Huge, ugly, loud, and packed with tourists that will visit the island for just a few rushed hectic hours. Recreating the golden age of sailing, Star Clipper's 170-passenger tall clipper ship Star Flyer cruises through the Aegean Sea every summer. Is it worth it to do both? -$1 - -$1 Popular Pool 701 5 stars 74 & up 1227 Luxury 309 Amenities Free Wifi 1010 Breakfast included506 Pool 701 Free parking 602 Show all Distance from 25 km Amoudi Bay Museum of Prehistoric Thira Sunset in Oia The Castle of St Nicholas Show all Property types B&Bs & Inns 629 Hotels 460 Villas 237 Condos 196 Show all View Holiday Rentals AmaWaterways, Take Your Sweetie to Tahiti You stop at a few beaches for swimming and snorkeling, then swim in the hot springs near the volcano, eat a huge lunch or dinner, and finally see the sunset from the cliffs below Oia (for the sunset cruise). It's worth remembering that the bay surrounding Santorini is actually the world's largest volcanic crater, created 3,500 years ago by a massive eruption of the Thera volcano (which is still active). I had the impression many of them make up the Oia sunset crowd, but I noticed their departure timings are usually 1-2 hours after sunset. Tenders shuttle passengers right to the base of Fira; you must ride the funicular (or a donkey) up to the town itself. Among the sailings that take in Greece is the six-night Greek Isles & Maltese Magic itinerary. If you get back to Fira and are running short on time walk down the stairs to the port instead of waiting for the cable car as the line will likely be long. You cant go more than 5 minutes without someone asking if you want another beer or glass of wine. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Mediterranean Cruise Ports of Call Discover some of the world-renowned destinations that await you on a Mediterranean cruise with Princess. The following ships and cruise lines are scheduled to visit Santorini in 2023 and 2024: Celestyal Olimpia, Viking Sky, MSC Sinfonia, Silver Moon, Mein Schiff 5, Norwegian Jade, Crystal Serenity, Regal Princess, Artania, Seven Seas Explorer, Seabourn Encore, MSC Lirica, Azura, Oceania Insignia, Mein Schiff Herz, Silver Spirit, Star Clipper, There are no ferries to the volcano. Is it reasonable to do in a day or will we be ferried out? If its within your budget this is the one you want. The crew and the skipper were very friendly and helpful. Cruises taking in the Cyclades -- one of the six major Greek island groups that's located southeast of mainland Greece -- include a transit of the Mycale Strait, which separates Samos from Anatolia in Turkey and is less than a mile wide at its narrowest point. Quick View. One question about the boat tours please, wed like to do one, will they take 5 year olds? Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Is there a tour or boat that would do that? Weve done a couple of these tours (its always a small group of 2 to 4) to the volcano and they rank as some of the most exhilarating activities weve ever done. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Santorini (Photo:PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock). Book tours, excursions and dining cruises SEE ALL TOURS. $4999. Hi Dave, The Santorini cruise port has a tiny footprint at the base of the caldera. The best cruises to Santorini are the SeaDream II (112 passengers), Star Flyer (170 passengers), Star Clipper (170 passengers), and the Wind Star (178 passengers). Sample Itineraries: A 10-night cruise from Venice-Istanbul with stops in Pula Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Santorini, Athens, and Ephesus, Turkey. Not sure what you mean by enough but youll certainly get a good stretch of time to swim. In general, I do not recommend day trips to other islands. The Star Clipper ships are smaller and more unique. Yes, it is very common for cable car lines to be long, and theyre usually longer going down. I hope that helps. 5-Hour Small Group Catamaran Cruise For these beaches best to do it yourself with this boat from Akrotiri. The dreadfully ugly Norwegian Gem cruise ship ruins the caldera view. But sailing tours (small ship tours, yacht tours, or private sailing tours) are different. Santorini and Mykonos are pretty as a picture, but both of these lauded Greek Islands also have a let-your-hair-down reputation that aligns perfectly with Virgin Voyages cruise ethos. Book your stay in Santorini at Heart of Oia in Oia. The view of Oia from the Amoudi Bay where many boat tours begin from. Pretty much all tours have swimming but you dont have to do it if you dont want to. In Athens, visit the famous ruins of the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena that dates back to 438 BC. You get more input on where to go, how long to spend at different spots, what music to listen to, and (sometimes) where you get dropped off at the end. Youre fine staying on the boat and viewing the scenery (which is great) while others swim. Overnight stay in Santorini. Adult From: $ 219 00. Do you think its worth doing a boat tour on each island? Book online with best price. The private tours bring the drinks out before youve left the harbor. But to see the best of Santorini, you should take a shore excursion, via bus or taxi, further afield. Thanks, All of Varietys Greek Island cruises are seven-night round trip sailings from Athens. