Looking to step out of our comfort zone, we agreed to spend 12 nights in the Mediterranean on a luxury yacht holding only 165 passengers. This situation might be a dream come true for some. However, we mega-ship enthusiasts were unsure how we would survive the confines of the 8-deck, 10K gross ton ship for nearly two weeks. Well, we are back and sharing our experiences of what yachting through the Med is like in our Atlas Ocean Voyages review.
What’s a Small Ship Cruise in the Med Really Like? Our Atlas Ocean Voyages Review
Life Onboard Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller
The Mediterranean is one of our favorite cruise destinations. In fact, we spent two weeks in the region on Celebrity Beyond last year to celebrate our anniversary and had a fantastic time. But sailing on a much smaller vessel in the region was new for us.
However, we were no strangers to Atlas Ocean Voyages. Our first introduction to this luxe-adventure cruise line was in November 2023. On an Antarctica expedition, we spent nine nights onboard the cruise line’s newest vessel, World Voyager.
Atlas Ocean Voyages did a fantastic job during the entire expedition. So, we had no worries about sailing with the cruise line again. Perfect for this type of cruise experience, we did have our reservations about sailing such a small vessel on a more traditional cruise itinerary though.
While Polar Expeditions are all about exploring the more remote landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic, Atlas Ocean Voyages positions its Mediterranean voyages as Epicurean Expeditions. These food-focused cruises include guest speakers, chefs, and other themed events. The itinerary also appealed to us, as the ship is able to visit many ports that larger cruise ships can’t. In fact, many of the places on this 12-day voyage were completely new for us.
What’s Included on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Sailings
Like other brands in the luxury cruise space, the Atlas cruise fare covers most onboard amenities like dining and drinks. It also includes free pre-paid gratuities, a cultural immersion experience, and more.
All onboard dining, including 24-hour room service, is included. The Lisboa Restaurant on deck 4 is home to daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Atlas Ocean Voyages also offers an alternative restaurant, the 7 Aft Grill, during Mediterranean cruises. Located on the pool deck, this outdoor venue provides a distinct lunch with custom burgers and sandwiches. At night, this al fresco restaurant becomes the ship’s steakhouse.
Further, alcoholic drinks, including beer, house wines, and cocktails, are complimentary. Some premium spirits and bottles of wine are available for purchase, but there’s really no need to upgrade unless you enjoy a particular premium wine or spirit. All premium non-alcoholic beverages, such as espresso-based drinks, teas, soft drinks, and mocktails, are also complimentary. There’s even a free stocked mini-bar in all staterooms.
Like most cruise ships, guests have access to other onboard facilities throughout the cruise that are mostly free to use as well.
Onboard Amenities
Not all public spaces were operable when we sailed with Atlas Ocean Voyages in Antarctica given the weather conditions. So, we were ready to take advantage of everything World Traveller had to offer during this summer cruise in the Mediterranean.
While small, the ship still features many cruise staples. There is a main dining room, coffee shop, spa, fitness center, running track, a pool, hot tub, bars and lounges, and an auditorium for daily enrichment.
World Traveller boasts a pool and whirlpool on deck 7 midship. Just steps from the pool is the pool bar, which began serving drinks at 11 AM each day. Nearby, there’s also a self-serve ice cream cart for a little snack while lounging poolside.
The jogging track is on deck 8. Given the ship’s small footprint, it takes 12 times to reach one mile around the track. There are also a few stations with workout equipment scattered around this top deck.
One of the two main lounges inside the ship, The Dome observation lounge, is on deck 7 forward. This space features lots of natural light and scenic views. There’s a large cocktail list and friendly bar staff ready to take your order. The outdoor viewing area forward of The Dome offers fantastic views overlooking the ship’s bow. I sat here many mornings, watching us sail into the next picturesque port of call.
While there are primarily staterooms on decks 5 and 6, there are also a few outdoor public spaces. Forward on deck 5 is the Water’s Edge. We utilized this space more during our Antarctica sailing than on this cruise. But this viewing platform on the ship’s bow is another excellent spot to unwind and watch the ocean views closer to water level.
In addition, there are two outdoor spaces that many guests forget about aft on these decks. During our cruise, I spent some time admiring the wake views from here while conversing with some newfound friends. While the deck plans label the deck 5 aft space as the Zephyr Lounge, there is no bar service here. Both spaces only offer various seating arrangements to relax and socialize.
