10 Reasons to Avoid a Santorini Cruise

Greece › Why Cruises Suck
Updated: October 13, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Where to Stay in Rhodes
• Where to Stay in Athens

• Skip down to my Santorini Cruise FAQ for advice on tender boats, cable car lines, getting to Oia, and shore excursions.

Cruises to Greece: My Advice

If your idea of a dream vacation involves being herded like cattle onto a floating shopping mall or trapped in a slow-moving retirement home with buffet pizza and 3,000 strangers, then by all means, book a cruise to Santorini.

I think large cruise ships are a terrible way to see the Greek islands, especially Santorini and Mykonos. You get a few rushed hours in each place, usually when it’s most crowded, then return to the ship just as the islands are becoming enjoyable. You’re spending your vacation in Greece but sleeping, eating, and spending much of your time on a boat.

My recommendation: Take Greek ferries and island hop through the best of Greece. If you want a cruise, choose a small ship or sailing yacht rather than a floating shopping center carrying 4,000 passengers.

Greek Cruises: Quick Facts

• Are Greek island cruises worth it? They’re convenient, but a poor way to experience the islands. You see the busiest attractions during the busiest hours and miss the early mornings and evenings that make Greece special.
• When is the best time for a Greek island cruise? May, September, and October. July and August are hot, crowded, and particularly unpleasant for standing in cable car lines or waiting for buses.
• What are the best Greek island cruises? Small ships and sailing yachts. I like SeaDream, Windstar, and Star Clippers much more than the mainstream mega-ships.
• How do cruise passengers get ashore in Santorini? Cruise ships anchor or use moorings in the caldera. Passengers take tender boats to shore. Most independent passengers arrive at the Old Port below Fira, where the cable car is the easiest way up to town.
• How crowded will Santorini be? Check the Santorini cruise arrival schedule. Several large ships arriving together can overwhelm the cable car, Old Port, and narrow streets of Oia.

Why I Don’t Recommend Cruises to Santorini

Please don’t take a large cruise ship to Santorini. The island has limited roads, limited space in Oia and Fira, and a tiny Old Port connected to town by a cable car with limited capacity. Adding thousands of cruise passengers in the middle of the day is a terrible fit.

Santorini is wonderful early in the morning before the crowds arrive, in the evening when the villages quiet down, and when you have time for a long lunch, a winery, or a walk along the caldera. A cruise stop gives you the opposite experience. I recommend five to seven days on Santorini for most first-time visitors, though three or four nights is enough for a very good visit. Even one night on the island is better than arriving and leaving with several thousand other passengers on these abominations to good taste.

Stay in a cave hotel, wake up to the caldera outside your window, and enjoy the island before the tour buses arrive. For sightseeing, wineries, hiking, and pleasant weather without the worst summer heat, I especially like April through early June and late September through early November. See my guide to the best time to visit Santorini.

My wife and I exploring magical Oia on a quiet morning. (When you come by cruise ship there’s no such thing as quiet mornings. Just crowds and hassle.)

10 Reasons Not to Take a Santorini Cruise

1. You don’t have enough time. A port call might look generous on the itinerary, but tendering ashore, getting from the Old Port up to Fira, traveling around the island, and getting back to the ship eats into it quickly. Santorini is not a good place to rush.

2. You see Santorini when it’s most crowded. Cruise passengers arrive in large waves and concentrate in the same places, especially Fira and Oia. If you’re staying on the island, early morning and evening are much better.

3. You miss the best part of staying here. Cave hotels, long dinners, breakfast overlooking the caldera, drinks after sunset, and waking up before the crowds arrive are a huge part of the Santorini experience.

4. You miss the quiet hours. Some ships now stay until late evening, so it’s no longer true that Santorini empties completely before sunset. But mornings are still wonderfully quiet, and evenings improve as cruise visitors return to their ships.

Breakfast at a Santorini hotel with a caldera view.

5. Your schedule is not your own. Want another hour at lunch? Want to stay in Oia for sunset? Want to skip sightseeing and spend the afternoon at a winery? Too bad. The ship leaves when the ship leaves.

6. Most of my favorite Santorini tours take too long. A proper catamaran cruise, volcano boat tour, winery tour, fishing trip, or photography tour is much easier when you’re sleeping on the island and don’t have a departure deadline hanging over you.

7. You tend to see the same places as everyone else. Fira and Oia are wonderful, but so are Pyrgos, Emporio, and Megalochori. A cruise stop encourages exactly the sort of rushed sightseeing Santorini handles worst.

