Apr.
2026
Turkey
of
Walking
Apr.
2026
Turkey
& Culture
tour
Apr.
2026
Turkey
of
Assos
Apr.
2026
Turkey
Homes
tour
Apr.
2026
Greece
& Palace
tour
Apr.
2026
Crete
of Cretan
Hospitality
Apr.
2026
Greece
and Canal
tour
Apr.
2026
Greece
by 18:40
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
18th Apr. 2026 |
Istanbul Turkey |
Ten Miles of Walking |
|
19th Apr. 2026 |
Istanbul Turkey |
Scenic Beauty & Culture tour |
|
20th Apr. 2026 |
Canakkale Turkey |
Treasures of Assos |
|
21st Apr. 2026 |
Kusadasi Turkey |
Roman Homes tour |
|
22nd Apr. 2026 |
Rhodes Greece |
Mt. Filerimos & Palace tour |
|
23rd Apr. 2026 |
Heraklion Crete |
Taste of Cretan Hospitality |
|
24th Apr. 2026 |
Piraeus Greece |
Ancient Corinth and Canal tour |
|
25th Apr. 2026 |
Piraeus Greece |
Home by 18:40 |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke naturally at 7:20 ready for my usual mini-baguette with ham & cheese al fresco a la terrazza. Cabin Steward Jangkung had nearly finished, when I got back from my Continental breakfast.
At eight o'clock I left the ship and started walking in a north easterly direction along the promenades. I passed the Dolmabahce palace with its own museum and the Naval museum, before turning back.
Back at the ship, I had an early lunch of broccoli soup followed by roast pork with white beans and sweet potato chips. I then slept for an hour and a quarter, before heading out again. I walked from the new city, alongside the tram tracks and across the Galata bridge, to the old city. I explored the lovely Gulhane park for the first time, filled with colourful tulips in the annual festival. I transitted the Gulhane Bazaar pedestrianised street also for the first time, before re-crossing the Galata bridge and walking back to the ship along the promenades.
At six o'clock I went to the main Restaurant, where I asked for a sharing table. I was joined by Rich(ard) & Joanne from Nebraska, Debbie from Connecticut, Julie from Ohio and Prof Peter Hahn. I had the red lentil soup, the sirloin steak & chips, and the no sugar added ricotta cheesecake to eat.
There was no show time on turnaround day, so I worked on my laptop in my cabin. At nine o'clock I popped up to the top deck to photograph Istanbul at night. I went to sleep at ten o'clock, having done twenty six thousand steps, equal to over ten miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 5:30 when I heard cabin 10026's door close. I got up at six o'clock when my alarm went off. At 6:30 I had my usual continental breakfast of a mini-baguette with bacon and cheese to eat al fresco a la terrazza. I had one glass of orange juice diluted with sparkling water to drink. The cold north wind of the previous day had abated, but fog had replaced it. Thankfully the rising sun soon burnt it off.
At eight o'clock I slogged through the enormous Galataport underground cruise terminal to meet guide Eser and her sixteen year old sidekick. We had just six guests to look after on the Scenic Beauty & Culture of Istanbul tour.
We began with a short walk through the Galataport shopping mall to the tiny harbour at the north east end. Here we boarded our large motor cruiser, named Port Yacht, for the sail up the west, European bank of the Bosphorus strait. I braved the cold wind on the top deck to get pictures of the Dolmabache palace, the Rumeli castle and the two British designed and built suspension bridges.
We crossed over to the Asian bank to get off at the period, wooden Aija Hotel. Here we had an enormous tray containing lots of little dishes for a late Turkish breakfast meze. I particularly enjoyed the cheesy scrambled egg and piece of real honeycomb. We had various bread rolls and the famous Simit large sesame seed pretzel / bagel to eat. I had TWO cups of regular (not Turkish) coffee and one glass of orange juice to drink. I exchanged FaceBook details with divorcee Eser.
