BREATHTAKING Cruise Excursion: Santorini and Fira, Greek Island Paradise on a Celebrity Apex Cruise

While cruising with the Celebrity Apex from Athens to the Greek Islands and Dubrovnik, we stopped in one of the most magical places I have ever visited outside of a theme park: the city of Fira on Santorini, Greece! It's like a city in the clouds! So beautiful, (but also quite expensive compared to other Greek Island destinations). We had some great food in the town and back down on the ship, as well. #celebrity #cruise #santorini
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[@sallyb4996]

Combine planning the big stuff- flights, hotels- and winging the details

[@julieparker5029]

What an enlightening video Morgan. Agreed, I would not want to walk up or down those village steps. All the food looked delicious.

[@wheelsuprn6591]

Boy are you bringing me back. I was stationed in Greece from 1990-1992 and Santorini is absolutely my favorite place in the world. It has changed so much. I walked up because I felt bad for the donkeys! No gondolas. Next time you go make sure you visit Akrotiri. It is remarkable and chilling. Thank you for bringing some joy to an old Air Force gal.

[@neavonadulin4249]

People are just so friendly everywhere you go. Free HUGS everywhere for everyone!!!

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

I know isn’t that great? Lol

[@michaelpemberton8820]

We last visited Fira, Santorini in November 2019 and had a wonderful day just roaming the town. We were the last ship to stop there for the season. We'd been once before but took a ship's excursion to Oia that time. In 2019, we got to the bottom of the hill (via gondola) and decided to eat lunch. We had a fabulous grilled seafood platter at a restaurant right on the water. While we were eating, several officers from the ship we were on (MSC Magnifica) stopped there and ate as well, and they seemed to be regulars, so we figured we'd found a good place for lunch! We're going again next month (on the NCL Getaway) and may eat there again!

[@melissasiegel9682]

Beautiful scenery. Made me sad that my 2020 plans to visit had to be scrapped. Nice to see the platform used for the tenders!

[@loumello8813]

This is so much fun watching your videos and reliving the time we had on the Apex and our port visits. When you do something different than we did in time, I can see the other things that we could always go back and do. I generally plan our excursions and take the cruise tours for the most part unless I have visited the port before and have a good idea of what I would like to do. I think doing a highlights tour the first visit is a great way to see quite a bit and know that I haven't missed out on some key feature. We definitely did not walk up or down and the guides actually told us not to ride the donkeys. By the way, I haven't mentioned this in a while, but, I love the music you select for your videos, this one is particularly great.

[@andywhiteing]

This was a top 10 video, well done filming and editing! I had to look up the cable car 1980 done on 82. This is on my bucket list for sure.

[@proudamerican8038]

I've been to Santorini. Yes, It is magical. Hope to go back soon.

[@traceyharding3688]

Truly heaven on earth this place

[@kara121]

Santorini is so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing the menu for Cypress. I can't wait to eat there in just over a month!!

[@annier6]

The word that came to mind was discovery...so much more fun than planning.

[@jayep9951]

Wow it's gorgeous! I would definitely want to take the stairs down.

[@julieb7882]

Another beautiful well done video. It was almost like being with you. It's good to miss the odors but smelling good food would be okay. I prefer not to over plan on trips. It often leads to disappointment. The place that looked or sounded great turns out to be a dump or crowded. Spontaneity can lead to wonder.

[@laar4642]

Thx for another enjoyable video!

[@debwright4655]

Wow! Wow! Wow! what a view. I like to know what is available at ports that I visit but that is as far as the planning goes. I can plan all I want but chances are great that I will see something that will catch my attention and that is where I will go. The boats at the bottom looked like toy boats.

[@lorigrimaldi194]

Who is that strange guy following you? Lol! I love getting glimpses of Marcus. Great video! Santorini has been on my bucket list for awhile. Definitely have to get there.

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

You should! It was amazing just to walk around and enjoy the views.

[@steveb7477]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL !!!!

[@kevinandsandylawson4515]

Thank you! Planning next year's excursion on Beyond! Can't wait!

[@StephenS0906]

I remember when I went to Santorini, our tour group walked up most of the way, and when the group decided to stop at one of the shops, I sat in one of the doorways and pet one of the cats that lived there!! That was a highlight of my trip. :)

[@Warriorbox]

I always wanted to visit this beautiful island. What a view... thanks for showing us.

[@DawnDevine]

OMG - STUNNING!

[@kathymills1959]

Gorgeous, beautiful, magnificent views!!! Love seeing them with you but praying I get there in person sometime in the not too distant future!!

[@chictown]

The restaurant in Santorini should add "Zorba the Greek" with Anthony Quinn.

