Guide Book
The Basics
ITINERARY*
Day Date Port Arrive Depart
Tue 04/30/24 Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece 7:30 PM
Wed 05/01/24 Hydra, Greece Noon 10:00 PM
Thu 05/02/24 Sifnos, Greece 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Fri 05/03/24 Santorini, Greece 9:00 AM 10:00 PM
Sat 05/04/24 At Sea
Sun 05/05/23 Rhodes, Greece 9:00 AM 11:00 PM
Mon 05/06/24 Kos, Greece 9:00 AM 10:00 PM
Tue 05/07/24 Patmos, Greece 9:00 AM 10:00 PM
Wed 05/08/24 Kusadasi, Turkey 9:00 AM 11:00 PM
Thu 05/09/24 At Sea
Fri 05/10/24 Skiathos, Greece 8:00 AM 11:45 PM
Sat 05/11/24 Skyros, Greece 9:00 AM 7:00 PM
Sun 05/12/24 Mykonos, Greece 10:00 AM Overnight
Mon 05/13/24 12:00 PM
Tue 05/14/24 Athens, Greece 7:00 AM
* Subject to change.
A valid passport is required for travel. Check your passport expiration date carefully. All passengers must have a passport valid for 6 months after your return date. If your passport expires before November 14, 2024, you will need to have it renewed. Any guest without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Bare Necessities assumes no responsibility for advising guests of visa requirements.
Non U.S. citizens should contact the nearest embassy or consulate office for current passport and/or visa requirements for your entire journey.
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
It’s important to review Star Clippers’ “Health & hygiene protocols” at https://www.starclippers.com/us-dom/. The site will provide necessary updates as the situation evolves. Bare Necessities will provide necessary information to our passengers as additional details become available.
Port taxes and fees are estimated at $590 per person and are due February 16, 2024. Gratuities will automatically be charged to your shipboard account by Star Clippers and estimated at $160 per person. Star Clippers reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge of up to $10 per passenger per day ($140 total) if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange is above $90 per barrel on January 24, 2024.
Booking numbers will be emailed approximately 30-45 days prior to sailing at which time passengers will be required to enter their passport information and emergency contact details on Star Clippers’ website. After that, the cruise line will send e-Docs (electronic cruise tickets) and luggage tags directly to passengers via email. Passengers first and last name on the e-Docs must be exactly as they appear on the passport.
A list of shore excursions, including any clothes-free excursions offered, will be provided with your e-Docs (electronic cruise tickets). All shore excursions are available for purchase once onboard the Royal Clipper starting on embarkation day.
Travel Logistics
The Royal Clipper will be docked at the Port of Piraeus, about 15 kilometers or approximately 9 miles from the city center. It is easily connected to Athens by all methods of transportation.
There are 2 cruise terminals – Terminal A and B situated 500 meters apart. Most cruise ships dock directly at Terminal A, however the exact location is not confirmed until a few days prior to sailing.
Embarkation is scheduled to begin at 3 PM, and we request all guests to be on board no later than 6:30 PM. The ship sails at 7:30 PM on April 30, 2024. If all passengers are on board prior to the scheduled departure time, the Captain may elect to sail early.
The Royal Clipper will return to the port of Piraeus in Athens. The cruise line may offer bus transfers to the airport on debarkation day. These transfers can be purchased through the shore excursion desk.
Please note that the distance between the port of Piraeus and the Athens International Airport is 31 miles (50 km).
For safety and logistical reasons, Bare Necessities does not recommend taking the Metro or Suburban rail while traveling in Athens. Please be advised that while this is inexpensive, the transfer does include a lot of hustling around with your luggage, including several flights of steps at stations, as well as increases your risk of becoming a target for petty theft.
Taxis in Athens can be confusing with a complicated fare structure. We suggest a private transfer upon your arrival to the airport such as Welcome Pickups www.welcomepickups.com.
You can also download the Uber app or even use the main taxi app, BEAT during your stay in Athens.
Taxis – The color of taxis in Athens is yellow, and they are available 24/7. When exiting Athens Airport, you will find street taxis waiting between Exit 2 and Exit 3 at the arrival area. By Law, fares on several routes in Greece are fixed. Always confirm the rate with the driver prior to entering the vehicle. Fixed fare prices include everything: luggage charges, tolls/fees, VAT, meter start, airport charges, etc. The fixed rate is higher when traveling late in the evening. If a fixed price is not agreed upon before the vehicle, make sure the meter is running.
