Panhellenic Seamen's Federation to Hold 48 Hour Strike | GreekReporter.com

Panhellenic Seamen's Federation to Hold 48 Hour Strike | GreekReporter.com

The main tourist season is ending and strikes start again.

Ferry strike confirmed for April 10-11 - just before Greek Easter

TIP!  If you're caught by the strike, check if any ferries are travelling at "unusual" times after the strike finishes.  Ferries may be in the wrong place, and ferry companies may get them back to where they want them to be - meaning a ferry might run at a time of day you would not expect. For example, Blue Star ferries from Piraeus to Paros and Naxos usually leave Piraeus at 07.25 and 17.30.  Greek Travel Pages shows that the Blue Star Paros is leaving Piraeus at 23.00 on 11 April, going to Paros, Naxos, Donoussa, and Aegiale (Amorgos).  But you'll need to check if there is space on the extra ferries - even without a strike, the run up to Easter is very busy.


http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/1/54721

Not good for Greece.  Easter is the Greek Christmas, and even without a two day strike ferries are packed.  Even in the current financial conditions ferries will be packed.  There are likely to be many Greek people not getting home for Easter.  And any tourists affected may well think twice before going to Greece again.

And news about the strike on 10 April
Ferry workers strike, disrupting holidays

Ferry strike planned in the run up to Easter

Boat Routes Suspended on Great Tuesday and Wednesday Due to Port Workers’ Strike

Even when there are no strikes it's not a good idea to arrive in Greece just before Easter and expect to jump on a ferry to your chosen island.  It might have been a little easier to travel this year in the run up to Easter, because of the current economic situation.  But a strike on the Tuesday and Wednesday before easter (which the Greeks call Great Tuesday and Great Thursday) is likely to cause major problems.  Ferries on popular routes may already be fully booked.  Strip out two days' ferries - try fitting a quart or more into a pint pot.

With computer ticketing, in theory ferries shouldn't be overfilled.  But there are likely to be a lot of people not getting home for Easter.  Easter is the Greek Christmas, the major holiday of the year.

Get on that ferry - if you can.