Acropolis to Become Entirely Accessible to Disabled For First Time

 Patricia Claus

The approach to the Acropolis. Credit: AMNA

For the first time in its long history, stretching back into Greek antiquity, the buildings atop the Acropolis, Athens’ “Holy Mountain,” will become completely accessible to the disabled and those with other mobility and health issues.

Although there has been a type of freight elevator used to help those who were completely disabled to be taken to the top, for the first time, thanks to a complete redesign of the approach to the Acropolis, visitors will soon have a view of the mountain and its monuments that is the same as that seen by the ancient Greeks.

The Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports stated in their announcement today that “Improving the visiting conditions of the monuments at the Acropolis is a priority for the Ministry. With the upgrading works of the services provided in the Acropolis, the Holy Rock becomes — for the first time — completely accessible not only to the disabled, but also to citizens with mobility or other health problems.”

The statement went on to say “The project is expected to be delivered on December 3, 2020, together with the new, safe state-of-the-art slope lift, making he experience of visiting the Acropolis totally different.”

“The work of paving the paths,” the Ministry said, “is not treated as a simple maintenance procedure of the existing network, which was built at least fifty years ago with the construction and scientific criteria of that time.

“It is part of the study for the restoration of the terrain of the ancient sanctuary done by the academic and chairman of the Acropolis Monuments Preservation Committee Manolis Korre, the architect with the most complete knowledge of all the monuments on the Holy Rock.”

The statement concluded “The configurations, horizontally and in terms of elevation, follow the archaeological findings over the years, restoring the ancient route of the Panathinaion Way.

“The visitor will for the first time have the same view that the ancient Athenians had. The Panathinaion road, which starts from the Propylaea and reaches the temple of Rome and Augustus, had been paved with concrete before in 1978 and was paved with the same material several times since then to repair advancing wear.”

Some archaeologists have blasted the decision by the Ministry to undertake the reorientation and paving of the pathways atop the Acropolis.

The Ministry has also released two new videos, showing the paths at the Acropolis throughout the years 1978 – 2020, and the ongoing work which has made the improvements possible.

Thanks @caribillfoe sharing those pictures!

1 hour ago, katisdale said:

In Athens, I was able to visit the Acropolis using the elevator they built for the paralympics the same year the olympics were there. I recently read that it was replaced this year. It was OK getting to the top and back down but there are challenges once at the top. I used a travelscoot scooter when I was there. There were others in wheelchairs also present.

Thanks, @katisdale- I’ll check on the availability of an elevator or some other way to make this accessible. 

Thanks for letting me know to get the tickets before we go! Taking a look at Athens Gate and I’m really happy with what I see. 

Thanks Markanddonna for the info; hoping to go in June 2022, if we can get this pandemic under control. 

U.S. citizen visiting Turkey; looks like a visa is required? 

Thanks, AF-1!

Such great info, thanks! Taking lots of notes. 😀 I live in Mason and my mom, who I’m taking on this cruise, lives in Milford. She will be 81 when we cruise, so that will be a factor when we talk about walking. 

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Sorry, mixing up my Greek and Roman names. I should've referred to this temple as the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Roman: Jupiter). I tend to think of it as more Roman than Greek as, while it was started by the Greeks in the 6th c. BC, it wasn't actually finished until the 2nd c. AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful information! I really appreciate it!! 

Our cruise ends in Athens and I’m planning on spending debarkation day touring and will spend one night. Help me make the most of my time there. 

What should I see and where should I stay?

Sorry for not sharing ports. Duh. 
 

I’m doing a 7-day: Rome, Naples, Crete, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Mykonos and Athens!

I appreciate any advice and will also check out each port’s page. 

Thanks for all the great information! I’m formulating my plan for my first visit in June 2022! 

Just booked this Med cruise for June 2022 and couldn’t be more excited. This will be my first European cruise. Would appreciate any tips about the ports and/or the ship that you’d like to share!

