dani negreanu

we are there from 7am to 5pm. Thinking we should be on board no later than 4pm? That means at the queue for the donkeys/cable car/walk down no later than 2:30-3pm. Which leaves us several hours to see Oia which is where I'm focusing my time for the day. Debating because this tour gives only a max of 3 hours in Oia when I can stay longer on my own.

Pls. take into account that the first transfer is at 08.45. If they are punctual, it is Greece after all, not Germany....

My question - IF for some reason, I miss this bus or just want to get back to Fira on my own timetable, are there taxis in Oia that will take you to Fira?

 

 

And also...can you also book this once we tender the day we arrive in Santorini?

Since for me Santorini is the most "problematic" port, due to tendering, cable car long lines and other ships in port, I'm researching the "subject" thoroughly.... My understanding is that

1) You can't rely on finding a taxi back to Fira. I'm thinking 3 hours will do for Oia, and the bus back, if booking with "Santorini"/"Aegeantraveller" is "guaranteed".

2) I factor in waiting in line to get down with the cable car.

3) Yes, u can book once u tender [if they have places available], and there is another company, Union boatmen or vice versa, I've got a link to their site, but u can't reserve there. They, along with "Santorini/..." have a booth right on the dock.

4) Find out how many ships will be in port at the same time....

Thanks, Ha-pealady,

YES, I've got this far, first with my Dinners ("unknown provider":confused: , then with my VISA ("unknown currency" :mad: ) ....

MAYBE because I don't have Paypal, but in their "new" site they state that even if you don't have Paypal, it should get through... BUT, then they don't send you a "booking form" ... GO FIGURE !!!

I received a reply from my email to SantoriniPlanet@gmail.com. It was from Gianiuca Chimenti:

 

No way to do from my website anymore, please visit www.aegeantraveller.gr

 

I completed an online request form and was told I would receive reservation instructions by email soon. Pay using Paypal and the site indicates you don't have to have a Pay pal account.

Well, while still waiting for the above "reservation instructions", I've received the following mail:

"If you are interested we can arrange to drop you off to our donkey terminal ...." NOOO, I'm not interested in any donkey tours....

I didn't know there is a donkey terminal !!!! :confused:

mtlycrew1, pls. update if u received them and if the process of reservation went smoothly.... many thanks

This is the link that I used and managed to book on:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Santoriniplanet/app_132896805841?ref=br_tf

As mentioned, neither VISA nor Dinners worked out for me....:mad:

Did u receive a confirmation of booking with day/hour ? Did u pay the 3 Euros commission ?

I'm still waiting for the booking form promised by aegeantraveller.gr ...................................................

Pls. everyone update if u had any success in booking the transfer, apart from Ha-pealady :) Thanks, Dani[ela]

we gain Venice Nice Amalfi coast and Florence but lose Mykonos, Sicily and Naples

For me, the Equinox itinerary wins hands down -

Venice - is a must. Was there 4 times + Burano+Murano. Going on 55th.

Amalfi coast - Sorento, Positano, Amalfi - amazing, go to Ravelo too. Capri... Was there, didn't even bother with Naples....

Florence - breathtaking !!!

 

I am especially interested in this experience because I plan to do the Galapagos Cruise in either 2016 or 2017 and want to experience a Celebrity cruise before making that decision.

I noticed in the dailies there were seminars on that cruise and a new itinerary...I sure hope they promote it on our cruise as well!

 

Hi Angela,

Galapagos is not a "cruise" - is an adult camp... Amazing, but tough. :D

X is doing a wonderful job with this trip, is a hassle-free once in a lifetime experience. Xpedition is a small yacht, less than 100 passangers, the food is provided locally, no pool, no casino, no entertainment... After 2 trips a day and an extra snorkelling for those willing, u just go to sleep at 22.00, because u have to get up for the morning excursions by 06.30.

Bottom line - u can't judge Equinox with Xpedition, is like comparing oranges with dates...

It was worth every penny and I'll go back this minute to see islands that were not covered in my itinerary (Espanola, for example), but also Genovesa, which X doesn't cover, being to "big"... Dani[ela]

You've got talent for writing, thanks for taking the time in your holiday to share, Dani[ela]

I just got a reply to my e-mail:

thanks for contacting us,

Yes it's right we provide the transfer by speedboat to Ammoudi bay (Oia port) where there's a bus included in the price, that will bring you up in town dropping you off in the main square of Oia. Free time up to 4 hours (up to the cruise's last tender departure) every hour on the hour at the same place where we dropped you off there's a bus included that brings you back to Fira town where you'll be on your own. Cable car is not included.

