RETURN TO CYPRUS

 The End of Our Mediterranean Adventure

It was an early start as the Marella Discovery made her way back into the port of Limassol, Cyprus, bringing our seven-night Mediterranean cruise to an end. The weather seemed to reflect the mood, with overcast skies and just a hint of rain in the air. But, of course, that wasn’t going to stop Rob from heading up on deck to watch and film our homecoming!

As we approached the harbour, we took a moment to reflect on what had been a truly wonderful week aboard the Marella Discovery. From the moment we stepped on board in Limassol, we had enjoyed a fantastic mix of beautiful destinations, relaxing days at sea and plenty of memorable experiences along the way.

We had explored some lovely ports of call, including the charming streets of Chania in Crete, the picturesque island of Mykonos and the historic waterfront of Rhodes. Our day sailing along the Turkish coastline had also been a particular highlight, with swimming stops, delicious food and a few laughs thrown in for good measure!

Of course, a cruise is about much more than the destinations, and the crew of the Marella Discovery deserve a special mention. Their service throughout the week had been absolutely superb, with friendly faces, attentive service and a genuine willingness to make everyone's holiday as enjoyable as possible.

There had also been plenty of fun and humour along the way, from our little adventures ashore to the excellent evening entertainment on board. It was these special moments, both big and small, that made the holiday so enjoyable.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and as we returned to Limassol, it was time to say goodbye to our floating home and the wonderful crew who had looked after us so well.

Although the skies were grey on our return, we were left with a wealth of happy memories, some wonderful photographs and videos, and plenty of stories to share.

Our seven-night Mediterranean adventure had come to an end, but the memories would last far longer than a week. And who knows? It might not be too long before we find ourselves back on board another cruise ship, ready to set sail for our next adventure!

7. Rhodes

 Rhodes, Greece – A Familiar Port with a Stormy Departure

We arrived in Rhodes Town so early that it was still dark as the Marella Discovery approached the harbour, with the island’s medieval old town gradually coming into view. Despite the early hour, Rob was up on deck to watch our arrival, never one to miss an opportunity to see a new day dawn over another beautiful Mediterranean destination.

Having spent a week in Rhodes earlier in the year, we decided not to venture too far from the port on this visit. Instead, we planned a leisurely stroll around some of our favourite spots and enjoyed a more relaxed morning ashore.

Our first stop was one of our old haunts, the Yacht Club, where we settled down with a refreshing Greek frappé and took the opportunity to catch up on our messages. It was lovely to revisit a familiar place and enjoy a little taste of local life before continuing our walk along the waterfront.

We then made our way towards the Mole des Moulins, the historic windmill pier, where we found a good vantage point to photograph the Marella Discovery in port. With the ship providing such an impressive backdrop, it was well worth the walk.

From there, we took a brief stroll through the famous medieval Old Town. However, with three cruise ships in port, the narrow streets were particularly busy, so we didn't linger for too long. Instead, we continued along the newer waterfront promenade, enjoying the coastal views and stopping to admire the remains of the old city walls, a reminder of Rhodes’ fascinating history.

Before we knew it, it was time to return to the ship. We had an early departure scheduled for 1.45 pm, and as the Marella Discovery slipped away from Rhodes, the weather seemed to have other ideas. We sailed towards increasingly stormy skies, with dark clouds gathering and thunder rumbling in the distance. It certainly made for a dramatic change from the sunshine we had enjoyed ashore!

That evening, we headed to the Showtime Theatre for the night’s entertainment, a glamorous 1920s-themed production called Flair. With its vintage style and theatrical atmosphere, it provided an enjoyable end to our day.

6 Mykonos Greece.

Whitewashed Streets and Blue Horizons

Once again, Rob was up bright and early to catch the sunrise as the Marella Discovery slowly made her way into port at the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos. After breakfast, we boarded a tender and headed ashore, ready to explore one of the most picturesque islands in the Cyclades.

Stepping ashore, we soon found ourselves wandering through the island’s famous maze of narrow streets and winding alleyways. With their whitewashed walls, colourful doors, vibrant flowers and charming little shops, the streets were a delight to explore, and there seemed to be a photo opportunity around every corner.

Our walk took us up to the island’s iconic windmills, one of Mykonos’s most recognisable landmarks. Perched above the town, they offered superb views across the coastline and the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. It was easy to see why this spot is so popular with visitors.

We even managed to catch sight of the island’s resident pelican, another of Mykonos’s much-loved attractions. After stopping for a well-earned coffee, we continued our wanderings towards Little Venice, where colourful buildings sit right on the water’s edge. With balconies seemingly hanging over the sea, it is a wonderfully atmospheric part of the town and a perfect place to pause and admire the views.

From there, we made our way to the Five Churches, whose beautiful whitewashed stonework stood out brilliantly against the bright blue sky. Their simple architecture and traditional Greek character provided another lovely glimpse into the island’s charm.

By now, we were ready for a little relaxation, so we stopped for a glass of wine in the village square before strolling back towards the small pier. We found a spot beside the tiny beach and sat for a while, watching the little fishing boats bobbing gently on the water and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. It was a lovely way to take in the atmosphere of Mykonos before returning to the ship.

