Mediterranean Cruise: Ancient Ruins and High Seas Luxury

Part 1: Trading Backpacks for Deck Chairs (Rome to Athens Segment)

After weeks of hauling backpacks and navigating bus stations, the rugged travellers traded in their hiking shoes for deck chairs. I stumbled upon this 21-day cruise through the Adriatic and beyond—including Israel and Cyprus—and at $1,399 plus tax, it was a bargain. We boarded the ship in Civitavecchia (the port city near Rome), quickly learning that a full ship meant no upgrades, but plenty of adventure awaited.

The Adriatic: Croatia and Italy

• Dubrovnik, Croatia: Our first port was this stunning walled city. We walked the massive stone walls, learning how the city endured shelling during the 1990s—you can still tell which houses were rebuilt by the colour of their roof tiles.
• Venice, Italy: Having both been before, we treated this visit as a reunion. We crossed the Rialto Bridge and wandered the canals, but the second day was our self-declared “sea day”—we stayed onboard, lounged by the pool, and watched a movie.
• Ravenna, Italy: A small Italian town big on charm (and free Wi-Fi). We visited Dante’s tomb, which held special meaning after reading Dan Brown’s *Inferno*.
• Split, Croatia: This city greeted us with markets, music, and sunshine. The highlight was a group of special needs kids performing a song-and-dance number in angel costumes—their joy was contagious.
• Kotor, Montenegro: We explored the walled city’s back alleys and even slipped through a literal hole in the wall to a hidden church.

Greek Beginnings

• Corfu, Greece: My first time in Greece, and it was a national holiday! We explored the old fort and wandered the seaside.
• Katakolon (Olympia), Greece: We joined a couple from PEI and others to explore the ancient ruins of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. We saw where athletes once ran naked and learned that cheaters had to pay for a statue of Zeus as punishment—accountability never goes out of style.

Part 2: The Eastern Mediterranean and the Holy Land (Athens to Athens Segment)

After three weeks of being pampered, we prepared for the second leg. However, the technical mid-point stop in Piraeus (Athens) turned into an absolute mess due to Greek customs confusion, even earning an apology from the Captain. Sometimes it's better to stay on the boat!

Ancient Ruins and Minoan Palaces

• Kuşadası (Ephesus), Turkey: We teamed up with friends, taking public transit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Walking among ruins nearly 3,000 years old was surreal—like stepping into a living textbook.
• Heraklion, Crete (Knossos Palace): We explored the Knossos Palace, believed to be home to the legendary Minotaur. These ruins predate Ephesus by about a thousand years, though we noted the heavy (and creative) reconstruction by archaeologists.
• Limassol, Cyprus: This was one of the more forgettable stops. We visited Kolossi Castle, but beyond that, the city was full of construction, and we managed to take the bus the wrong way—twice.

Israel: The Unforgettable Highlight

Israel was the high point of the entire cruise, and the main reason we booked this voyage. Though getting off the boat in Ashdod was a security nightmare, the reward was worth it.

• Jerusalem and Bethlehem: From the Mount of Olives, we saw sweeping views of the city. We crossed into Bethlehem in the West Bank (a surreal experience due to the walls and checkpoints) to visit the Church of the Nativity.
• Haifa, Nazareth, and Galilee: The next day, we explored the countryside, visiting the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and dipping our toes in the Sea of Galilee (where Jesus is said to have walked). We also saw the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River and sites marking the miracles of the Loaves and Fishes and the Sermon on the Mount.

Final Ports and Reflections

• Antalya, Turkey: One of the "replacement ports" after Egypt was dropped. We decided to skip the expensive shuttle and enjoyed Turkish coffee and free Wi-Fi onboard instead.
• Rhodes, Greece: A lovely farewell port. The old walled city was right off the ship—no fuss. We wandered through cobblestone streets and toured the old palace-turned-museum.
• Life Onboard: Cruise life quickly became its own world. We joined daily pub trivia, made great friends (Andrew and Amanda, Barrie and Kathleen, and many others), and sampled more food than we care to admit. Formal nights were frequent, with Nicola looking stunning in gifted dresses while my $10 tie did its best to keep up. Now we’re back in Athens, reacquainting ourselves with dry land and smaller meals, ready to exchange luxury cabins for backpacks and head to Istanbul and Kathmandu. The cruise was everything we hoped—relaxing, indulgent, and eye-opening—a perfect break before the next chaotic chapter of our journey.