I couldn’t help myself! All the included extras pulled me in. Booked the Mediterranean/ Adriatic cruise

on the Regal Princess for 6/18/22. Deposit is full refundable until March 2022, so seems safe enough. 

36 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

You select your bread and then advise the server what you want on it.   He makes it fresh for you and pops it onto the panini grill.

 

They don't have exactly what you describe nor for health reason would they allow ----- but they do have a Chinese Station that you tell them what you want and they put it in the wok and cook it for you.   They also have a similar omelet station in the morning. 

 

They also usually have a pasta station and you tell them what you want them to put on and made to order.

 

Are these stations all located in the buffet area?  I am salivating just thinking about all of these possibilities!

Another Celebrity email earlier today:

Dear Guest,

We look forward to welcoming you aboard for your upcoming Celebrity Cruises vacation.  Before you embark on this exciting journey, we would like to provide some important information regarding your travel plans.

As we monitor global developments related to the coronavirus, our priority remains the health and safety of our guests and crew, as well as providing you an amazing vacation experience.  To comply with guidance from CDC, WHO, public health authorities around the world, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we are enhancing our rigorous global boarding and screening measures to protect our guests and crew.  

These temporary safety precautions will remain in place for a projected period of 30 days and will be reviewed daily.  Until further notice, any person, regardless of nationality, who has traveled to, from or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Iran, or South Korea 15 days prior to embarkation, will be unable to board our ships.  This includes traveling on connecting flights through these areas or coming in to contact with people who have traveled to, from or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, Iran, or South Korea. The CDC characterizes contact with an individual as coming within six feet (2M) of a person.

As a result, it is imperative that you review your air travel itinerary closely to ensure you do not transit through any gateway in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, or Italy.  Guests who have air travel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be re-accommodated on alternate routes and receive new flight information automatically. Guests with independent air travel arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required adjustments and changes to their air travel.

Boarding will also be denied for any person who within 15 days prior to embarkation, has had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.

We have also increased secondary health screening requirements. The following guests will need to undergo extra screenings at the cruise terminal: 

• Any person who reports feeling unwell or displays flu-like symptoms.
• Any person who has traveled to, from, or through Japan or Thailand in the 15 days prior to embarkation.
• Any person who is uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled in the 15 days prior to embarkation to, from, or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan, or Thailand.
• In some cases, guests presenting certain symptoms in the specialized health screenings may be denied boarding.

All guests who are denied boarding due to these restrictions will receive full refunds. Additional restrictions may be imposed based on local circumstances. For example, certain countries may deny visas or prohibit entry based on travel history or nationality.

We have rigorous medical protocols in place to help passengers and crew members who feel unwell while sailing. Our protocols include:

• Professional medical treatment
• Isolation of unwell individuals from the general ship population
• Intensified ship cleaning, air filtration, and sanitization procedures

We are assessing developments constantly and will update these measures as needed.

Finally, you can contribute to a healthy onboard environment by taking a few simple steps that will help prevent colds, flus and stomach viruses – both onboard and on land.

• Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom and before any meal or snack.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (or with your upper sleeve) if you happen to sneeze. Avoid sneezing or coughing into your hands or without covering your nose and mouth.
• Use hand sanitizer as often as possible. Rub the gel thoroughly, and in-between your fingers, until your hands are dry. 

   

  If you don’t feel well while onboard, it’s imperative that you visit our onboard medical facility immediately for a complimentary checkup. Our onboard doctors and nurses are always available and ready to assist.

If you or someone in your stateroom has traveled to, from, or through, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, or Italy, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. You can also visit www.celebritycruises.com/contact-us for a complete list of global contact information.

We have elected to take these precautionary steps due to the recent increase in coronavirus cases around the world, to help avoid the spread of the virus and to ensure the continued safety of our guests and crew. While vacations are our passion, our primary responsibility is to maintain a safe and healthy environment onboard our ships, as well as in the ports we visit.  We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a truly incredible vacation.

