Is Journey still going to Greece?

[momcat]

We are booked on the transatlantic from Miami to Athens in early April. Some of the tour companies in Athens are hesitant to take bookings because of the current situation of political and economic unrest. We have booked a 3-day extension in Athens at the end of the cruise, but don't want to be confined to our hotel because of local problems. What's the story? If it becomes unsafe, where would the Journey disembark instead? And if this happens, what happens to our trip extension? Not trying to borrow trouble, but ironically the last time we cruised from Athens there was rioting in the streets and a taxi strike.

[BBMacLaird]

We are booked on the transatlantic from Miami to Athens in early April. Some of the tour companies in Athens are hesitant to take bookings because of the current situation of political and economic unrest. We have booked a 3-day extension in Athens at the end of the cruise, but don't want to be confined to our hotel because of local problems. What's the story? If it becomes unsafe, where would the Journey disembark instead? And if this happens, what happens to our trip extension? Not trying to borrow trouble, but ironically the last time we cruised from Athens there was rioting in the streets and a taxi strike.

 

Yes, the AZAMARA JOURNEY is going to Greece (Athens and all the islands!) this summer.

[BBMacLaird]

Hello Momcat,

I was in a hurry when I answered you earlier, so let me elaborate a bit to put your mind at ease..

 

First and foremost the safety of our guests and crew are our highest priority. We would never go somewhere we feel is unsafe.

 

While Greece is in the news a lot lately (meetings in Brussels, the Euro Zone negotiations, the new prime minister , etc.) what gets lost in the media coverage is the fact that pretty much most of what happens in Greece happens in Athens, and in Constitution Square specifically. The islands are far away from any trouble in Constitution Square.

 

Greece possesses something like 1,400 islands. Of those, roughly 230 are inhabited; and we visit, in addition to several mainland ports, around 14 different islands; many more than most other cruise lines.

[Infrequent2]

We are staying on for a few days in Athens. Here's what the tour operator/guide we have booked with had to say about the current situation....

 

"Good Morning from Athens.

 

Nothing to worry about your question. Its very logical, taking into account what we see and listen from TV news.

 

The real situation here is very calm and normal. We had elections and we change party in the goverment. And this goverment tries now to find its place and pass its ideas (with regard to the financiel crisis) into the EU. At the end (in the next 10 days) there will be a solution as always. Nothing less, nothing more.

 

I may ensure that there will be no problem at all with our activities on April 18th. "

 

For ourselves- we plan to take our Euros in small denominations just in case there are currency issues.

[momcat]

Hello Momcat,

I was in a hurry when I answered you earlier, so let me elaborate a bit to put your mind at ease..

 

First and foremost the safety of our guests and crew are our highest priority. We would never go somewhere we feel is unsafe.

 

Bonnie,

Thank you for addressing my question in greater detail. However, the transatlantic cruise will not be heading to any of the islands. We will disembark in Piraeus and then make our way either to the airport or to a hotel in Athens. We are booked for 3 days at the Athens Hilton, and we are hoping to take day tours to other places on the mainland, such as Delphi and Corinth.

 

I am somewhat reassured by the other posts, though.

[English Tim]

Heike will look after you, she knows all the locals.

[CintiPam]

Even when there are protests in Athens, 99% of the time they all take place in Syntagma Square, so easy to avoid if you must. But of course, you should not book a hotel right on that square; the Hilton is far from there so please do not worry.

Edited February 21, 2015 by CintiPam