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FLIGHTS AND CHECK-OFF LIST
FOR IMPORTANT
PRE- AND POST-CRUISE MATTERS
1) REGISTER FOR THE CRUISE ON THIS WEBSITE:
For best pricing and preferred cruise cabins, register for the cruise as soon as possible.
2) DETERMINE YOUR TRAVEL DATES:
Decide if you want to extend your time in Athens before and/or after the cruise so you will know your round-trip flight departure and arrival dates.
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Do you want to add on the pre-cruise option of a half-day excursion to Corinth (includes lunch) on the morning of December 2 that will drop off at the port for check-in?
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Do you want to add on the post-cruise option of a five or six hour excursion to Athens (includes lunch) directly after disembarking the cruise on December 9 or a full-day excursion with Athens and Cape Sounio (includes both lunch and dinner)? Both of these will drop off at the Royal Olympic hotel when completed.
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Do you want to add a 9-day Israel Tour directly after the cruise since it is in close flying proximity to Athens?
3) BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS, PROCURE TRAVEL INSURANCE, AND MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.
Flights are not included in the Cruise Pricing. This is the first matter you should take care of - preferably within a couple of days of paying your cruise registration. There are several reasons for this. Flight prices and available options are typically much better when purchased as early as possible.
TRAVEL INSURANCE is very highly recommended. If you want to cover pre-existing health conditions, this has to be purchased within 10-14 days of your initial cruise registration deposit. For this, you will need to know your flight cost (or flight cancellation fee cost) to include in total trip cost for insurance coverage. Get a travel insurance quote here.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: In order to be on time for embarking the ship on December 2nd (about 2- 3 pm), the vast majority of flights will need to ARRIVE THE DAY BEFORE. Many prefer to arrive at least a couple of days before to feel refreshed prior to the cruise. You can make your own hotel reservations in Athens or utilize our group pricing and scheduled bus pick-up/drop-offs at the Royal Olympic Hotel. If you are leaving early in the morning on December 10, you may want to be closer to the airport. The Sofitel Hotel is right across the street from the airport.
FLIGHT OPTIONS: HERE ARE SOME ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT OPTIONS FROM LAX TO ATHENS CURRENTLY FOUND ON EXPEDIA:
4) BUS TRANSFERS IN ATHENS:
ATHENS AIRPORT BUS PICK-UP: With normal traffic, the port is about one hour's drive from the airport (31 miles or 50 kilometers). If there are enough flight arrivals within several hours of each other, we will charter a bus to pick you up at the airport and drop you off at the Royal Olympic hotel for a minimal fee compared to a taxi.
BUS PICK-UP FROM CRUISE PORT: For those joining one of the Athens excursions or returning to the Royal Olympic hotel, a bus will pick you up when the group has completed disembarking. The bus price is included in the Athens excursion.
HOTEL DROP-OFF AFTER ATHENS TOUR: If you join an Athens tour on December 9 and decide to stay at the Royal Olympic or Sofitel Hotel that night, you will be dropped off at your hotel after the Athens tour.