[@susanvp4685]

Oh I want to go there!!! Thanks Morgan…love following your travels!🇨🇦❤️

[@audraolson8300]

This was one of your best videos! Gorgeous scenery and very informative. Greece just got added to my bucket list!

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Liked our celebrity cruise Bermuda, docked Hamilton. Concierge service. High tea

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Looked at celebrity as very good cruise for mediterranean cruise sept11. Food definitely good

[@helenezaf6296]

We did walk dow to the ship. It was ok. I love Santorini. I would go there again.

[@bradpeterson5299]

I have great memories of my visits to Santorini and the smelly donkey ride. We had a great day in Rhodes without making plans. First we rented a car and drove around the island. We ended up in Lindos, went on a donkey there and also visited St Paul's bay for a nice swim. We then visited Old town afterwards. It was a fantastic unplanned adventure.

[@Keep-on-ok]

We did walk up to the top once, never again! Now we take the tram!

[@AidaJof]

Magical!!!

[@jenniferdunn3542]

You have gone on the best cruises this year. What a great year! Love your videos!❤️

[@anakerose]

We never once saw the stairs down to the Destination Gateway! Always took the elevators and came in from the other end. By the time you got off the ship we were somewhere on the stairs lol. 588 stairs!! Yep we walked up!! I actually found going down was worse than going up.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Wow that looked so stunningly beautiful! After killing my knees on the descent from Dead Woman’s Pass, Peru, I’m not sure I’d attempt to walk down like you did. But downhill must be better than uphill. I’d die either way so heavy pass. The gondola car looked way more my style.

[@claudiachavez7300]

I’m going soon and I have seen so many videos that discuss the chaos of tendering to the port. I had made my mind up to skip it and stay onboard. You inspired me to discover and go with it ❤

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

Yes! You have to go! It's so pretty!

[@MSlushalot]

your videography is 💯👌🏼 beautiful. thank you.

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

Thank you! 😃

[@darrenmonette3088]

Funny joke about the free hugs.... tearoom anyone? So another option for many to get to the top is also on a tour which you board at the bottom in a coach and goes to either of the two towns and a pleasant drive...then they will drop you off to do your choice of tram or walk or donkey ( which are very well cared for btw having talked to our tour guide.... the working animals are never over taxed because it would be a publicity nightmare...plus the operators are making good money so they're cared for, properly hoof maintenance and food/water.) The tram down IS a great option for those who have knee problems as going down can be harder than going up! Great video... I miss it there and didn't give a flying fig what the snacks and drinks cost.... it is so beautiful.

[@r.b.6236]

Beautiful Video , Thank you 👍👍👍

[@janekerby3469]

Awesome views. I like to have transport plans but once I'm in a place totally agree about spontaneity to explore and discover a new place xxx

[@LynetteEdsall]

Bumping Santorini up on the bucket list...and making a note to lose a few pounds beforehand :) Absolutely beautiful!

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

Walk up the stairs, that will get you in shape quick! lol

[@jackieb1022]

I have been waiting for this video Morgan since you first said you were going! We will be there about the same time in October ‘22. I’m so excited! On my bucket list for sure. Okay, enough babbling, let me get to watching!

[@JustKayaTV]

This place it just beautiful ❤️

[@mereniecrosby7120]

I'm going in October..can't wait!

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

It's sooooo pretty!

[@mariewalker9466]

Also, thank you for describing some of the food you both had ;)

[@OrdinaryDude]

About vacation planning... I do a bit of both. Sort of. When I'm traveling alone, I tend to make a list of highlights and decide which to do when I get there. There's no agenda or timeline, and just because it's on my list doesn't mean I'm going to do it. In fact, sometimes the list gets completely ignored because I found something that catches my attention that I didn't anticipate. No worries. The times that I over plan is usually when I'm traveling in a group and I end up being the one that knows what's going on. (More free time to research I guess.) I think I feel a lot of anxiety over that and feel like I have to have answers for every desire in our group. I'm sick of that, so I told our travel companions I'm not doing that anymore. Either they plan, or we wing it. 😉 Cheers!

[@mariewalker9466]

How can anyone call it exploring if they already know where they're going? Just saying. Thank you for bringing us such beauty!

[@matthewalker]

When I'm travelling, I like to do some research and get ideas beforehand, maybe prioritise what I want to do. But in most cases I only decide on the day. Even a walk immediately around the hotel can be a discovery.

[@lisaanderson8235]

I like to have one/ a few things I'd like to do or see in a location (depending on how long I'm spending there), and then wing it for the rest. The fun is in exploring a bit! 😊❤️❤️

[@leeandjancruise]

We visited Santorini for two weeks many many years ago, we hired a scooter and saw all of the island. Returned about six years ago by cruise ship and bought two coffees with the view, cost ten Euros, the most I'd paid for coffees at the time. We used the cable car, riding the mules is cruel in the heat and should be avoided. Santorini is a bucket list experience.

