Oceania Allura sailing experience

Day 1: From Manchester to Magical Istanbul

Our journey began in very typical British fashion: an uneventful drive to Manchester Airport and a straightforward check‑in, with only one small annoyance to keep things interesting. When we checked in online the day before, we discovered that we had been moved “for operational reasons” and allocated seats right next to the loo. Not exactly the dream start.

The 4‑hour flight to Istanbul itself was smooth and drama‑free, and before long we were making our way into the heart of the city to our hotel. The original plan was simple: eat in the hotel restaurant and get an early night before embarkation day.

Travel, of course, had other ideas. The hotel restaurant was closed, so the team recommended a nearby spot instead. It turned out to be absolutely delightful and, as we later discovered, rated number 4 out of more than 13,000 restaurants in Istanbul. Not bad for a Plan B.

After a delicious meal, we took a short walk to stretch our legs and soak up a first taste of the city. We even stumbled across the ceremonial opening of a kebab pot, something I have seen a few times in Turkey before but which never loses its charm.

We headed back to the hotel content, full and excited, ready to pick up our ship the following day and start our Oceania Allura adventure properly.

Day 2: Breakfast in Istanbul, Bedtime on Board

Day 2 started in the best possible way: with a morning run in Gülhane Park. Jogging under the trees, with glimpses of the Bosphorus and the city slowly waking up around us, was a wonderful way to shake off any travel fatigue.

Back at the hotel, we tucked into a very nice Turkish breakfast, all fresh bread, cheeses, olives and eggs, before a quick pack and a taxi ride to Galataport to meet our ship.

Embarkation felt well organised, if not exactly swift: there were multiple checks of passports and boarding passes, and our luggage was taken off us to be reunited later in our stateroom. It all felt efficient and reassuringly thorough.

Once aboard our home for the week, Oceania Allura, we were welcomed with a drink and took ourselves off on a quick recce of the ship while we waited for our room to be ready. First impressions were excellent.

Allura is only a year old and it shows. The ship is absolutely pristine, with everything fresh, stylish and exactly where it should be. You get that lovely “new ship” feeling as you walk around: smart public spaces, beautifully kept decks and a general sense that everything has been very well thought through. Hopefully in ten years’ time it will still look just as immaculate.

When we finally got into our room, it was a pleasure to unpack and settle in, knowing this was our base for the week ahead. We rounded off the day with a lovely first‑night meal on board, then headed to bed already starting to feel at home at sea.

Day 3: Tender Boats & Hidden Turkey on Bozcaada

Day 3 of our journey took us to the island of Bozcaada. By the time we woke up, Allura was already anchored off our daily destination, and we had a choice to make: join one of the organised tours or simply mooch around under our own steam. We opted, as we often do, for the freedom of exploring independently.

Because Bozcaada’s harbour is too small to take a ship of Allura’s size, this was our first experience of using tender boats. It is a simple process: the ship remains at anchor, you check out on board, then step onto a smaller boat for a short hop to shore. Within about five minutes we were gliding across the water and stepping onto the island.

Bozcaada itself is small but fascinating. It is a real strategic stronghold for Turkey and also a very popular holiday destination for the Turkish themselves. For British visitors, it is much less well known, largely because it is not quite as straightforward to reach independently: typically you would need to fly, drive and then take a boat across, which makes arriving by cruise ship feel like a bit of a privilege.

We spent our time wandering through its streets, dipping into quirky little restaurants and cafes, and enjoying the sense of being somewhere that feels authentic and relaxed rather than overly touristy. There is also some great history to take in, layered over this tiny but important island.

By the afternoon we were back on board, a little salt‑sprayed from the tender and a bit wiser about the rhythms of cruising life. It is amazing how quickly you settle into the pattern of waking up somewhere new, nipping ashore to explore, and returning “home” to the comfort of the ship

Day 4: When Plans Change – A Windy Aegean Sea Day

Day 4 of our journey, and day 3 on Oceania Allura, reminded us that the sea always has the final say.

The day started promisingly enough with a lovely breakfast and the anticipation of going ashore at Lesbos. However, the captain soon announced that we would not be able to land. The tender boats were bouncing around far too much as they tried to get into the harbour, and after several attempts the operation was eventually abandoned on safety grounds.

Disappointing, yes, but also reassuring to see how seriously they take guest safety.

Instead, today became an unexpected sea day. As we sailed down the Aegean coast we were treated to a cracking thunderstorm off in the distance, complete with dramatic forked lightning that lit up the sky. It was one of those moments you only really appreciate when you are at sea, watching weather systems roll by from the comfort of a ship.

Allura cruised a long way south‑west before turning and setting a new course for Izmir. It felt like a detour and an adventure rolled into one, and gave us more time to enjoy life on board, lean into the slower pace and make the most of the ship.

Day 5: Bazaar Browsing in Izmir

The next day took us to Izmir, a vibrant Turkish port and an important city in its own right. Thankfully, today we could dock right up at the port and walk straight off the ship, with no need for tender boats.

Izmir is famous for its huge bazaar, a sprawling, atmospheric market where you can buy just about anything you could possibly want. It is a real assault on the senses in the best possible way: fabrics, spices, clothes, trinkets, household goods and more. The only real limit is how much you can actually get home again.

After exploring ashore, we headed back to Allura for a relaxed late afternoon. A few pre‑dinner drinks set the tone nicely, then we made our way up to the top bar to watch a beautiful sunset with panoramic views over the port and the Aegean. It was one of those golden‑hour moments that remind you exactly why being at sea is so special.

