We have recently returned from our cruise on the Celebrity Equinox. Due to the recent troubles in Turkey our final port of Istanbul changed so we cruised in and out of Athens. This change was managed superbly by our TA and we had better return flight times than our original booking.
Embarkation was smooth, and we were on board with glass of fizz in hand just after midday. Whilst this ship was new to us we have previously sailed on the Solstice and the Eclipse so we knew our way around. Our cabin (balcony 7147) was in a good location and kept in good order by Babylin and her assistant. In places the cabin was starting to show its age, balcony woodwork in need of a polish and re-varnish and a few chips and scuffs on the furniture.
We were select dinning and ate in the main dinning room on a few occasions. This used to be very slick on Celebrity but I don't know if the loss of space to Suite dinning has made a difference, but it just felt a little chaotic at times and one evening after a headline show they simply couldn't cope - we queued for 15 minutes to be given a pager and told there would be a fifteen minute wait, after 30 minutes we handed the pager back and said we would eat elsewhere, but miraculously we were told our table was now ready. I have no problem with the pager system, on other cruise lines it works really well, but it should be a minute or two in the queue to be handed a pager not fifteen!
Once you arrive at the old town this is great to explore on foot. The back streets and alley ways are interesting.
An easy walk into the old town which is easy to explore. found fascinating churches and great architecture in the lovely old walled city
We took the local bus into the old town. This was a bit of a dissapointment, I had memories from years ago of an interesting old town and it felt tatty and dirty and full of tourist tatt.
Once we had tendered across we took the local boat to Oia and spent time there exploring before getting the included bus back to Fia. It cost 20 euro's with the cable car included and was great value. Oia is stunning with amazing views.
the cable car was quick with very little queuing despite there being 2 other ships in.
We took the water taxi (2 Euro's) to the old town and had a lovely time walking the back lanes, exploring churches and hunting windmills. We then used the shuttle bus (free) from the bus station back to the ship. I suspect it is walk able but there were no pavements and it was a busy road.
If you have "done" Athens, then take time to explore this small port. We really enjoyed our walk around the pleasure boat marina, the old theater district and the market.