MS Oosterdam
May 14, 2024

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.

Rhodes, Greece, offers docking at Rhodes Port. Travelers explore Medieval City and Lindos Acropolis. Excursions include snorkeling at Kallithea Springs. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Knights’ Street and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dodecanese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Rhodes’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic beaches, making Rhodes an engaging destination for exploration.

Alanya, Turkey, docks at its purpose-built terminal on the Mediterranean coast, 3 kilometers from the old town, with shuttles or taxis providing 10-minute transfers. The facility includes lounges, duty-free shops, and ATMs. Travelers ascend to Alanya Castle, a 13th-century Seljuk fortress on a 250-meter promontory, via cable car for views of the harbor and Taurus Mountains. The Red Tower, a 35-meter Ottoman structure from 1226, houses an ethnography museum with ship models. Kleopatra Beach, adjacent to the port, spans 2 kilometers for swimming and banana boats. Excursions to Aspendos Theater, 45 minutes east, showcase a 2nd-century Roman amphitheater seating 15,000. Dim Cave, 10 minutes north, features stalactites and underground streams. Dining includes pide (flatbread) at bazaar stalls. Souvenirs feature blue evil eye charms. Peak season May to October; taxis 20-50 TRY.

Limassol, Cyprus, has docking at Limassol Port. Travelers explore Kourion’s ancient amphitheater. Excursions visit Omodos’ wine villages. Local markets sell commandaria wine. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures Roman ruins and Mediterranean shores. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Cypriot favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cypriot history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Limassol’s historic charm offers a vibrant Cypriot stop, blending archaeology with coastal beauty.

Santorini, Greece, offers docking at Fira Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Oia’s blue-domed churches and Thera ruins. Excursions include sailing to Nea Kameni. Local markets sell fava beans. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures caldera views and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like volcanic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Minoan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance cliff walks. Santorini’s iconic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of stunning views and ancient ruins, making Santorini an engaging destination.

Mykonos, Greece, offers docking at Mykonos Port. Travelers explore Little Venice and Mykonos Windmills. Excursions include Delos Island ruins. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures whitewashed streets and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cycladic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance island walks. Mykonos’ picturesque charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ruins and scenic beaches, making Mykonos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Cyclades.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 1 above for port info.

Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece, offers docking at Argostoli Port. Travelers explore Melissani Cave and Myrtos Beach. Excursions include wine-tasting at Robola vineyards. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures turquoise caves and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes kleftiko, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ionian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Argostoli’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic beaches, making Argostoli an engaging destination for exploration.

Corfu, Greece, offers docking at Corfu Port. Travelers explore Old Fortress and Achilleion Palace. Excursions include Paleokastritsa’s beaches. Local markets sell kumquat liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pastitsada, a Corfiot favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ionian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Corfu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic beaches, making Corfu an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Ionian Islands.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

Zadar, Croatia, offers docking at Zadar Port. Travelers explore Sea Organ and St. Donatus Church. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes. Local markets sell maraschino liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures acoustic art and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance lake hikes. Zadar’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique installations and scenic lakes, making Zadar an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Trieste, Italy, offers docking at Trieste Port. Travelers explore Piazza Unità d’Italia and Miramare Castle. Excursions visit Postojna Cave in Slovenia. Local markets sell gnocchi. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Habsburg architecture and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes jota, a Triestine favorite. Souvenirs, like glass crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Austro-Hungarian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Trieste’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic plazas and scenic coasts, making Trieste an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Adriatic hub.

Rijeka, Croatia, offers docking at Rijeka Port. Travelers explore Trsat Castle and Korzo’s vibrant promenade. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes’ waterfalls. Local markets sell fritule. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic fortresses and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes štrukli, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kvarner history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Rijeka’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, scenic lakes, and Adriatic culture, making Rijeka an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s coastal and natural beauty.

Split, Croatia, offers docking at Split Port. Travelers explore Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Hill. Excursions visit Trogir’s historic center. Local markets sell soparnik. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman ruins and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance palace walks. Split’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic hills, making Split an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Kotor, Montenegro, offers docking at Kotor Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and St. Tryphon Cathedral. Excursions include hiking Lovćen National Park. Local markets sell njeguški pršut. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval alleys and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes cicvara, a Montenegrin favorite. Souvenirs, like olive wood crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Illyrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fortress hikes. Kotor’s historic charm offers a vibrant Montenegrin stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic bays, making Kotor an engaging destination.

Nafplion, Greece, provides docking at Nafplion Port. Travelers explore Palamidi Fortress and the charming old town. Excursions visit Mycenae’s UNESCO-listed ruins or Epidaurus’ ancient theater. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Argolic Gulf views. Dining onboard includes pastitsio, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like komboloi beads, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peloponnesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fortress walks. Nafplion’s historic and scenic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins, picturesque waterfronts, and cultural heritage, making Nafplion an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Peloponnese region and its rich archaeological legacy.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 1 above for port info.