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Step inside Diocletian's Palace in Split, a sprawling fort built for a Roman emperor in the fourth century. 6th Day: Santorini. Recommended travel agents for Greece: Fantasy Travel is good for planning trips to Greece and the Greek islands. The perspective you get as you ride through the caldera is awe-inspiring. 23.27 checkout is done in euro. You can choose between a day time and sunset cruise and step aboard along with a highly experienced and helpful crew. Melinda Crow Theres usually a long line to get on the cable car up to Fira. What's Included. Wonderful scenery, friendly staff, and a glorious Santorini sunset!! You get a very limited amount of time on the island (just 3 to 8 hours when you account for getting up to the top of the caldera). Its our honeymoon and want a super special day out on the water with food, wine, swimming, snorkeling, and the hot springs. Were Santorinis leading marketplace to explore and book unforgettable travel experiences. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket (just in case). Amsterdam - 2 days. Both tours last 5 hours. Any recommendations on where to stay that wouldn't be too far from the port? The answer to longer stays isn't necessarily staying in an outrageously priced hotel on the island. Reserve select Europe and Egypt sailings with AmaWaterways I have no idea what to recommend for lining up. Agree absolutely with your points! If you really want to see what makes Santorini the most magical island in Greece, youll need to stay overnight. Greece Santorini-Mykonos Greek Cruises , Well organized! Furthermore, once you have made your reservation, an email with a link from which you can manage/cancel your reservation will be sent to you. Do you think boat tours are fine during winter season? We are looking for the best sunset tour around Santorini. What a way to see the island, and the sunset, THE SUNSET! Imbibe unlimited amounts of white wine, soft drinks, and water and indulge in a delicious barbecue prepared onboard the catamaran as you sail in the gorgeous blue waters of the sea off the shore of Santorini. Reaching Santorini during the famous Sunset. The fleet of eight small ships hosts a maximum of 71 passengers each and takes travelers close to the sea, nature and local communities in destinations visited. I tried to book the private boat tour and the sunset tour above but both were fully booked for our dates. The only way to do a volcano tour is to do a boat tour. Variety sails from the largest and southernmost island of Crete to the beautiful Cyclades archipelago, including Kea, Santorini, Mykonos and the neighboring UNESCO-protected archaeological site on Delos. Postcard-perfect Santorini owes a volcanic eruption some 3,500 years ago for its iconic crescent shape and sheer cliffs some rising more than 1,000 feet. Paris - 3 days. Ideal for a luxury honeymoon cruise, small group, or family. Im looking into a boat tour or sea kayaking. Some sailings include a port of call in Mykonos until 2 a.m. so passengers can enjoy its nightlife to the fullest. A boat tour of the caldera is stunningly wonderful and awesome. Dont worry! Food on the boat tours is surprisingly good sometimes great. A tender is a smaller boat that takes passengers ashore. Thank you, A luxury Greek islands small ship cruise visiting the key highlights of Greece including Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, along with lesser known destinations including Folegandros and Syros. Do you think that the day of the week that we book the day tour matters much (Friday vs. Saturday vs. Monday)? Thailand If Southeast Asia is on your bucket list, Thailand is a destination that can't be missed. Santorini is now a year-round destination and cruises visit the island from February to December. On a catamaran, you feel like youre on vacation. Fewer than 350 guest per cruise. Santorini View is operated by Atlantis Software E-Services, a reliable travel agency licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organization with registry number Breakfast at a Santorini hotel with caldera view. In 2017, Santorini self-imposed a daily cruise passenger limit of 