DATELINE: 10/01/2000

What This Means to You

Return to Page One

There is no word yet on how the companies will deal with cancelled reservations, but it is likely that thousands of passengers will be affected. Travel by boat will be very tight over the next few weeks. While many lines are on reduced schedules for fall, this action will extend delays, crowd the remaining vessels, and may strand some visitors to more remote islands for several days to a week.

If you have ferry reservations already in hand, they may or may not be honored in the crush to get the open seats. I recommend flying if at all possible; get reservations immediately as these seats will also be snapped up. For islands without airports, expect delays and try to have alternative plans in mind.

Carry extra cash! I normally recommend having emergency funds in drachmas equivalent to approximately $100 US, $125 Canadian or about 60 pounds sterling per person; double or triple these amounts if you are travelling in the islands over the next few weeks. You may find yourself having to stay overnight unexpectedly, pay a premium for alternate transportation, or cover other expenses. Trapped tourists may drain local ATMs on the islands.

If you are travelling as part of an organized tour, find out now what the company policy on this situation will be. If they consider related delays or cancellations an "Act of God" or similar, you may spend your holiday waiting for a boat that will never come, and with some companies, your options for reimbursement may be limited. This will primarily affect passenger yachts and cruise vessels, as arranged tour packages rarely include ferry passage.

Should you wait to go? That depends. It looks like it may be a rough fall in terms of weather, and this will probably get worse over the next few months. If you go right now, you have the best chance for pleasant weather in the islands.

In other shipping news:

Another yacht, the Zeus III carrying about 38 passengers, sank off the coast of Naxos. An 82-year-old man died of a heart attack during the evacuation.

Affected Ship/Company List
I'll be updating this regularly.

Return to Page One