8. The Old Port is a terrible bottleneck. Most cruise passengers arrive at the tiny Old Port below Fira. From there, the cable car and steep walking path are the main ways up the cliff. When several large ships overlap, the queues can be miserable. Some organized excursions use Athinios instead, but that puts passengers onto hot buses and packed roads.

9. Large cruise ships put a lot of people and pollution into a very small place. Santorini’s narrow roads, small villages, and limited infrastructure cannot comfortably absorb thousands of cruise passengers arriving within a few hours.

10. Cruise tourism benefits a few businesses, while overnight visitors support the wider economy. Cruise passengers funnel money into a relatively small number of businesses, most notably the privately owned cable car. Overnight visitors spread their spending across hotels, restaurants, shops, car rentals, and local services. They support far more businesses and jobs.

Santorini Cruise Ships in 2027

Santorini introduced an 8,000-passenger daily ceiling for cruise arrivals in 2025 and 2026. That’s an improvement over the busiest days of previous years, when considerably more passengers could arrive, but 8,000 people descending on a small island within a few hours is still an enormous number. Several ships can visit on the same day.

What are the worst cruises for visiting Santorini? There’s a simple formuala: The bigger the ship, the worse the experience. A ship carrying 4,000 or more passengers can transform Fira, Oia, and the Old Port within 30 minutes. Odyssey of the Seas, for example, has a capacity of 4,500 passengers. That’s more than half the 8,000-passenger daily planning limit from one ship. Truly awful.

What are the best cruises for visiting Santorini? Smaller ships. SeaDream, Windstar, Star Clippers, and similar operators bring far fewer passengers. You’ll still encounter crowds from other ships, but at least you’re not arriving with 4,000 shipmates.

When do cruises visit Santorini? Almost year-round, with the busiest period running from spring through fall. Some ships stay well into the evening, so don’t assume cruise passengers will always be gone before sunset.

Santorini’s Cruise Passenger Fee

Greece charges cruise passengers disembarking in Santorini a fee that varies by season:

• June through September: €20 per passenger.
• April, May, and October: €12 per passenger.
• November through March: €4 per passenger.

Similar seasonal charges apply to Mykonos. Other Greek ports generally have lower fees. The cruise line normally handles collection, so check whether the charge is included in your fare or added to your onboard account.

I support charging cruise passengers, but €20 isn’t enough to correct for the harm cruises do. The fee should be €100 for smaller ships and €200 for ships with a 1000+ passengers.

Cruise Restrictions and Overtourism

Santorini isn’t alone in struggling with cruise traffic. Venice, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and other European destinations have introduced or considered restrictions on large ships.

• New York Times: Amsterdam and cruise ship restrictions
• Euronews: European destinations restricting cruise ships

The policy in Santorini is to manage cruise traffic rather than eliminate it. Unfortunately, I don’t expect large cruise ships to disappear from the caldera anytime soon.

Greek Cruise vs Greek Ferries

For island hopping in Greece, I strongly recommend Greek ferries. A ferry gets you from one island to another. Then you get off, check into a hotel, and decide for yourself how long to stay.

A cruise is easier in one sense: your room follows you around, and meals and entertainment are onboard. But that convenience is exactly the problem if your goal is to experience Greece. You’re sleeping, eating, and spending a large part of your vacation on the ship instead of on the islands. With ferries, you can spend four nights on Santorini, three on Naxos, eat wherever you want, stay out after sunset, and explore at your own pace. That’s how I like to do it.

For help organizing an independent trip, see my Greek island hopping guide. If you want someone to arrange hotels, ferries, and transfers, Fantasy Travel is a good Greece-based travel agency.

Small-Ship Cruises and Sailing Tours in Greece

I dislike big cruise ships, not boats. Sailing through the Greek islands can be fantastic. If you want to travel by sea, look at small yachts and ships carrying dozens or a few hundred passengers instead of several thousand.

• G Adventures: Small-group sailing trips on yachts. A good choice if the sailing itself is part of the appeal and you don’t need cruise-ship facilities.
• Variety Cruises: Small ships and motor sailers that visit smaller ports and islands. More comfortable than a small charter yacht without becoming a floating shopping center.
• Running on Waves: A distinctive three-masted sailing ship carrying a tiny number of passengers compared with mainstream cruise ships.
• SeaDream Yacht Club: SeaDream I and II are small luxury yachts rather than conventional mega-ships. Expensive, but much closer to how I’d want to cruise the Greek islands.
• Windstar Cruises: Small ships, including the masted Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Still a cruise, but vastly preferable to arriving in Santorini with 4,000 shipmates.
• Intrepid Travel: Small-group yacht trips with more time in smaller islands and harbors. Better suited to travelers who want sailing and island hopping rather than a conventional cruise.

