Before our trip, we had seen countless photographs of Santorini’s white buildings, blue domes and brilliant Aegean waters, but we wondered what it would actually be like to experience it for ourselves. As captured in our photos, Santorini is one of those places that seemed almost too beautiful to be real. While planning our seven-day Mediterranean cruise, we realized that Santorini was not included as a port on our particular itinerary. Since our cruise would end in Athens, we decided this was the perfect opportunity to add a two-day visit to the island before heading home. We knew there were two things we really wanted to experience: the famous sunset in Oia and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Two days would allow us to do both. And while we did see everything we had planned to see during our 48-hour visit, there was so much more to discover. We may just have to return someday. Since Santorini is only about a 45-minute flight from Athens, with multiple flights each day, we chose to fly so we could make the most of our short stay. There are also ferries from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, to Santorini. High-speed ferries take approximately four to five hours and offer a relaxing and comfortable way to reach the island. They are generally less expensive than flying, so if you are planning a longer stay, taking the ferry could be a great option Fira When we arrived at Santorini International Airport, we were able to quickly grab a taxi and head into Fira, about a 6.5 kilometre drive from the airport. There were plenty of taxis waiting, so getting to our hotel was easy and convenient. Fira is the capital of Santorini and is dramatically perched high above the caldera, with stunning views across the Aegean Sea. We found Fira to be the perfect base for our short stay. From there, it was easy to explore other parts of the island while still being able to return each evening to those incredible caldera views. Our hotel Aressana Hotel & Suites, was perched on the hillside overlooking the caldera. Being on a hillside meant quite a climb to reach the hotel. Fortunately, after a quick call via WhatsApp, the hotel staff came down in a golf cart to pick us up, along with our luggage. As we stepped off the golf cart, we were immediately greeted by the most breathtaking view of the caldera. We stood there taking it all in, almost lost for words. After seeing Santorini in so many photographs, we were finally standing there ourselves - and it was even more beautiful than we had imagined. The Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites is a beautiful boutique hotel with all the amenities you could want for a relaxing stay, including a spa, bar, dining room and outdoor pool. And, of course, the views are incredible. We had pre-booked our hotel and excursions before leaving for our cruise, and we highly recommend doing the same. With only two days on the island, having everything arranged in advance meant there was no last-minute scramble to find tours and allowed us to make the most of every minute. Oia and the Famous Sunset After checking in and having a quick freshen-up in our room, we waited for our tour pickup to take us to Oia (pronounced ee-ya). We had plenty of time to explore the many shops, enjoy some delicious Greek food and find the perfect spot to watch the famous Santorini sunset. Because Oia is such a popular destination, the main streets were extremely busy with tourists. We decided to wander away from the crowds and, on a quiet back street, discovered a lovely little local café, Alkyona Sunset, with an amazing view to the west. With a Greek coffee and a delicious piece of Baklava, we settled in to wait for sunset. And we were not disappointed. It is hard to imagine a sunset anywhere else being quite as breathtaking. We have watched sunsets from cruise ships, from our own front porch and in a variety of countries around the world, but the sunset in Oia is a memory we will never forget. Akrotiri Day 2 began with a delicious buffet breakfast before a short walk to meet our tour bus. Our first stop as we began exploring Santorini was the fascinating archaeological site of Akrotiri. We had been anticipating our visit to this remarkable site, and we were not disappointed. Often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” Akrotiri was an important settlement and trading centre in the Aegean during the Bronze Age. The town was buried by a massive volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE and remained hidden for centuries. Although the site was first discovered in the 19th century, modern archaeological excavations began in 1967. Unlike Pompeii, no human or animal remains have been found at Akrotiri. Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants may have been aware of the approaching volcanic eruption and had enough warning to evacuate, possibly by boat. We were fascinated by just how advanced this ancient settlement was. Excavations have revealed paved streets, sophisticated drainage and sanitation systems, including indoor toilets connected directly to the drainage system. There were also pottery workshops producing high-quality ceramics and beautifully preserved frescoes that can still be seen today. Walking through the site, it was remarkable to imagine a thriving community living here thousands of years ago. After Akrotiri, our tour took us to the highest point in Santorini, the Prophet Elias Lookout. The drive was nerve-racking and nail-biting, and it would have been even more challenging without our expert bus driver at the wheel. From the top, we were rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire island. The lookout is accessible by car, but parking is limited, and the very narrow road requires some expert three-point turns. Our next stop was the village of Megalochori, where a leisurely stroll gave us the opportunity to admire the unique doors the village is known for. Cobblestone lanes led us past the famous bell tower. We were told by our guide that the more bells a church tower has, the more prosperous the church was considered to be. Our day ended with our final stop—Perissa Black Sand Beach. With free time to explore the area, enjoy a delicious gelato, have a light meal at an outdoor café, and dip our toes into the water, it was the perfect relaxing way to wind down our adventure. As our final day came to an end, we had time to enjoy one more beautiful Santorini sunset and reflect on our two-day adventure. We definitely felt that we had created memories to last a lifetime and were so glad we had decided to add these extra days to our vacation. Santorini truly lived up to everything we had read about it—the incredible views, awe-inspiring sunsets, delicious food, and unmistakable charm. As we watched the sun set over the island one last time, we knew that Santorini would be a place we would remember for years to come.

