santorini

[lulubell]

Does anyone know the spot that Holland America ships such as the Oosterdam tender/dock on Santorini?:eek:

[English_in_Spain]

You will tender at Santorini. No ships dock there, not even the small ones.

Where the tender lands depends on whether you are on a shore excursion or not.

If you are not on a shore excursion you will need to take either the cable car or donkey (or walk) up the cliff.

[lulubell]

Thanks for your prompt response-any idea where the tendering place is-and which beach is the closest?

[fann1sh]

You will tender to the Fira / Athinios area.

Santorini used to be Thera - exploded about 3600 years ago due to volcano eruption. The inside curve of the island is a sheer cliff- the volcano caldera - and the beaches are all on the outside curve which slopes gently down to the water like a normal island.



http://www.santorini-hotels.info/images/maps/santorini-map.gif

[lulubell]

Thank you:)

[Old Salty Dog]

As previously mentioned, there is no docking at Santorini, tender only. The tenders leave you off very near the cable car entrance, or the donkey trail if you prefer. There are no beaches nearby - just rocky cliffs. The beaches are on the outside of the island.
Santorini is a great place to visit. We arrived early on our own, took the cable, and explored with no crowds. When we came back down in early afternoon the line for the cable cars was about 1/2 block long.

[Dieter]

30 or 35 years ago we came from Kreta to Santorini by a tourist trip with a ferry ship. One way 5 hours. It was a long day. There is a harbour where ships can dock, but may be only for ferries. A bus took us to town. At this time it was a nice city. Some tourist shops in a special area, that was all.
In 1990 we came to Santorini by a east german ship which was running some months for real money of "capitalists". I don't remember the details of this tour. I think we took the donkey stairs upwards and went back by lift.
Last year in September with the MS Rotterdam from Copenhagen to Athen we came the 3rd time to Satorini. We took one of the last tenders, no tenders of MS Rotterdam, the ships came from the island, no costs. We went up with the lift and were seeing only tourist shops. We were really disappointed. Positive was only a big restaurant garden where I was drinking a big Ouzo and a bottle of Recina. But if you are not used to Anis Schnaps and Greek Wine you shouldn't drink it. My wife was drinking a cappuccino and some water.
The way back we took the stairs, because we thought way down can't be so difficult. But it is. It's a long way and the stairs are very slippery. On the other hand the queue before the lift was to long.
Next time we forget Santorini or we take a tour which brings us away from the city.
However, if you have never been to Santorini, go. Otherwise you may think you have missed something.