Hi,

In Oct. 2009 four of us we are taking a 7-day cruise on board Louis Cruise Lines ship Cristal. Ports of call are Istanbul, Turkey, Mykonos, Greece, Patmos, Greece, Kusadasi, Turkey, Rhodes, Greece, Heraklion, Greece, and Santorini, Greece.

We need an advice on selecting between taxis/local tours vs. pre-booked shore excursions in each of these locations. Which ones are cheaper but still allow to see all attractions and not to miss the ship’s departure.

In order to give sensible advice, we would need more information than you provide. You need to tell us what time the ship arrives in each port, and how many hours until it departs... also, in Santorini, whether it docks directly at the "new" port where you can step directly onshore, or whether it is at the "old port" where you must wait to go on a "tender" to reach the dock and then have to wait in line for the cable car up the cliff.

You would also have to tell us the prices that are quoted for the excursions. AND the relative fitness of your goup (i.e., age, activeness) ... for example walking down the roadway from Patmos' hgh monastery is fun, ...unless you are arthritic and low-energy.

This is like asking us "what shall I give xxx fo her birthday"without disclosing the age & interests of the person or the amount you wish to spend.

I'm just going to tell you what we did, and we loved it all!
We were also on Louis Cruises, Cristal. We did Istanbul mostly on our own as we were there 3 days, but did take a tour to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and that was thru the cruise line.

Mykonos - We walked the town and shopped the small quaint shops - making sure to spend some time having cocktails in 'Little Venice' The ship anchores and you tender right into town.

On Patmos we took the ships tour to the cave of St John where he was exiled for 2 yrs.

In Kusadasi we took the ships tour to Ephesus, it remains a highlight of our trip.

In Rhodes (we were there for 9hrs) we took a taxi (there are tons parked as you walk from the ship) to Lindos and he was a good tour guide, drove us around to the back of the Acropolis where the 'Guns of Navarrone' was filmed. This cost $200.00. (Beware, he will probably want to stop at a carpet place, we firmly said no) He then dropped us back off at the walled Old City where we spent the rest of the day. The ship is directly beside the Old City.

In Crete, we took a ships tour that went inland to a restaurant where we had great local food and Greek dancers.

We were only in Santorini 4hrs so we just did our own thing of walking and looking at the beautiful scenery! Had a cocktail on the top of the cliffs and marveled at the beauty all around us. You can take a donkey back down to the ship if you like, we just used the cable. To tell you the truth, I felt sorry for the donkeys.

You will have a great time!

Thanks for the detailed info. Did you buy the tours from the cruise line directly or through your travel agency?

We did not have a travel agency, our package was thru Gate1. Tours were thru either our package or the cruise line.

cd, thank you very much. It was a great cruise.

sans, you're welcome! So very glad!