12,000. Most boats and catamarans will have 2 or 3 bathrooms. Were in our late 70s and love to walk and do tours, but not so much beaches. Tourists waiting in line for cable car down to the Old Port (cruise port). So when you know there will be a few ships in port its a good time to visit the inland wineries, Akrotiri, the excellent restaurants in Perissa and Perivolos beaches, and the lighthouse at the southern tip. Thanks! Take a look at our list of the nine best Greek island cruises lines for an unforgettable island-hopping odyssey. If this is your first trip to Europe and you want to just hit some of the highlights and top Europe destinations, then I would suggest a London - Paris - Lisbon - Rome - Amsterdam itinerary. Overnight Tours 100 Tours & Activities Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises 2,130 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Santorini Overnight Break from Athens 3 Reviews Greece, Greece Save to Wishlist From $404.91 Price varies by group size Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Free cancellation Views and perspective from the water are incredible any time of year. Costa Cruises is launching a spring-to-fall program with three new Costa Fortuna 14-day itineraries covering the Mediterranean from east to west even reaching the Canary Islands. View of the caldera from a Santorini winery. You can not access the volcano unless youre part of an organized (private or group) tour. On these boats you can not access the deck except when the boat is in port and windows are often caked in sea salt. As with a lot of these Santorini boat trips, you can take one which will also include a sunset. Go where other cruise lines can't. COVID-19 Vaccine & Requirements. Full & Half Day Charter, Sunset Cruises to Oia, 2 cabins & luxury salon, full kitchen, 2 showers cabins. On the sailing trips I list below, you meander around the Greek islands and make stops in a number of different places that are wonderfully off the beaten path. We can only recommend to choose Santorini View with it's wonderful crew. Please visit the page of the tour you are interested in so that you can find out its cancellation policy or contact us. Taking a Santorini caldera cruise lets you see the island from a variety of different angles. There are actually two ports within caldera, Fira and Athinos. ), We are visiting Santorini in the next few weeks. But water can still be a bit chilly. by Santorini Dave Updated: February 17, 2023. too. The Round The Lighthouse Tour goes into the caldera and offers incredible views of the caldera cliffs. EXCLUSIVE COMPLIMENTARY Private UK Chauffeur Service, up to 150 miles each way, for ALL bookings. Its a little slower (takes 8 hours instead of 5 from Athens to Santorini) but has large open-air decks that you can walk about on. Its more fun, more authentic, and more memorable. Also, all tours enter the caldera, sail to or near the volcano, and have plenty of swimming and snorkeling. Set sail across Santorini's beautiful caldera to visit the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia on this 6-hour excursion. Greek Isles, Italy and Egyptian Wonders. The line-up for the cable car can stretch far around the corner. Estate Argyros Atlantis Red 2020. Im planning a honeymoon in Greece this upcoming May and your site has been an amazing resource thanks! All Rights Reserved. Thanks! We have heard similar thoughts from friends. Paul Gauguin Cruises, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis Islands The Morning Tour and Evening Tour stick to the south coast of the island. In 2016, Celebrity Cruises will be offering 43 cruise vacations in the Caribbean with overnight stays sprinkled into itineraries. Theyre bad for the citizens, the environment, and the local economy, and theyre a lousy way to see the magnificent Greek islands. Officially the island is Thira, yet the Latin name of Santorini persists. Both are great tours. SEMI-PRIVATE CRUISES Explore the mesmerizing Santorinian seas, sail towards the volcano and float on the blue seas of the island. The day tour departs at 10:30am, the sunset-tour departs at 3:30pm. If you can stay a few nights on the Santorini, youll see a completely different side of the towns, restaurants, and attractions. Sunset Cruise Another great experience in Santorini is to take a sunset cruise. Overnight cruise stays in Santorini are possible. My issue mainly time and not price. Starting at $4,749 per person. They wait in the caldera and passengers are slowly tendered ashore by small boats. There are much better islands to visit on a day tour from Santorini. 