Should One Cruise to Greece During the Financial Crisis?

[Cruiseline Virgin]

You certainly not helping the country by NOT going

[keesar]

As for ATMs in Athens, we found out that there were some that did not work even in better times. We were directed to those that actually had money in them. You do have a couple of options. One is to stick with Celebrity excursions. The other is to come with Euros. You can get them before you leave for the trip at local banks or get them in other countries in Europe prior to entering Greece.

[HokiePoq]

I would tend to wait and see what currency you actually need. There is a chance that it will not be the Euro but almost certainly you will be able to exchange Euros into drachmas or whatever they call the replacement to the euro if there is a new currency.

 

They will take your money in whatever fashion you have it.

 

I think you are right. When we were there several years ago demonstrations were in the news due to the austerity measures that were being taken. We didn't see any in the tourist areas.

Our guide in Crete told us she sends boxes of food every week to her PHD daughter whose government salary in Athens had been cut by 50%. Tough times for the Greek people. I'd have some dollars and euros for incidentals and go on the ship's tours. No need to miss out on the trip and tourism will help the people there.

Edited July 1, 2015 by HokiePoq

[jveevers]

In the same position with 2 Greek stops in August. Best not to rely on being able to get cash in Greece via ATM. I will make sure that I have Euros cash with me. Although by then the Euro may not be the official Greek currency, I expect business' s will be more than happy to accept Euro.

[UniPac]

I think even if they leave the EU or get thrown out - they will still keep the EUR, at least for some time (a year or more).

Changing a currency is nothing what you can do in one or two months, so no worries about EUR not being accepted.

[Wine-O]

In the same position with 2 Greek stops in August. Best not to rely on being able to get cash in Greece via ATM. I will make sure that I have Euros cash with me. Although by then the Euro may not be the official Greek currency, I expect business' s will be more than happy to accept Euro.

 

I know the S-Class ships sailing in Europe have an ATM machine that dispenses Euro in the Casino area as well as one that dispenses Dollars in the vicinity of Guest Relations. Not sure what the fee/conversion rates would be.

[lovemylab]

If Greece leaves the Euro, it's going to take months or even years before they are completely switched over to a new currency.

 

We have 3 Greek ports on our upcoming cruise and we plan to use cash at these ports (we will buy it at home before we leave).

[waterbug123]

If you go to the Greek ports forum, there is a guy named Nick who lives in Athens and is posting on a couple of threads and giving first hand information and observations as a local. It does not seem to be the dire situation that some sources are painting it to be.

[Chunky2219]

Cruising with ports in Greece would not bother me at all. In the worst case you can always book a ship's tour or, if they are rioting, stay on deck and catch some rays.

 

But a cruise that starts or finishes in Greece, especially Athens would be a definite no-no for me. Even with cruise company flights and transfers there's no certainty of getting to (or through) the airport on a key day if things go awry. It's bad enough with French air traffic controllers spitting the dummy out every summer; unpaid Greeks in the airport tower would be a whole different level of hassle.

 

By all means take US$ and I'm sure someone would take them off you at a really poor exchange rate. Euros are going to be the best and most sensible way to go since even if they get thrown out of the mechanism the Euro will still have a lot of intrinsic value in the country. Few Greeks visit the US but many of them are going to continue to trade with other European countries. Cash is king and with a fractured banking system the US$ is of limited value.

 

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[Evangaline]

Pickpockets are going to be out in throngs with all this talk about tourists walking about with wads of cash. Apparently someone was advising putting some emergency cash in the soles of your shoes so you can at least pay for a taxi back to your hotel or ship if you are robbed. Only problem with that is that I usually wear sandals in these sticky, hot places.

[Rob the Cruiser]

Latest news indicates Prime Minister is having second thoughts about rejecting the bailout package offered by Greece's creditors.

[scotlandcruisegirl]

I'm just back from a cruise that went to Rhodes/Santorini/Mykonos and Pireus for Athens. We got off at all of them, although didn't go into Athens because of the unrest in the past few days.

Obviously we might have just missed the real problem, but certainly we didn't have any problem at all, and the ports are so friendly and gorgeous.

We did see people trying to get money from ATMs in Pireus but the €60 withdrawal limit only applies to Greek citizens.. As long as there is money in the ATM in the first place.

 

You'll be able to get money on the cruise ship and if you bring enough €/$ with you, I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

I hope you have a fantastic holiday, whatever your decision is! :)

[little britain]

That is certainly a possibility. And if Greece defaults, it may not even be a hard currency which means you would need to get wads of this junk money that you may not be able to exchange once you've left the country.

 

..."junk money".....really. :rolleyes:

 

Exactly how long do think it takes to convert ATMs to a new currency, print new notes, and change the whole banking system, let alone the daily stuff like menus, parking meters, supermarket pricing.....???

 

I would sat that Greece needs your money now and thinking of not going there will damage their economy even more.

