Rating shore excursions Istanbul to Venice

[ellene]

We're trying to decide which ones to take on the May 10 sailing. We'relooking for feedback from people who have already sailed this itinerary or looking for a site that rates them.

[NCCruzQueen]

Hi ellene,

I am booked on this cruise, but unfortunately have to back out. I've been to many ports and can recommend these excursions:

Ephesus - Any Ephesus excursion.
Santorini - I've heard that Oia is a picturesque town. In 1997, we went to Akrotiri, but it is now closed. It was fascinating.
Athens - You must go to the Acropolis is your climbing skills are ok. I would love to visit the Acropolis Museum. It wasn't completed the last time I was in Athens.
Kotor - I've only walked around the Old Town. It was ok.
Dubrovnik - The Old Town here is very pretty. I hear the walk around the walls has interesting views.

Hope this helps.

[Travelcat2]

Hi ellene,

Akrotiri, but it is now closed. It was fascinating.

Hope this helps.

What was closed in Akrotiri? I am asking because we are doing this itinerary in April and are booked on an excursion that goes to Akrotiri. We will have lunch at a taverna there.

Agree about Oia. It is beautiful and worth seeing. Rather than doing an excursion, we took a local bus to the area.

In terms of excursions in general, it really depends upon what you enjoy doing. Do you want active (hiking, etc.) or less active excursions like wine tasting?

[rarin2go]

We're trying to decide which ones to take on the May 10 sailing. We'relooking for feedback from people who have already sailed this itinerary or looking for a site that rates them.

Hi there
We are on this cruise too - did you know there's a Roll Call (http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1423220) you can join? Also we were on a cruise last year that featured some of the same ports - here's a link to our review (http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=83573) - but I'm afraid I now think I might have been a bit too critical regarding the excursions. You can also find details of the ports on the CC forum here (http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19).
Looking forward To May 10:)

[rarin2go]

[quote=NCCruzQueen;31717293]I am booked on this cruise, but unfortunately have to back out. I've been to many ports and can recommend these excursions:[quote]
Sorry to hear that you won't be on this cruise with us - had been looking forward to meeting you.

[poss]

We love Oia. Spectacular views, really dazzlingly beautiful. The little lanes in the town are also quite pleasant, though most are full of shops (not our thing). The cliffside hotels and restaurants are very handsome.

Also love Mykonos. Again, lots of shops, but much more a real town. Oia can be embraced in several hours (though would love to spend several days there!) Mykonos is large enough so that one could easily make a day of exploring: great twisty lanes; wonderful houses; wonderful flowers. Feels like an actual "place." (Oia feels more like a dream.) We did the excursion that went part way around the island and then came back to town: wandered in town (on our own) for many hours.

Ephesus: definitely try to do the tour that includes the terrace houses. We LOVED Ephesus-- were swept away. Really stupendous for us. (the library especially, but really all of it)

Kotor: Be sure to be on deck for the sail in-- so memorable and handsome.

Beth: I hope you had to cancel because other even happier circumstances intervened. And I hope you're back on board before too long.

[RachelG]

If you are fit, highly recommend going to Delos from Mykonos. It is really special, but you have to be pretty mobile.
Ephesus is amazing--the Ephesus with an expert tour is supposed to be really good. We did a private tour as we were there before Regent included tours.

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

We are booked on the Athens to Istanbul cruise just prior to this voyage (3 of your greece ports are the same for our cruise) am enjoying the port descriptions of Delos (will change to this excursion tomorrow when Regent opens) and of Oia--we will both see Oia--Highlights Santorini for me, Oia cooking class for Ida). See you in Atlanta next month Beth!

[NCCruzQueen]

What was closed in Akrotiri? I am asking because we are doing this itinerary in April and are booked on an excursion that goes to Akrotiri.

Oh, glad to hear Akrotiri is back opened again. I was going by what I read on wikipedia, but know the information can often be incorrect, "An ambitious modern roof structure, meant to protect the site, collapsed just prior to its completion in 2005, killing one visitor.[5] No damages were recorded to the antiquities.[6] As a result of this, the site was closed to visitors. As of 2011, it was still closed, with a new roof yet to be built.[7]" What is the name of your excursion?

rarin2go, I am sorry to have to cancel. Some matters just can't be helped. Was so looking forward to a birthday cruise. :(

poss, life happens and on to other adventures.....

Wes, looking forward to seeing you, Ida, Sue & Tom soon. I went through ATL today coming home from visiting relatives.

[Travelcat2]

The following is the excursion we're doing in April:

Oia Village and Cooking Class At Aeolos
Tour Code: JTR-005
Duration: 5 hours
Retail Value: $279.00
Price: $159.00

http://www.rssc.com/media/excursions/WALKING.jpg http://www.rssc.com/media/excursions/Regent_Choice.jpg http://www.rssc.com/media/excursions/Meal_Provided.gif


Experience the best of Santorini with a visit to the beautiful village of Oia followed by an immersion into delectable Greek cuisine, wine and liquor during a cooking class at a local taverna.