All luggage must be securely packed and clearly labeled with passenger’s full name, ship’s name, cabin number and date of sailing. Luggage tags will be included with your e-Docs. We recommend that travel documents (cruise tickets, passport, and visa), valuables, and medication be hand carried in your carry-on bag. Neither Star Clippers, Ltd., nor Star Clippers Americas, nor Bare Necessities are responsible for any loss, theft or damage to passenger’s luggage or personal property. Please contact your air carrier(s) directly to determine their size specifications, weight limits and/or fees for luggage. The port of Piraeus cruise terminal A does have an area to store your luggage if needed.
The Royal Clipper will return to the port of Piraeus in Athens at approximately 7 AM on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Disembarkation procedures will begin after local Immigration & Customs officials have cleared the ship.
We suggest arranging your flights out of Athens no earlier than 12:00 PM (noon). The cruise line may offer bus transfers to the airport on debarkation day. These transfers can be purchased through the shore excursion desk.
Spending Money
Your cruise includes all meals and all beverages excluding premium brands of alcohol, champagne and wine*. Gift shop items, spa services, shore excursions, and laundry services are additional. All items and services purchased on board will be charged to your shipboard account. During the embarkation process the ship will take your credit card information and give you a key card. This is your stateroom key, personal identification card, and also used to charge services and products provided on board the ship. Each account can be settled in cash or credit card on the final day of the cruise. The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Personal checks and Discover are not accepted on board. Please note that the currency used on board the ship is in Euro (€).
*French or Italian house wines, house liqueurs, house spirits, cocktail of the day, non-alcoholic cocktails, soda by the glass, draft beer, bottled water, espresso and cappuccino are complimentary for each guest for the duration of the cruise. Premium brands of alcohol, premium wines and champagne are not included.
American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most major hotels, shops and restaurants. When traveling abroad, it is often a good idea to telephone your credit card companies in advance of departure and inform them of your travel plans. Doing so may prevent your card from being “tagged” as stolen and may prevent inconveniences.
Greece is part of the European Union and uses Euros (€) as their form of currency. It is a good idea to bring along Euros in smaller bills for miscellaneous use when only a small amount of currency is needed.
ATM machines are a good source for obtaining foreign currency however may charge a fee. ATM machines are available at the airport and around the cities and usually offer the best exchange rates. Currency Exchange Offices can be found in most tourist, market, and commercial areas. They offer better exchange rates than most banks and may or may not charge a commission. Offices in market areas tend to offer better exchange rates than those in tourist areas. Most Post Offices will also exchange currency.
CANCELLATIONS
This cruise is non-refundable. All cancellations for the Sailing the Greek Isles cruise must be received in writing to deter any future payments from being processed. Cancellations can be emailed to: cancellations@cruisebare.com
Even without the mandatory minimum insurance currently required by Star Clippers, Bare Necessities has always STRONGLY recommended the purchase of travel insurance. It is designed to cover the cost of your travel arrangements in the event of certain unforeseeable reasons that may adversely affect you or your travel plans. The most claimed reason for a trip cancellation that is covered by travel insurance is a medical need. This could be a sickness, injury or death suffered by one of the travelers or his/her immediate family member. Other covered reasons may include weather delays; strikes; destination uninhabitable from natural disaster; epidemics; travel restrictions; mechanical breakdown of a common carrier; mandatory evacuation; or bankruptcy of a cruise line or other travel supplier. Trip insurance also covers any medical expenses that you may incur during the voyage, including air ambulances and other medevac transportation. Full coverage must typically be purchased within 14 days of the date of the initial deposit or payment for the trip and can offer the ability to cancel for any reason.
Passengers are encouraged to do their own research and use any travel insurance provider that they feel most comfortable with. For more information on purchasing travel insurance, please visit TRAVEL INSURANCE at the Bare Necessities website and select American or Canadian residency. International passengers are encouraged to use a search engine to locate travel insurance providers serving their country of residence
Star Clippers' Policies
ONBOARD THE ROYAL CLIPPER
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call will be stored and returned at the end of the voyage.
Important Health Information
A qualified physician or registered nurse is either on staff or is available from shore. In addition, the ship’s officers are qualified in administering first aid. Any applicable fees for medical services rendered on board will be charged to your account and presented for settlement at the end of the cruise.