If you want to see Greece from the water, go small. Fifty passengers arriving at an island is fundamentally different from 4,000 arriving at once.

Santorini Cruise FAQ: Planning, Ports, and Shore Excursions

If you’re committed to a Santorini cruise, here’s how I’d plan your day. The most important things are getting ashore early, understanding the Old Port and cable car, and leaving enough time to get back to your ship.

1. What is the best month to visit Santorini on a cruise?

May, September, and October are the best mix. The weather is usually good for sightseeing, and you avoid the worst summer heat. September has the warmest sea of the three, while May is especially good for walking and exploring. July and August are hot, crowded, and uncomfortable for standing in cable car lines. June is a good compromise, though cruise traffic is already heavy. November through March can be pleasant for sightseeing, but expect cooler weather, shorter days, and fewer open restaurants and tours.

2. How can I check how many cruise ships will be in Santorini on my visit?

Check the Santorini cruise arrival schedule. Look at how many ships are visiting, their passenger capacities, and when they arrive and depart. Don’t just count ships. One ship carrying 4,500 passengers can have a bigger impact than three small ships combined.

3. How much time will I actually have ashore during a Santorini cruise stop?

Less than the published port schedule suggests. An eight-hour stop doesn’t mean eight hours of sightseeing. You need time to get off the ship, take a tender ashore, reach Fira, and return through the same system before the last tender. On a busy day, you can easily lose two hours or more to arrival and departure logistics. With four or five hours in port, I’d concentrate on Fira and Firostefani. With six to eight hours, you can visit Oia and Fira. With nine or ten hours, you have time for a winery or another village. Always check the last tender time, not just the ship’s scheduled departure.

4. Should I book a cruise ship excursion or explore Santorini independently?

For most reasonably fit travelers who want to see Fira and Oia, I would explore independently. You’ll save money, avoid large tour groups, and have more control over your day. But Santorini is one of the few Greek islands where a ship-sponsored excursion has a genuine logistical advantage. These excursions often use Athinios Port, where buses can collect passengers directly. Independent passengers usually arrive at the Old Port below Fira and must take the cable car or walk up the cliff. If your ship is visiting on a very busy day, you have mobility limitations, or you want to visit several places in a short time, a ship excursion may be worth the extra cost. Ship-sponsored excursions also offer more protection if a tour runs late. But don’t book an expensive excursion simply because the cruise line makes independent travel sound impossible. It isn’t.

5. Can I book a private Santorini tour instead of a cruise ship excursion?

Yes, and for a family or group of four or more, a private tour is an excellent choice. You can choose your stops, avoid traveling with 40 strangers, and spend more time in the places you enjoy. A good private itinerary might include Oia, Pyrgos, a winery, and a caldera viewpoint. I’d rather visit three places properly than rush through six. The important detail is pickup. Most independent cruise passengers arrive at the Old Port, which has no road access. Your driver cannot collect you beside the tender boat. You’ll usually need to take the cable car up to Fira and walk to an agreed meeting point. Some independent operators arrange boat transfers to a road-accessible port, but these must be confirmed in advance. Confirm the pickup location, start time, cancellation policy, and return arrangements before paying.

6. Where do cruise ships dock in Santorini?

Cruise ships don’t dock at a pier. They remain in the caldera, using designated anchoring or mooring arrangements, and passengers travel ashore on small tender boats. There are two arrival points:

• Old Port (Skala): Below Fira. This is where most cruise passengers arrive. There is no vehicle road connecting the Old Port to Fira. You’ll need to take the cable car or walk up the steps.
• Athinios Port: Santorini’s main ferry port. Some ship-sponsored shore excursions use Athinios because buses can meet passengers directly at the port.

Your cruise line determines the tender arrangements. Don’t assume that booking an independent excursion means you’ll arrive at Athinios. Also, don’t confuse the Old Port with the Santorini ferry port. They’re completely different places.

7. How do I get an early tender if I’m exploring independently?

Cruise lines give priority tender departures to passengers booked on their own shore excursions. Independent passengers may need to collect tender tickets, reserve a departure group through the ship’s app, or wait for an announcement. Check the procedure before arrival. If tender reservations open at a specific time, be ready when they become available. Passengers in certain suites or with high-level cruise loyalty status may receive priority tender privileges. Don’t wait until breakfast to figure out how tendering works. Getting ashore an hour earlier can make a significant difference, particularly if you’re planning to visit Oia.

