9 Night Mediterranean Cruise with Celebrity - May 2024

Thursday, May 16 - Arriving in Athens

After checking into our wonderful apartment-style hotel in the heart of Athens (Hellenic Hospitality House), we were eager to explore. The Plaka neighborhood was the perfect welcome with narrow cobbled streets, colorful flowers, and too many cats to count. We didn’t have a set plan, which made it even more fun to wander and take in the scenery.

Dinner: A Little Taste of Home

This was an absolute gem! Cozy ambiance, authentic Greek food with a modern twist, and the friendliest staff! Everyone left full and happy, highly recommend for your first night in Athens.

After dinner, we wandered through the whimsical Little Kook district - imagine Alice in Wonderland meets a Tim Burton film. Bright lights, theatrical decorations, and a magical atmosphere we just happened to stumble into.

Rooftop Bar Recommendation: MS Rooftop Garden - Spectacular views of the Acropolis lit up at night, paired with craft cocktails and a chill vibe. A perfect way to end our first evening.

Friday, May 17 - Ancient Athens

Morning Tour: Acropolis of Athens - 7:45 AM (Booked through Athens Walking Tours)

This guided tour was the perfect way to see the Acropolis, skipping the long lines and learning the history from an expert. The Parthenon was stunning in the early morning light.

Afternoon Activity: After our Acropolis tour, we hopped on a small private boat tour run by a friendly local uncle/nephew duo. Even though it was a foggy day and the sun never broke through, the water was calm and we had a blast swimming, cruising the coast, and learning more about the region’s history.

Dinner: Thes Greek Creative Cuisine 

Creative takes on traditional Greek food in a trendy, art-filled space. This was such a fun dinner and very yummy!

Saturday, May 18 - Cruise Embarkation (Athens, Greece)

We left our luggage at the front desk and took advantage of one last morning to explore. Plaka and nearby neighborhoods are so photogenic! Endless little alleyways, street cats lounging everywhere, and cheerful morning markets. No map needed, just explore and soak it all in.

Cruise Begins

Sunday, May 19 - Santorini, Greece

Tour: Exclusive Santorini, Oia, and Winery Tour – 11:00 AM (Booked with Shore Excursions Group)

This small group tour was a fantastic way to see Santorini in comfort. We explored Oia’s blue-domed buildings, visited a local winery with stunning views, and learned all about the island’s volcanic history.

After the tour, we had lunch at a cliffside taverna with panoramic views of the caldera. A little pricey, but the scenery was unbeatable.

Afternoon Adventure: We decided to walk part of the scenic Fira-to-Oia trail. Though we didn’t have time for the full hike, we reached Skaros Rock, climbed around the ruins, and took in the sunset. Then we descended the 500+ steps back to the tender pier!

Monday, May 20 - Ephesus (Kusadasi, Turkey)

Tour: Exclusive Ancient Ephesus (Booked with Shore Excursions Group)

This tour was a history lover’s dream. Our guide walked us through the ancient city of Ephesus. This definitely exceeded our expectations and it is surreal to imagine life here thousands of years ago.

After the tour, we wandered Kusadasi’s bazaars, picked up some souvenirs, stopped for a drink by the beach, a quick swim, and slowly made our way back to the ship.

Tuesday, May 21 - Mykonos, Greece

We started our morning exploring Mykonos Old Port around 8:30 AM while the streets were still quiet.

We walked past the iconic Kato Milli Windmills, then continued on foot toward Ornos Beach (~2 miles, ~1 hour walk at a relaxed pace).

We spent most of the day swimming and lounging on Ornos Beach. Before heading back, we grabbed a taxi into town and explored the maze-like streets before returning to the cruise ship.

Wednesday, May 22 - Sea Day

Time to relax, read, swim, and enjoy the ship’s amenities. A well-timed break after several active days.

Thursday, May 23 - Amalfi Coast (Naples, Italy)

Tour: Amalfi Coast Small Group at 8:30 AM

An unforgettable day along one of the world’s most scenic drives. We visited several villages including Positano and Amalfi, with plenty of time for photos, limoncello tasting, and gelato stops. Our small van made it easier to navigate the winding coastal roads.

Note: While it was amazing to see these iconic sights, it was too rushed and busy for my liking - probably wouldn't recommend only a day trip here! Take more time if you can!

Friday, May 24 - Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy)

Train: Civitavecchia to Rome S. Pietro

Walking Plan: (Since we only had one day in Rome, we didn't do any tours - just walked to the famous sights!)

St. Peter’s Basilica & Vatican City, Crossed Ponte Principe Amedeo Savoia Aosta, Piazza Navona for coffee with a view, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.

Lunch: Taverna Romana (~1 PM) - Local hotspot with delicious Roman pasta dishes.

After lunch, we took a well deserved uber to the Colosseum, then continued walking and crossed into Trastevere to finish the day with gelato and people-watching.

Saturday, May 25 - La Spezia / Cinque Terre

Initially torn between Florence and Cinque Terre, we chose Cinque Terre for ease after such a full day in Rome. However, I highly recommend spending a few days in Florence - as this is necessary to see everything!

Train to Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre)

It was a rainy morning, so a perfect excuse for espresso and boutique browsing

The sun came out by lunch, so we headed to the beach!

Lunch at La Cantina Di Miky - The pesto pasta is fantastic, and was followed by beachside pizza (because there’s always room for more pizza in Italy)!

This was a slower-paced day, but just what we needed. If you haven’t been to Cinque Terre before, definitely consider hiking between the towns - breathtaking views everywhere. Spending 2-3 nights here would be ideal.

Sunday, May 26 - Sea Day

Final day at sea to pack, relax, and enjoy the ship before disembarkation.

Monday, May 27 - Disembark in Barcelona, Spain

Cruise ends, but time to explore Barcelona a bit before flying home!

1:00 PM Entry: Sagrada Familia

3:00 PM Entry: Park Güell

Both are must-visit architectural wonders by Gaudí, it is best to book tickets ahead of time.

Final Thoughts

I’m incredibly grateful to have shared this journey with family. Cruising may not be my favorite way to explore, but it offered us something invaluable: the chance to experience so many incredible places without the stress of constant logistics. For families juggling different interests and travel styles, cruises offer a rare balance of convenience, variety, and togetherness.