If you’re on a Greek Island cruise, Santorini will undoubtedly be a highlight! One of the most popular of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is home to the iconic white-washed homes, blue domes, and red sand beaches. It was formed by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC and has formed an underwater caldera. Santorini is unlike anywhere else in the world! When visiting Santorini on a cruise, there are some specific things to take into consideration with regards to timing, cost, and efficiency (when you’re only on the island for a few hours!). Here are my top tips for visiting Santorini on a cruise!
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1. Get an Early Tender off the Cruise Ship
Before your cruise even sets sail, take some time to look into the tendering process for your individual cruise line and ship. If you can reserve tenders off the boat ahead of time, do that as early as possible! When I was on the Norwegian Epic, you couldn’t reserve tenders until you were on board. Therefore, it was the first thing I did when boarding on day 1! The earlier off the cruise ship you can be, the less crowds and lines you will likely face getting up to Fira. Look into how your specific ship handles tender reservations and do whatever you can do to be on an early one!
2. Plan for Long Lines at the Cable Car
The cable car is the main mode of transportation from the Old Harbor (where the tender boats will dock) and up to the town of Fira. While the ride is quick, there are only 2 cars going at a time and the lines can get insane. Allow yourself plenty of time to get from the tender up to the town. There is also a walking path, but it is over 580 steep, slippery, donkey-poop-covered steps and I wouldn’t recommend walking up them. There are also donkey rides available to the top, but I wouldn’t recommend taking one, out of ethics.
When it’s time to return to the cruise ship, allow yourself even more time than you think you need to wait in the cable car line. I’m talking hours. Our last tender back to the ship was at 9:00 pm and we got in line for the cable car around 7:00 pm. That still wasn’t enough time! We ended up having to walk down the stairs and dodge smelly donkey poop and our legs were jello!
3. Take the Public Bus to Oia
If you’re looking to make it to Oia (and let’s be honest, everyone is), your best bet is to take the public busses! There will be options at the harbor after you tender offering boat rides to Oia, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for them. Save yourself some serious cash and take the cable car up to Fira and then a public bus to Oia. The ride is only 30-minutes each way and costs only €2 per person. Click here or on the link below for a detailed guide on how to get to Oia from the cruise port!
Read More: How to Get to Oia From the Santorini Cruise Port
4. Public Restrooms in Oia
One of the greatest discoveries we made in Oia was the public restrooms! When traveling, it’s always such a strategic game to be planning ahead for your bathroom needs, so was such a pleasant surprise to find a public one right in the heart of Oia. An exact pin for the restrooms is here. An attendant will be on site to keep them tidy after each use and collect the €1 fee. So worth it!
5. Pack your Patience
Above all, make sure you pack your patience on while visiting Santorini on a cruise. Your ship alone is bringing thousands of people to the island, and there are usually several ships docked per day. That, on top of the tourists coming to the island other ways, means the tiny streets, busses, restaurants… everything is crowded. Try to make reservations ahead of time for any tours, restaurants, classes, or events you want to participate in to avoid disappointment. When in really popular places like Oia, be prepared to wait in long lines to get “the views” of the blue domes. We’re all out here trying to enjoy the same views and get the same photos. Manage your expectations before arriving!
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