8. How do I get from the Old Port up to Fira?

The cable car is the easiest option. It takes about three minutes to reach Fira from the Old Port, though the wait to board is the real bottleneck. You can also walk up the approximately 588 steps. It’s a steep climb, taking 30 to 45 minutes, and can be exhausting in summer. The path is shared with donkeys (they’re actually mules) and sections can be slippery. You’ll see animals offering rides up the steps. Take the cable car unless you’re fit, wearing good shoes, and comfortable with a strenuous climb.

9. How much does the Santorini cable car cost, and how long are the lines?

The cable car costs €10 per adult each way. Reduced tickets are €5 for children aged 6 to 12 and certain other categories. Children under six ride free. Tickets can be purchased with cash or a card, and online ticketing is available through the cable car operator. The ride takes about three minutes, but when several large ships arrive together, waits can exceed an hour. Afternoon lines going back down to the Old Port can be particularly bad because thousands of passengers are trying to return to their ships. Getting ashore early helps, but there’s no dependable way to avoid the queues on a busy cruise day.

10. Can I get from the Old Port to Oia without taking the cable car?

Sometimes, but the alternatives are limited. Seasonal boat transfers from the Old Port toward Ammoudi Bay, below Oia, may be available. These usually involve onward transportation up to Oia rather than simply dropping you in the village. Services and schedules can change, and access around Ammoudi has been affected by temporary restrictions, so confirm the exact arrangements before booking. Some organized shore excursions use Athinios Port and avoid the Old Port cable car on arrival. Certain independent tours also arrange separate boat transfers. Otherwise, you need to reach Fira first, either by cable car or on foot, and continue to Oia by bus, taxi, or private transfer. There is no road access to the Old Port, so you cannot simply call a taxi or Uber to collect you beside the tender boats.

11. What is the best way to get from Fira to Oia?

For most independent cruise passengers, the public bus is the cheapest option. Buses depart from the main Fira bus station, roughly a 10-minute walk from the upper cable car station. The drive to Oia takes about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The regular daytime fare is about €2.20. Buses run more frequently in summer, but don’t assume departures every 20 minutes throughout the year. Check the return schedule when you arrive, and expect crowded buses when several ships are visiting. A prearranged private driver is more comfortable and can be worth the expense for a family or small group. Taxis are limited, and I wouldn’t rely on finding one immediately when thousands of cruise passengers are on the island. You can also hike from Fira to Oia along the caldera trail. It’s one of my favorite walks in Greece, but it takes roughly three hours and is not a practical way to reach Oia for most cruise passengers.

12. Can I visit both Fira and Oia during a cruise stop?

Yes. If you have six to eight hours in port, visiting both is realistic, provided you don’t spend too much time waiting for tenders and the cable car. I’d head to Oia first, before the village becomes even more crowded, then return to Fira for lunch, sightseeing, and the cable car back down. Oia is famous for its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and caldera views. Fira has excellent views too, along with more restaurants, shops, and places to explore. If your time is limited, don’t feel you must visit Oia. Fira and the neighboring village of Firostefani offer spectacular views without the extra journey across the island.

13. What is the best itinerary for one day in Santorini from a cruise ship?

It depends on how much time you have and how busy the island will be.

• Four to five hours: Stay in Fira. Walk north toward Firostefani for some of the best caldera views, have lunch, and explore the shops and narrow lanes. Don’t waste most of your visit traveling to Oia.
• Six to eight hours: Visit Oia first, then return to Fira. Allow time for lunch and a walk along the caldera before heading back to the cable car.
• Nine to twelve hours: Add a winery, Pyrgos, or Megalochori. A private driver makes this much easier, especially if you want to visit several places.

These are port-call lengths, not guaranteed sightseeing hours. If tendering or cable car queues are unusually slow, shorten the itinerary. I would not try to combine Oia, Akrotiri, a beach, a winery, and Fira in one cruise stop. You’ll spend most of your day in a vehicle.

14. Can I rent a car during a Santorini cruise stop?

Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it for most cruise passengers. You’ll first need to get from the Old Port up to Fira, then reach the rental office, complete the paperwork, and collect the car. At the end of the day, you’ll need to return it and get back to the cable car. Parking in Oia can also be difficult. A rental car makes more sense if you have a long port call and want to explore places such as Pyrgos, Akrotiri, Megalochori, or the beaches. If your main goal is visiting Fira and Oia, use the bus or arrange a private transfer instead.

