Shore excursion providers - any recommendations?
 

Hi, four of us are going to Greece in early September on a 7-day cruise of the Greek islands followed by 2 days in Athens. Does anyone have some good recommendations for companies doing shore excursions? We can of course book through the cruise ship, but it's quite expensive, and if we can get the exact same excusions cheaper elsewhere, that would be perfect. We are going to Crete (Ay Nikolaos), Santorini, Patmos, Mykonos and Rhodes.

Since it's our collective first time in Greece, we just want to do the standard sightseeing tours on each island (I know, we will miss a lot, but that way, we get a good general sighteeing experience and can mentally note where we want to spend more time if we decide to come back in the future). We have about 6-8 hours in each port, so half-day sighteeing tours are best. Of our group of 4 people, my mom and aunt are in their early 60's and are fit but may find it hard to climb tons of steps or walk massive distances. Are there less strenuous tours available? My cousin and I could do the regular tours., but ideally we'd like to be with them too. Thanks!

They now have a hop on hop off bus that drops you at the major sites and gives you information through ear phones. I highly recommend it. Leaves from syntagma square. They also have a small train for 5 euros that takes you through the Plaka that is a must. takes you about 45-1 hour ride and gives you a good overview of the Plaka, etc.

hi Baby_Bear

I usually always recommend just taking plenty of time to walk around Mykonos town itself but I do understand your requirements.

This site has almost all the day and half-day-tour options plus most show times, itineraries and prices for 2010. I have no idea what the cost would be to take the ship's excursion but you'll now be able to compare. The Mykonos Island Guided Bus-Tour + Walking Tour of Town last 3 to 4 hours and that may suit. Details are here:

http://mykonos-accommodation.com/day-trips.htm

Bill

Thanks very much to all of you! We actually do have our Athens sightseeing all mapped out for the 2 days we are there. We have arranged private guided tours through our travel agent Dolphin Hellas. The Mykonos link is most helpful (thanks Bill) and I will contact them. Dolphin Hellas also told us they can offer the ship's guided tours at a discount over the rack rate, and they have several options for tours of each island, so we can hopefully select the ones for the other islands that are not too strenuous on my mom and aunt. Thanks for the most helpful info!

When you come to Santorini you will be tendered ashore and back to the ship The cable car will take you up the cliff. You won't be allowed off until your fellow passengers who signed up for the ship's guided tour are taken off first. Including the time you have to reserve to get back to the ship on time this cuts your time ashore down by at least 2 hours. You won't have time to do much except perhaps hire a taxi to take you to Oia for a quick look around and a meal, before it'll be time to head back to Fira for the long line waiting for the ride back down the cliff in the cable car.

That's why we will be taking the ship's tours. The nice thing is, that Dolphin Hellas can offer the official ship's tours but at an 8% discount over the rack rate (if we bought directly from the ship). I totally agree that we should not take tours from other providers if it means cutting into our sightseeing time on these islands which is not super long to start with. Hopefully, this way we get to maximize the time spent ashore. And while 8% is not too much, at least it's a little bit of savings over the rack rate.

Hmmm...10 identical posts on various forums by Alice098 all plugging the same website. Looks like advertising to me. :-(