Our cruise leaves out of San Juan on April 18.  Just received the following email from Celebrity:

Dear Guest,

We look forward to welcoming you aboard for your upcoming Celebrity Cruises vacation.  Before you embark on this exciting journey, we would like to advise you of some additional health screening procedures that will occur at the pier during your check-in and boarding process.

As we monitor global developments related to the coronavirus, our priority remains the health and safety of our guests and crew, as well as providing you an amazing vacation experience.  To comply with guidance from CDC, WHO, public health authorities around the world, and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we are enhancing our rigorous global boarding and screening measures to protect our guests and crew.  

Effective Friday, March 6, mandatory temperature screenings will be conducted for all guests, crewmembers, and visitors prior to boarding any vessel.  Your temperature will be taken via a noninvasive digital scan.  If your temperature registers above 100.4°F (38° C), you and your traveling companions will be referred to a secondary health screening.  

Secondary health screenings will be performed by medical professionals who will check for flu-like symptoms and pulse oximetry readings.  Any guests who are denied boarding due to concerns during their health screening will receive 100% refund.

If you don’t feel well while onboard, it’s imperative that you visit our onboard medical facility immediately for a complimentary checkup. Our onboard doctors and nurses are always available and ready to assist.

Guests with chronic lung illness are advised to contact us in advance with any questions or bring a letter from a medical practitioner that indicates normal baseline oxygen saturation.  If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or contact us at 1-844-418-6824 in North America or (316) 554-5961 worldwide. You can also visit www.celebritycruises.com/contact-us for a complete list of global contact information.

We have elected to take these precautionary steps due to the recent increase in coronavirus cases around the world, to help avoid the spread of the virus and to ensure the continued safety of our guests and crew. While vacations are our passion, our primary responsibility is to maintain a safe and healthy environment onboard our ships, as well as in the ports we visit.  We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a truly incredible vacation.

I'm traveling light this time and only have my carry-on.

Just wondering if Carnival has a place to leave your carry-on once on board; I found this very useful on Princess - didn't have to wonder around with my bag before my room was ready.  If not, I think I'll just put a luggage tag on it and have Carnival deliver it. Really don't want to traipse all over Lido with my bag.

I had a future cruise credit. I booked the cruise I wanted and then called Carnival and had the credit applied. It was very easy and straightforward. Have your current and prior confirmation numbers available. 

I’ll do a review, for sure. 

We sailed to Alaska on Ruby Princess this past June. Lido was quieter, but it was cold out. The entertainment crew was outstanding, very energetic and talented. Lots of fun in the Atrium with line dancing lessons and other things. Good music throughout the ship. Saw people of all ages - lots of families with children. I think those who sailed were comparable to Carnival. I missed Guy’s Burgers, Blue Iguana and the fun Lido, but would definitely sail Princess again. 

10 hours ago, D C said:

First off, CONGRATS! You made my Google news feed!  Seriously. Somehow, this thread was linked from my Google news feed page 🙂

 

Since I'm a Celebrity cruiser and have never been on Carnival, I'm curious as to what aspects of Carnival you like that you fear might not be on Celebrity. 

 

 

I like the fun vibe that I get from the minute I board; I live Guy’s Burgers and Blue Iguana, I live the live music on Lido and the fun sail away party. I enjoy the movies on the big screen at night on Lido, the variety of things to do.

I was on the Ruby Princess for a cruise to Alaska in June and it was amazing! I loved the classier look. There was no sail away party, just a couple of crew members (but no music) trying to get people interest ... in something. I would absolutely sail Princess again. 

I think I’m concerned that Celebrity won’t be as “fun” as Carnival. I’m a pretty reserved person, but I do enjoy being surrounded by a party. The Summit looks like a beautiful ship and we’re going to be so busy in port that I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll be on a cruise, after all!

And that’s WEIRD that I made your google feed!

Tell me it’ll be okay! Reassurances and hand pats welcome. 😀 

We originally booked Carnival Fascination out of San Juan and invited another couple to go with us. Long story, but they convinced us to change to virtually the identical cruise but on Celebrity Summit instead. 

Thoughts on Celebrity?