End of the Five-Star Living on the High Seas

After three weeks of being pampered aboard the MS Rotterdam, we’ve traded our luxury cruise life for cobblestone streets once again. It’s been a memorable chapter — full of history, new friendships, and more food than I care to admit.


Back to Athens — The Great Port Debacle


When I left off, we were about to dock in Athens for the halfway point of our voyage. We decided to get off the ship just long enough to use some Wi-Fi and figure out how to get into Athens when the cruise ended. Unfortunately, the process turned into an absolute mess. Despite Holland America’s reassurances that we could breeze through immigration, Greek customs had other ideas. Total chaos. The captain even issued an apology over the intercom and promised to report the situation. Lesson learned — sometimes it’s better to just stay on the boat.


Ancient Wonders in Turkey and Crete


Our next stop was Kuşadası, Turkey, the gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. We teamed up with Barrie and Kathleen from Seattle and Andrew and Amanda from St. Louis, taking public transportation to reach the site. Walking among ruins nearly 3,000 years old was surreal — like stepping into a living textbook. It’s amazing how much of Ephesus is still standing and how freely you can wander through it.


Then came Heraklion, Crete, where we explored the Knossos Palace, believed to be home to the legendary Minotaur. These ruins predate Ephesus by about a thousand years — roughly 4,000 years old! While fascinating, they’ve been heavily reconstructed by archaeologists who, it seems, took a few creative liberties. Still, imagining what life looked like in one of Europe’s earliest civilizations was worth the trip.


Cyprus: The Missed Mark


Next up was Limassol, Cyprus, which turned out to be one of the more forgettable stops of the cruise. We visited Kolossi Castle, an old Frankish fortress from the 1200s, but beyond that, the city was full of construction and confusion. We even managed to take the bus the wrong way — twice. By the time we finally made it back to the ship, we chalked it up as an “adventure in public transit.”


Israel — A Cruise Highlight


Israel was, without question, the high point of our cruise. The stops in Jerusalem and Haifa were the main reason we booked this voyage in the first place.


We booked our own tours online rather than through the ship, which saved a bit of money and allowed us to join Barrie and Kathleen again. However, just getting off the boat in Ashdod to start the first day’s tour tested our patience — endless lines, confused staff, and slow-moving security. By the time we finally cleared customs, our van had already left! Thankfully, the guide came back for us (though I’m sure the others weren’t thrilled).


Jerusalem and Bethlehem


The drive from Ashdod to Jerusalem took about an hour, and our first stop was the Mount of Olives, offering sweeping views of the city and the sprawling Jewish cemetery below. From there, we crossed into Bethlehem in the West Bank — a surreal experience in itself. The towering walls, gates, and checkpoints made it feel like entering a prison. Inside, our local guides brought us to the Church of the Nativity, marking the spot where Jesus was born. The wait to see the actual grotto was over two hours, so we passed — especially since U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the President of Poland were in town, throwing the whole schedule into chaos.


Returning across the border was even more intense — full airport-style screenings and strict Israeli security. I found the whole experience fascinating, though I wish more time had been spent discussing the modern political tensions that still shape life there.


Haifa, Nazareth, and Galilee


The next day began smoother — we were first off the ship this time. From Haifa, we traveled through the countryside to Nazareth, visiting the Church of the Annunciation (where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary) and the Church of St. Joseph (the site of Joseph’s workshop).


Further north, we reached the Sea of Galilee, where we dipped our toes into the same water where Jesus is said to have walked. We also visited the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River, several ancient synagogues, and churches marking the sites of miracles — including the Loaves and Fishes and the Sermon on the Mount.


By the time we returned to the ship, we were exhausted but deeply moved. The mix of ancient faith, history, and present-day complexity made Israel truly unforgettable.


Turkey, Greece, and the Final Ports


After a much-needed day at sea, we arrived in Antalya, Turkey — one of the cruise’s “replacement ports” after Egypt was dropped from the itinerary. Holland America really stretched to find highlights here, and at $14 for a shuttle ride into town, we decided to skip it. Instead, we enjoyed Turkish coffee and free Wi-Fi with Andrew and Amanda.


Our final stop was Rhodes, Greece, and it turned out to be a lovely farewell port. The old walled city was right off the ship — no tendering, no fuss. We wandered through cobblestone streets, toured the old palace-turned-museum, and soaked up the atmosphere before our early departure.


Life Onboard — Our Floating Home


Cruise life quickly became its own little world. We joined daily pub trivia, made great friends, and sampled more food than I’d care to admit. Formal nights were frequent, and while Nicola looked stunning in the dresses Minoo had given her back in Geneva, my $10 tie was doing its best to keep up.


We met so many incredible people —

  • Andrew and Amanda from St. Louis, our frequent travel companions
  • Barrie and Kathleen from Seattle, our trivia partners and fellow explorers
  • Dennis and Gina, David and Doreen, Gail and Ted from PEI, and Neil and Rebecca from Penticton — all part of the tapestry of friendships that made ship life richer.

And of course, the crew — Marlon, Norje, Peter, Sandra, Fauzi, and Yvonne — who made every day feel like home.


Back to Athens — and Back to Backpacks


Now we’re back in Athens, reacquainting ourselves with dry land and smaller meals. Yesterday we wandered the streets, taking in views of the Acropolis and the Agora, saving the actual tours for today.


Tomorrow we fly to Istanbul, and on the 17th we’ll head to Kathmandu — trading luxury cabins for backpacks once again.


Reflections on the High Seas


The cruise was everything we hoped it would be — relaxing, indulgent, and eye-opening. It reminded me that travel doesn’t always need to be rugged to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s okay to let someone else do the driving (and the cooking). But now it’s time to tighten the belts, literally and figuratively, and get back to the kind of travel that started this whole adventure.