Crystal cruise Venice to Athens

From the moment I arrived in Venice, I knew this was going to be a very special trip. I stayed in Venice for the first 3 nights of my honeymoon back in 2000 so Venice has always held a special place in my heart. We spent a full afternoon and the evening exploring this beautiful city including a visit to the famous Danielli and Cipriani hotel and views from the Bell Tower.   After our pre-cruise stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Venice Mestre, we transferred together to Fusina Cruise Terminal to board Crystal Serenity, where we were warmly welcomed by the onboard team, butlers and hosts.

I stayed in a beautiful Veranda Suite, complete with my own private outdoor space and personalised butler service. It was wonderful having somewhere to sit, relax and take in the incredible views as we sailed through the Adriatic and towards Greece.

One of the things I loved most was how truly all-inclusive the experience was. Fine dining, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities were all included, meaning I could completely switch off and enjoy every moment.

And the food was exceptional! I had the opportunity to experience several of Crystal’s speciality restaurants, including Beefbar, Umi Uma — the only Nobu restaurant at sea — and Osteria D’Ovidio, alongside the elegant Waterside restaurant.

There were also so many beautiful spaces to enjoy onboard, from Palm Court and Crystal Cove to the Seahorse pool and Avenue Saloon. Whether I wanted to relax, catch up with fellow Golds, network or simply enjoy the atmosphere, there was always somewhere to do it.

The trip wasn’t just about the incredible destinations and luxury onboard. We also had dedicated Gold sessions, behind-the-scenes experiences and supplier-hosted activities, giving me valuable insight and product knowledge that I can take back to my own clients.

Exploring the Adriatic & Greek Isles

Our itinerary took us through Italy, Croatia and Greece, visiting some truly unforgettable places.

📍 Trieste, Italy – I loved wandering through the grand piazzas, historic cafés and beautiful waterfront.

📍 Dubrovnik, Croatia – Walking the famous city walls and exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town was a real highlight.

📍 Corfu, Greece – The island was beautiful, but one of my favourite experiences was our hosted visit and lunch at the stunning Domes Miramare.

📍 Argostoli, Cephalonia – A much slower pace, beautiful beaches and harbour views made this the perfect place to relax and take everything in.

📍 Monemvasia, Greece – This was another standout for me. The medieval cliffside town, cobbled streets and spectacular Aegean views made it feel like stepping back in time.

📍 Piraeus & Athens – Ending the journey in Athens gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on an amazing week before heading home.

This trip really reminded me why I love what I do. Being able to experience these destinations, hotels, cruise products and experiences first-hand means I can give my clients genuine recommendations based on my own experiences, not just what I’ve read in a brochure.

What being a Gold Travel Counsellor means to me

Reaching Gold has been a really proud moment for me. It represents the hard work, relationships and trust I’ve built with my clients, and being able to celebrate that by experiencing something as incredible as Crystal Serenity made it even more special.

I’ve come home with so many memories, new ideas and experiences that I can now share with my clients.