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Day 1 — Cardiff → Dubrovnik → Set Sail

Day 2 — At Sea

After breakfast, We settled in for a lazy deck morning. Sunbathing in the 40 degree heat we would have all week long! So we made use of the pool deck swimming pool and Jacuzzi’s to cool down a little before drinks and mid day snacks from the Pizza bar and good old fashioned fish and chips. (all inclusive) Then for the rest of the day it was hot, hot, hot and we retired to more drinks in the shade on the pool deck, playing quiz’s and listening to the day’s entertainment and here we met our new cruise ship friend’s that would remain by our sides all week long, which made the cruise for us, they were great entertainment all week and we had such a laugh with them.

So after dinner in Latitude the Italian restaurant we all met up again for more drinks, quiz’s in the Squid and Anchor and then spending the early evening watching the entertainment before going on to watch the daily show in the Theatre and then onto Indigo, the ships night club and casino! finishing with a Midnight Curry from the buffet bar before getting back to our cabin in the early hours of the morning and that was pretty much the theme for the rest of the week!

Day 3 — Crete (Souda/Chania)

Post-Olympus-size breakfast in the buffet, We explored Chania’s Venetian charms. A place where history, nature, and Cretan life blend seamlessly along the shores of one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Framed by rolling hills and the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in the distance, the bay is not only strikingly beautiful but also steeped in strategic importance—it has been a coveted naval point for centuries.

The town of Souda itself is quieter than nearby Chania, offering a more local, authentic feel. Its harbour bustles with fishing boats, ferries, and the occasional naval vessel, while waterfront tavernas serve up fresh seafood with the salty breeze drifting in. From here, you can watch the sun melt into the sea, casting the bay in shades of gold and rose.

Only a short drive away is Chania Old Town, with its Venetian harbor, maze of alleys, and vibrant market. Souda acts as the perfect base for exploring both the bustle of Chania and the more rugged, untamed beauty of Crete’s countryside.

A nice walk around the harbour and into the old town for a large beer and fridge magnet purchase before heading back to the ship before the temperature hit the 40’s again! Then spending the rest of the day on the ship. Dinner, Show and drinks again with our new ship mate friends.

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Day 4 — Athens (Piraeus)

This was bucket list tick box day. So we were up early to beat the crowds and a quick 20 minute drive via taxi to get to the Acropolis where the views of the remains overlooking the city were simply jaw dropping. Then we walked 20 minutes into Athens so see the Olympic stadium and the soldiers changing the guard at the palace.

The Acropolis in Athens is not just a monument—it’s a time machine, a symbol, and a masterpiece all at once. Rising above the city on its rocky hill, it has stood for over 2,500 years, watching the story of Greece unfold below. Even from a distance, its marble columns seem to glow in the Athenian sunlight, especially in the late afternoon when the stones turn honey-gold.

At the heart of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the city’s patron goddess. Its Doric columns and perfect proportions are a testament to the genius of ancient Greek architecture, designed to embody harmony and strength. Nearby, the Erechtheion enchants with its famous Porch of the Caryatids, where graceful female figures take the place of columns. The Propylaea serves as the grand gateway, and the small Temple of Athena Nike stands proudly at the edge, symbolizing victory.

What makes the Acropolis so captivating is not just its beauty, but its position in the very heart of modern Athens. From its summit, you can see the entire city stretching to the sea, a patchwork of white buildings under a brilliant blue sky. It’s a reminder that Athens has been a center of culture, philosophy, and democracy for millennia.

Walking among the ruins, you can almost hear the echoes of philosophers debating, priests chanting, and stonemasons working under the Mediterranean sun. It’s a place where history feels alive—timeless, powerful, and impossibly inspiring.

Back on the ship mid afternoon led to more quiz’s on the pool deck followed by Dinner and the Show. Then onto Indigo for the silent Disco for the Lady’s, while the boys hit the Casino. I think we got back to our cabin around 2 o’clock in the morning.

Day 5 — Katakolon (Olympia)

After the long day before we decided to stay on the Ship today and savour all the Ships delights as it was so hot. So plenty of food and drink pretty summed up the day and into the evening with Dinner, the Show and entertainment in the Squid and Anchor early before the pool party on the top deck and then back into Indigo and the Casino at the end of the night.

Day 6 — Corfu Town

Corfu was the next Port of call and only a short bus ride into the old town exploring the shops and bars around. Corfu Old Town is like stepping into a sunlit dream where Venetian elegance, French finesse, and British charm meet under the soft glow of the Ionian Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a living mosaic of pastel-hued buildings with wooden shutters, laundry strung high above narrow lanes, and balconies overflowing with flowers.

We Wandered through the maze of kantounia—the town’s slender, cobbled alleyways and we court glimpses of everyday life: locals chatting over coffee in shaded squares, market stalls brimming with olives and fresh figs, and the distant sound of church bells echoing off stone walls.

The Venetian influence is everywhere, from the arcaded Liston Promenade to the two imposing fortresses that have guarded Corfu for centuries. The Old Fortress, perched on a rocky peninsula, offers sweeping views over the turquoise harbor, while the New Fortress watches protectively over the rooftops from above. Between them, the town hums with a mix of history and laid-back island life.

Evenings in Corfu Old Town are pure magic—golden light pooling in the piazzas, the scent of grilled seafood in the air, and a gentle sea breeze carrying the distant strum of a bouzouki. It’s a place where you can lose track of time, and happily so, knowing that every turn leads to another slice of beauty.

When we got back to the Ship for the evenings entertainment we learnt we were it! Our Cruise friends had signed us up the the Mr & Mrs show in the Squid and Anchor. Next day plenty of people kept coming up to us saying it was one of the best nights they’d had for ages, so I think we kept them well entertained.

Day 7 — Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor, Montenegro, feels like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale and set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in Europe. Tucked deep within the Bay of Kotor—a fjord-like inlet surrounded by towering limestone mountains—this UNESCO World Heritage city is a blend of medieval charm, Adriatic sparkle, and dramatic scenery that makes it feel both ancient and alive. Arriving at dawn we witnessed one of the best sun rises possible, simply stunning.

The heart of Kotor is its Old Town, a walled labyrinth of cobblestone streets, arched alleyways, and sun-dappled squares. Each turn seems to reveal another gem—whether it’s a centuries-old church, a café spilling tables into the street, or a hidden courtyard overflowing with bougainvillea. The city walls snake up the mountainside to the San Giovanni Fortress, where the views sweep from the terracotta rooftops below to the shimmering bay beyond.

For a more modern thrill, the Kotor Cable Car whisks you high above the bay in just minutes. As you ascend, the panorama unfolds—azure water framed by rugged peaks, the medieval town shrinking into a postcard-perfect speck. At the top, the air is cooler, the horizon wider, and adventure awaits.

One highlight is the Toboggan ride at the summit—a winding, gravity-fueled track that’s equal parts adrenaline and laughter. It’s not every day you can go from UNESCO-listed stone streets to racing down a mountainside in the same afternoon.

Kotor isn’t just a place you visit—it’s a place that steals your breath, slows your steps, and makes you wonder how a spot this magical can actually exist. Between the history, the views, and the mix of tranquil charm and playful excitement, it’s one of Montenegro’s crown jewels.

Day 8 — Dubrovnik & Homeward

One last buffet breakfast and a final cup of tea as we docked in Dubrovnik. Off to the airport and onward home, with great memories of the places we visited which were stunning and the people we met kept us well entertained all week, They made the trip.