Upon arrival ashore via tender, board your coach and begin ascending the colorful rocky sides of the caldera wall while enjoying the panoramic views of the island. Once you reach the top, you will drive through traditional villages towards Oia, on the northern end of Santorini. On the way, you will have the chance to see the different layers of volcanic lava produced in different phases of the volcano's activity. Oia offers magnificent views of the caldera and other smaller Cycladic isles. During the 1-hour walking portion of this tour, you will see Oia's cobblestone streets, beautiful old mansions and the world-famous Cycladic architecture houses perched along the cliffside of Oia.

Next, you will be driven to the Akrotiri area where the Aeolos taverna is located. Upon arrival you will be greeted with a chilled glass of wine or ouzo, the aniseed flavored Greek liquor, and continue with sampling both local Santorinian specialties as well as popular Greek dishes. Along with the master chefs at this acclaimed Greek taverna, the cooking demonstration will showcase local ingredients and unforgettable techniques that are sure to engage your appetite. After the demonstration, enjoy the chef's creations.

After lunch, you will re-board your coach to be driven back to the town of Fira where you will have time to explore before making your way back to the port either by cable car or by the traditional donkey.

[NCCruzQueen]

The following is the excursion we're doing in April: Next, you will be driven to the Akrotiri area where the Aeolos taverna is located.

A trip to the excavation site is not included in your excursion?

[Travelcat2]

A trip to the excavation site is not included in your excursion?

I guess not -- was not aware there was an excavation site. Is that what you referring to when you said it was still closed down in 2011? Hope the tour guide discusses it on the way to town. It sounds like it would be a very interesting story.

[EleanorWW]

I can't help but toss in a opinion here.

we were on Mariner in October and made a stop at Santorini and took the Highlights tour.

Santorini as beautiful as all the snapshots but a lot of excursion time is spent encouraged to shop. we stopped at a place for the Greek wine which my DH sipped and immediately advised me to skip. I ate the proffered food because I thought it was important to explore but saw many people didn't feel the same way. I will say the food was edible but I'm sorry I wasted the calories.

our guide advanced us on our excursion ignoring the pouring rain, which may not be the case when you're traveling. a passenger took a huge tumble and went bumping down a flight of outdoor stairs!

we made it to the top of a steep climb and breathed in the view but saw a third of our group did not make it and chose to stay where they felt safer or drier or simply couldn't keep up.

the approach to Santorini is in two steps. you get off Mariner onto a barren dock and a bus takes you up a steep switchback if you are on a tour. Mariner repositions to the picturesque side of the island. to get back down Santorini you can take the tram, ride a donkey, or walk. then a quick tender back to the ship.

we skipped shopping (the second of two proffered opportunities) and ran for the tram and waited only 40 minutes. we dined with people who waited more than an hour!! the ride is five minutes. it's a funicular. close your eyes if heights bother you.

the donkeys stink. you get on one and you get off stinking of one.

the walking path down is the same trail used by the donkeys. you will need to wash your shoes. it's a downhill trek and we caught up with people just drenched with sweat and beet red. wear your sunblock.

Santorini is beautiful and I'm glad we can say we saw it. if Santorini is ever a cruise stop for us again, we will make it an onship day.

if there was architecture or art or history covered on our Highlights tour, we missed it.

[NCCruzQueen]

I guess not -- was not aware there was an excavation site. Is that what you referring to when you said it was still closed down in 2011? Hope the tour guide discusses it on the way to town. It sounds like it would be a very interesting story.

TC, I am sure the guide will tell you about the site, if not, ask. Many of the artifacts have been move to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. To see a dig in process is very interesting.

[Travelcat2]

EleanorWW: Sorry to hear about your experience in Santorini. I can only imagine how difficult some places would be in the rain. Our experience was quite different in Santorini (also in October - 2 years ago). First, we opted not to take an excursion after reading the "Ports" section of CruiseCritic. We were on the first Regent tender (no longer possible unless you are doing a tour -- yet another reason I am not a lover of included excursions). Although the donkeys did smell, we took them up the hill. It was their first ride of the day so it wasn't too bad in terms of dirt. Had we arrived on the island later, we would have taken the tram.

Following directions we read online, we went two blocks to the bus station and took a bus to Oia (you can take a taxi but it is difficult to find one for the return journey). You did not mention if you stopped in Oia on your excursion. It has some of the most magnificent views in the world. On the Regent homepage, one picture was taken there. It is a lovely town to walk around (probably not in the rain though)

We intentionally returned a bit early to avoid long lines for the tram. The wait was only about 10 minutes. For us, Santorini is one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. I'm posting this in hopes that others that visit the island may decide to try doing Santorini on their own (car rentals are also available). When we arrived in Santorini it was still dark outside -- the island itself was dark and not visible. All you could see were thousands of lights atop the island - it looks like diamonds in the sky.

[poss]

I heartily agree that Oia has some of the most magnificent views on the planet. And one doesn't have to have Lucy's diamonds in the sky to be enchanted and transported.

[TheSeaAroundUs]

Cool post poss!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Has poss, good one!

[Swyre]

Well horses do smell, it's a smell I like and if you ride you will smell of horse!

I don't have any experience of donkeys but if they smell excessively or unhealthily, I would have to suspect that they're not being looked after properly.

Rik

[RachelG]

I Don't think it is so much that the donkeys smell bad. They smelled like any other donkey I have encountered. It is the path that they walk up and down multiple times per day. They don't wear diapers, and the path is very heavily used. So it smells pretty strongly of donkey waste. If you can't tolerate the smell, you should take the funicular.