Santorini Shared Morning Cruise: Is it Worth the Hype? (2024 Review)

Santorini, with its chalky cliffs and cobalt domes, is, I guess, like one of those places that pretty much gets permanently stuck in your travel dreams. And, when you are, as I was, plotting that dreamy escape, chances are, you’ll bump into those pictures, you know, those ridiculously attractive photos of cruises circumnavigating the island. I went for, what seemed to me, a great deal: a shared morning cruise aiming to kiss some of Santorini’s famous shorelines. But the question that lingered, and perhaps, is kind of nagging you too: is that particular experience genuinely worth grabbing, or is it just advertising smoke and mirrors? So, here’s the full scoop on what really transpired when I hopped aboard.

Setting Sail: First Impressions, Expectations

Hopping on the boat felt, for me, like that starting scene in a vacation flick. The air itself, sort of tangy with sea salt, that sky blazing a crazy bright blue – it all screamed “adventure”, perhaps a bit dramatically. We were shuffling, along with perhaps twenty or so other souls, onto a catamaran, that, in its defense, was actually looking pretty sleek. Initial expectations, you see, where sky-high. I’d pictured lazy sun-bathing moments, skinny dipping into water so crystal clear, that it resembled gin, and, as always, snapping enough pics to turn my Instagram feed into a blinding white and blue explosion. In reality, I suspect, I was probably just over-caffeinated and over-dreaming after too many travel blogs.

The Beaches Visited: A Tapestry of Volcanic Beauty

Our aquatic tour made a stop at, what our perky guide claimed to be, Santorini’s “must-see” beaches, though, it’s almost always up for debate, what places one “must see”. First up: Red Beach. It looked, actually, pretty stunning from afar, what with those iron-rich cliffs creating, that is, a backdrop worthy of a movie set. Getting there, that’s where things, maybe, got a little, just a little, dicey. It was that busy, that finding even a square foot of space for your beach towel felt, I guess, like winning some kind of convoluted lottery. We went ahead and had a quick dip; it was alright. The water was undoubtedly, clear, very clear. But honestly, as a matter of fact, the sheer amount of other swimmers meant serenity wasn’t actually, you know, really on the menu.

Next we scooted to White Beach, that you can only, typically, access by boat. Picture, maybe, cliffs that do, basically, resemble chalk towering over the water. The vibe there seemed, in a way, more chill than Red Beach, so that was nice. The downside, what was a bummer, actually, was the beach size. It was, in effect, on the smaller side, like a tiny little cove. Though lovely for a short break, and perhaps, another swim, there weren’t lots of room to explore.

The Black Beach was quite the place, basically, on the south-eastern coast of Santorini. Here, as a matter of fact, the volcanic sands are so long that walking feels both easy and like an accomplishment at the same time. There’s that soft dark earth, there’s plenty of room for setting up camp, and beachside tavernas, right, that let you sample what Santorini really tastes like. This spot gave everyone a spot, kind of, where there’s room to breathe.

Onboard Experience: Sun, Sea, and… Sardines?

The cruise offered, to be honest, what I reckon to be, your usual sort of boat trip swag: tanning deck for baking yourself to perfection (or lobster-like condition, like your’s truly), plus, I mean, an open bar. Though that, I reckon, might sound super glam, so just so you know, the drinks themselves tended to lean a bit towards what I would call “budget friendly.” Think questionable local plonk and beer that, to be honest, tasted sort of suspiciously like it had been watered down. Yet, honestly, I wasn’t expecting crystal glasses and vintage champagne, so there I was. The crew seemed quite cheerful, in a way, doing their best to keep our glasses from being empty, and honestly, pointing out different scenic stuff.

Lunch turned out to be a somewhat random array of grub. There was, maybe, grilled chicken skewers (chewy), a Greek salad (pretty standard), plus some kind of pasta that had, in that case, seen much happier days. The real curveball, well there was this massive plate of sardines. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like seafood. However, so to say, consuming an entire shoal of tiny fish under the baking Aegean sun wasn’t, what you might describe, exactly my idea of a culinary high point. Though, honestly, I’ve nothing to hold against people who like that kind of experience.

The Crowds Factor: Navigating Tourist Traffic

Santorini, it seems, is basically bursting at the seams, kind of, particularly during peak season. Thus, the “shared” part of that cruise took on quite a, in some respects, very literal meaning. Personal space was really, almost nonexistent, specially when people were, so to say, bunched together for taking photos at particularly “Instagrammable” spots. That affected my cruise since everything felt cramped, in a way. Queues for the bar resembled a Black Friday sale, plus trying to get some shade involved, at least I felt so, some rather aggressive elbow action. While I’m quite a social person, I felt so that constant jockeying really, very really took away, well just took away from my relaxation.

Value for Money: Did it Measure Up?

At the end of the trip, it looked to me, a bit, like a mixed bag. The cost of this cruise, right, put it firmly, so to say, in the “budget-friendly” category, specially if we think of Santorini’s prices, right? In that context, I might say, you’re certainly, mostly, getting what you spend your money on. The thing is, I feel, those beautiful landscapes were gorgeous and truly magical, plus getting out on the water gives, as a matter of fact, a completely, unique point of view of that island. I could mention however, the crowds, well that was kind of a significant con. And that generic lunch didn’t, maybe, quite hit the mark.

Perhaps, in a way, consider that shared morning cruise like this: if your agenda is to see those hot spots on a budget and you’re able to take a big crowd and average meals in stride, go for it. But in case, what I suspect, if you treasure tranquil and unique kinds of experiences, perhaps ponying up some additional cash for some kind of smaller group, or renting your, like your, own vessel could be, very likely, worthwhile.

Essential Tips: Making the Most of Your Santorini Cruise

Book beforehand: Cruises tend to book up so, too, try reserving your space early, specially, to be sure, if you are coming during the high season months.

Show up prepared: What might be useful, don’t forget those basic essentials. Pack sunblock, shades, plus a huge hat for the sun.

Get beach footwear: I should’ve considered what to wear and maybe, you know, rocky shores of Santorini can make getting around very treacherous with, like your, bare feet.

Hydrate, hydrate: The Greek sun itself, actually, is unforgiving. Bring some kind of reusable water bottle so that you keep sipping all day.

Manage expectations: I could mention that I adjusted to the crowds, in effect, as a way to appreciate the unique view and try those local spots at an affordable cost.

In the case where motion sickness is your enemy: Ensure you have what you need.

Is that Shared Morning Cruise for You, So to Say?

That Santorini shared morning cruise might give that iconic panorama, but remember you, that there’s a lot of fellow travelers so it might feel slightly crowded. If your priorities look like economy travel plus mingling and sharing a limited space, go for it, right? But in the event you prefer smaller, intimate environments, maybe what is important is to seek alternative and private opportunities to swim those pristine beaches.

Consider also that I took some memorable snapshots and now you know a great deal of information! My verdict? That cruise is a really, kind of a cost-effective gateway for an initial peek to Santorini’s coastal glory. Just, so to say, lower those expectations a bit plus ready you, in effect, for what you will face during peak season.