Crystal Cruise - Istanbul to Corfu
Embarkation was quick and easy, we were taken to our cabin 10115 (Deluxe Stateroom with Veranda). It was bright and airy had a large Queen sized bed, full bath what I loved most was the wardrobe space! Our cabin stewardess introduced herself over the week she couldn’t do enough for us.
We had pre dinner drinks in the Sunset Bar and then went to dinner in the Main Restaurant, food and service was impeccable. Then spent the evening in the Avenue Salon listening to the amazing tunes that Marcie Castro was playing on the piano.
Next day the ship was still in Port at Istanbul we had great plans to get off and explore but this never happened we just lazed around the pool the service around the pool and in the Bistro was first class and the pool boys soon knew what we drinking we didn’t even have to ask we were greeted with a Latte and Earl Grey, very impressive. We did however decide that we needed some exercise and played tennis on the Wimbledon Court, it was great fun playing on a ship. That night we ate in the Main Restaurant again.
A whole day at sea to enjoy the sun and pool areas, which are spacious and no shortage of beds. Another day of playing tennis with great views!
Tonight was ate at Silk Road (Nobu), which was amazing especially the Teriyaki Salmon. Again the service was amazing as well as the food, wine and the atmosphere was really good.
The next day we awoke to a wonderful hot and sunny day in Mykonos the ship docked at 8am we had breakfast on our Veranda with the Crystal Blue Sea Glistening. We then took the complimentary bus into town, wandered around and grabbed a coffee and just watched the world go by. The town was pretty busy as there were 2 other Cruise ships that had docked but we were still to get around comfortably and saw a little bit of the Island. Mykonos Town has a real café-bar-boutique scene. September is definitely a good time to visit as the locals said July and August is really busy.
That night we ate in Prego (Italian) again the food and service were excellent and it became a dilemma where we would eat each night! We arrived in Athens again to hot and sunny day. We decided that we would visit the Greek Capital and all her spectacular historical sights, however this wasn’t to be as there was a problem with the traffic and it was taking 2 hours to get to Athens we decided to leave and make the most of our time around the pool. We ate again in Prego and danced the night away in the Disco!
This was our favourite day of the Cruise we had breakfast on the balcony with amazing views of the Nafplio Bay in the Peloponnese, this town has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. We caught the tender to shore and embarked on the most beautiful and picturesque town, it was a Sunday so there were families bustling about going to Church, locals taking in the lovely scenery drinking strong coffees. We found a smart little café down by the port and sipped hot tea and watched the world go by. Later we took a stroll around the little cobbled streets and shopped in the upmarket jewellery shops. We loved this place and definitely recommend it, is a real hidden gem. If you are feeling energetic you can climb the 913 winding steps to the Palamidi Fortress from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, but really worth doing.
Our last full day was spent at sea soaking up the last of the rays and as usual eating and drinking!
Disembarkation in Corfu was quick, professional and painless just like everything else Crystal Cruises do!
Whatever you want from a Cruise Crystal Serenity offers it all!
This six star all inclusive (top brands) ship boasts many activities for every passenger, whether you want to soak up the rays around the pool, play tennis or pro-golf, tantalise your taste buds in the Michelin star restaurants, try your hand at the Casinos, take in a movie, a theatre show or dance to dawn in the disco the choice is yours!
The crew work tirelessly 24 hours a day to make your holiday a truly pleasurable and memorable experience.
I asked John what he thought of his first cruise he said, "I tried it and now I’m hooked. Take it from me, put this one on your list!"