After a photo opportunity on the marble terrace, we reboarded our motor cruiser for the return cruise back down the Asian bank. We alighted at Kabatas (?) pier to join the minibus driven by Kenan, who had been my driver two days before. He drove us to the Beyazit II mosque, located between the main University and the Grand Bazaar, which was closed on a Sunday. We went into this beautiful 16th century mosque, having removed our shoes and put them in the carrier bag provided on the minibus. We then had half an hour of free time in the little book bazaar, which was open on a Sunday. I circled around the huge mosque and crossed the tramway to view the few columns left of a Roman forum. We then drove back to the Galataport cruise terminal.
Back on the ship, I forewent lunch and slept instead for an hour, despite having drunk the two cups of regular coffee in the morning. I then updated this blog and submitted my tour report. When Jangkung came for the turn down service at 5:25, I went up to the top deck to photograph the evening sunshine over Istanbul. I then had a decaff cappuccino from one of the machines in the World Cafe.
At six o'clock, I joined Assistant Cruise Director (ACD) Troy in the Wintergarden lounge ready to help host the solo travellers meet up. We had Rhonda from New York City, Cllr Tricia Gilby from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Steve from Western Australia and Dr Tim Brain from Celtenham, Glos. I had two glasses of champagne to drink. Cruise Director (CD) Robert made a brief appearance before going to introduce Viking Resident Historian (VRH) Prof Peter Hahn in the Star Theatre. I led all four guests down to the main Restaurant. I had the red lentil soup, the steak encrusted in Stilton cheese with sweet potato chips, and the no sugar added chocolate mousse to eat.
Back in my cabin, I updated this blog and sent the guests copies of the photographs I had taken at dinner that night. At nine o'clock I enjoyed the Southern Sounds production show yet again. I went to sleep at 10:30, having done nearly ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
I awoke to my alarm at six o'clock ready for my cheese & back bacon baguette as my continental breakfast al fresco a la terrazza as the sun came up. At 7:15 I moved out to the coach park, where I met guide Esra and driver Eyup with his minibus. We had twenty four guests to look after on the Treasures of Assos tour.
It took over an hour to get to the garage perched high above the Aegean sea for a comfort break. In Assos village we had to climb up a steep, cobbled lane, passed many closed souvenir shops, to reach the Acropolis. At the top was the Temple of Athena with commanding views across to the Greek island of Lesbos. I had last been here sixteen years ago and it hadn't changed!
We had some free time to explore the site, but not enough time to descend to the ancient theatre and market place (Agora). We then drove down to the old port, where we had a large platter of different cheeses to eat with toast and some small dried fruits. We each had just one glass of either red or white wine to drink. I sat with a couple from the Hunter Valley vineyards of New South Wales. On the return journey I lay down on the five rear seats of the minibus.
Back at the ship, I had a bowl of cream of artichoke soup and two small slices of pizza to eat al fresco a la terrazza in the hot sunshine. I then slept for nearly an hour, before working on my laptop. At 4:30 I went to the Kusadasi port talk which began with an eight minute introduction by CD Robert. This was followed by twenty seven minutes coverage of the tours by Shorex Manageress Karin. Robert finished with a nine minute conclusion.
At six o'clock Francisco set me up and at 6:30 CD Robert introduced me. I then gave my forty five minute long talk on Ephesus to a good sized audience. At 7:30 I dined with Cllr Tricia from Chesterfield and Dr Tim from Cheltenham. I had the tomato soup, the duo of lamb and the no sugar added cappuccino panna cotta to eat.
At nine o'clock I went to ACD Troy's excellent one man show. He sang songs by Lionel Richie, Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder amongst others. He covered funk, R&B, soul, pop and rock, but not musical theatre. He sang falsetto and a capella as well as singing as a mainstream tenor. He finished with a high octane version of Bruno Mars Uptown Funk. I went to sleep at 10:45 having done twelve thousand steps, equal to five miles of walking, during the day.
I awoke to my alarm at six o'clock, ready for my mini-baguette with ham and cheese al fresco a la terrazza. At 7:15 I met guide Volkan and driver Sabri at bus number five. We had thirty one guests to look after on the Homes of the Ancient Roman Elite tour.