15. Can I visit a winery during my Santorini cruise stop?

Absolutely. A winery visit is one of the best ways to spend part of a longer cruise stop. Santo Wines has spectacular caldera views and is a popular choice. Venetsanos is another excellent winery with dramatic views. Estate Argyros is a good option for travelers especially interested in the wines themselves. I’d allow at least 60 to 90 minutes for a tasting, plus transportation time. Some wineries require reservations, especially for guided tastings. A private driver or organized wine tour is the easiest option. Don’t assume you’ll find a taxi waiting outside the winery when you’re ready to leave. If you only have four or five hours ashore, I’d skip the winery unless it’s your main priority.

16. Can I take a Santorini catamaran cruise during my cruise ship stop?

Sometimes, but it’s not something I’d recommend for most cruise passengers. A typical Santorini catamaran tour lasts around five hours, often departing from Vlychada or Ammoudi. Getting to the departure point, completing the tour, and returning to your cruise ship can consume nearly your entire port call. Some shorter boat excursions may work with a long port visit, but check the departure point and return time carefully. One of the best things to do on Santorini is take a small boat cruise around the caldera, but it’s much easier when you’re staying on the island.

17. Is Santorini accessible for cruise passengers with limited mobility?

Santorini is challenging, particularly for cruise passengers. First, you need to get from the ship onto a tender boat. Depending on sea conditions and the ship’s procedures, passengers who cannot manage steps or transfer independently may not be permitted to tender ashore. The cable car provides transportation between the Old Port and Fira, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the island is wheelchair-friendly. Fira and Oia have steep lanes, uneven paving, steps, and limited vehicle access in their most scenic areas. If mobility is a concern, I’d strongly consider a ship-sponsored excursion that uses Athinios Port, provided the operator confirms that the tour is suitable for your needs. Ask specifically about tender boarding, steps, walking distances, and whether transportation can accommodate a wheelchair or mobility aid. Don’t rely on a tour description that simply says “easy walking.”

18. Do I need cash in Santorini, or can I use credit cards?

Credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted at most restaurants, wineries, and shops. You won’t need much cash for ordinary sightseeing. However, I recommend carrying €20 to €40 in small notes and coins, particularly if you’re planning to use the public buses. Cash is the safest option for bus fares and small purchases. The cable car accepts cash and cards. Don’t exchange a large amount of money on the ship just for a few hours in Santorini. If a payment terminal offers to charge your card in your home currency, always choose euros instead.

19. What should I wear and bring for a Santorini cruise stop?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Fira and Oia have uneven paving, steps, and steep lanes. Smooth-soled sandals and dress shoes are a poor choice, especially if you end up walking between villages or using the Old Port steps. In summer, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water. The sun can be intense, and there’s little shade along parts of the caldera. In spring and fall, bring a light jacket. It can be windy on the cliffs even when the weather is warm. I wouldn’t carry a large backpack. You’ll enjoy walking much more with just the essentials.

20. How early should I return to Fira to avoid missing my cruise ship?

This is the single most important logistical decision of your day. The cable car down to the Old Port can develop enormous queues when several ships are preparing to depart. On busy afternoons, waits of 60 to 90 minutes or longer are possible. As a conservative rule, I’d aim to be at the upper cable car station at least two hours before the last tender, not two hours before the ship’s departure. On exceptionally busy days, allow even more time. If you’re in Oia, you also need to account for the journey back to Fira. Don’t assume you’ll find a taxi immediately or that the next bus will have space. Walking down the approximately 588 steps is a possible backup, but it’s steep and can be slippery. Allow at least 30 minutes unless you know you’re comfortable with the descent. It’s not a suitable emergency solution for everyone. Check your cruise line’s instructions carefully. Missing the last tender can be an expensive mistake. Your ship will not wait for you.

21. What happens if bad weather prevents tender boats from operating?

Santorini is a tender port, so strong winds and rough seas can disrupt or cancel cruise visits. Even if the weather looks pleasant from the ship, sea conditions can make transferring passengers unsafe. The ship’s captain and cruise line decide whether tendering can proceed. Sometimes operations are delayed. Other times the ship skips Santorini entirely. If you’re booking an independent excursion, make sure you’ll receive a refund if your ship cannot call at Santorini. Not every tour operator automatically refunds missed-port bookings.

22. Can I see the Santorini sunset during a cruise stop?

Only if your ship stays late enough. Most cruise ships depart before sunset, while others remain in the caldera well into the evening. If your ship has a late departure, you might have time to watch sunset from Fira or a nearby caldera viewpoint. But don’t plan to watch sunset in Oia unless you have 4 hours between sunset and the last tender boat. Watching sunset from the ship can be beautiful, but it’s not the same as sitting on a caldera terrace with a glass of wine and nowhere you need to be.

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