Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have questions! Whether you are new to cruising, Greece, or both- we compiled a list of questions and answers here. If you have questions not listed here, please reach out, so we can get them added. We will continuously add to the list, so check back often.
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The night before and the night after the cruise, we will be staying at Grande Bretagne in Syntagma Square. This is a centrally located area that is easily accessible by metro from the airport. It’s also walking distance to a lot of points of interest in the city (Plaka, Acropolis, Museum, etc). We plan to gather at Grande Bretagne on Saturday evening for drinks and food. Below is a list of hotels nearby that are highly rated:
*People from our group are already booked here
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Dress Up. Dress Down. Just Dress. Wear whatever makes you feel best. Greece is warm but not hot in October, and sometimes there can be a strong breeze. The ship has no formal nights that require you to dress up, but some people like to bring nicer outfits to wear to dinner and shows. The only rule on the ship regarding attire is no swimwear in the restaurants.
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Definitely not! Wear whatever you feel most comfortable and confident in. That doesn’t mean you need to be overdressed—we just want everyone to feel great. We’ll be wearing some form of suit, but please don’t feel pressure to match that unless you want to.
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Other than the wedding, we will share a schedule of what we plan to do each day - that way you can join us or choose your own adventure. We want everyone to make the trip their own and have the best time, whatever that looks like!
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Dining reservations can be made in the Virgin Voyages app starting at midnight eastern time on August 28th (45 days prior to sailing). We plan to set up some small group dinners and we will share this with everyone prior to 8/28, so you can plan ahead for reservations you would need to make on your own. Some excursions can be viewed in the Virgin Voyages app already, but booking begins as early as June 14th. You can also book excursions on the ship if there is availability (we did this on a past trip, so we were able to use our onboard credit to cover it).
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Some activities require reservations (like fitness classes and spa) and others are first-come basis (shows and performances). You’ll be able to reserve and add activities to your schedule in the Virgin Voyages app once you board the ship.
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From Central Athens:
Taxi: ~€20–30 depending on time of day and traffic.
Uber: ~€30. Uber in Athens uses yellow cabs for agreed fares.
Welcome Pickups: ~€40. Professional private transfers with English-speaking drivers. Book online and pay in advance.
*We do not recommend the Metro because it ends near the port but requires a very lengthy walk to get to the actual ship (speaking from experience)
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Virgin Voyages typically uses Terminal B or Terminal C at the Port of Piraeus. It’s about 40–50 minutes from Athens International Airport and 30–40 minutes from central Athens. Virgin Voyages will email you ahead of time to let you know the Terminal.
Port Address:
10 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus 185 38, Greece
There is very little waiting area inside or outside the port, so don’t arrive earlier than your assigned Terminal Arrival Time shown in the Virgin Voyages app. Luggage drop opens from 9:00 AM if you want to drop early. After that, you’re free to explore Athens or Piraeus until your boarding window opens. Virgin Voyages may offer a shuttle to Flisvos Marina for early arrivals who’ve dropped luggage.
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The first thing to know is that Santorini is a tender port, and there are two different ports tenders will take you to:
—The Old Port near Fira is where the cable car and infamous donkey steps are. This is the port tenders will take you to if you don’t book a Shore Thing through VV.
—The Athinios Port is where you will be taken if you book one of the Shore Things below. You’ll then be driven to Oia.
Option A: Wing It!
With this option you visit both Fira and Oia
In this case you:
* Book your tender time once you board in Athens
* Tender to The Old Port
* Take the Cable Car or the stairs (not recommended) up to Fira
* When you’re ready to head to Oia, get a taxi, bus, or some other method of transfer—whether pre-booked or someone you find in town
* Then you explore Oia, before making your way back to Fira by one of those same methods
* You must factor in time to wait for the cable car to get back down (could be 45 mins-2 hours), or take the stairs
Option B: Shore Thing – “Santorini & Oia on Your Own”
With this option you visit both Fira and Oia
* Tender to Athinios Port (~15 min)
* Take the provided bus up to Oia (~45 min)
* Walk with your guide to the main square (~30 min)
* Explore Oia on your own (~1.5 hours)
* Take the provided bus to Fira (~30 min)
* Explore Fira on your own until you want to return to the ship
* You will be provided a ticket for the cable car, but don’t forget to factor in time to wait for the cable car to get back down (could be 45 mins-2 hours), or take the stairs
Option C: Shore Thing – “Santorini & Oia on Your Own with Athinios Return”
With this option you visit only Oia
* Tender to Athinios Port (~15 min)
* Take the provided bus up to Oia (~45 min)
* Walk with your guide to the main square (~30 min)
* Explore Oia on your own (~1.5 hours)
* Take the provided bus back down to Athinios Port (~45 min)
* Tender back to the ship (~30 min)