After the thirty minute run out to Ephesus, we had a ten minute comfort break at the top entrance which cost fifty euro cents or one dollar. We followed the usual route missing out the Odeon theatre, which I managed to sneak into. We went into the famous terraced hillside houses, but one couple dawdled and one old lady struggled going down the stone steps at the end. We didn't see the public latrines and didn't have any free time on site. After the drive back into Kusadasi, some guests and I gave the carpet demonstration a miss, and walked back to the ship.
Here I had a bowl of corn chowder soup to eat al fresco a la terrazza, but it was just too hot in the sun. I then had my first cheeseburger and chips in four and a half weeks on board the Viking Saturn, beside the pool with the roof one third open. Afterwards, I slept for an hour and a half, before working on my laptop. At 15:15 I walked ashore past Pigeon Island to the view of the next headland. Back in the town, I recorded my piece to camera.
At 4:30 I attended the Rhodes port talk, where CD Robert began with an eight minute introduction. This was followed by Assistant Shorex Manager Brent's fourteen minutes on the tours themselves. Robert finished up with a five minute conclusion. Back in my cabin, I uploaded my photographs from the previous week.
At six o'clock Francisco set me up and at 6:30 CD Robert introduced me. I then gave my forty five minute talk on Rhodes to a decent sized audience, given that I was competing with the BBQ and pool side entertainment. At 7:30 I dined al fresco a la terrazza on the tomato soup and the BBQ mixed grill.
At 8:30 I joined in the line dancing session hosted by ACD Troy. He taught a beginner dance followed by the Electric Slide, but he had reverted to vines instead of the slides he had taught the previous week. When the main Dancing Under the Stars session started, I did jives with both Emilys and a cha-cha with the blonde one. I also had a go with Cllr Tricia from Chesterfield, who was sat with Dr Tim. At the end we did the Y.M.C.A, before I slipped away just before ten o'clock. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done over fifteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking, during the day.
I awoke to the dawn, just before my six o'clock alarm, ready for my cheese and back bacon baguette with orange juice al fresco a la terrazza. Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop. At eight o'clock I met guide Emma and driver Marcos at bus number five. We had forty guests to look after on the Mount Filerimos & Palace of the Grand Masters tour.
We drove up to the monastery on the mountain, but a huge Polish contingent were making a movie, so we couldn't go into the monastery. He did go to the Belvedere viewpoint and the little underground chapel. During our free time, some of us walked out to the huge white cross overlooking the two airports, military and civilian.
Back in the city, we were dropped off at the D'Amboise gate for quick access to the huge Palace. We saw all the great Roman mosaics, most of which came from the neighbouring island of Kos. We then walked down the Street of the Knights passing the various Hostels of the Tongues. Half the guests stayed in town, whilst the other half came back to the ship with us in the coach.
Here I had a bowl of clam chowder soup and some mixed grill al fresco a la terrazza in the hot sunshine. I then slept for three quarters of an hour. At two o'clock I walked through the old city to the Palace to spend €5 on the wall walk ticket. I have walked the ramparts before, but always love it, so did some more photography in the bright sunshine. I turned on tracking for the walk back through the old city to the ship.
Here I had to submit another Oceania Regatta bid, including Alexandria in Egypt and Tangier in Morocco, which I have not been to before. Regatta will be my fifth ex-Renaissance small 'R' ship, which I love. At six o'clock I helped ACD Troy host the solo travellers dinner party. We were sat with Debbie from Connecticut, Cllr Tricia from Chesterfield and Dr Tim from Cheltenham. I had the corn chowder soup, the Greek salad, the moussaka and the baklava to eat.
Back in my cabin, I updated this blog. At nine o'clock, I went to resident pianist Anthony Beckwith's Around the World piano recital. I particularly enjoyed Jerusalem and the railway medley. I went to bed at ten o'clock having done fourteen thousand steps, nearly equal to six miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at six o'clock to my alarm, ready for my usual ham & cheese mini-baguette al fresco a la terrazza. I had just one glass of orange juice diluted with sparkling water to drink. Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop. At eight o'clock I met guide Marina and driver Babis at minibus number 1, whilst Marina's husband Vangelis also said hello. We had just fourteen guests on the Taste of Cretan Hospitality tour.