Back inside, deck 4 is the hub of activity on the ship. The portside has a fitness center open until 11 PM, featuring some free weights and cardio machines. The starboard side has a sauna with nearby loungers open most days until 10 PM. While the sauna and loungers are free to use, there is also a spa with two treatment rooms offering a variety of massage services for an upcharge.
On deck 4, there’s also the Atlas Lounge and the Americo Vespucci Auditorium. The auditorium is used for lectures and other edu-tainment throughout the voyage. The Atlas Lounge is the second main indoor bar where many congregate for pre-dinner drinks. This space is also used for a variety of events during the trip.
With only 165 guests onboard, there were several times when many of the public spaces were empty. Thus, it often felt like we had the entire yacht all to ourselves. This was a drastic departure from the often-crowded spaces of even the most well-designed mega-ships.
Onboard Activities
With a new port of call every day, and limited entertainment spaces, there weren’t as many scheduled activities as you’d find on larger cruise ships. On our one sea day, the cruise director Julie hosted a trivia session. On another evening, there was a game of Name that Tune in The Dome. There was also an unhosted chess club, Afternoon Tea, Dancing Under the Dome, live music, and port talks.
The Dome hosted tea time most days from 4 to 5 PM. Guests could help themselves to various premium teas while ordering from a small menu of treats.
Each evening between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, the Land Program manager gave a port destination talk, previewing the next day’s destination. Though, we didn’t think they were very informative.
From there, The Dome offered light music, cocktails, and canapes from around 6:30 PM or 6:45 PM. Dinner started at 7:30 PM, and more live music with Piano Paul was back in The Dome at 9:30 PM. Still, it’s a far cry from the diverse music offerings you’d find on more contemporary cruise lines.
On a few occasions, the cruise director, Julie, performed musical numbers as well. We got a sneak peek at her vocals on night 2 during the Captain’s Reception. But, she wowed the crowd on night 5 with her live session at 9:45 PM in The Dome. Later on in the cruise, she performed a pre-dinner Broadway set, and the following night, she capped it off with her Dancing Under the Dome show.
Aside from the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Cocktail, the Atlas Lounge also hosted the crew talent show on night 10. It’s always a fun time watching these staff members sing, dance, and perform other talents.
These events were the only entertainment on our 12-day Atlas Ocean Voyages trip. However, there were some other activities associated with these Epicurean Expeditions that came mostly in the form of live cooking demos, lectures, and tastings.
We would have enjoyed more local entertainment options like we’ve experienced on other lines like Windstar or Viking.
Epicurean Expedition Events
This Epicurean Expedition featured four guest presenters and/or chefs along with a culinary-centric list of enrichment activities including epicurean presentations; live cooking demonstrations; tastings of chocolate, wine, and honey; and even a market visit with the chef.
Among the featured experts was the Taste and Traditions Expert, Master Foodie Mara Papatheodorou. This former editor of Bon Appetit Magazine hosted lectures in the auditorium. Along with the featured guest cooks, Mara also co-hosted other tastings and culinary sessions in the Atlas Lounge and The Dome. Mara was personable and had a wealth of knowledge. She also participated in some shore excursions, adding flavor and context wherever we visited.
The other featured presenters were Executive Chef Marcello Zaccaria from Academia Barilla, Gastronomic Guest Julieta Davey, and Guest Lecturer Brian Liss. They hosted lectures, cooking demonstrations, and tastings as well to round out the onboard activities. While we really enjoyed Chef Marcello’s cooking demos and menu items, we aren’t quite sure that the other two presenters fit on this Mediterran itinerary.
Though, my personal favorite activity was the Yachtsman Cookoff competition. I donned an apron with another writer to see if we could take the title of best pasta salad in a live guest cooking show. Well, maybe more like a preparation show as no heating elements were involved. Sadly, we did not take home the winning bottle of wine. Maybe next time.
Dining Onboard Atlas Ocean Voyages
Breakfast and Lunch in the Main Dining Room
Aside from limited entertainment offerings, another drawback of small-ship sailing is the limited options for dining.
Most meals occur in the main dining room, the Lisboa Restaurant on deck 4 aft. For breakfast, the restaurant serves a buffet with a small menu of made-to-order options like omelets. The food was standard for breakfast, and we had no issues finding something to eat the few mornings we dined here.