Edited July 1, 2015 by little britain

[Karynanne]

According to tonight's news, the unemployment is 25% in Greece. The conditions were described as like the Great Depression in the United States in the 30's.

 

Unemployment has been high in Spain and Italy also. Especially for those between the ages of 18-25. It's been this way for quite some time.

[Karynanne]

..."junk money".....really. :rolleyes:

 

Exactly how long do think it takes to convert ATMs to a new currency, print new notes, and change the whole banking system, let alone the daily stuff like menus, parking meters, supermarket pricing.....???

 

I would sat that Greece needs your money now and thinking of not going there will damage their economy even more.

 

I agree. Go...enjoy Greece. It's a beautiful country, filled with history and warm people.

[ladylemondrop]

I LOVE GREECE! When i am old, I am going to live there, with my cat.

 

Seriously though, go to greece, enjoy the magic of it, and dont worry too much.

[Evangaline]

Actually the itinerary my sailing originally had was changed. It was originally going to the Black Sea which was more interesting, but with the unrest in the Ukraine the sailing from Istanbul was changed to include these Greek ports instead. Even though I was not that thrilled to do Greece again, I hesitantly decided to stick with it and now it looks like more unrest and so forth with the new itinerary, albeit not a war zone. Really can't help but think this trip is jinxed.

[Minoushka]

I truly believe going to a country in potential collapse is not wise .Do you think these people will have tourists in mind if all hell breaks loose.I do expect demonstrations ansd rioting

..people cannot get their funds ...so bo food or anything ...things may get worse before they get better

I wouldcancel ...who needs to buy trouble with money ???

I think all of Europe is going to have very hard times

Ill sty in North America

[Cruise Junky]

I truly believe going to a country in potential collapse is not wise .Do you think these people will have tourists in mind if all hell breaks loose.I do expect demonstrations ansd rioting

..people cannot get their funds ...so bo food or anything ...things may get worse before they get better

I wouldcancel ...who needs to buy trouble with money ???

I think all of Europe is going to have very hard times

Ill sty in North America

 

The Greek islands have no other source of income so yes, I think they will very much have tourists in mind.

[Tiggertastic]

We're travelling and we're looking forward to adding money into the economy

[free from work]

I truly believe going to a country in potential collapse is not wise .Do you think these people will have tourists in mind if all hell breaks loose.I do expect demonstrations ansd rioting

..people cannot get their funds ...so bo food or anything ...things may get worse before they get better

I wouldcancel ...who needs to buy trouble with money ???

I think all of Europe is going to have very hard times

Ill sty in North America

 

As a visitor to Canada in October 2014 I find your comments offensive. If you think Greece is not worth your support stay at home. Dig a bunker. Be parochial. It is only by supporting our fellow human beings that we show our own worth. Yes life can be difficult but if all you worry about is your Canadian $ then Europe doesn't need/want your support. At the end of the day you sail away to a very comfortable life on a very comfortable ship. The Greek people are living through this and need all the support they can get.

[peteukmcr]

As a visitor to Canada in October 2014 I find your comments offensive. If you think Greece is not worth your support stay at home. Dig a bunker. Be parochial. It is only by supporting our fellow human beings that we show our own worth. Yes life can be difficult but if all you worry about is your Canadian $ then Europe doesn't need/want your support. At the end of the day you sail away to a very comfortable life on a very comfortable ship. The Greek people are living through this and need all the support they can get.

 

 

Bravo, well said. We don't want small minded people in Europe.

[lovemylab]

I truly believe going to a country in potential collapse is not wise .Do you think these people will have tourists in mind if all hell breaks loose.I do expect demonstrations ansd rioting

..people cannot get their funds ...so bo food or anything ...things may get worse before they get better

I wouldcancel ...who needs to buy trouble with money ???

I think all of Europe is going to have very hard times

Ill sty in North America

 

I notice that you're from Montreal, which has certainly had it's share of protests, demonstrations and riots over the years.

 

When these things happen in Montreal, do you suggest tourists not visit Canada?

 

Greece is a country made up of many islands. Most of the riots and protests in Greece occur in Athens (and not near the areas where most tourists visit). Most of the islands rely on tourism as a means of survival - I am not worried about my safety. I'd actually be more scared to visit Montreal during the Stanley Cup Finals vs. visiting Greece during this.

[Cruise Junky]

I'd actually be more scared to visit Montreal during the Stanley Cup Finals vs. visiting Greece during this.

 

It's Vancouver you should be scared of, be afraid, very, very afraid :p

[HokiePoq]

Unemployment has been high in Spain and Italy also. Especially for those between the ages of 18-25. It's been this way for quite some time.

 

Yes, it has. We actually walked through a demonstration in Spain on the way to Gibraltar. The municipal employees had not been paid in months. Police and Fire departments were just watching while tires were burned in the road. Not violent at all but the bus could not pass. We walked a short distance through the area where the tires were burning and across the airport in Gibraltar. By the time we left, it was over.

OP, hope you have a great trip!