There was a long drive south to visit the Minoan palace at Phaistos, which I had visited three times previously. At the cafe there, I shelled out €3 for a cappuccino coffee to go with the honey & cheese pastry that Marina gave all of us. We then had another long drive east to get to the Domaine Paterianakis winery, not the Lyrarakis winery as advertised. Here we had a short tour, followed by tasting five wines: two whites, one rose and two reds. I gave the raki spirit a miss. We had cheese, croutons and olive oil to eat.
There was then a much shorter drive to the private farmhouse of guide Marina and her husband Vangelis. Here we had an enormous banquet of Greek salad, tzatziki with bread, beetroot salad, lentil soup, vegetables stuffed with rice, chicken, lamb and Greek desserts. There was more wine and spirit to be had, but I declined as I was lecturing that evening. There was a further half hour drive back to the port, meaning we were in the minibus for three hours!
Back at the ship, I dozed for half an hour, before getting dressed. At six o'clock Francisco set me up and at 6:30 CD Robert introduced me. I then gave my forty minute talk on Athens. At 7:30 I was too late for a sharing table in the main Restaurant, so I moved up to the World Cafe buffet. Here I had just one bowl of lentil soup al fresco a la terrazza as I was still full from my late lunch on tour.
At nine o'clock I watched the crew parade, sat with VRH Prof Peter Hahn. This was followed by the excellent Beatles Songbook production show. As this was their very last show, after a six month contract, they had a photo opportunity at the end. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done less than six thousand steps, equal to over two miles of walking, during the day.
I got up with my alarm at six o'clock, ready for my cheese and back bacon baguette al fresco a la terrazza, as the sun rose over the harbour. Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop.
At eight o'clock I moved out to the coach park, bypassing the line for passport control. My coach didn't arrive until nine o'clock, when I met driver Costas and guide Agatha. The last of our twenty nine guests didn't appear until ten o'clock. The traffic getting out of Athens was very heavy, so it took us an hour and a half to get to the Corinth Canal photo stop and comfort break. I recorded a piece to camera both here and at the Ancient Corinth archaeological site.
Agatha spent too much time taking us through the museum, so that we didn't get to see all of the outside ruins. The run back into the city only took one hour. Back on the ship, I had one shrimp and one smoked salmon open sandwich in the Living Room as a late lunch, before dozing for half an hour.
At six o'clock Francisco set me up for my final lecture on the Story of the Mediterranean Sea. At 6:30 CD Robert introduced me and I gave my forty minute lecture without any videos. At 7:20 I went to the main Restaurant with Cllr Tricia and Dr Tim. We were all given a glass of champagne, whilst standing in the queue generated by my lecture finishing then. I had my favourite lentil soup (protein & fibre), three feta encrusted lamb chops and the crepe Suzette to eat.
At 9:15 I started packing, ready to meet the ten o'clock deadline for putting the cases out. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done five and a half thousand steps, equal to over two miles of walking.
I awoke at six o'clock to my alarm and quickly abluted. At 6:30 I prepared two cheese and back bacon baguettes, one to eat for breakfast al fresco a la terrazza and one for lunch at the airport. At eight o'clock I vacated cabin 10028 and sat down in the Living Room.
At 8:15 tag purple number two was called and we left the ship. On the quayside, I said goodbye to ACD Troy. In the cruise terminal we identified our bags, which were then loaded on to a trolley. At the purple two coach, I sat right at the back in my usual escorting seat.
It took nearly an hour to drive out to the airport. Here I used the facilities, before joining the BA queue at 9:30. At ten o'clock they opened up the check-in desks and gradually the queue moved. After thirty five minutes, I got to the front, but had to check in my carry-on case as well as my big suitcase.
