Revelling in the luxuries of cruise liner travel while enjoying harbour hopping takes precision planning, Maltese travellers Lara Vella and Neil Agius tell Melanie Vella after almost being left on an island.
Standing on the cruise liner’s highest deck, Lara Vella and Neil Agius were mesmerised by their bird’s-eye view of Venice’s myriad of low-rise ancient buildings and narrow canals slowly disappearing into the distance.
The cruise ship towered over the city as it sailed out of port, and the grand scale of their summer vacation took hold.
Though the itinerary included stops in Bari, Italy, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, the traditions and pristine beauty of the Greek islands were the highlights of their trip.
Every island showcases the epitome of Grecian architecture, where mythology and history blend effortlessly in structures reminiscent of the laid-back lifestyle.
“To savour every island’s unique charm, we went ashore in the early morning,” said Lara. Strolling through Corfu’s old town, the couple marvelled at Venetian, French and British architecture.
Corfu steered clear of the expanding Ottoman Empire’s reach in the 17th century and its cuisine remains true to a concoction of Italian and Greek influences, with flavours that evoke a familiar palette with a drizzle of homespun originality.
They had croissants and coffee on deck for breakfast, yet while wandering around the island Lara could not resist sampling a plate of spaghetti with feta cheese, slow-cooked beef and pita bread and tzatziki, a refreshing sauce made from yoghurt, cucumber and garlic, in a traditional tavern.
All this before 11am, but with a schedule to keep, they had to maximise all opportunities.
“The thrill of travelling by cruise liner is going home to a floating hotel where something is constantly happening; from live shows to dancing, comedians, magicians and acrobatics,” Neil explained enthusiastically.
I can see the ship,” explained Neil. “Sir, you’re on a Greek island. Our cruise liner is visible from most of it
They watched a film lounging on sunbeds by the pool, under the inky sky and glimmering stars, while planning out the next day’s island adventure.
Mykonos is a two-faced seductress.
The maze of whitewashed buildings, with splashes of blue rooftops and windows, and geraniums, bougainvillea and clematis embellishing every corner, give the impression of a shy, tranquil village where pricey cafés meet upmarket shopping destinations.
The couple soon discovered world-famous beach bars at the legendary Paradise Beach on the decadent Mykonos strip.
Itsy-bitsy bikinis, oversized cocktail glasses and irresistibly-bouncy beats captivated the couple’s imaginations as they joined in the notorious night-life.
With sandy feet and rosy cheeks, Lara and Neil made their way back to town to catch the shuttle bus to the ship. Thinking they had an hour left until the ‘all aboard’ signal, they meandered back, snapping photographs and buying trinkets along the way.
When they arrived at the bus station, they were told that the last bus had already left.
Neil received a frantic phone call from his mother in Malta, their emergency contact.
“Neil, I’m on the phone with crew from the cruise liner, they’ve warned that if you don’t return to the boat within five minutes, they’re leaving without you,” she exclaimed.
No sooner did he hang up, the crew called him asking for his exact location.
“I can see the ship,” explained Neil.
“Sir, you’re on a Greek island. Our cruise liner is visible from most of the island, please inform us of your exact location,” said the voice on the other end.
With all valuables including their credit cards and passports on board, the idea of being stranded on an island quickly lost all appeal.
They sprinted back to the ship to find the crew members holding the gangway ropes in their hands.
The next stop in Santorini was cancelled because of bad weather, but the disappointment of skipping one of the trip’s highlights soon subsided as they arrived for a day of exploring Katakolon.
“We rented quad bikes for €25 and spent the day riding from azure blue water beaches to deserted white sands,” said Lara.
As they were looking for somewhere to buy water, they chanced on a tiny beach with a small hut. For their final Greek gastronomic delight, Neil indulged in local fresh fish of the day and Lara chose to sample lamb kofta spicy skewers.
“We found our own little spot in paradise, without melting into the crowds. This was something we experienced because we dared to journey away from planned excursions,” said Lara.
They made it back to the ship in time for the Captain’s gala dinner.
With all the guests in fashionista postures, donning bow ties and cocktail dresses, this was like a step back into the elegant times of the Titanic.
A cable-car ride up to the top of a mountain with the silhouette of the city sprawled beneath them was the most memorable part of their stop in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
After days of thrilling adventures around the islands, the final day was spent at sea.
This was the perfect opportunity to get involved in the many activities onboard.
“We could join in a dance class, yoga session, or pamper ourselves at the spa. We ate ourselves into a slow food coma, until we collapsed on to a sun lounger,” said Lara.
As they arrived back in Venice, the stellar service of cruise holidays came into stark contrast with the less impressive service at their Venetian hotel.
“This cruise was the perfect appetiser to the Greek isles.
“We’ll be back for more, this time with our watch in hand,” Lara smiled.