Experiencing Greece’s emerald waters and pristine beaches with Azamara

Azamara is a small ship cruise line that believes in giving you the time and flexibility to do more, see more and experience more at each destination. Their itineraries include well-known ports and those less traveled and Extended Destination Days that often allow you more than 10 hours in port to explore at your own pace. Our shortest port stay was eight hours in Kepez, Turkey and our longest was 14 hours in Rhodes, Greece.

Our August 2024 10-night Greece Intensive Voyage aboard the Azamara Journey started in Istanbul, Turkey, taking us through a different port each day and ending in Athens, Greece. Istanbul straddles two continents – Asian Turkey and European Turkey — and Galataport is a very impressive cruise port and the world’s first underground ship terminal, making it a destination in itself.

At this time of year, we found the temperature hot but it was nice to not be around big crowds when we are on tour. From Istanbul, we traveled to the port of Kepez, Turkey. If you’re a history enthusiast or Greek mythology buff, you’ll want to go from here to the legendary site of Troy, where you can tour its ruins. We took Azamara’s Legends of Troy tour and found it very informative. The next day was on to Kavala, Greece, which is know for its beautiful beaches. Next was Greece’s cultural capital of Thessaloniki, where you can view Roman ruins.

Nestled between Pagasetic Gulf and Mount Pelion is Volos, Greece — our next stop — where we took my favorite tour, the Magical Monasteries of Meteora. I enjoyed learning about the rock formations of the Meteora (the Greek word for “suspended in the air”), the histories of the monasteries and the monks who chose a life of solitude and worship high up in the clouds. At Meteora’s peak in the 16th century, there were as many as 40 monasteries. Unfortunately, only six of these grand structures remain fully functioning. Four are occupied by monks and two by nuns, with each housing usually no more than 10 individuals. Meteora, which Greece officially recognizes as a Holy Place, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and an archaeological site.

From there it was on to the pristine beaches of Cesme, Turkey, the ancient ruins of Rhodes, Greece and the crystal-clear waters of Amorgos, Greece. During our 13 hours in Santorini, Greece, we took advantage of being one of only three ships in port and embarked on the Best of Santorini tour. We savored the breathtaking views, admired the beautiful whitewashed buildings clinging to the cliffs and learned from our guide that they do not have a police force (the only officers you see direct traffic during peak season), no one locks their doors and there is no crime. During lunch, we learned a new dance and the Santorini custom of breaking plates, which symbolizes new beginnings, prosperity and the release of tension.

From Santorini, it was on to the quaint fishing village and ancient temples of Aegina, Greece before sailing to our final destination of Athens, which took its name from the Goddess Athena.

Fun Greece Facts:

• Greece is home to 6,000 islands and only 250 are inhabited.
• 80 percent of Greece is made up of mountains, making it one of the most mountainous counties in Europe.
• Greece is the third largest producer of olives.

My experience aboard the Azamara Journey was wonderful and I found the staff very helpful and accommodating. My Club Veranda Plus cabin was 175 square feet with a 64 square foot balcony. Perks for this category of stateroom include one night of complimentary specialty dining for two (each seven days), priority embarkation and debarkation, and complimentary in-room spirits.

All cabins, regardless of category, come with a 40- to 55-inch flat-screen TV, writing desk, two bedside tables, two European and two North American outlets, mini-bar with complimentary soda and beer, safe and a hand-held hair dryer. All cabins have two USB chargers; in all non-suite cabins, they can be found under the reading lights on each side of the bed. Most cabins feature two beds that can convert to one queen-size bed, and many also have sofa beds. TVs have some international stations, a movie channel and an interactive menu through which you can learn about shore excursions, view your onboard balance and browse the day's dining room menu.

Amenities in all cabins include Egyptian cotton bed linens, French toiletries, terry robes, slippers and fresh-cut flowers. Bathrooms for all cabins (with the exception of suites) are on the small side, with a storage ledge under the sink, a couple of small shelves above the toilet, a magnifying makeup mirror and a tiny shower.

Cabin Tips:

• If a larger bathroom is important to you, you should consider booking a suite or higher.
• Upgrade to a balcony if you can. It’s a great place to sit and relax and have a leisurely breakfast or enjoy complimentary room service.

Azamara’s White Night, their signature (and complimentary) dinner and entertainment event, was spectacular and memorable. It’s hosted al fresco on the pool deck by Azamara officers and crew with an array of delicious food and engaging entertainment. Just about everyone is dressed in white (so don’t forget to pack something) and we even had a dance chain to the live band.

Another unique-to-Azamara and worthwhile experience is the chef’s table dinner for an additional fee. This limited dining experience, for only up to 12 people, lasts three to four hours and makes you feel like you are dining at a high-class restaurant. The head chef explains how each dish was prepared, and the sommelier provides information about the premium wines being served. Reservations are required.

I would say 60s was the average age of guests on this sailing. If you’re cruising to see destinations, Azamara would be a good choice. The Azamara Journey is not a family ship; it has no children's club or activities. Most sailings have few to no children.