Cruise stop in Athens (Piraeus)

I would go with the Athens Full-Day Tour. Athens is filled with not only archeological/historic sites plus a lot of other areas of the city to explore. It may depend on what's included with the tour. It would be far less travel like you would with options 2 & 3.

I would recommend tour guides rather than a private driver. Most tour guides are licensed whereas private are not.

I did a cruise port tour in 2012 with a group of 14 and we used https://privategreecetours.com.

We had a driver AND a tour guide which was great - the driver could let us out somewhere and then go park, and meet us wherever the tour guide indicated when we were ready to move on. The guide could also give us great info while we were driving. We did the full-day shore excursion and I feel like we got to see quite a bit! It was around $60 USD for each of the 14 of us, but that was a few years ago, so pricing could have gone up a bit. We also had to pay entrance to a few of the sites, but I don't remember what that was (but it notes those prices on the site linked below)

https://privategreecetours.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39:full-day-athens-tour-shore-excursion&catid=15:athens-region&Itemid=96

I am sorry to tell you, but kcinmn's recommendation is misleading... and since any private tour will be expensive, it is well to know what exactly is included or is NOT. One thing people do not realize is that Greece is VERY strict about what kind of guides are allowed to go onsite with tourists and explain the ruins, church, museum or whatever. Only LICENSED guides can do this. These experts have to study for YEARS and pass extensive tests & demonstrate expertise & background, to be licensed. Others who do not make this investment in knowledge may pass themselves off as "guides" ... but all they can do is give you briefings while you are driving around, & then hand you a flyer or brochure as you enter the site. And believe me, you can't really appreciate a major site in that way, unless you've done some major homework on your own.

I went to the website link given by kcinmn, and it does NOT indicate licensed guide included... in fact she said "Great info while we were driving." That's well and good... but $60 per person is a lot, even when u consider transport. Not to say you shouldn't do it, just be aware. Fortunately, you've asked your query on the R. Steves Website... and Rick has provided a VALUABLE and FREE way to get the most out of the Acropolis/Parthenon AND Ancient Agora visit... a FREE download of a step-by-step audio guide to exploration of both places. (click on "Watch, Read, Listen" on the LH side of this page & see how to put these on your smartphones or tablets). He doesn't have one for Acropolis Museum, but it has good signage, and helpful docents scattered around. TIP: for the Museum, go to TOP floor first -- because it has a SUPERB 20-minute video that puts the whole history into perspective... also, either before or after you explore the museum, its terrace is a fine place for lunch -- you look right up at the Parthenon, it's open-air or glassed-in with A/C (depending on how hot the day is) ... moderate prices, AND time-efficient, since you have only 1 day.

PS: Whatever tour company you choose, I concur with others to go for the Athens-only option.

We specifically had an additional guide with us for our tour, which is why the cost was more. I believe that the person in our group that set up the tour arranged for that with the tour company.

To Kcinmin -- was that additional guide able to enter the site (Acropolis etc) and talk/explain to your group as you walked through? If not, then he/she was not a licensed guide... just a person who could brief you between stops. Licensed guide group charge, for groups of 4-5 people is usually around $60 per hour, 2-3 hour minimum.

We decided to get the Athens Full Day Tour. We are paying 600 Euros for the day for 9 people on a private tour with both an English-speaking driver AND a professional licensed tour guide that will be with us the entire 8-9 hours. Hopefully we made the right choice. We are excited...

Compared to the ship tours, that's a great price for 9. You did well. You want two people, so that parking is not an issue-guide quality aside. Did you buy through the ship? I ask because then the ship won't leave without you. If it's independent, they have to get you back in time for the last tender or the all-aboard. Piraeus is not next door to the Acropolis.

Good choice, Cindy. With just a day, stick to Athens. The Acropolis Museum is not to be missed.

Yes, you made the right choice.