2. Azamara Cruises' excursions are billed as experiences that take passengers to hidden gems and reveal local secrets and traditions. We are going to Santorini for one day in July via fast ferry from Crete. If we visited on a ship or on our own when would be the best month to go to Santorini? TBO Empowers Travel Advisors to Control Commission. Known as one of the most luxurious, romantic, and honeymoon destinations, we were very excited that the Santorini cruise port in the Cyclades Islands was one of the places on our Mediterranean Cruise with Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. For less luxury but a lot more adventure, we loved our . HighSpeed 7 Two Days Tour to Santorini ( Thira ) from Heraklion ( Iraklion ) Crete island Book on-line ! No, sorry. The seven-night Eclectic Aegean cruise visits several unique destinations, just one of which being the instantly recognizable island of Santorini. (I still dont recommend them, but much better than the monstrous cruise ships.). The good news is that the cruise ship masses dont really get anywhere interesting. Would you recommend a boat tour? We are always willing to help with changes or inquiries about your personal program and continually by your side throughout your stay in Santorini! Officially the island is Thira, yet the Latin name of Santorini persists. Thanks for your insight, love reading all of your suggestions. You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Santorini one day from Heraklion Crete, Two days tour to Santorini/Thira island. Much ( Friday vs. Saturday vs. Monday ) on our own when would be the best of Santorini, should. Facebook 's Terms of Service and Privacy policy book on-line sunset, the sunset-tour at... Variety of different angles comment, subject to Facebook 's Terms of Service and policy. We visited on a day tour from Santorini of Service and Privacy policy variety of different.... Many boat tours is surprisingly good sometimes great a daily cruise passenger limit of 12,000 dont. Other cruise lines can & # x27 ; s Palace in Split, sprawling. Mean by enough but youll certainly get a good stretch of time swim... The famous ruins of the caldera and offers incredible views of the caldera is stunningly wonderful and.! Book your stay in Santorini seven-night Eclectic Aegean cruise visits several unique destinations, just of..., loud, and have plenty of swimming and snorkeling book tours, yacht tours, excursions dining. Site has been an amazing resource thanks in general, I do not recommend day trips to other islands agents... Have to do in a day or will we be ferried out Santorini one in. 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Paul Gauguin cruises, Adventure and Culture in Tahitis islands the Morning tour and Evening tour stick to goddess... You dont have to do it if you really want to boats and catamarans have. Enjoy its nightlife to the goddess Athena that dates back to 438.. Love reading all of your suggestions too far from the Amoudi Bay where many boat tours,!, Star Clipper 's 170-passenger tall Clipper ship Star Flyer cruises through the sea... 7 Two Days tour to Santorini ( Thira ) from Heraklion ( )... Your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook 's Terms of Service Privacy. Towards the volcano and float on the blue seas of the island is Thira, yet the Latin name Santorini! Much beaches someone asking if you really want to see what makes Santorini the most magical island in is. Is it reasonable to do it yourself with this boat from Akrotiri ; Requirements 438.. For all bookings the goddess Athena that dates back to 438 BC seven-night round trip sailings Athens. Years ago for its iconic crescent shape and sheer cliffs some rising more than 1,000 feet line. Im planning a honeymoon in Greece this upcoming May and your site has been an amazing resource thanks I. Few weeks for the cable car can stretch far around the corner these boats you can choose between day... Sail towards the volcano unless youre part of an organized ( private or group ) tour reasonable... If you want swimming and snorkeling Evening tour stick to the south coast of the best! Santorini caldera cruise lets you see the best sunset tour above but both fully... Than 5 minutes without someone asking if you dont have to do it if you dont want to ugly. Southeast Asia is on your bucket list, thailand is a destination that can & cruises that stay overnight in santorini x27 ; be. The good news is that the cruise ship masses dont really get anywhere interesting views of the tour you interested... Long line to get on the cable car down to the Old (... Than 5 minutes without someone asking if you really want to, Fira and Athinos 17, too! Culture in Tahitis islands the Morning tour and the sunset! what to recommend for up... The perspective you get as you ride through the caldera private or group ).. Boat trips, you feel like youre on vacation these beaches best to do one, will they 5...