Here are four photos (with captions) relating to Athens and Istanbul. Do I understand correctly that nearly all Mediterranean cruises start and stop in these ports: Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Istanbul?
Athens' port, Piraeus, is busy with both ferries and cruise ships. It is well-connected to downtown and all the ancient Greek sites by subway. But Greece is dealing with a bit of economic chaos these days, and on the day we were there, all the public transit was on strike. To show their support, the taxis went on a solidarity strike that day, too. So anyone planning on going into town on their own was in a fix. Shore excursions sold out that day. While I was impressed with Athens' cruise port, apparently it's not big enough to work as a place for cruises to start or finish, so officials are scheming to build a big new one. With Greece's economic challenges, no one knows when — or even if — that will actually happen.
While for many on the ship, the cruise experience was just a floating Vegas, lots of people were on board to mix the fun of cruising with some serious sightseeing. I was impressed by how many people were packing our new Mediterranean Cruise Ports guidebook or one of our city guidebooks. While working on their tans, travelers were prepping for their next port of call. I'm learning so much on this trip; I can hardly wait to huddle with my staff and fine-tune our cruise ports guidebook for its second edition. I'll admit that I've gained a greater appreciation for cruise travelers — from a book-sales point of view — on this trip.
Istanbul is my vote for the most exciting port on the Mediterranean. Ships tie up right in the center of town. It's a 10-minute walk to the Galata Bridge and just a few minutes to the tram that'll jostle you just about anywhere you want to go. And from so many places in this fanciful urban jungle, you can peer out and see your big, shiny ship in the distance.
In Istanbul many ships spend the night in dock, giving you a day and a half in Istanbul — and a chance to really enjoy the after-dark scene. Getting away from the touristic crush is easy. At a café over looking the Golden Horn a bit from the center (and therefore without much international tourism) we met a happy Turkish couple who invited us into their photo shoot and wedding album.
Comments
7 Replies to “Ports of Embarkation”
When will the 2nd edition of your cruise ports guidebook be available for purchase?
Rick, the smaller ships use the Athens port for starting/ending cruises.
PLEASE…….okay PRETTY PLEASE…..promise us you will do a small ship cruise (200-400 passengers…Silversea/Regent, etc.), just so you will see the huge difference in the experience. You will find “generally” more well-traveled people, you will not feel like cattle getting on/of, and the smaller ships are not Vegas-like. And, yes, most include all drinks, gratuities, butlers, etc. But, at the same time a much more low-key environment on board….no regular loudspeaker announcements, no loud music poolside, tiny casinos, dining staff learns your name/preferences, etc.
Treat yourself, and also do it so your books can inform readers about those type ships.
And, when one snarfs up a special, such as 65% off, free airfare, and an on-board spending credit of $500-$1000 (which can be used for shore excursions, spa, etc.), one gets a much, much better cruising experience at the same or an even lower cost then on the mega cruise ships.
Asking you to do a small ship cruise makes me feel as though I am begging someone to try a Rick Steves’ guided tour vs. signing up for one of those huge bus trips, only driving by some sights and when stopping, following someone with an umbrella who will take them to tourist junk-type stores.
You owe this to your readers………..seriously.
Rick, you are essentially correct about the four ports for the larger ships. However, there are Med cruises (typically in Summer) that begin and/or end in places like Southhampton or Amsterdam/Rotterdam. Finally, there are a few long cruises that are round trip from Ft Lauderdale.
And on your weight, if you are as active as we are while in port (and walking the ship), you should end the cruise at the same weight you began.
I don’t know that there would be a boat small enough for me unless it was a river boat. And if your smaller boat pulls into port along with a mega ship, I assume you are still part of the herd crowding the port? So unless you find a small port for small boats, you are still one of the cattle right?
Hi w — to answer your question, I was on a 200-passenger cruise in the Baltic Sea and we never pulled into port with larger ships. That’s just my 1 experience, though. I don’t know if that’s the rule or the exception.
Margaret—loved your post! I’ve never been on a RS tour or a big-bus tour, but I imagine that they’re about as different as a large ship vs. small ship cruise.
In a perfect world I wouldn’t take an RS bus tour because it’s just too much closeness for comfort. I like my space. Still, for people who don’t want to drive or figure out the public transportation system or who feel more secure traveling with birds-of-a-feather rick steves feels a need and his guides are frequently outstanding.
When will the 2nd edition of your cruise ports guidebook be available for purchase?
Rick, the smaller ships use the Athens port for starting/ending cruises.
PLEASE…….okay PRETTY PLEASE…..promise us you will do a small ship cruise (200-400 passengers…Silversea/Regent, etc.), just so you will see the huge difference in the experience. You will find “generally” more well-traveled people, you will not feel like cattle getting on/of, and the smaller ships are not Vegas-like. And, yes, most include all drinks, gratuities, butlers, etc. But, at the same time a much more low-key environment on board….no regular loudspeaker announcements, no loud music poolside, tiny casinos, dining staff learns your name/preferences, etc.
Treat yourself, and also do it so your books can inform readers about those type ships.
And, when one snarfs up a special, such as 65% off, free airfare, and an on-board spending credit of $500-$1000 (which can be used for shore excursions, spa, etc.), one gets a much, much better cruising experience at the same or an even lower cost then on the mega cruise ships.
Asking you to do a small ship cruise makes me feel as though I am begging someone to try a Rick Steves’ guided tour vs. signing up for one of those huge bus trips, only driving by some sights and when stopping, following someone with an umbrella who will take them to tourist junk-type stores.
You owe this to your readers………..seriously.
Rick, you are essentially correct about the four ports for the larger ships. However, there are Med cruises (typically in Summer) that begin and/or end in places like Southhampton or Amsterdam/Rotterdam. Finally, there are a few long cruises that are round trip from Ft Lauderdale.
And on your weight, if you are as active as we are while in port (and walking the ship), you should end the cruise at the same weight you began.
I don’t know that there would be a boat small enough for me unless it was a river boat. And if your smaller boat pulls into port along with a mega ship, I assume you are still part of the herd crowding the port? So unless you find a small port for small boats, you are still one of the cattle right?
Hi w — to answer your question, I was on a 200-passenger cruise in the Baltic Sea and we never pulled into port with larger ships. That’s just my 1 experience, though. I don’t know if that’s the rule or the exception.
Margaret—loved your post! I’ve never been on a RS tour or a big-bus tour, but I imagine that they’re about as different as a large ship vs. small ship cruise.
In a perfect world I wouldn’t take an RS bus tour because it’s just too much closeness for comfort. I like my space. Still, for people who don’t want to drive or figure out the public transportation system or who feel more secure traveling with birds-of-a-feather rick steves feels a need and his guides are frequently outstanding.
Agree with w!