Comments on: DIY Crete

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:40:32 +0000

In reply to Camels & Chocolate. Hey Kristin, we went with Silversea cruise lines. I have a full review post coming up about them, but in short I think they were perfect for us mainly for the smaller size of the ship (about 500 people) long port times (sometimes we were at dock for 15 hours!) and for the all-inclusiveness. All alcohol and tipping included! The downsides are cost (probably about 5x the cost of a carnival cruise), the high cost of internet, and the crappy way they handled the taxi strike (see my broken hearts and breaking strike post). Overall it was perfect for our first time cruising. A cruise is a great way to see the Mediterranean though I think! You'll love it!

By: Camels & Chocolate

Camels & Chocolate — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:06:40 +0000

We do a cruise with my family every two years, and we NEVER do the port excursions either! A few years ago, we were on an Alaskan cruise with Holland America, and they charged $100/person for a “lumberjack experience” and we walked off the ship and to the show and only paid $30 a person!

Out of curiosity, which cruise line did you take? We’re doing a Med cruise in summer 2013 with the fam, but not sure which one we’re taking yet…

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:35:52 +0000

In reply to Bridget Ball Shaw. Bridget, I'm ashamed to say we didn't learn a word of Greek! Whoops! As for embarrassing stories, I've got an excel file I can send over :)

By: Bridget Ball Shaw

Bridget Ball Shaw — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:52:55 +0000

Hey, Alex – I’m meeting your mom for cocktails in about an hour. Any juicy tidbits you might care to share? Like, I don’t know, did she mix up her beginners Greek and ask a bellhop for a bag of flour? Or a sloppy flip flop?

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:57:01 +0000

In reply to Dave Wood. Dave, if only I had spoken to you before we left! :) These are great tips for future visitors though, thank you!

By: Dave Wood

Dave Wood — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:09:53 +0000

Heraklion is definitely not the best place to spend one day in Crete although there are one or two pleasant spots. I am amazed at the prices you quote for the official tour. Personally I would recommend that visitors consider hiring a small car for the day and drive up into the mountains for the breathtaking scenery and an inexpensive lunch at a village taverna. What you save on the cost of a good meal for two ( compared to eating in the tourist trap locations) will just about pay for the car hire.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:58:57 +0000

In reply to Jen. I think it's the way to go! More savings and more freedom. We did end up doing two tours through the cruise and they were somewhat dissapointing...

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:34:38 +0000

Totally agree with you on this post. I have been on several cruises, and we hardly ever book excursions through the cruise line. We either book through a tour company directly, or we make something up on our own.

By: Kris Koeller

Kris Koeller — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:10:01 +0000

Looks amazing. Very jealous.