Piraeus, Greece

DIRECTIONS BY CAR:
From Athens International Airport or from Eastern suburbs

Take the Attiki Odos Highway (direction to Elefsina) and exit at junction 8 "Metamorfosi".
Turn on to the Athens-Lamia National Road with direction
to Piraeus.
Follow road signs to Piraeus and join Alipedou Street.
At the end of Alipedou there are T-junction traffic lights.
Turn left following the main flow of traffic which will take you immediately to the right onto Gounari Street.
Stay on the left side of this street, which leads to the port (seafront).
Once reaching the port (at the end of Gounari) turn left and continue driving round the port (keeping the sea to your right). The Cruise Terminal is on the far left side of the port of Piraeus.
From Southern suburbs

Take Posidonos Ave. with direction to Piraeus.
Follow Piraeus road signs and join Alipedou Street At the end of Alipedou there are T-junction traffic lights.
Turn left following the main flow of traffic which will take you immediately to the right on to Gounari Street.
Stay on the left side of this street, which leads to the port (seafront).
Once reaching the port (at the end of Gounari) turn left and continue driving round the port (keeping the sea to your right). The Cruise Terminal is on the far left side of the port of Piraeus.
From Northern and Western suburbs

Join the Athens-Lamia National Road with direction to Piraeus.
Follow road signs to Piraeus and join Papandreou Street.
At the end of Papandreou there are T-junction traffic lights.
Turn left following the main flow of traffic which will take you immediately to the right on to Gounari Street.
Stay on the left side of this street, which leads to the port (seafront).
Once reaching the port (at the end of Gounari) turn left and continue driving round the port (keeping the sea to your right). The Cruise Terminal is on the far left side of the port of Piraeus.
DIRECTIONS BY TRAIN:
The train station in Piraeus is undergoing construction and is not currently in operation.
Piraeus can be reached by metro from the airport or stations in the
center of Athens.


Parking Info
OLP Parking on Akti Miaouli Street. Open 24 hrs. Tel: 011 30 210 4511880 for additional parking information.
The daily rate for 2007 is EUR 14.00.

Local Contacts
Holland America Line has hired Inchcape Shipping Services as the local representative in Athens. Should you find yourself needing assistance while you are in Athens, please contact them via phone at 210-414-6600. They can also assist you should you become separated from your luggage.
Please note that this office cannot answer questions related to reservations, shore excursions, or upgrades.

Before You Cruise
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR CRUISE VACATION:
Holland America Line will gladly make all the arrangements for your
Pre-cruise or Post-cruise stay in Athens. Please call 1-877-SAIL-HAL to add a hotel stay. Guests who book their hotel stays through Holland America Line will enjoy extra special attention such as:
An onsite Holland America Line representative will assist you in your stay; just visit them in the lobby.
A welcome letter upon check-in letting you know about local life and how to make reservations for dinner, tours, and other Seattle must-see attractions.
Leave transportation arrangements to us.
For Pre-Cruise guests we include transportation from the airport to hotel, from the hotel to the ship.
For Post-Cruise Guests we include transportation from the ship to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport.
In both cases, these transportation arrangements to/from the hotel and airport are for guests that have HAL Fly Cruise arrangements or that have purchased a transfer voucher for this and advised of their
flight information.

If you would like to book on your own may we suggest one of the following hotels:
The Atheneum Intercontinental Hotel - (011) 30-210-920-6000

Embarkation / Check-In
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHECKING-IN:
Get to the Pier
Please arrive no earlier than 10:30AM.
The building will not be open before this time.

Check Your Luggage
Attach a Holland America Line Bag Tag to all pieces of checked luggage. Upon arrival, staff will meet you and give instructions regarding your baggage. Please show your cruise ticket to the security personnel. Your bags will be scanned and then loaded onboard and delivered to your stateroom.

Check Your Documents
ONLINE CHECK-IN DOCUMENTATION
Guests who have completed the Online Check-In requirements are only required to present the following:

Proof of Citizenship
Signature Preferred Boarding Pass
Credit Enrollment Form along with the credit card you wish to use for onboard expenses.
Holland America Line Health Questionnaire.
TERMINAL CHECK-IN DOCUMENTATION
Guests who prefer to check-in at the Terminal will need to bring the following items:
Cruise Ticket
Handwritten Immigration Form
Credit Enrollment Form, along with the credit card you wish to use for onboard expenses
Proof of Citizenship
Holland America Line Health Questionnaire
Check In
ONLINE CHECK IN
Step into the following check-in line:

Signature Preferred Check-In

Click here to complete Online Check-In and receive
your Signature Preferred Boarding Pass
TERMINAL CHECK-IN
Step into one of the following check-in lines:
Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Check-In
Non-US / Non-Canadian Check-In.
Standard Check-In
Give the Check-In Agent all of the above mentioned documents, have your picture taken, receive your stateroom key and you are all set.

Board Your Ship
In Athens, embarkation starts at about 11:30am. An announcement will be made once the embarkation process is ready to start.

Terminal Features and Services
The Piraeus Cruise Terminal offers Holland America Line guests a cafeteria style restaurant where light snacks and beverages may be purchased. There are also souvenir shops to browse prior to checking in. Public telephones are available but phone cards are necessary for use. Cards can be purchased at the cafeteria. The cruise terminal is a wireless Internet hotspot.

Visa Requirements
Voyages leaving Athens will typically sail around the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Some passports require a Schengan visa in order to board. Please check with the Consulate of every country you will visit during the cruise (including port of embarkation/disembarkation) for specific visa requirements. Be sure to provide the complete itinerary of your voyage. Alternatively you may contact a visa service agency in your country for assistance. Please note if your itinerary departs and re-enters countries which participate in the Schengen Agreement, certain nationalities may be required to obtain a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa. Those guests who require a visa and do not obtain one will be denied boarding.

Disembarkation
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LEAVING YOUR SHIP:
Approximate Time of Disembarkation
In Athens, disembarkation typically starts at approximately 6:30AM and ends at 10AM.


Government Clearance
All Guests are subject to Customs and Immigration scanning prior to disembarking the ship. Please keep your passport and citizenship documents with you at all times.

Your Baggage
All luggage is either laid down in the disembarkation hall by color/number order, or is taken to the airport and lined up for guests to claim prior to checking in with the airlines. Once you are invited to exit the ship please come and find your color/number group and claim your bags, or you will be directed to the buses and will claim your bags at the airport. There are a few porters and carts available. Please exit the building with all family members and luggage, once you leave you cannot re-enter.
The Porters are salaried employees and tipping is not required.

Your Transportation
Immediately outside the doors of the disembarkation hall you will be directed to the Holland America Line motorcoach transfers and taxis. If you have arranged a private pick up by friends, family or taxi please meet them farther down from the motorcoaches.

Transportation Options
In many European cities, guests usually choose to take Holland America Line arranged transportation, as it is faster and there is little to no confusion.
There is also taxi service available to/from the ship's terminal.
Holland America Line offers transfers between Athens International (Eleftherios Venizelos) Airport, recommended Hotels and Ship's Terminal via motorcoach.
If you would like to book a transfer please call 1-877-SAILHAL and tell them you would like to add a transfer.
Depending on your air arrival time and date, special instructions have been included in your ticket book advising where to find your Holland America Line Guest Service Representative at the airport.

Distances
Athens(ATH) airport To Ship: 28 miles or about 45 mins by vehicle.
Athens(ATH) airport To Downtown: 20 miles or about 40 mins
by vehicle.
Ship's Terminal to Downtown: 8 miles or about 20 mins by vehicle