Passport control had a long line, but with five officers not needing fingerprints, I was through in fifteen minutes. There was then no queue for security. Near gate A9, I found a rare power socket and got set up. Here I ate the second of my cheese and back bacon baguettes.
At noon boarding began early and we were all on board by 12:30. However we didn't take off until half an hour later, fifteen minutes late. We got given the usual bag of nibbles to eat and a bottle of water to drink. I dozed for a bit before playing cards as one of my mobile phones was charging up. I then updated this blog.
We landed a bit early and berthed at Terminal 5A, so processing was quick. Baggage reclaim took ages, but my two bags were in the first batch through. I caught the Piccadilly line train just one stop to the Central Terminals where the four o'clock £10 FlixBus was full. I had to shell out £36 for the National Express 16:30 coach. This got to Bournemouth at 18:30 and I was home by taxi at 18:40 after five fabulous cruises!
Dr Tim Brain wrote:
"Thank you again for your company aboard the Saturn."
Cllr Tricia Gilby wrote:
"Thank you both very much for your company over the past week."
Another excellent cruise including:
* Escorting six tours
* Giving four lectures
* Visiting new places:
Gulhane Gardens & Bazaar
Bosphorus Cruise
* Return visits after sixteen years:
Corinth
Assos
Troy
1) "Ephesus: Greatest Ancient Greek City?" Explore the fabulous ruins of this great city. 2) "Rhodes: City of the Knights of St John" Discover the history & highlights of this great fortress town. 3) "Athens: Capital of Greece" Explore the geography, geology, history and culture of this great city. 4) "The Story of the Mediterranean Sea" Delve into the natural history and human history of this great sea.
223 Cruises 58 Cruise ships (see below) 16 Cruise lines (see below) 7 Night cruise 7 Continental breakfasts 6 Tours escorted 5 Restaurants (MDR, CT, WC, PG, Manfredi's) 4 Singers (Adam, Olly, Emily1 & Emily2) 4 Band members (Keys, Bass, Guitar & Drums) 3 Lectures given 3 Storey atrium 3 Hot tubs 3 Wi-fi connections (laptop and two phones) 3 Lunches ashore 2 Production shows 2 Nightclub singers 2 Panoramic elevators 2 Cinemas 2 Steak dinners 2 Lamb dinners 1 Double state room with picture window 1 Theatre (Star) 1 Nightclub (Torshavn) 1 Viking heritage museum 1 Classical guitarist 1 Classical duo 1 Cocktail pianist
Captain Patrik Critti from Sweden Cruise Director Robert Brendan from Kent Ass. Cruise Director Troy Lathan from the Philippines Shorex Manager Karin from South Africa Stage Managers Francisco from India Cabin Steward Jangkung (€15 tip) from Indonesia Historian (VRH) Prof Peter Hahn from Ohio State Uni. Cultural Lecturer Martin P. Lee from Bournemouth, Dorset Solo traveller Cllr Tricia Gilby, Labour Leader of Chesterfield Council Solo traveller Dr Tim Brain, ex Chief Constable of Gloucestershire
* Saga * Viking * Crystal * Azamara * Ambassador * Marella (TUI) * Voyages of Discovery * Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines * Regent Seven Seas (NCL) * Oceania Cruises(NCL) * Silversea (RCCL) * Celebrity (RCCL) * Seabourn (Carnival) * Princess (Carnival) * Cunard (Carnival) * P&O (Carnival)
Black Prince Black Watch Borealis Boudicca Balmoral Braemar Bolette Silver Whisper Silver Spirit Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Dawn Viking Sea Viking Sky Viking Star Viking Saturn Viking Neptune Oceania Nautica (R5) Oceania Sirena (R4) Oceania Riviera Oceania Marina Oceania Vista Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA) Spirit of Adventure (New SofA) Spirit of Discovery Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) P&O Arcadia P&O Aurora P&O Oriana P&O Iona Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Azamara Quest (R7) Azamara Journey (R6) Ambassador Ambience Ambassador Ambition Regent Seven Seas Mariner Regent Seven Seas Splendor Caribbean Princess Sapphire Princess Marella Explorer VoD Discovery