For lunch, the restaurant offers rotating menu options. There was a salad bar, meats and cheeses, and a custom Caesar salad station each day. The carving station offered different selections most days, like a roast pig or slow-cooked strip loin. The remaining entrees and side dishes varied each day, with usually a chicken, beef, pork, or fish entrée.
While I never had an issue finding something to eat, there were several days Heidi only had some fresh fruit and cheese for lunch. It would have been nice to have items like burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, or other lunchtime fare here. Perhaps a small made-to-order menu with standard selections for lunch as well.
Dinner in the Main Dining Room
At night, this main dining room features a traditional multi-course sit-down meal. It’s open seating from 7:30 to 9 PM each night with no set table assignment. While it was too hot for us to take advantage of on this sailing, there is also an outdoor seating area for an al fresco meal with wake views.
The cruise line has completely revamped dinner menus since our last trip on Atlas Ocean Voyages. And we are happy to report that the changes are for the better. While the menus offer several local specialties, the international cuisine focused on more than just Mediterranean and European fare. For instance, other entrees like the Mongolian beef added some dimension and spice to the menu.
The nightly menus feature a rotating Plant-Based section, Always Available dishes including rib-eye, salmon, and plant-based steak, a rotating Dinner Menu, a Local Market Dish, and a Portuguese Alma selection.
However, some of the tastiest dishes were the regional specialties like the Seared Swordfish from Sicily or the Chicken Piccata when departing Civitavecchia, Italy. Another stand-out dish was the homemade Italian Gnocchi available every night.
Guest Chef Marcello Zaccaria’s custom-made pastas were perhaps the best part of being on this Epicurean Expedition. This master chef held cooking demonstrations and prepared several signature pasta dishes at the beginning of the cruise. Among the irresistible, al dente selections were the Pasta Alla Norma and the Trofie Alla Pesto Genovese. We only wished he was onboard for the entire sailing.
Paula’s Pantry
Besides the main dining room, there were just two other eateries onboard.
In the morning and afternoon, the ship’s resident coffee shop, Paula’s Pantry, offers quick bites. The breakfast items here include danishes, muffins, and the tasty ham and cheese toasties. These were great to quickly snag before heading ashore.
Coming back in the afternoon, Paula’s Pantry was our go-to for a caffeine fix and sometimes a tiny sandwich, quiche, or freshly made cookies. While the pastries and snacks were good, we would have liked a better selection of pre-made sandwiches, as many were repetitive and not all that appetizing.
Regardless of the time of day, this venue serves espresso-based drinks, premium teas, frappes, and freshly squeezed juices. On most days, the coffee shop was open from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Paula’s Pantry also features a self-serve Vero water station where guests could refill their reusuable water bottles any time of day.
7AFT Grill
Aside from the main dining room, the only other sit-down venue is located poolside. The 7AFT Grill serves a buffet lunch with many of the same menu items that are also available in the main dining room along with a menu of made-to-order items.
This outdoor eatery is home to a Jasper grill, which gives the freshly seared menu items extra flavor. The lunch menu features freshly prepared hot dogs, hamburgers, and personal pizzas on the grill. These lunch selections were more of our style. But given the heat, we didn’t always want to eat outside in the middle of the day.
At night, the 7AFT Grill is the resident steakhouse which is complimentary to all guests, but reservations are required. Heidi couldn’t resist the Chef’s Cobb Salad as a starter. I went off script and asked for a half order of the Homemade Louisiana Crawfish Ravioli. The ravioli was delicate, with a creamy sauce and just a bit of kick. However, I didn’t realize that this entrée, which I ordered as a starter, also came with a whole lobster tail!
My rib-eye steak was flavorful and juicy, cooked to a medium temperature. It was more than satisfying after eating my extra-large app. This steakhouse has a standard lineup of sides and desserts as well, making it a welcomed change from the main dining room.
Room Service
As we mentioned previously, 24-hour room service is available for all guest staterooms. So of course, we had to test out the two menus.
For breakfast, guests could order any item at the main restaurant and have it delivered to their stateroom. Omelets, pancakes, French toast, and other continental items were among the selections.
Another nice perk is that the cruise line will let you place your breakfast order outside on your door as late as 2 AM. You can also request breakfast delivery at anytime in the morning. So, it was a nice treat after sleeping in on day 4 to enjoy our breakfast on the balcony in Nice, France, with the French Riviera as our backdrop.
