Magic Greek Isles 6/18/2022

[hippiechicken]

I think this will be my first trip report! My sister and I went on the 9 night Magic Greek Isles Cruise on 7/18/2022. My mom and step dad were supposed to come, but she tested positive for covid the week before.
Our trip started rough with a 3 hour flight delay out of DFW.

We used Civitavecchia Shuttle Express for our transfers. I originally booked private transfers because my mom has mobility issues, but changed them to shared and was refunded the difference. A driver was at the airport for us in Rome when we landed.

We were about an hour late for our Rome Street Food Tour booked through Do Eat Better, but it was worth it!


We then got a snack and headed to our amazing AirBnB near Campo di Fiori.


We napped until I woke up starving so set out for dinner in Campo di Fiori, stopping at the first place that spoke to us..

Our food tour guide told us to pick a place without photos on the menu, and we ended up eating there everyday!

We did the Med cruise in 2019, but our flight was delayed from Paris to Rome and I never got to eat Cacio e Pepe, so that was my only goal for Rome!
And, it was amazing!

My sister had carbonara

We also had terrific wine and a cappuccino.

We crashed after this amazing meal!

 

[hippiechicken]

We headed back to Campo di Fiori the next morning and there was a market!

We stopped for breakfast at Dar Conte because that's what happens when you love a place and the cute host reels you in!
I opted for the 8 euro Italian breakfast.


There were seeds in my juice since it was so fresh! I still dream about it, probably fresh fruit from the market...

We then followed the Rick Steves' Heart of Rome Walk audio tour


We headed back to Campo di Fiori for lunch, but I wanted a panin, so opted for the place next door owned by the same family.

This wasn't the panini I wanted, but it was still good.
I think we rested for a while then took a cab to the colosseum. I booked Gladiator’s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor because we missed our tour in 2019. I had also booked a Vatican tour because my mom wanted to go, but when she cancelled, I cancelled it and was refunded. I was also able to get a refund for the other 2 spots on the colosseum tour. I was not able to get refunded for the food tour since I didn't book it refundable.


I prefer to tour on my own with Rick Steves audios and not keeping up with other people, but this was a good tour. It included the Roman Forum, as well, and was about 3 hours of walking. Luckily, it was overcast that afternoon.

After a rest and shower, we headed back to Dar Conte for dinner...

Great cheese and perfect focaccia



This was good, but I wished I ordered cacio e pepe again..

 

[hippiechicken]

My sister had fettuccini Alfredo, and I think she said it was better than Olive Garden...



We were like family now, so our server celebrated us with limoncello


A final check


Our place wasn't open yet for breakfast so we had to go next door. It was good,, but more expensive, and my juice didn't have seeds.

the fruit was good, though.


Our AirBnB had a car in it...


We used Civitavecchia Shuttle Express for our transfers. I scheduled a 10:00 pick up because my check in was 10:45. At 9:50, he was at our door. We were the last stop out of 2 parties and got to port around 11:15.



I thought the process was fine. I was so excited, forgot to leave my bag, so after we were swabbed, went back to drop it off. By the time I got to the tent to wait and log into the site, my results were posted.
The photo of us walking was at 11:46 and we were on board by 12:10.

 

[hippiechicken]

Pluto welcomed us

Then we headed to Cabanas.




and Daisy De lites

I had booked a massage for that night and was able to change it to the sea day, then we had decorated our room by 2:45.

Pizza of the Day Goals

before the Sail-a-Wave Party at 4:45.

 

[hippiechicken]

We were Table 1!




I think my sister had steak everyday!

 

[hippiechicken]

Sea Day. Because of my sister's snoring, I was unable to sleep, so caught the sunrise during my run at 4:30 am..



I love the new touchless door sensors!

Very few people were up at 5 am...



SO, I did some laundry at 6 am.
7 am Room Service because they make the best coffee!

 

[hippiechicken]

Aroma Stone Massage is one of my favorite parts of Disney Cruising!
8 am was the perfect reschedule from my original 8 pm.

After, people were gathered watching as we pulled through the The Strait of Messina


which took about an hour.
Then, I was ready for second breakfast. I love Cabanas!!

Then, enjoyed the view, napped, and probably swam in the hot adult pool.


which made me hungry for lunch



My sister was awake by then!

 

[hippiechicken]

Pizza of the day snack

because lounging is exhausting!

I also lost some trivia that day.
It was formal night, and a lot of people were dressed up, including the gang.




Amazing lasagna!

My server thought I chose the wrong dessert,

so he brought me another one. He was right!

 

[hippiechicken]

I was exhausted so took a nap while my sister enjoyed the adult entertainment.

Then I had room service at midnight

I guess I'm a 5 am runner now...

Also found yoga and stretch classes each morning after my run.
Pulling into Croatia.



Then headed to Cabanas.

 

[hippiechicken]

I was almost late a few times because of this distraction! I love whoever brought this community puzzle and will repay that in the future!



We had booked several private drivers, and only 2 DCL excursions this trip. At Dubrovnik, we did the DCL 9:45-2:30 DCL Riviera Cruise and Cable Car.
The boat was cool! We had ice cream, orange juice, and water.


We then had very limited time to tour Old Town Dubrovnik.
Disney did provide a free shuttle from port to town, and I wish I had done that so I could have walked the city walls. Next time...
Our tour was fine, but we spent a lot of time waiting around.

We had about 45 minutes to explore on our own, so we ate lunch.