Back aboard the Marella Discovery, we freshened up and headed to the 47° Restaurant for dinner. After enjoying another excellent meal, we made our way to the Show Lounge for the evening’s entertainment, a Spanish-themed production called Fuego.

With its lively atmosphere and Spanish flair, the show provided an entertaining end to a wonderful day ashore.

Mykonos had certainly lived up to its reputation, with its winding streets, spectacular coastal views, iconic windmills and charming waterfront. It was one of those places where simply wandering around was part of the pleasure, and we returned to the ship with plenty of lovely memories — and photographs — to remind us of our visit.

5 Kudasasi Turkey

Rob was up bright and early to watch the sun rise over the Turkish port of Kusadasi, setting the scene for what promised to be a wonderful day out on the water.

After leaving the Marella Discovery, we travelled the short distance to the local marina, where our sailing adventure awaited. We were joining the traditional sailing gulet Amores 1 for a day of cruising, swimming and relaxing along the beautiful Turkish coastline.

On arrival, we were warmly welcomed aboard by Captain Hussan and his crew, which included his two sons. With just 18 passengers on board, it felt like an intimate and friendly excursion as we set sail across the bay towards the small coastal spot of Maydonoz Koyu.

Before long, we dropped anchor at our first swimming stop. The inviting blue water was simply too good to resist, and it was lovely to take a refreshing dip and cool off in the sunshine. Once everyone had enjoyed a swim, we returned on board to sit down to a delicious Turkish lunch.

With lunch behind us, we continued along the coast to our second swimming stop. This time, the crew had a little surprise in store. They lowered floating trays into the water, laden with drinks and fresh fruit, allowing us to enjoy some refreshments while floating about in the sea.

It was a brilliant idea, although perhaps not quite so brilliant for Rob! As he swam towards one of the trays, his usual clumsiness got the better of him and he managed to knock it over. So much for a relaxing drink in the water! Fortunately, it provided a bit of amusement and became one of those holiday moments that are funny to look back on.

After around six hours of sailing, swimming, eating and drinking, it was time to head back to Kusadasi. We had thoroughly enjoyed our day aboard the Amores 1, but there was just one small complication: we were the only guests who needed to return to the cruise ship.

The crew couldn't resist a little light-hearted teasing, joking that our ship might already have sailed without us! Thankfully, we made it back to port in time, so there was no need to worry about finding our own way home.

Back aboard the Marella Discovery, we were feeling rather weary after such a full and enjoyable day. After dinner, we decided that an early night was definitely in order, but not before we went up on deck to watch the sailaway.

It had been a fantastic way to experience the Turkish coastline, combining beautiful scenery, crystal-clear swimming spots, delicious food and plenty of laughs. And, of course, Rob had managed to provide a little extra entertainment along the way!

Sometimes, the best cruise excursions are the ones that leave you with wonderful memories — and a funny story or two to tell afterwards.

4. Piraeus - Greece

The following morning, we arrived bright and early at the busy Greek port of Piraeus, the gateway to Athens. While most passengers headed off to explore the famous sights of the Greek capital, we decided to do something a little different. Having spent a few days in Athens the previous year, we fancied discovering more of Piraeus itself.

We hopped aboard the little tourist train, which offered an easy and enjoyable way to explore the town. One of our first stops was the enormous marina, where we disembarked to have a wander around. There was certainly no shortage of impressive yachts, many of them looking rather luxurious! Alongside all the boating activity, we spotted people out exercising in rowing boats and gliding across the water on paddleboards.

After taking in the marina and its surroundings, we stopped at Bouboulina Café for a welcome coffee. The café offered lovely views across the nearby beach and along the coastline, making it a relaxing spot to sit for a while and watch the world go by.

                                

Refreshed and ready to explore some more, we made our way through the main shopping area, taking in the local streets and passing the striking Holy Church of the Prophet Elias. It was a pleasant way to see a little more of everyday life in Piraeus, away from the crowds and tourist attractions of Athens.

Eventually, we wandered back towards the marina, where we came across a little Octoberfest event. Well, it would have been rude not to stop! We settled down to enjoy a well-earned beer before making our way back to the ship.

Once aboard the Marella Discovery, we discovered that our departure was taking a little longer than expected while we waited for the local pilot to join the vessel. Rather than minding the delay, we found ourselves a spot on deck and enjoyed watching the constant stream of maritime traffic entering and leaving this busy port. There was always something happening, with ferries, commercial vessels and other boats navigating their way around the harbour.

That evening, we headed to the Show Lounge for the “Six String” country and western show. It proved to be a thoroughly entertaining performance, with plenty of lively music to round off our day in Greece.

Although we had skipped the famous sights of Athens this time, our little adventure around Piraeus had been well worth it. From luxury yachts and coastal coffee stops to a spot of Octoberfest fun, it was another enjoyable day exploring the Mediterranean, with a great evening’s entertainment waiting for us back on board.