Embarkation Time Piraeus Port- Trying to Arrange Prebooked Transfer

[cruisinsusin]

We are spending time in Athens before our cruise and making arrangements for a car to transfer to Piraeus port. I had thought embarkation would be in the late morning, but from some previous posts, it sounds like it might not be until 2pm. Can anyone who has recently sailed from Piraeus comment?  

Thanks in advance, Susan

[Scots Caz]

I believe 2pm is the earliest time at all ports currently. 

Everyone off by 9am and deep clean of ship

Edited July 17, 2022 by Scots Caz

[eclipst]

35 minutes ago, cruisinsusin said:

We are spending time in Athens before our cruise and making arrangements for a car to transfer to Piraeus port. I had thought embarkation would be in the late morning, but from some previous posts, it sounds like it might not be until 2pm. Can anyone who has recently sailed from Piraeus comment?  

Thanks in advance, Susan

As part of your online checkin, you will choose a boarding time. 2:00-2:30 PM was the earliest checkin I was offered for Piraeus, July 20 departure.

 

Others have reported mayhem from people arriving outside their scheduled time, delaying everyone, and others have suggested arriving before the scheduled time (1pm) got them through fastest.

 

There is also an issue of how involved Azamara crew are in the checkin process. Elsewhere, people have said the ship crew have to be invited ashore by the port authorities.

Edited July 17, 2022 by eclipst

[annapolitan369]

On the Journey, May 26, the earliest boarding time was 2:00.  It was handled by port employees, not ship's crew, and IMHO, handled very poorly.  Probably the worst boarding experience in over 20 years of regular cruising.

[barneyboy]

1 minute ago, annapolitan369 said:

On the Journey, May 26, the earliest boarding time was 2:00.  It was handled by port employees, not ship's crew, and IMHO, handled very poorly.  Probably the worst boarding experience in over 20 years of regular cruising.

Oh dear that’s not good. We’re boarding in Piraeus on 26th August. After the shambolic embarkation in Monaco on the Onward we were hoping for a better organised port this time. Oh well it’s all forgotten about once you get on board and enjoy a glass of fizz. 

[annapolitan369]

yes, you are right, it didn't affect the rest of the cruise, just lost about 2 1/2 hours of the first day.

[malcliz]

We agree boarding the Onward at Monaco was chaos but we just got off the Journey yesterday and have to say embarkation in Athens was extremely well organised. We had a check in time of 2 pm so we arrived at 1 pm and were initially offered a coach ride into Piraeus to pass the time until boarding commenced which we declined. We were taken straight into the marquee where our test results were checked and we were given a yellow bracelet to wear. Then straight into the building for the check in process and back to the marquee where there were snacks and water. During this time others without test results were being tested. We boarded soon after at about 1.40 pm. We were so impressed with the smooth way it was handled. 

[barneyboy]

3 hours ago, malcliz said:

We agree boarding the Onward at Monaco was chaos but we just got off the Journey yesterday and have to say embarkation in Athens was extremely well organised. We had a check in time of 2 pm so we arrived at 1 pm and were initially offered a coach ride into Piraeus to pass the time until boarding commenced which we declined. We were taken straight into the marquee where our test results were checked and we were given a yellow bracelet to wear. Then straight into the building for the check in process and back to the marquee where there were snacks and water. During this time others without test results were being tested. We boarded soon after at about 1.40 pm. We were so impressed with the smooth way it was handled. 

That sounds good. Hopefully it will be the same in august when we board. 

[yogagal47]

On 7/18/2022 at 11:38 PM, malcliz said:

We agree boarding the Onward at Monaco was chaos but we just got off the Journey yesterday and have to say embarkation in Athens was extremely well organised. We had a check in time of 2 pm so we arrived at 1 pm and were initially offered a coach ride into Piraeus to pass the time until boarding commenced which we declined. We were taken straight into the marquee where our test results were checked and we were given a yellow bracelet to wear. Then straight into the building for the check in process and back to the marquee where there were snacks and water. During this time others without test results were being tested. We boarded soon after at about 1.40 pm. We were so impressed with the smooth way it was handled. 

I do not know what you mean by marquee-when we checked in at Piraeus June 17 we had tents-otherwise know as the "check-in sauna" by those of us that experienced it. Everything was chaotic and disorganized so perhaps they have hired a new company to manage the process, or, the folks who handled our check-in have had some training...Glad yours was stress free!

[Host Jazzbeau]

What Americans call 'pop-up tents' are called 'marquis tents' in England

[Norn Iron Man]

2 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

What Americans call 'pop-up tents' are called 'marquis tents' in England

Marquee tents surely 😊

[Host Jazzbeau]

5 hours ago, Norn Iron Man said:

Marquee tents surely 😊

Oops, yes.  They are not named after the American humorist Don Marquis [pronounced mar-quiss] 🤣

 

*except, apparently, in Massachusetts – it was this google hit that threw me off:  https://chasecanopy.com › marquis-tents

[suewheldon]

Boarded in Piraeus June 4. Wasn’t given specific boarding time. Our paperwork just said checkin  from 2.00 pm. No one boarded the ship until after 2.00 pm. With checking covid paperwork in one tent then registration in another it took about 45 mins from arrival to actual boarding.