28 Jul 2023
We paid for a tour that we didn't get to experience and were not even partially reimbursed. It was a nightmare. We had initially contacted Viator to ensure that the tour was a viable option for our cruise ship stop at Santorini. They ensured us that it was, so we booked it. Upon arrival to Santorini, we came in early--giving us hopes that all would work out, but tendering took too long and we missed our tour. We were able to only communicate with the guide while on the ship as our phone would not work on the island. Before leaving the ship, we got a message that we missed the tour, but they would send another car for us to meet at the top of the cliff. Great news! BUT...we had no way of knowing that once we got off the tender that the cable car line (the way to get up the cliff) would be 2 hours long. If we even got of to the top of the cliff--there wouldn't be time for our 3 hour tour (and time to get back down and make it to our ship). There was no way to communicate at the port--it was frustrating. I tried calling and messaging. No luck. We decided that to save our cruise stop and not wait in the 2 hour cable car line (again, which would we even have time to have the 3 hour tour?), my husband found us a boat to Oia (where our tour was supposed to take us). We punted and paid for this option (in addition to our Viator tour). Upon finally getting wifi--I immediately called our tour guide who explained that the car had been waiting for us at the top of the cliff (which we would still have been in line for another hour waiting), and that there would be no refund. I do understand that there was some expense for us not making the tour--but we paid over $200 and were told there would be no money back. Luckily, we took the day in our own hands and enjoyed Oia and the rest of the Santorini Island on our own at our own expense. I would not advise ANY TOUR that meets you at the top of the cliff--it is too unpredictable as to how long it will take to get there. IF you book something, make sure it is at the bottom of the cliff or just take the speed boat option to Oia--it is much more reasonable and gets you where you want to go.