Guests currently aboard Celebrity Ascent have been informed that their final port of call – Santorini, Greece – will now be three hours shorter than originally scheduled.
The change has come as local port authorities attempt to manage an extremely congested day of cruise traffic.
The Celebrity Cruises vessel is sailing a 7-night Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona to Athens, with Santorini set as the final stop on Friday, 8th August 2025.
While the ship’s 3,950 passengers will still be able to step ashore at the iconic Greek island, the all-aboard time has been moved forward to 5 pm, instead of the initially published 8 pm departure.
“Increased Traffic Conditions”
The change was confirmed in a notice delivered to guests onboard:
“Due to increased traffic conditions at the port in Santorini, Greece, local authorities have requested an adjustment to our departure schedule. As a result, our time in Santorini will be updated, with our new departure time now set for 5:00 PM.”
The cruise line added that the decision is beyond its control but stressed that passenger experience remains a top priority.
The reduction in time ashore comes at the height of Mediterranean cruise season, with Santorini’s tender port operating at near-capacity on the same day.
Alongside Celebrity Ascent, three other ships – Norwegian Viva, Voyager of the Seas, and Star Flyer – are all due to visit on 8th August.
It’s clear why Voyager of the Seas has been prioritised over Celebrity Ascent – the Royal Caribbean ship is scheduled to remain at the port overnight, so could hardly be sent away on the 8th to return again the next day.
But it’s less clear why Celebrity Ascent has been chosen to disembark earlier than the NCL or Star Clippers vessels.
As a tender-only destination, the process of getting people on and off the ship takes more time and coordination, particularly when multiple ships are in port simultaneously.
Safety regulations and navigational logistics often require staggered arrivals and departures.
Shore Excursions Automatically Adjusted
Celebrity Cruises has confirmed that all shore excursions booked through the line will be automatically adjusted to the new departure time.
If a tour cannot be modified to fit the updated schedule, it will be refunded in full to the guest’s onboard account.
Despite the shortened visit, passengers will still be required to pay the full Greek port tax introduced on 1st August 2025 – €20 (approx. £17 / $23.13 USD) per person for summer calls.
Tender Port Warning
At the time of letting guests know about the changes to the Santorini timings, Celebrity Cruises also used the opportunity to remind guests about safety when using tender boats.
Santorini is a tender port, meaning that cruise ships are unable to dock directly at a pier.
Instead, the vessel anchors offshore, and passengers are transported to and from the island by smaller boats – known as tenders. These tender boats are typically operated either by the cruise line or local port services and can vary in size and accessibility.
Tendering is a common practice at ports where the harbour is too shallow, too small, or simply too congested to accommodate large cruise ships.
Because guests must step from the main ship onto a smaller, often moving vessel, cruise lines issue specific warnings for those with mobility difficulties.
Accessing a tender can involve navigating gangways, steps, and sometimes uneven surfaces – all of which can pose challenges for those who rely on wheelchairs, walking aids, or who are unsteady on their feet.
In some cases, cruise lines may advise certain guests not to tender at all, depending on sea conditions and the specific design of the tender craft.
Celebrity Cruises has reiterated its commitment to the safety of all guests and crew during tender operations and encourages passengers to reach out to Guest Services if they have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility or suitability for tendering.
Itinerary Otherwise Unchanged
The 141,420-gross-ton Celebrity Ascent has already completed successful calls in Valletta (Malta), and is on track to visit both Mykonos and Kusadasi before arriving in Santorini.
No other itinerary changes have been announced.
While losing time in Santorini is no doubt a disappointment – especially as it’s the final port of a highly anticipated cruise – Celebrity Cruises has expressed its appreciation for guests’ understanding.
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