The all-day room service menu consists of only a few options, and it was a bit hit or miss. We sampled a grilled chicken Caesar wrap, a custom hamburger, and a flatbread pizza. The pizza was better than our vegan pizza during our Antarctica sailing but still nothing to write home about. While I enjoyed my burger, Heidi’s sandwich was drenched in dressing and contained mostly lettuce.
Stateroom
For this Mediterranean cruise, we stayed in stateroom 514, a veranda stateroom located forward of the forward elevators on the ship’s portside.
Given that the ship’s public areas are mostly found on decks 4 and 7, it was never a far walk up or down from our stateroom to anywhere on the ship. Although, there are both forward and midship elevators for those with limited mobility.
According to the Atlas Ocean Voyages’ website, this veranda stateroom measures 270 square feet, including the balcony. It felt noticeably larger than the balcony staterooms we are accustomed to on contemporary cruise lines.
Immediately upon entering our room, the bathroom was to the left. Across the way was the closet. For a stateroom of this size, the closet lacked adequately-designed storage space. There were three small clothes bars with hangers, a series of small shelves, and two drawers. But, our packing cubes didn’t fit well on the shelves and there wasn’t a good place to store shoes.
However, the luxury bathroom with marble finishes was certainly an upgrade in terms of size and amenities. The vanity offered plenty of counter space, and there was adequate storage for all of our products with the additional three shelves over the toilet.
The main focal point of this upgraded bathroom though is the walk-in mosaic shower with a rainfall showerhead and body jets, which were relaxing after a long day ashore. The bathroom also features premium L’OCCITANE products, so there’s no need to pack any toiletries from home.
The bed was located after the closet and bathroom, followed by a small seating area and desk before the balcony.
The queen-sized bed was on the midship wall facing forward, looking directly at the large flat-screen television. We never had any issues falling asleep after exploring that day’s port of call with the luxurious Portuguese cotton linens by Lameirinho.
Additionally, there was a nightstand on each side of the bed. Though, only one side features a USB outlet for charging devices overnight.
Now, when compared to our Horizon Stateroom (think infinite balcony) during our Antarctica voyage, the desk and seating area were noticably smaller affording that extra square footage from the interior of the cabin to the outdoor balcony space.
The desk had just enough counter space for Heidi to get ready, while also housing a Nespresso coffee maker and Kusmi Teas. The mini-fridge, stocked regularly as part of the cruise fare, is also under the desk. This means there are no drawers or additional storage compartments located here.
Across from the desk are two oversized chairs and a small table. This became our workstation in the afternoon or our spot for some room service in the morning. This area felt tight, definitely making us miss the loveseat found in our previous cabin.
Where this Veranda Stateroom lacks interior space, it makes up for it with dedicated outdoor space. The balcony features two cushioned chairs and a round table. While the balcony extended the entire width of the stateroom, it was a little shallow.
Still, we enjoyed having this space to step outside to take videos and photos of the ports of call. However, we didn’t spend as much time on the balcony as we would have expected. This is mostly because the temperatures were just too hot.
The big benefit of this cabin type is that we could step outside onto the balcony and still keep the rest of the cabin cool. If we had a Horizon cabin this trip, I don’t think we would have used the window much as we wouldn’t have wanted the air conditioning to shut off in the stateroom.
Going Ashore With Atlas Ocean Voyages
This 12-day cruise included eleven ports of call and only one sea day. Needless to say, it was a packed itinerary. Given that many of the ports were cities we hadn’t visited yet, we opted to do a shore excursion or tour at almost every stop.
Many of these smaller destinations are places few major cruise lines visit, so getting private tours would have been more difficult, and Heidi’s worst nightmare is just wandering on our own. Thus, we booked a majority of our shore excursions directly with Atlas Ocean Voyages.
The quality of these tours varied greatly. While we enjoyed many of our tours, some were not as advertised. Also, there were few options to choose from at several ports.
Further, the land program staff often did not know much about the ports of call or the offered tours. We received inaccurate information about the tours’ inclusions, duration, and activity level multiple times. The tour start times were often different than the times we booked as well.
As a new cruise line, we do think that Atlas Ocean Voyages has some work to do regarding its land program.
Still, we did not let this detract from our overall experience. We donned our walking shoes and got ready to trek the cobblestone streets and often uphill paths in 90-degree weather to explore these scenic destintations.