Dinner that evening was a highlight: the most fantastic French cuisine, beautifully presented and full of flavour. It was one of those meals where every course feels like a treat and really showed off Oceania’s culinary focus.

Due to high winds in this part of the Mediterranean, the plan for the next couple of days had to change. Instead of our original ports, we were now bound for the Greek harbour town of Nafplio. Flexibility is part of cruising, and in this case it felt like a very exciting alternative.

Day 6: Discovering Nafplio – An Unexpected Greek Gem

Day 6 brought that last‑minute change fully to life. Gale‑force winds in the Aegean meant our planned stop in Chios had to be cancelled. In its place came Nafplio on the Greek mainland.

Despite all my years of travelling, I had never been to mainland Greece, so this felt like a real bonus.

Nafplio turned out to be a lovely little town: a maze of pretty streets dotted with small shops, cafes and restaurants, and a welcoming, easygoing atmosphere. The people were incredibly friendly and it was very easy to imagine spending a few lazy days here, simply wandering, browsing and stopping for something cold to drink in the sunshine.

If there was one small downside, it was the graffiti. Sadly, it is quite noticeable in places and just holds the town back from being absolutely perfect. That said, it did not spoil the overall charm.

We only had a half‑day ashore here, so it was a fairly short but sweet introduction to a part of Greece that was completely new to me. By early afternoon we were back on board, lines cast off and Allura pointing her bow towards our next stop: Chania on Crete.

Day 7: Cretan Colour in Chania

Our journey across the Eastern Mediterranean then took us further south to Chania, on the island of Crete. After the softer, smaller‑scale towns of previous days, Chania felt like a burst of colour and energy.

We spent our time around the old harbour and narrow streets, where Venetian, Turkish and Greek influences all mix together. There are countless little shops, cafes and tavernas, plus that wonderful feeling of being somewhere that locals and visitors both genuinely enjoy.

With the harbourfront, historic architecture and mountain backdrop, Chania was one of those places where you keep turning corners and finding another photo opportunity.

Day 8: Crowds, Cable Cars & Caldera Views in Santorini

Our last day on Allura took us to Santorini, one of the most talked‑about islands in the Mediterranean. It really is a beautiful place, built on volcanic rock and quite unlike anywhere else I have been.

To get from the port up to the main town you have to take a cable car, which costs 10 euros each way. It sounds simple, but with cruise ships timing is everything. Unfortunately, there were three other ships in that day, which meant an absolute sea of people all trying to do exactly the same thing.

It took us around an hour to reach the top. Once you are up there, though, the views over the caldera are spectacular and the whitewashed streets and blue accents are every bit as striking as the photos suggest.

We spent about four hours on the island before heading back down. Fortunately, by the time we returned to the cable car, the queue had quietened down and the journey back to the port was much smoother.

Despite the crowds, I absolutely loved Santorini and vowed to return one day, ideally when it is a little quieter and we can explore at a gentler pace.

Back on board, we sailed away towards our final destination of Athens and, eventually, our flight home.

Athens, Heathrow & Home: Closing the Circle

The cruise finished in Piraeus, the port for Athens, where disembarkation this morning went very smoothly. We were through customs and had our bags collected in around thirty minutes, which is always welcome on the last day of a trip.

By the time I am writing this, we are in Heathrow awaiting the final leg back home. I will truly miss the sound of the waves and the night sky while having a nightcap out on the balcony.

This week has taught me so much about cruising: not just the process of getting on and off the ship, but all the little tips and tricks I can now pass on to clients. There is no substitute for experiencing it yourself.

Thoughts on Oceania Allura

Across the week, Oceania really impressed me. In fact, they exceeded my expectations in every way:

• The ship: Allura feels fresh, elegant and beautifully maintained. Nothing is flashy; it is all about understated, grown‑up luxury.
• The service: Warm, genuine and intuitive. Staff quickly remembered names and preferences, which makes such a difference on a smaller, more intimate ship.
• The food: Consistently excellent, from breakfast through to speciality dinners. The French evening in particular was outstanding.
• The atmosphere: Relaxed and refined. Ideal if you want quality time, good conversation and memorable meals rather than late‑night party vibes.

Even when weather forced changes to the itinerary, the way the situation was handled, the alternative ports we visited and the overall onboard experience meant the trip still felt special and seamless.

Who This Cruise Is Perfect For

Having now sailed this itinerary, I would especially recommend it if you:

• Love food and wine and appreciate high‑quality dining as a central part of your holiday.
• Enjoy history, culture and characterful ports more than big‑city blitzes.
• Prefer a smaller, more intimate ship feel with excellent service.
• Are happy to embrace a bit of flexibility with ports in return for seeing less touristy places.

It is ideal for couples, friends travelling together, or anyone celebrating a special occasion who wants to see a lot without constantly packing and unpacking.

Ready To Plan Your Own Eastern Mediterranean Voyage?

If my updates have given you a taste for cruising, I would love to help you design your own journey:

• Choosing the right sailing date and cabin type.
• Adding pre‑ and post‑cruise stays in Istanbul and Athens.
• Organising tailor‑made tours in ports like Izmir, Nafplio, Chania and Santorini to match how you like to travel.

When you are ready to start planning your next piece of magic, just get in touch and I will put everything together for you, so all you have to do is step on board, unpack once and enjoy the journey.