Marella Discovery 2
September 17, 2025

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.

Izmir, Turkey, has docking at Izmir Port. Travelers explore Ephesus’ ancient ruins, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit the House of Virgin Mary. Local markets sell Turkish delight. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures Roman columns and Aegean shores. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like evil eye charms, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover ancient history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Izmir’s historic richness offers a vibrant Turkish stop, blending archaeology with coastal charm.

Thira, Greece, offers docking at Athinios Port. Travelers explore Oia’s whitewashed villages and Fira’s caldera views. Excursions visit Akrotiri’s Minoan ruins. Local markets sell fava beans. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures cliffside towns and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes tomatokeftedes, a Santorini favorite. Souvenirs, like volcanic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cycladic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance caldera walks. Thira’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic villages and ancient sites, making Thira an engaging destination for exploring Santorini.

Bodrum, Turkey, docks at Bodrum Cruise Port, a 10-minute walk to the town center, population 180,000. Travelers visit the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, housing an underwater archaeology museum. Local markets sell Turkish delight. Excursions to Ephesus, 2 hours north, explore Roman ruins. Gümüşlük Beach, 30 minutes west, offers snorkeling. Peak season May to October; taxis 20-50 TRY. Dining includes meze at seaside tavernas. Souvenirs feature evil eye charms.

Kos, Greece, has docking at Kos Port. Travelers explore Asklepion’s ancient healing site and Hippocrates’ plane tree. Excursions visit Zia’s mountain village. Local markets sell thyme honey. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic tiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover ancient Greek history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Kos’ historic richness offers a vibrant Greek stop, blending archaeology with island charm.

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.

Returning to Limassol — see Day 1 above for port info.