Atlas Ocean Voyages Mediterranean Itinerary
Portoferraio, Elba Island
After leaving the Civitavecchia (Rome) cruise port, World Traveller had a short distance to sail. Our first port of call was Portoferraio, the largest city on Elba Island. This northern island, part of the Italian Riviera, is home to a waterfront radiating with colorful buildings overlooking the sea.
Like all shore excursions, we met at the designated time in the Atlas Lounge, only to subsequently find out that our tour had been canceled. So, we had the choice to explore on our own or book the only remaining tour available, Panoramic Elba.
While we are not usually fans of large bus tours, we decided to hop on this tour. This approximately four hour excursion included two stops at small resort towns, Marina di Campo and Port Azzuro. Each stop included a brief narrated walk of the town and some free time. Along with several photos, we made sure to grab our first gelato of the cruise while admiring the harbor views.
Porto Venere, Italy
While all the destinations on the itinerary were intriguing, we were very excited about a few ports, including Porto Venere.
While the town itself is beautiful, we had our sights set on Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Booking the Scenic Cinque Terre tour, we embarked on a day-long tour winding through the seaside roads.
Our nearly 8-hour tour took us to three of the five small villages. It was an idyllic day in the Italian Riviera and certainly a highlight of our trip. Along the way, our tour guide made sure to overload us with information about the region and the villages we were exploring: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Monterosso. This tour also included a 3-course lunch at a rustic farmhouse and winery.
While it was a whirlwind day, the itinerary lived up to our expectations and was as charming as we had hoped.
Nice, France
Nice, France was the one port we decided to explore independently. We planned to catch up on some sleep and enjoy breakfast on the balcony before our evening cultural immersion tour. But after a morning of work, FOMO set in. So, we spent a couple of hours in the afternoon strolling the picturesque shoreline of the French Riviera and Nice’s old town.
Each Epicurean Expedition includes a cultural immersion event as part of the cruise fare. This itinerary featured a Rooftop Aperitif Cocktails tour at 7 PM.
Perched on top of the AC Hotel Nice, this rooftop retreat overlooked the beach. The 3-hour party included live jazz music, wine, and passed appetizers. While I enjoyed the tapas and drinks, Heidi could only take the heat and lack of air conditioning for so long.
Along with many other guests, we hopped on one of the first shuttles back to the ship for much-needed air conditioning and one more round of drinks with friends before calling it a night.
Sète, France
The recommended tour in this French seaside city was the Gastronomic Sète excursion. This 3-hour walking tour hugged the harbor as our guide provided details about the town and its extensive seafaring legacy and modern seafood industry.
While Sète is known for its local markets, they were closed as it was a Sunday. Still, we were able to get a small taste of local octopus, oysters, biscuits, and of course wine, at a small brassiere. While Heidi is not a fan of seafood, I am always up for trying anything, at least once. Of all the delicaces, I liked the octopus pie the best.
Along the way, we also strolled the streets of this “Venice of France” to admire the 17th century architecture. Perhaps the most striking part of the tour was the water jousting. Yes, you read that correctly. On the main canal, we were treated to a few rounds of this local sport.
Still, of all our tours, this was our least favorite.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona was the only port where we opted for a private tour. Pre-cruise, we connected with some friends traveling on the trip too and secured a van with Spain Day Tours for eight hours of exploring all the city offered.
Led by our awesome driver and guide, Marta, we started with a scenic stop at Montjuic, where our orientation to the history and development of Barcelona began.
From here, we took a comprehensive city tour to various landmarks. Among the highlights were visits to Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and other Gaudi architectures like Casa Batllo and Casa Mila on the famed Passeig de Gracia.
We stopped at a local restaurant for lunch in Plaza Cataluña for some Spanish tapas, including Iberian ham, croquettes, and potatoes bravos, before continuing our adventures exploring the Gothic Quarter, Port Olympic, and a drive through Las Ramblas.
This tour was a fantastic orientation to the city, and we can’t wait to discover more of these neighborhoods on a return trip.
Menorca, Spain
Many Mediterranean cruises visit the larger island of Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Sea. But only some visit its smaller sister, Menorca. Figuring this would be one of our few opportunities to visit the island, we booked the Flavors of Menorca tour.
Leaving Mahon, where the ship was docked, we headed north to Fornelis. The town was waking up as our group wandered the cobblestone streets and absorbed views of the protected bay.