Phone Service
A telephone is provided in each cabin. The cost for outgoing and incoming phone calls is € 4 per minute. All calls will be billed to the passengers on board account. Price is subject to change. Should someone wish to contact a passenger at sea, they may do so by calling the Star Clippers Americas office at 305-773-3541 and the information will be forwarded to the ship. Passengers contacted from shore via fax will be charged on board.
Emergency Contact
In the event of an emergency, family and friends may contact you on board by calling Star Clippers’ office in Miami, Florida, at 305-773-3541.
Internet Service
Passengers can purchase an internet package on board the ship. Service is dependent upon satellite signal (location and weather). You may receive e- mails on board through the Purser’s Office; they will be printed and delivered to your cabin at a nominal charge. WIFI is available in the Library, Tropical Bar and Piano Bar. If you need to stay in touch with family and loved ones, they may send an email to the Royal Clipper at: rcpax@royalclipper.net.
Electrical Voltage/Equipment
Cabins on board the Royal Clipper are equipped with 220V European plugs. Hair dryers are provided in your cabin, for your convenience. Adapters are necessary on board the ship, as well as on land, if you plan to bring 110 volt electrical appliances with you.
Valuables
Star Clippers and Bare Necessities are not responsible for loss or theft of jewelry, cash or other valuables. Each room has a safe. We encourage you to make use of this amenity.
Laundry
Laundry services and dry-cleaning services are available at an additional cost and may be arranged through your room steward.
Smoking Policy
To safeguard the health of our passengers, smoking is not allowed at any time in any interior areas of the ship. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks (Starboard side only). Smoking is prohibited on the aft decks and on the balconies.
Special Needs
The Royal Clipper does not have elevators. If you have mobility issues, please contact us immediately.
To assure that cruise lines continue to support our charters and that we all enjoy a wonderful, stress-free, clothes-free experience, we ask passengers to please observe the following common-sense guidelines of decorum on board our cruises.
Passengers may be nude on board unless announcements are made that clothing is required.
When the ship is anchored in a port, passengers can be nude unless announcements have been made to the contrary. When the ship is docked alongside in port, all passengers must be dressed throughout the vessel including balconies until the ship leaves port and an announcement is made that nudity is again permissible.
The ship provides a self-serve buffet in the Tropical bar which is a clothes-free area however clothing is required for all meals taken in the dining room located on the Commodore deck. Casual attire is fine in all of these venues. When in doubt as to what is appropriate attire, simply confirm that breasts, bottoms and genitalia are fully covered by clothing that is not considered to be fetish-wear or lingerie.
If the ship hosts any local folkloric shows on board, clothing is required. Casual clothing, such as shorts and t-shirts or pareos/sarongs, is always acceptable. These events will be listed in the onboard daily newsletter.
Lingerie and fetish-wear are not appropriate at any time, and bathrobes are not permitted in the dining room.
Please always sit on a towel while nude, in a G-string, thong, or any time you are bare-bottomed. A fresh beach towel will be provided in your stateroom each day for that purpose. Stacks of smaller towels will be placed throughout the ship outside of common areas in case you arrive without one.
No photographs, videos or electronic images of any person may be taken without the express consent of that individual. “NO PHOTO ZONES” around the pools or in dance venues must be followed to avoid confiscation of photo capturing devices.
Fondling or inappropriate touching of personal body parts or those of someone else, overt sexual activity or any solicitation for sexual acts is strictly prohibited.
Displaying yourself nude in front of other ships in port or while port authorities are on board the vessel for clearance is strictly prohibited.
Dangerous or rude behavior will not be tolerated at any time.
Passengers must comply with US Federal law regarding the possession or use of illegal substances.
Bare Necessities also complies with the cruise line’s regulations, including the right to dismiss persons from the cruise for abusing alcohol and/or drugs, not obeying all safety rules including our decorum and attire as well as not complying with the laws of the country we are visiting.
Failure to comply with any of the decorum and etiquette described in this section will be grounds for dismissal from the cruise. There are no refunds for dismissal and transportation is not provided from the port of dismissal.
* These terms and conditions are non-negotiable and were agreed to as part of the booking process.
Have a nice trip!
If you have any questions, or if we may assist you in preparing for departure, please do not hesitate to contact us anytime Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM Central (10AM – 6PM EST & 7AM – 3PM PDT) at 800-743-0405 or512-499-0405.
We are delighted that you have chosen to join us in Sailing the Greek Isles. This is sure to be a trip of a lifetime!
Bare sailing in the Greek Isles begins here!
CANCELLATIONS
