It was embarkation day and time to pack up and travel to the port of Pireaus, Greece to board the Voyager. We were so excited to see our favorite ship docked in the harbor and to greet our shipboard family. After 403 days on Regent ships, everything was so familiar. We noticed changes like flat screen TVs in the suites and new furniture on Pool Deck. We know where everything goes in our suite and our old routine immediately comes back to us. It didn’t take long to settle in. We had packed lightly for our 17 day cruise through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic. Our calendar started filling up with lunch and dinner plans with old and new friends, an anniversary party and a formal dinner for 8 including several friends-one from corporate, the onboard cruise consultant and a 98 year old man who is an institution on the ship. I think our favorite part of cruising is the socializing at all the onboard dinners and events.
Our first port of call was Katakalon, Greece, gateway to Olympia. The ship had planned a special event “Birthplace of the Olympics” for all of us which included a tour of
the ancient site that dates back to 776 B.C. We did a walking tour of the ruins with a knowledgeable guide who vividly described what it was like so long ago. We were fortunate to have excellent weather with signs of spring everywhere including brilliant pink flowered Judas tree along with many varieties of flowers from red poppies to yellow daisies. Back onboard the ship; a Greek troupe reenacted the ancient Olympic Games while we had lunch on the Pool Deck.
Our next port, the small densely populated island nation of Malta, located south of Italy was a wonderful surprise. When we opened the curtains and walked out on to our verandah, we had docked in the historic Grand Harbour of Valletta. Surrounded by massive fortified limestone walls, traditional Phoenician style fishing boats and cobblestoned streets with horses and carriages, you really felt you had stepped back in history. Our walking tour combined the ancient capital of Medina and the present day capital of Valletta. We loved Medina, a walled hilltop town a short distance from the harbor which dated back to Roman times. It is referred to as the “Silent City” because of its narrow, nearly deserted streets
which is home to several of Malta’s aristocratic old families that live discreetly in enclosed palaces. Evidence of the famous symbol, the Maltese Cross was everywhere. The views of Malta and the coast were breathtaking. In contrast, but just as interesting, Valletta, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in 1565, was a bustling town with a main street packed with people where no cars were allowed. We visited the ornate Grand Masters Palace (home of Malta’s Parliament) complete with suits of armor lining the halls and St. Johns Cathedral, a stunning example of Baroque architecture. As we cruised out of the harbor late in the day, we could understand why this island has become a tourist destination!
Malta's Flag
Map of Malta