[@donnarottinger6396]

Love this video, and the music. Who is it? Keep up the good work Morgan:)

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

The music is from a service called Epidemic Sound. Check out the link in the description for more info!

[@Centfla60]

You are getting to be quite a good Videophographer. Even the music accompaniment is beautiful. Thanks for your attention to quality.

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

Thank you very much!

[@conniejohnson9393]

I am a planner, unfortunately I would have major anxiety attacks if my trip wasn't pretty much planned out. But my planning could be just to walk around the city. A couple of questions. Did I see donkeys half way down so you could change your mind? Also were you there overnight? It looked like you were going out in the tender at night. Santorini is definitely on my bucket list. In answer to your question about looking down on the ship from such a great height, in Alaska you can go up a gondola and look down on the ship much like that.

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

No, we didn't stay overnight, just really late!

[@ulfkoenecke2340]

Man kann auch mit dem Schnellboot nach Oia fahren und dann mit dem Shuttlebus zurück nach Fira.

[@brandicruises]

I like the headline (and the video). Can’t wait for “The SHOCKING TRUTH about Santorini: 5 reasons to stay away” follow-up. I think you could do it. Prices and donkey poop are already 2 out of 5. But the street cat and interesting figurines could cancel out the minuses. Hmmmm…Maybe just avoid the steps and stick to the breathtaking part of Santorini. Thanks for showing us around!

[@jamiehayes8992]

and the ammount of rubbish and quad bikes

[@sheliad2821]

That city was amazing !!! About the donkeys.....do they just randomly stand on the steps waiting to "pick up " passengers and does it cost to ride one??

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

There are people organising the whole thing but I have no idea how it works.

[@greencandi]

Beautiful video! What time of year we’re you there, and what time did you leave your cruise ship?

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

We were there in August and I think we left before lunch!

[@laurenwilliams8811]

I plan EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING but always end up winging it when I get there. My plans give me security- knowing they are there if I need them.

[@justmeiniowa]

Hilarious that you said "you can ride a donkey" and then swing the camera around to show a big ole bearded dude walking towards you hahahahaha. Also nice quick cut to the "artsy" figurines in the window :)

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

That artsy figure sure looked.... healthy, right?

[@joanclare9788]

Morgan. I so value your opinion. 30th anniversary next summer. Thinking Greece or Barcelona. What say you?

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

You honestly can't go wrong with either; they are both fabulous. Barcelona for shopping and food, Greek islands for beach and romantic sunsets. Does that help?

[@joanclare9788]

@@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides You are so awesome! Thank you for the info. Now I want to do both. Do you have a preferred line for these itineraries?

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

Well, that's always kind of a matter of personal taste. Some lines offer a lot of fun things, some offer a more "chill" experience. You kind of have to decided what's important to you and then look at the prices.

[@angelsmilkyway4352]

I'm a planner but I have to work leave room for exploration

[@maurieshakespeare5835]

I would've though Zorba The Greek as the movie........

[@amandamatvichuk4316]

How long did it take you to tender from the ship to the city? and vice versa?

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

From the moment the tender started moving, only like 10 minutes. You can see more of it in this video. Let me know what you think: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZKUfoardrd7jMk

[@TheRealTomGreen]

What a view! But yah.. id definitely not be taking the stairs, or the donkey. Id feel so bad for those donkeys

[@AidaJof]

Ok - I gotta ask ... what's the story with the 'free hugs' whenever you encounter a door???

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

I don't know, just a stupid joke that I've been doing WAY too often lately!

[@AidaJof]

@@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides I like goofy jokes and that's ok, but I thought I was missing something. Now I will just enjoy it :)

[@carolynnowak3823]

Ooooooooh I wanna go there! Donkey poop and all!

[@mereniecrosby7120]

I call that a funicular. It's a cable rail system to ascend or descend.

[@travelinhawk4584]

Great video. I really hope that food in the last segment tasted better than it looked. Some of the presentation wasn’t that great.

[@VeryunOfficialTravelGuides]

That was the only night we ate in one of the other main dining rooms instead of "Blu".

[@mikkiduf]

Donkey rides there are so cruel, we did not go up that way when we were there 2 years ago

[@steveee2511]

there is a 4th way the one i made is taking a boat that stops neared the nicer spot of Santorini called Oia after they drive you up by bus to oia where most post card shots are made of Santorini for the way back the bus brouth me to fira again where i toke gondola down for after taking the tender back to our ncl ship.

[@beatlejeff65]

What? They don't show Grease?

[@traceymorris7300]

Please do not ride the donkeys