Let's talk about sunsets and great feelings. Let's talk about vacations in times of forbidden travel.
Text: Virginia López Valiente
Photos: David Kurtz & Virginia López Valiente
They say emotions are indescribable, but for over a year now I've been wanting to describe, and finally have, every single emotion I've felt since returning to cruise travel. The feeling of safety might not seem like enough of an incentive to consider this type of trip, but if you add quality, elegance, relaxation, service, comfort, and freedom to that safety, it's definitely worth considering.
First, my impressions; we'll describe the ship later.
Late evening in Mykonos, sitting at the Sunset Bar on the Rooftop Garden deck with a refreshing cocktail that wasn't overly sweet. The boat was anchored, and we watched the white houses in the distance, first bathed in the afternoon sun and then gradually embraced by the light of the setting sun, from below, allowing us to see all the shimmering hues of this famous Greek sunset. Selfies, photos, whispers, toasts, peace. And night fell, gentle, with a breeze, and the horizon lit up. How could you not cherish this memory of summer 2021!
This ship can accommodate 2,900 passengers, and on these July departures, you'll barely see more than 500 or 600 on board. If space per person is a parameter that determines a cruise's category, do the math. It's a pleasant feeling, again, of few people but with a great atmosphere. I never saw the restaurants empty; there was always a lively atmosphere in the Martini Bar at night, with live music and a constant flow of cocktails.
I mention this because it's not something to ignore. How many times have I heard that you get bored at night on "premium" or luxury ships? Peace and relaxation, yes; boredom, never.
I recently wrote in the magazine how thrilled I was to attend the premiere of the shows and perceive the emotion that the artists felt for finally being able to present the show, every night, with a small audience but presenting at last.
Returning to the experience, I had seen this ship in the shipyard a few weeks before its grand opening, and I already knew that one of my favorite areas was El Eden. Well, dining there, watching the kitchen and the dishes being prepared, or the ship's wake through the giant windows, and tasting a menu that includes specialties from different countries, including some very Spanish carabineros prawns, is one of "those experiences," but their ceviche is enough to bring tears to your eyes.
Everything seems to be going well. It's so easy to book this cruise, especially now that bureaucracy and restrictions are so daunting.
It's a cruise for vaccinated passengers, and that's all you need: your vaccination certificate. There's a direct round-trip flight from Athens, and you can disembark at any of the stops without needing to book excursions. In Greece, you don't need to wear a mask outdoors, only indoors, just like on the ship.
A quick test done by the company before boarding and another one the day before disembarking, and everything else is common sense and enjoyment.
This itinerary is another must-do this year because the opportunity to stroll through Santorini or Mykonos with so few people is unlikely to come around again anytime soon. And to top it all off, the pleasant journey on a nearly empty tender is a welcome novelty.
The tenders are accessed via the Magic Carpet platform and it really is very useful, very well thought out, but I certainly enjoyed it much more having dinner and enjoying the sunset again and the impressive wine cellar (yes, wine is an almost essential accessory) of wines from all nationalities.
If I may whet your appetite a little more, I traveled in a suite and therefore had butler service and access to the Retreat, private lounge, private pool, exclusive restaurant, I won't say more.
Celebrity has a very serious proposal, and I sincerely believe it's a company with great potential for growth in our market. There's still time to find out why this summer. Opportunities are ripe...
