Exploring the Wonders of Greece and Turkey by Sea

Savoring fresh-cracked eggs on the balcony while the morning sun greets the royal blue sea. Indulging in dessert on the outdoor patio as the sun bids the day farewell. Floating along the ebony waters as the moon and stars make their silvery debut. No need to pinch me; I was wide awake for all of these dreamy moments during my journey on Oceania Cruises’ Ancient World Wonders sailing aboard the Riviera.

I’ve always had a soft spot for being on the water, as I enjoy taking boat tours when I visit a new place. Once upon a time, I even seriously considered joining the United States Navy. And yet, I had never been on a cruise for vacation. I had no doubt that I would like my first cruise, but I also had no intention of becoming completely infatuated with it. Spending 10 mesmerizing days exploring Greece and Turkey, however, not only convinced me that cruising is one of the absolute best ways to travel but also made me fall in love with this unique way to discover various cultures in such a short amount of time.

Luxurious leisure

The Riviera, a 1,250-guest ship, had the perfect balance of people and amenities to make me feel like royalty. I mean born-with-a-silver-spoon, next-in-line-for-the-throne type of royalty. I spent close to five years working in the hotel industry, so I have a deep understanding of and appreciation for hospitality. Traveling with Oceania is not just experiencing good hospitality; it’s experiencing elevated hospitality. All of the staff were especially attentive and professional to the point that they addressed me as “Madam Corbin.” I had no idea who that person was at first. I had been called “ma’am” before, but “madam” had a special—even regal—ring to it.

The Riviera felt like an intimate, elegant seaside town packed with plenty to do. The pools and spa were popular with my fellow cruisers, who were often found lounging and relaxing on the cozy deck area, which came complete with a bar, smoothie spot, and grill restaurant to add to the beachy ambiance.

Arts lovers, like myself, were able to attend stage shows available on special nights and art classes with a resident artist on board. A few nice strolls around the ship were also treats, as I stopped often to view the beautiful paintings displayed throughout the public spaces.

Cultural exploration

As beautiful and comfortable as the ship was, it was great to venture into the ports as well. Oceania makes this very easy by arranging excursions for guests who want to see the ports and local areas. Between Athens, Greece, and Istanbul, Turkey—where we began and ended the cruise, respectively—there were many other wonderful islands and towns to visit. Of course, travelers have the freedom to explore on their own, but Oceania’s excursion teams kept me in such great hands that I would absolutely choose to use their arrangements again.

The tour companies that partner with Oceania have excellent standards for hospitality; some of the tour buses were even Mercedes-Benz coaches. Riding along scenic routes in a comfy air-conditioned bus with panoramic windows was one of my favorite ways to see the local areas.

The cruise itinerary includes full-day stops in popular areas such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Ephesus/Kusadasi, and Bozcaada/Troy. Activity offerings are diverse, ranging from relaxing on private yachts to visiting local museums to exploring ancient ruins.

Greece’s Santorini, one of the most popular destinations in the world, was a destined stop for me. After watching the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 as a young teen, I had dreamed of going to Greece and seeing those beautiful white buildings with the blue roofs. Who would’ve thought I’d actually make it one day? On the Food & Wine Trails excursion, I spent an entire day on Santorini, including visiting the cities of Oia and Fira. While the film captured the beauty of the island, being there in person brought its essence to life for me.

The same holds true for many of the other treasures I experienced, such as the House of the Virgin Mary, a humble stone home near Ephesus/Kusadasi, Turkey, that is now a Catholic shrine and a significant pilgrimage site believed to be where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived out the last years of her earthly life. It was bittersweet to hear how Mary endured a harrowing journey to settle here in a wooded area among the hills. While visiting the area, I felt a sense of resilience and peace.

I also felt that way in Istanbul while strolling by its many stunning mosques. I’ve never seen so many mosques at once, and the architecture left me speechless. These were dear reminders to me of the beauty in religious culture and what humans can create from passion and faith.

Greek and Turkish delights

One of my favorite ways to immerse myself in culture is by enjoying an amazing meal or two. Greek, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisines are among the world’s most delicious. It’s also no secret that Oceania is renowned for its gourmet culinary experiences. When both of these two elements come together, magic ensues.

I shamelessly gave in to temptation presented by the plentiful Mediterranean foods on and off the ship and indulged in more delightful foods and wines than I’d like to admit.

My favorites? Well, if I have to choose only one, it is surely my meal at Boutari Winery in Santorini. The winery is well known for its specially produced vintages from grapes grown in wreath-shaped vineyards, which shelter them from the elements. I sampled lovely white and red wines accompanied by roasted chicken with gravy, tomato fritters, and buttery roasted lemon potatoes.

At a cooking class in Rhodes at the family-owned seafood taverna Hatzikelis, I learned how to make Greek-style stuffed peppers and roasted eggplant. Another standout meal was the most perfectly succulent steak I ever had in my life at Oceania’s onboard steakhouse The Polo Grill. The char, the seasonings, the tenderness—my ribeye was simply perfect.

Special mention needs to go to the meals that I learned to cook on board with Chef Stephanie Hersh, a dear friend and close colleague of the late, great Julia Child. I can’t wait to show off my newfound skills with lemon risotto, lemon chicken cutlets, and prosciutto-wrapped fig with sage. And as a bonus, I tried both authentic Greek and Turkish baklava, which were each so good that I couldn’t decide which one I enjoyed more. I managed to bring some home along with some world-famous Greek honey and Turkish spices.

Beyond the beautiful accommodations, sophisticated service, and bucket-list experiences, the most gratifying part of my trip was the luxury of slowing down and enjoying life. Whether I was out on one of the tour excursions or simply taking a midday nap on my balcony, I felt such serenity and connection with life and the world around me. Do yourself some justice by giving yourself the royal treatment, too.