25€ per adult

12.50€ per child

No booking form to fill in the credit card's details...:confused:

Ha-pealady, I quite agree with you, no donkeys for us either, so we'll have to factor in the long wait at the cable car. On the other hand, I understood that the steps down are slippery, don't want to risk that either.

About the transfer hour, I think is a safe bet to take the 09.45 - with 2800 on board, and us not taking any "priority to tender boat excursions', we'll have to wait a bit before getting us one....:)

Facebook page is where the bookings are done for Santorini Planet:

https://www.facebook.com/Santoriniplanet/app_132896805841?ref=br_tf

Tried this one. Filled all the details of credit card - first Dinners, which are giving double points towards airline tickets - didn't work. Oh, well, gave "them" the VISA, didn't work either. Sent SP a message through FaceBook. No answer. Tried again by e-mail. Got a laconic reply: "The system is off" :confused: from Gianluca... No "thank you for your interest/e-mail, try this site instead..." Weird...

Half an hour ago finally got an answer via FB - here's our new site for bookings - aegeantraveller.gr - quite "primitive" site. Filled out again the details (day and hour), minus credit card #. Got a reply: "You'll immediately receive a booking form via the email provided" - I'm still waiting, not sure I'll book with them in the end :(

Our ship (Equinox) also docks at 07.00, I don't want to worry, so I'm trying to book their 09.45 transfer, and aim to be at the cable car line down at around 16.00, figuring one hour waiting...

Just finished reading ALL your report, even though DH and I r not doing all your ports... BUT, 4 years ago we've rented a house in Praiano (between Positano & Amalfi, less posh & more affordable) and drove everyday around - of course, Ravelo won with flying colours.... Sorento came a comfortable second :)

Thanks for taking the time to share - I enjoyed every minute.

I too like to write trip reports, but writing in English requires a much bigger effort, not being my mother tongue (Roumanian) and my "adopted" tongue - Hebrew.

Wishing you and your family a fabulous cruise in 2 weeks time, Dani[ela]

I'm trying to book a rental car - you have to mark the pick-up place - how do I know where "my" ship (Celebrity Equinox) will dock? Thanks

I'm looking for the tour of Game of Throne. There are 2 ports have offer to tour the filming site, one is Dubrovnik the other is Malta. Can anybody know which one to go?

Try this:

http://www.toursbylocals.com/GameOfThronesDubrovnikTour

Just booked 3 days ago a Venice-Istanbul Med cruise. I've only been with Celebrity on Xpedition (Galapagos), which is basically a big yacht, so I wanted to get the feeling of this ship, and you provided a very detailed and witty report.

I can also relate to the high cost of flying to all those interesting places around the world, from the [my] other side of the "pond"... That's why I have so few cruises "under my belt" :mad:

Thank you for taking the time to share, Daniela

I hear you on the flight times, we are doing 14 hours Sydney - Vancouver - wait in the air port 4 hours then another 3.5 - 4 to Anchorage. A long tiring journey, but we are sailing all the way home to Sydney after that so no return flights, hooray!:D

Avalon - The best will be no flights at all... just cruising Sydney - Vancouver - Sydney... with nice stops in Hawai, Tahiti... and anything in between.:) Enjoy!!

You have a great memory.

 

You are really in for a treat with this cruise. I wish I could be doing it again, coming on my original date.

 

You will get to see lots more in terms of salmon and wildlife going on 26th July.

 

Have a good flight over from Israel.

YEP, we're looking at 18 hours net flight time...:eek: Tel-Aviv-Toronto-Vancouver. At least we're taking a night flight. I hope that Alaska is as much as breathtaking as were the Norvegian fjords/Amalfi coast (which, let's face it, are much more closer "home" - 4-5 hours flight:))

Thank you, enjoyed everything, your sense of humor:) and philosophy of life - even more.

Dani[ela]

Thank you, L.J., for taking the time to post and share. I especially enjoyed your sense of humour. Stumbled on your review (red it B2B...) while searching "Chops Grill"... Go figure...My "rationale" was to find out if this restaurant is any good, koz we thought how r we "skipping" the 2 formal nights;). Being from the Middle East, formal:confused: is not our middle name, more like sandals and shorts... No point in investing in suits and ties for just 2 evenings, and your posting the "Compass" (assuming is the same in all Radiance cruises) helped us deciding which days r "formal" - we'll go to Chops & Giovanni's. I wish u and Bev many many happy travels, and, if I may, pls. add Galapagos:) to your list... after Tasmania, of course. Dani[ela]