Then we took the cable car to the top of the town with amazing views. Then we went back down where the bus picked us up.
It wasn't the best excursion, but I couldn't find a guide for what I wanted. Next time, I'll do it on my own!

 

[hippiechicken]

We were back on the ship by 4, so enjoyed a snack
A Pina Colava

and a All Hands on deck

And pizza of the day streak

before our Palo dinner






Dessert Cheese Plate. I should have skipped the AHoD!

 

[hippiechicken]

My sister ate too..





I think we lost an hour. I slept til 5:30, but missed the sunrise!




How beautiful is this ship!

 

[hippiechicken]

First stop in Greece: Kefalonia. I booked a private driver here through Mario’s Transfers and Tours from 11-4 for 250€ with hopes to go to Melissani Cave, Agia Efimia, Myrtos Beach, Argostolion. It was absolutely perfect! We learned so much from our driver who suggested what we could do instead of the touristy places. We went to the cave and beat the crowds there, then stopped for some photo ops before going to the Acron Beach Bar at Antisamos Beach. It was amazing!




I'll never eat a Greek salad in America again!






We swam in the Ionian Sea before stopping for more photos.

 

[hippiechicken]

Continuing my pizza streak

We were scheduled to leave at 4:30, but this bus pulled up to the ship at 5:29.





A dance party


We were originally scheduled for 9-5:15 in Chania the next day, but it changed to 10-6; something I didn't consider with private tours. Also, emailing was hard even with wifi. Luckily I learned to use What's App to communicate with my daughter back home so was able to use her to get numbers and email people. However, for Chania, we booked through DCL The Best of Chania's Culture and Wine. I was a tad sad after the great private excursion in Kefalonia and fine tour in Dubrovnik, but honestly Kefalonia was so amazing, I didn't have high expectations for Chania.

 

[hippiechicken]

I ended up downloading a noise app, and almost missed sunrise!



We started with a bus ride and tour of old town Chania and a history lesson

before heading to the port where we had about 20 minutes!
Enough time for a Greek coffee and restroom break.


Things weren't looking good at this point, and several people broke off from the tour. The tour guide gave them directions to get back to the ship using the public transport.
But, we stuck with it and hopped on the bus and headed to the winery!

And, it was amazing!!

We also had 2 red wines, and I purchased some for gifts to take home.
Then, we headed to the Botanical Park where we finally got lunch at 3 pm! I should have eaten a bigger breakfast!



The food was served family style, and I thought it was amazing!! My sister, however, is a meat eater, not a veggie lover, so she wasn't pleased.

 

[hippiechicken]

Lunch of cretan specialities
Veggie stew

potatoes


We then had the option for a short hike, which I took while my sister enjoyed the view from the top. I saw some of the food we had eaten and picked an orange for later.




It was hot, but definitely worth it!

Not sure why I had a Greek salad for dinner...

Oh. I was so excited to get shawarma from the deck so just had a salad while my sister got some meat!


But, the shawarma ends at 6, so I had cheese from Cove Cafe, which was the same as Palo the other night...


I was exhausted and hungry, so took a nap, planning to get pizza when it opened back at 9:45. When I woke up at 11:40, there was pizza in my room! I have the best sister ever!! She also did my laundry while I slept!

It wasn't very good, so I went back to sleep until 4:30 am when I heard the motor under me!

 

[hippiechicken]

Apparently we were already at port!

I saw this and started to panic with all the wine we bought, and we didn't even get the limoncello yet!
I had my daughter research customs and measurements, but she couldn't find anything except having to pay, so I decided it was worth it. Before I forget, it was a non-issue...

Back to Piraeus

I didn't want to be hungry again with the late Greek lunch time!


We booked a private driver here. In January on the Wonder, our Cozumel tour was cancelled, so my step dad hired a taxi to take us to the beach. He wanted to do that on this cruise, but I'm a planner, so I at least pre-booked everything. I joked with my sister a few times about hiring a taxi. Well for this day, it was actually a taxi that picked us up!
I booked the remainder of our excursions through Get Your Guide. I was able to cancel and rebook them when our party changed from 4 to 2.
For Piraeus (Athens), Greece 7-4:45 I booked Athens Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour Organized by Greece Athens Tours from 8-4, but we were to meet our driver at 7:45. I also booked Acropolis Museum Tickets with Audio Guide Organized by Key Tours.
Our driver showed up around 8 and we were off.
We stopped for some photo ops and he took our photos for us.

We made it to the Acropolis by 8:45 and walked in without any line.




When we left, the line was packed with tour groups, so I was thankful to have a driver. We headed to the museum, again without a wait.


We went to check out the ruins, then tried to go back in for the restroom, but the line was ridiculous!

 

[hippiechicken]

Our driver took us to the Temple of Zeus, which wasn't on our list, but I'm glad we went.

Then to the Olympic Stadium, where I decided not to run because of the heat!

We stopped for a few more photos ops and history lessons, and my sister got in trouble for not listening to the lesson...


Lunch was at 1:30 at this cute little place off the track


We did some other photo stops at old places, then stopped for coffee on the way to port




It was a good day of learning! Athens is a one and done for me though.
Moving on to Pirate Night!

 

[hippiechicken]

This dessert is amazing!


Pizza snack while waiting for the Pirate Show and fireworks...




We didn't get fireworks... I heard the Greek officials wouldn't allow them.
At least pirate buffet is back!



Apparently my sister had never had crepes before!!

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

Following along (I was on your cruise as well)