Cruising offers so many experiences and your cabin selection is no exception, and while we all might like the space and amenities of the Owners Suite the reality is that its not a one size fits all when it comes to cabins. Consider first if you’re planning on spending time in the cabin. If you’re pleasure is sunning by the pool, taking in all the onboard activities and shows and you only really use the cabin for changing, showering and sleeping then maybe an Inside Cabin is for you. The benefit is that this is the cheapest cabin type on board. However if you’re claustrophobic, or one who needs to wake up to daylight, or maybe you just can’t wait for that first glimpse of the days port of call then an inside cabin will give you anxiety. Also consider what happens should you get sick on board and become confined to a room with no windows for a few days. Next step up is an Ocean View. If you’re sanity is dependent on a little daylight then this cabin might work for you. However if you want to be able to look out, see the scenery and take pictures you might be disappointed if the windows haven’t been cleaned of the inherent sea salt build-up from the ocean spray. A better but more expensive option is to choose a Balcony Cabin. This category enables you to step out for some fresh air, offers a place to sit and unwind away from the crowds, and gives you quick access for the perfect photo opportunity. Be forewarned though that the “Infinity Balconies” made popular by Celebrity Cruise Lines is essentially an Ocean View cabin with a window that opens; more on this below. Now that you’ve decided upon the cabin type lets talk about cabin occupancy and floor space. Floor space is listed as a range (eg 198-224) but there’s no way of knowing which end of the range a specific cabin is at, and a 20 square foot difference is essentially a foot of extra/less cabin width, and that’s significant if there’s more than one of you in the cabin. Assume the smaller cabin size. Now for the occupancy; anything beyond double occupancy means that either the couch opens up for a bed or a bunk is lowered from the ceiling, or both. Either way, once set up the available floor space is further compromised and that will likely impede the flow and usability within the cabin and subsequently your enjoyment of it. The only way around this is to upgrade to a Suite, Mini Suite, Family Suite or bigger. The location of the cabin is paramount to your overall enjoyment. Use deck plans, actual pictures of the ship, or YouTube videos to determine what might be around you. Avoid a cabin under the noisy pool or buffet, or above/next to the theatre, late night disco or other high energy venue. If sensitive to smoke, avoid proximity to the casino, cigar lounge or other designated smoking areas. Also consider avoiding adjoining cabins as they offer little privacy when it comes to conversations on the other side of the door. A special note for people prone to sea sickness; while larger, newer ships have better stabilizer technology than older ones you can vastly improve your experience by choosing a lower cabin toward the middle of the ship as there’s less dramatic movement here. The Celebrity Edge Class ships introduced the Infinity Veranda. This has been replicated by a few other Cruise Lines and some River Cruise ship designs. The design benefit is increased cabin space by extending the cabin into what would otherwise be the balcony. And while this is appealing to many its essentially a large Ocean View Cabin with a window that opens for that fresh sea air experience, but its at Balcony Cabin prices. The reality as any balcony lovers will tell you is that its not a balcony experience. The mechanism to move the upper window down and out of the way is loud and takes over 40 seconds lower and once its open the cabin climate control is turned off which makes for a hot and humid or cold room very quickly. This isn’t ideal for that perfect picture opportunity or for any travel partner who might be enjoying a relaxing moment in bed. Additionally, the black-out curtains also move up and down with that same loud and slow motor mechanism and not until its two thirds up can you see out, revealing what's along side (which could be a wall of balconies from of a ship docked 50 feet away from your window). There’s no quick peaking outside. So now that you’ve decided upon a category you might be inclined to book the cheaper “guaranteed cabin”. Be aware that the Cruise Line is not in the business of giving away a prime cabin. They will give you the best available which on a fully booked ship will be the cabin no one else wants, and you may not find out what your cabin assignment is until close to the embarkation day. If you’re new to cruising you owe it to yourself to go for the best experience and being under a noisy pool deck, or dining room won’t give you that. Clearly a lot to consider, so for the best experience do your homework, choose what will work for you and enjoy.

