysian Santorini in Finikia. The tenders taking passengers ashore in Santorini. TBO Empowers Travel Advisors to Control Commission. Child From: $ 129 00. Taking a Santorini caldera cruise lets you see the island from a variety of different angles. Starting at $4,749 per person. Quick View. A Star Clippers Greek Islands itinerary ranges from five to 11 nights with ports of call including Mykonos, Kos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Katakolon. They are wanting to spend around 7 days in total in Greece before heading back to the UK. Ask About Special Rates for Pastors . (If you want a private yacht charter of the Greek islands then just book all 8 spots on the boat.). Exclusive Itinerary. Late March, April, and early November can also be good but can be chilly with a bit of rain. I bet any local would tell you the same. Yes, theyll be running in May (usually start in April) and youll be able to swim. The food was delicious! Sailing Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with BBQ, Drinks and Transfer 286 Spend the day sailing around beautiful Santorini on a catamaran. Photo Caption: Coastline along Fira-Santorini Yannis Lefakis The security of your data is our highest priority. Fresh seafood lunch or dinner served on board (eat what you catch and empty from the nets). Your email address will not be published. Holland America Line, The seven-night Eclectic Aegean cruise visits several unique destinations, just one of which being the instantly recognizable island of Santorini. Tansen. Its a little slower (takes 8 hours instead of 5 from Athens to Santorini) but has large open-air decks that you can walk about on. Book Tours & Cruises . Please, no. If yes, which would it be. 21 Night Fly, Stay & Cruise Holiday with $2000 Bonus Value Including City Stay, Exclusive Package Savings & More. The boat and crew are first rate. 14.30 checkout is done in euro. Since its larger than the catamarans it also has a less bumpy ride and is less likely to cause sea-sickness. cruises visiting beaches and locations on Skopelos where outdoor scenes in the movie were filmed. A Private Catamaran Cruise to the hot springs and around the Santorini caldera is one of the highlights of a trip to Greece. Though if you booked a private boat tour (expensive, obviously) they would return you to port whenever you wanted. Tours & Cruises. A boat travels with the tour and is there for any emergencies or if the water gets too rough for beginner riders. How far in advance should we line up? Most cruises offer dinner, drinks, and a chance to go snorkeling or swimming. Sunrise and the morning quiet is also a wonderful time (before the cruise ship passengers arrive). Dubai & Arabian Repositioning Cruises (114) . For 2023, boat tours have returned to pre-pandemic style and frequency. Thank you. On their longer sailings, passengers will also visit Rhodes and Heraklion. Hi there, I love to read and follow all of your posts so thank you for always having the most up to date information! Much appreciated. Well only be on Santorini for 2 nights/1.5 days before moving on to Naxos. Theres a morning departure (for lots of swimming and sunshine) and an afternoon departure (for the sunset but still plenty of time to swim too). Im planning a honeymoon in Greece this upcoming May and your site has been an amazing resource thanks! Santorini's 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in #1 Oia - Where to Stay in Santorini for Your First Time #2 Perissa - Where to Stay in Santorini on a Budget #3 Fira - Where to Stay in Santorini for Nightlife #4 Megalochori - Coolest Place to Stay in Santorini #5 Kamari - Where to Stay in Santorini for Families Santorini is home to one of the world's most iconic skylines and offers excellent dining and sightseeing, To see much of anything beyond the main town of Fira, you'll need to book an organized shore excursion or tour, Santorini is scenic spot to soak up Grecian culture and enjoy some sunshine and shopping. We are taking our kids to Santorini the last week of March. That wont allow for much stopping and sightseeing but it is doable if you walk a good clip. Maybe take in the sunset too, but as you say, its a choice between more swimming/sunshine and sunset/evening so not sure what well decide. 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