From here, we went to a local cheese farm for a tasting. While I don’t usually eat cheese and drink wine at 10:30 AM…when in Spain, do as the locals do!
Among our additional stops was Mont Toro, the island’s highest point. Along the ascent, we heard the tale of the statue of the Virgin Mary and the monks whose journey gave the mountain its name. To cap things off, we quickly stopped at a local gin distillery adjacent to our ship to try some locally produced spirits.
Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest Italian island in the Mediterranean and a popular tourist destination. In fact, we stopped at the southern port of Cagliari on our Virgin Voyages cruise in 2022. Porto Cervo is on the northern end, so we looked forward to seeing even more of the island.
With only a few tour options through the cruise line, we decided on the more encompassing Villages of Sardinia & Giants Tomb. According to the description, this tour included stops at two towns and a 3,000-year-old archaeological site of the Nuragic civilization.
But of all our tours, this one felt the most disjointed. It didn’t help that our tour guide was perhaps the least enthusiastic or engaged. At our first stop in San Pantaleo, she walked us to the town center with minimal narration and gave us 45 minutes to explore independently.
At our second stop, her overview of the Giant’s Tomb and the historic civilization was more informative. From here, it was back on the bus for another 20-minute ride to the last stop, the beautiful seaside village of Baia.
While planning to walk around and take pictures, some fellow travelers invited us to join them for lunch. Given that we hadn’t had any pizza our whole time in Italy, they made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.
Trapani, Sicily
Heidi and I had plans to visit the east coast of Sicily during our Mediterranean cruise in 2023. However, that port of call was skipped due to sea conditions delaying our departure from Civitavecchia. So, we were excited to have the chance to visit two destinations on the island this time around.
Our first call on the island was Trapani. While it was a short walk from the ship’s docking spot into town, we purchased a shore excursion to the historic town of Erice. The Enchanting Erice excursion included a bus tour through Trapani and a semi-guided tour of Erice, located a nearly half-mile climb up the mountain.
Several cultures have influenced this eclectic town over the years. From the Norman tower fortifications overlooking the sea to the other touches of Hellenic culture, the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, castles, and cathedrals were mesmerizing.
Duing our approximately 2.5 hour visit at the village, we had some free time. So of course, we made sure to stop for cannoli and coffee granita. While we felt a tad rushed, this was the perfect ending to the tour and our first stop in Sicily.
Messina, Sicily
On the top of our list while in Sicily was visiting Taormina. As a college student, my family did a tour of Italy that included two days in this well-known Italian resort town, and I remembered it as being one of the most enchanting places I had visited.
With high expectations, we set out on the cruise line’s 4.5-hour Magical Taormina excursion. It took about an hour to get to Taormina, following some brief sightseeing by bus through Messina. Thus, we had about 2.5 hours to stroll the main streets and marvel at the 15th century architecture.
First, our guide took us along the colorful alleys and walkways, pointing out the more prominent buildings and landmarks along the way. We took the trek up to the Greek theater, which is still in use today, as evidenced by the modern stage and music rigging still present from a concert that took place the previous night.
After the guided tour, we had about 90 minutes of free time. This gave us enough time to sample cannoli and gelato from the two shops that our tour guide recommended and do a little shopping.
While beautiful and memorable, the city was packed and looked nothing like I remembered it from my visit close to twenty years ago. Having more time here would have been great as well.
Chania, Crete
We knew we would be exhausted by the last day of the trip. So, we booked a shorter tour in Chania, the seaside stop in Crete. The 2.5 hour Chania’s Archaeology and Venetian Harbor tour sounded perfect. Yet, we subsequently found out that the tour duration had changed to four hours.
So, we mustered up the energy for one last tender ride ashore. Once on land, our guide whisked us away toward the dockyards into the heart of the city. She pointed out the intersection of cultures and religions that have shaped the island along the fairly long walk to a bus. We’d be taking a bus to the archaeological museum for a visit. That was news to us!
We then spent the next 90 minutes in the newly designed Archaeological Museum of Chania in a nearby neighborhood. Our tour guide was a bit intense and not very friendly, but it quickly became clear that she was an avid historian and culturalist. Her narration of the artifacts weaving together themes and evolutions of civilizations was captivating.
Although this tour wasn’t exactly what we had signed up for, we still had time afterwards to peruse the harbor before returning to the ship.
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