Many people will look first at whats available and then select from that list, only to come off the cruise feeling short changed. This can be avoided by first deciding what kind of a vacation experience you want, how long you’re prepared to travel, and your budget. Sounds simple enough but is it really? Consider this: Are you interested in checking out the beaches of the world? Perhaps your thing is living the history or unique culture of a destination. Maybe you want to get up close and personal with wildlife or explore the back country. Is a quiet getaway the appeal, or the adrenaline designed facilities on board the ship tickling your fancy? Are you a senior looking for the charm and tradition of an older ship or an adult seeking a party vibe. Maybe you prefer a kid friendly experience. Are you seeking a winter escape, or looking for a specific destination? What’s your pleasure? Once you’ve settled on the experience then there’s the specific itinerary to look at. Both the time of year and the region present unique itineraries, and each port of call offers a unique set of excursions and experience. Are you interested in the beach scene? Maybe its whale watching or ATV driving for you. Do you want to swim with stingrays, turtles or dolphins? Is a narrated bus or walking tour your style? Some places offer architectural marvels and ancient ruins, while others feature local food and rum/wine/ale experiences. The list is endless so take the time and explore for the right itinerary. Now that you know where, when and why you want to cruise its time to match it with the Cruise Line that’s just right for you. You can explore this in our blog: CRUISING 101 – Choosing a Cruise Line. Finally you need to decide upon the cabin type. Although there are a variety of reasons to book one cabin type over another, there’s one piece of advice you owe it to yourself to heed; booking the cheaper guaranteed cabin means the Cruise Line is free to put you in any difficult to sell cabin like under the noisy pool deck, over a late night theater or dance club, or an ocean view / balcony cabin, obstructed by ship infrastructure or a lifeboat. See our detailed breakdown: CRUISING 101 – Finding the Right Cabin. You’re now ready to book that unforgettable vacation experience.

Our Adventures

Upcoming Adventures From Infinity (edge) on the Beyond Mar 7, 2025 Exotic Southern Caribbean on the Beyond Read More Inaugural Grand Mediterranean Adventure -- CANCELLED Feb 7 - 18: Exotic Mediterranean Awaits aboard the new Sun Princess Read More Seasoned Crown Princess Cruise to Hawaii Feb 22-Mar 9: Hawaii by Crown Princess Read More Valient Lady with "Cruise With Ben and David" June 14 - 18: Group tour with Ben and David aboard the Valient Lady Read More

Travel beyond the itinerary. Cruises, places, food, people and the experiences that make a journey memorable. Whisked Away with Tamara and Ann Travel beyond the itinerary. Cruises, places, food, people and the experiences that make a journey memorable. Our Stories Dive into our travel stories that inspire wanderlust. Join us as we share our adventures and the lessons learned along the way. Where We've Been Explore our curated list of must-visit destinations. Each location offers unique experiences and stories waiting to be uncovered. What We've Learned Get insider tips and tricks for your travels. From packing essentials to local customs, we provide everything you need for a smooth journey. Meet Us Welcome to Whisked Away with Tamara & Ann where the joy of discovering new places is just the beginning. We're Tamara & Ann, two retired Canadian women who aren't quite ready to sit still. We believe that the best journeys are about more than simply checking destinations off a list. They’re about the experiences, the stories, the people you meet, the food you taste, and those unforgettable moments that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Through Whisked Away, we share our personal travel experiences, favorite destinations, cruise adventures, helpful tips, and inspiration to help you plan your own unforgettable getaways. From exploring beautiful destinations around the world to discovering what makes each place special, we’re here to make travel planning easier and a whole lot more exciting. Whether you’re dreaming about your next cruise, planning a weekend escape, exploring a new destination, or simply looking for inspiration for your next adventure, we hope you’ll find something here that makes you want to pack your bags and go. Come along with us, get whisked away, and discover where your next adventure might take you! Tamara & Ann Whisked Away