Key Points:
- Port authorities have required Movie star Ascent to shorten her deliberate go to to Santorini on August 8, 2025, from 8 p.m. to five p.m.
- The change was made because of a rise in port site visitors within the small tender port, with three different cruise ships additionally anticipated to be current that day.
- Shore excursions booked by means of Movie star Cruises will robotically be adjusted or refunded.
Company onboard Movie star Ascent have simply discovered that the ultimate port name of the present cruise will now be three hours shorter than deliberate.
The present voyage, which is a 7-night crusing from Barcelona, Spain, to Athens, Greece, is saving Santorini for final because the grand finale of the journey on August 8, 2025.
For a lot of cruise followers, making Santorini the ultimate port name on a cruise akin to saving one of the best for final.
Whereas the as much as 3,950 passengers onboard will nonetheless get to go to the favored Greek island, their time in port will likely be minimize brief by three hours because of port congestion.
The 141,420-gross ton ship will now head again out to sea at 5 p.m. as a substitute of the initially deliberate time of 8 p.m.
“On account of elevated site visitors situations on the port in Santorini, Greece, native authorities have requested an adjustment to our departure schedule,” Movie star Cruises notified visitors.
“Consequently, our time in Santorini will likely be up to date, with our new departure time now set for five:00 PM,” the discover continued.
The Edge-class ship has already known as on Valletta, Malta, on August 4, and there aren’t any anticipated modifications to the extra deliberate stops at Mykonos Island, Greece, and Kusadasi, Turkey.
In gentle of the change, all shore excursions that have been booked by means of Movie star Cruises will robotically be adjusted to accommodate the brand new timing. Any excursions that may’t be adjusted will likely be refunded.
Even with the shortened time in port, cruise visitors will nonetheless be required to pay the brand new port tax in full that went into impact in Greece on August 1, 2025, which is ready at €20 ($23.13 USD) per individual from June by means of September.
How Unhealthy is Port Congestion?
It’s presently the height cruising season within the Mediterranean, and the Santorini Cruise Port will likely be nearly at capability on August 8.
Along with Movie star Ascent, NCL’s Norwegian Viva, Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, and Star Clippers’ Star Flyer may also be within the port that day.
As Santorini is already a small cruise port, port authorities might have staggered ship departures for each effectivity and security.
Santorini can be a young port, which suggests all 4 ships will must be transporting visitors two and from the shore utilizing smaller vessels concurrently, which might additionally add to the congestion and doable navigational hazards.
Strategically timing arrivals and departures will help ease site visitors by isolating peak occasions for when cruise ship tendering operations will likely be most in demand.
Learn Additionally: Cruise Ship Tendering – High 6 Professional Suggestions
It’s unclear why Movie star Ascent particularly needed to modify her schedule, or why the change wouldn’t have been made sooner, however the cruise line appreciated visitors’ understanding.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this will trigger and actually recognize your understanding,” the cruise line wrote.
“Whereas this transformation is past our management, please know that our dedication to your consolation and delight stays unwavering.”
Movie star Cruises additionally took this replace as a possibility to remind visitors that the tender boats require not less than some stage of mobility, as visitors should have the ability to deal with a number of steps and stroll throughout the tender platform.
Company who use full-time mobility scooters or non-collapsible wheelchairs will sadly not have the ability to enterprise ashore in Santorini or Mykonos, which can be a young port.
Movie star Ship’s Port of Name Shortened Mid-Voyage On account of Congestion
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