Greek Islands and Gourmet Delights: Our Virgin Voyages Experience
- Kathryn Simpson
- Oct 16, 2023
- 9 min read
Embarking on our Greek adventure, we were teeming with excitement and anticipation. This voyage was not only a celebration of a dear friend's marriage but also marked significant firsts for us as it was my inaugural cruise experience.
Our journey kicked off with the promise of unforgettable moments as we set foot on our cruise ship. We opted for a standard room, classified as the "insider," offering a cozy retreat, albeit without an outside view or balcony. After the mandatory safety briefing, we were welcomed with champagne, setting the tone for an unforgettable adventure.
Our first dinner together took place at Extra Virgin, an Italian restaurant. Guided by the knowledgeable server, we indulged in appetizers like delectable pork cheeks and creamy carbonara. The assortment of appetizers and desserts left us savoring a day filled with exploration, good food, and drinks.
The following morning, we found ourselves at the Wake restaurant for breakfast, where serendipity graced us with the best seat by a large window. Our breakfast spread included clam chowder, steak and eggs, coconut panna cotta, poached shrimp, Wake benedict (with succulent pork belly), and a tantalizing crepe cake. Each dish was a revelation of flavors and textures, prompting us to swap plates halfway through the meal.
After exploring the beautiful island of Santorini and returning on ship we discovered a drink scavenger hunt, Seven Seas Slippers, a challenge that required us to visit various bars and order specialty drinks to collect stamps on a map. Determined to complete the map during the cruise, we embarked on this exciting quest.
Later, we enjoyed a light "snack" before dinner at the pizza place, followed by a brief respite in our cabin to call our girls and freshen up for dinner at the Test Kitchen. This restaurant offered a set menu served in courses, with each dish surprising us with its unique and delightful flavors. We learned that the menu would change midway through the cruise, leaving us eager for another culinary adventure.
Our evening took an unexpected turn when we found
ourselves sharing the experience with our friends seated next to us. After dinner, we savored a live performance of covers while sipping on our drinks. Though plans to attend a comedy show later that night were made, exhaustion got the better of us, and we decided to call it a night.
The next day, we explored Rhodes on a day-long tour, reveling in its rich history and culture before returning to the ship. Back on board, we freshened up for dinner and headed to the Wake restaurant for an intimate meal. Our drinks, the Blood and Sand for me and the Rob Roy for Erik, set the tone for the evening. For appetizers, I savored the Hamachi Crudo, while Erik revisited the clam chowder he had enjoyed at breakfast earlier in the cruise. For the main course, Erik ordered the filet mignon, and I opted for New Zealand lamb chops. To conclude our culinary adventure, we shared the Wake, a chocolate mousse shortcake, and I savored the Baked Alaska, a hazelnut sponge cake with pistachio ice cream for dessert. Every bite was a celebration of flavor, and I eagerly looked forward to returning for a girls' night to explore more of its offerings.
After dinner, we rejoined our friends for more drinks on the ship, stumbling upon a karaoke session. Despite our limited knowledge of the song, one of the girls and I sang our hearts out during the chorus—a disaster, perhaps, but undeniably fun. We wandered around the ship, seeking new adventures, until we decided to call it a night when we couldn't find any more enticing activities.
Bodrum, Turkey, greeted us the next day with another exciting tour. In the evening, we reconvened for dinner at Razzle Dazzle. Opting to share all the appetizers on the menu, Erik selected the specialty burger, and I went for the lamb shank. For dessert, we both couldn't resist the allure of crème brulée. The ship had a special event planned for the night—Scarlet Night, where everyone was encouraged to wear red attire. Unfortunately, our group didn't get the memo, and we were the outliers in our regular clothes. Nevertheless, it was a blast watching the performances, including dancers, acrobats, and singers. The following day promised a full day at sea, and while the rest of our group was in a party mood, we were content knowing we had no early morning commitments and could get a good night's sleep.
Our full day at sea was a tantalizing idea for us. We allowed ourselves the luxury of sleeping in a bit before indulging in a leisurely breakfast at the galley. In anticipation of our lunch reservation at Razzle Dazzle, we aimed for a lighter morning meal. As we sipped our coffee, we realized we had left our Seven Seas Slippers drink hunt cards somewhere while enjoying the performances the previous night. Rather than lamenting the loss, we decided to embrace the opportunity to retrace our steps and complete the hunt. The Seven Seas Slippers challenge involved ordering seven different drinks at various bars, with each order earning us a stamp on our card. Collecting all seven stamps would enter us into a raffle for a chance to win a free cruise.
After successfully completing the hunt, we joined our friends for lunch at Razzle Dazzle. As a group, we decided to sample all the appetizers on the menu. Erik ordered a buckwheat waffle, and I chose a salmon bowl for my main course. For dessert, I indulged in churros, while Erik opted for the chocolate cake. While everything tasted delightful, we couldn't help but feel that we had filled ourselves up a bit too much to fully enjoy dessert.
Following our hearty lunch, we attended a lively Bingo session with the Diva. To our delight, one of our friends ended up winning a game of Bingo! Afterward, we grabbed more drinks and decided it was high time we put on our swimsuits. We headed to the pool deck, where we spent about an hour reading books and soaking up the sun. To stave off hunger, I ordered a tuna bowl from the poolside poke bowl restaurant, while Erik went for the pork belly bao buns. These were just light snacks, as we knew that dinner would be some time later.
A slight hiccup occurred with our dinner reservation for girls' night at the Wake. It mysteriously disappeared, causing some confusion. Despite the efforts to secure an alternative reservation, it proved challenging. However, I remembered that the Test Kitchen's menu would change on Thursday, and I suggested we try our luck there. The earliest reservation we could secure was for 9 pm. Even thought it was going to be late we all agreed it would be worth it.
The previous night, during Scarlet Night, one of the magicians invited someone from our group to a private event. We decided to join in and discover what this was all about. