Santorini & Rhodes

Will be on a cruise in November and visiting Santorini and Rhodes on successive days. Would you suggest we avail ourselves of the ship’s excursions or they better visited independently? Thanks.

That would depend on the excursion you're interested in. Where on Santorini does it take you and how much time will you have ashore?

Both of these islands have a predictable list of must-sees; for Santorini, Thira , Oia and Akrotiri ( If open ), and for Rhodes, the Old Town and Lindos. Most of these locations benefit considerably from the prescence of a well-informed guide ( particularly Akrotiri and Rhodes Town ). If the excursions offered include the services of a guide, I would suggest you take advantage of them, rather than wandering around on your own.

#1 we are supposed to be arriving at Thira at 7 and departing at 7. The excursion to Oia in the printed literature was not listed online by the ship. But I was told/heard/read somewhere that once in Thira a cab can be had for 10euros each way to Oia and still provide ample time to return and wander in Thira and have a drink overlooking the caldera at sunset. Sound like a plan?

Yes, it does. In November the sun sets between 5:00-5:30 so you should have plenty of time to get back to the ship. And seeing as how you'll be there during the daylight hours you will even be able to save a bit of money if you choose to do so by taking the bus to and from Oia instead of a taxi. It only ads about 10 more minutes to the trip for a total of 30 minutes. A taxi will cost between 10-15 euro and the bus is 1.2 euro each. Get on the bus and someone will come around to collect your money once you're on your way. The bus square is downhill from the Atlantis Hotel in Fira, an unmistakable landmark since it's on the cliff and is so huge. Here's a link to the bus timetable for Santorini.

I don't know how much time you will have in Rhodes.

Rhodes Old Town is an absolute gem and not that small. Some of the main streets are touristy and commercial but you can just turn away from them and get lost. It is big enough to absorb the tourism and leave alot left to people who like to discover interesting things.
It is located just in front of the harbour where the cruise ships dock so the location is perfect to explore on your own. With a good guidebook in your hand you don't need a guided tour at all.

Lindos, as suggested by #2 was one of our biggest disappointments of that island. It must have been beautiful in a bygone era but nowadays we found it to be a completely overrated, disneyland-like tourist trap. It is a place which has no soul anymore. Almost all houses have become an ugly tourist-shop, a bar or a room/house to let, in such an overwhelming way that we found it a bit too much.

Having visited the island just a month ago, i would suggest you to spend all your time in Rhodes Old Town and enjoy a truly interesting and still living walled medieval town. Suppose you have 12 hours there as well, it isn't too much time at all. Do it on your own, as it is so easy to walk into.

I also suggest you take the bus from Oia to Fira, as it will prove more reliable than waiting for a taxi - you may possibly have to order a taxi from Fira.
have fun,

For Santorini you should better rely the ship's excursions, for Rhodes you might go out by your selfs, the old town is very near to the port and is the best area to visit in one day.