Princess excursions - anyone done Corfu, Santorini or Rhodes?

[whiteheather]

Can anyone recommend Princess excursions they have done in Corfu, Santorini or Rhodes? Can I respectfully emphasise I'm asking specifically only about organised Princess tours, I know lot's of people like private tours but for various personal reasons I don't want to do these. I've looked into the logistics of doing these ports 'on our own' so I'm aware of costs etc. and may do this but I'm also considering booking half day trips in these particular places so would be interested to hear from people who have enjoyed Princess excursions in these ports.

[caribill]

Originally Posted by whiteheather

Can anyone recommend Princess excursions they have done in Corfu, Santorini or Rhodes?

Best Of Santorini 8:30 AM- 3:00 PM Approximately 6 1/2 hours (this was in 2007)

The Spirit Of Corfu 9AM-4PM Approximately 7 hours (this was in 2007)

Enjoyed both of these.

[keep on cruising]

We were there in 2007 also.

Santorini: We took Best Of Santorini.

Corfu: We took BEST OF CORFU from 9:00 to 4:30

We enjoyed both of the Princess tours.

Rhodes: Can't help there, we took a private 1/2 tour, returned to the ship for lunch and than walked into old town Rhodes which was fascinating. I wish we had left more time to wander.

Enjoy the Greek Isles.

[Cymro1953]

Unless you want to go around the island there is really no need for an excursion in Rhodes. You literally walk off the dock, across the road and in to the town through the gate in the Old Town walls.
It's a beautiful Mediaeval town, complete with full walls, moat (now dry) etc.
We spent all day wandering around and in the museum and Knight's Palace.
Lots of restaurants and cafes for when you want to stop and relax.

Berwyn

[Ruste]

Do some research on hiring a car in Santorini and doing the ship tour yourself. We stayed there for a few days and managed to drive around the island in half a day quite easily. Also the trip to the volcano is good but probably won't allow you time to look around the island. While we were there we saw at least 8 ships come in each morning and that was October.

[whiteheather]

Thanks everyone for your replies. We will be visiting the Greek Islands on Ruby Princess in mid June 2010.

The Princess Santorini & Oia excursion is quite pricey but as it will be fairly hot and probably crowded in June it's tempting to be on an early tender and not to have to queue for cable cars on the way up. I'd really like to see Oia, there's no way my husband would hire a car and I know if we had trouble getting a bus or taxi back it would spoil our day.

Rhodes sounds lovely but it would be nice to see some of the island, maybe Lindos and the same with Corfu.

[lovespositano]

Originally Posted by whiteheather

Can anyone recommend Princess excursions they have done in Corfu, Santorini or Rhodes? Can I respectfully emphasise I'm asking specifically only about organised Princess tours, I know lot's of people like private tours but for various personal reasons I don't want to do these. I've looked into the logistics of doing these ports 'on our own' so I'm aware of costs etc. and may do this but I'm also considering booking half day trips in these particular places so would be interested to hear from people who have enjoyed Princess excursions in these ports.

Spirit of Corfu - BEST Princess tour we have ever taken. I still dream about it and can't wait to go back and do it again!!
Village Of Oia & Santorini Island - loved this tour also. Have lunch in Fira and take the cable car down.
Rhodes - Just get off the ship and walk. It is a GREAT town for strolling, stopping to eat, exploring - great shopping, too.

[cruisemom42]

Originally Posted by whiteheather

Thanks everyone for your replies. We will be visiting the Greek Islands on Ruby Princess in mid June 2010.

The Princess Santorini & Oia excursion is quite pricey but as it will be fairly hot and probably crowded in June it's tempting to be on an early tender and not to have to queue for cable cars on the way up. I'd really like to see Oia, there's no way my husband would hire a car and I know if we had trouble getting a bus or taxi back it would spoil our day.

Rhodes sounds lovely but it would be nice to see some of the island, maybe Lindos and the same with Corfu.

Hi whiteheather (I'm also on your cruise, as I'm sure you know...). Just one note about Lindos -- I am planning to do it on my own in the morning (as early as possible) by bus. I expect it to be BRUTALLY hot. Were I not such a fan of ancient ruins, I'd probably forego it, and I definitely plan to leave teen son on the ship until I return and we can go into Rhodes.

Just a word of warning!

[whiteheather]

Hi Cynthia, I am thinking about the Easy Lindos tour just to give us an overview of some of the island. My friend has visited Rhodes often and raves about the scenery in the bays around Lindos. There are a couple of leisurely excursions in Corfu to the Paleokastritsa area which are appealling. We may just decide to enjoy Rhodes and Corfu towns and the local beaches but it's great fun planning

I also expect the weather to be fairly hot, we were torn between doing this cruise in May or June but decided that in early May there was a risk of cool, cloudy weather so we're hoping for plenty of sunshine but not unbearable heat.

Lynn

[Pam in CA]

Haven't been to Corfu but here are my opinions about Santorini and Rhodes.

Santorini: I've been there twice. The first time, I took an island tour and we never got to Oia. I got back to the ship wondering what the heck everyone was thinking of when they say Santorini is fabulous. The second time, I took an island tour that stopped in Oia and we could stay there for lunch or hours. It was fabulous. No matter what tour you take, make sure you go to Oia and spend some time there.

Rhodes: First time we were going to Rhodes, we had to skip the port due to weather. The second time, we went to Lindos and the Acropolis. OMG! What a climb but well-worth it. If you're afraid of heights or uncomfortable going up and down uneven steps with no railings, this isn't for you (it wasn't for my friend who only got a short way before she had to turn back.) The view from the top of the Acropolis was amazing.

[Bowie MeMe]

Last summer we did all three towns on Oceania tours. Oia is the best and the walk from where the bus lets all passengers off (no matter what line) is a fairly steep and hot walk. The approach in the bus is not in the same area as the approach by steps, cable cars or donkey (we were let off the ship by tender and went to back of island). The town of Oia is just the most beautiful place on earth. You will need to go into a cafe and sit for awhile to really enjoy this area. We went to the Chocolateria (about halfway to the main public bathroom -- on the left hand sea overlook side). Wonderful treats, hot chocolate, coffee, soft drinks. The view from your table on the patio is pure picture postcard Greece.

Rhodes acropolis was wonderful as there are several sites in one. Ruins of the earliest church, Orthodox Church, Catholic Church and contemporary church (we saw a wedding). Peacocks and cats plus an awesome viewpoint and an openair bathroom. The Grandmaster's castle in Rhodes is very interesting. I took lots of photos of the outstanding mosaic floors.

Corfu tour was also awesome.

I think ship's tours are very good value for the money. The CC boards are mostly DIY folks but do not think that ship tours are not also good. We did Princess in Baltics and because of the luncheon spots and the entertainment at lunch, I thought the ship's tours were worth the money spent and suited me better than what friends did on a DIY tour. Yes they are crowded but that is because they go to the most wonderful places that you took the cruise to see.

Enjoy your cruise-- the Greek Isles are one of God's masterpieces.