Cruises - Seabourn Quest- shore excursions

We are doing the Istanbul-Athens cruise next month but not sure if we should book shore excursions. Is it a valuable use of time? Here are the ports of call:

Lesbos
Kusadasi
Mykonos
Rhodes
Patmos
Milos

I have not cruised that itinerary. However, I do think their excursions are good value. These are small islands so often the ports can be toured on your own for the most part.
There are three places to check out.
Over on Cruise Critic, there is a Ports of Call section with good hints from cruisers who have sailed with many lines. In addition, there is the regular Seabourn Forum and then the Seabourn Roll Calls, where you can hook up with others on your cruise. Use the search function on the regular forum to check out what others have said about the ports. It is a popular itinerary, so there have been discussions. I just don't pay as much attention if it's not the cruise I am on. I leave next week for London and then the Sojourn's TA to Quebec and NYC. I am sure you will enjoy your cruise. Hope this helps.

*** One thing to keep in mind, is that now that HAL has taken over Seabourn, they expect pre-payment for excursions. Some of us are against that, since the cancellation and refund policy is awkward. Rarely is any excursion sold out, so you might wait until you are onboard to book. In addition, their booking rates for private cars/vans are, for some reason, quite out ot line for what I paid last year, so don't use them for that. If you want a private guide/driver, get a recommendation from the Ports of Call area.

Another great and free idea, is to sign up for 'shopping with the chef' which is usually done once an itinerary. Great fun. It isn't always known which day it's going to be, but obviously it's a port with a good market. Just go to Seabourn Square and get on the list for that so that when it's announced in the Herald, you will be ready.

Are you a first time cruiser? Did you get a referral from a past passenger? You can check out that thread over on the Seabourn forum as well. HOpe this helps!

kusadasi for sure, unless you are going to hire a private guide....you will want to see ephesus... the tour bus takes you to the top of the hill & you stroll down to the bus at the bottom....

Speaking of Kusadasi, Seabourn has a wonderful evening event at Ephesus; a concert with champagne and refreshments among the ruins, and it's complimentary. Everyone raves about it. There is a thread with photos over on CruiseCritic on the Seabourn Forum.

I'd suggest in both Rhodes and Mykonos you give the tours a miss.

In Rhodes you will dock across the road and around a 10 minute walk to the gate of Rhodes old town and if you can get off early and wander you'll really enjoy it.

In Mykonos you should be able to probably tender in to Mykonos and wander around - it's a great place to walk and if you can steal yourself away from the free grub on the ship then there are some nice places to eat. There's also a regular and cheap ferry to Delos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delos).

We are doing the Istanbul-Athens cruise next month but not sure if we should book shore excursions. Is it a valuable use of time? Here are the ports of call:

Lesbos
Kusadasi
Mykonos
Rhodes
Patmos
Milos


Did you book with a travel agent who is a member of a consortium? Many offer a choice of a complimentary shore excursion or shipboard credit. Having been to all these places I would on,y do a shore excursion in Kusadasi. It is amazing and though you will returnin the evening for the free event it's not the same as doing the excursion there. If you really really want to do another tour than do the excursion to Lindos on Rhodes

I echo JanePond in that Shopping with the Chef is Fantastic and Free. I do think it is in Rhodes where they do it.

You will love love love Seabourn.

Cheers

your travel agent is the best person to recommend tours

your travel agent is the best person to recommend tours

Strange theory.

Better than FT'ers who have actually been there? Or have all travel agents been to every place in the world and only advise about places they personally know? And are they all good enough to tell you "not to take a tour"?

>"your travel agent is the best person to recommend tours"

I disagree. I want information and recommendations from cruisers on the same line that I am using. They are best to speak about the offered tours. My TA has not taken the zip line tour in Costa Rica for examole, so why would I listen to her?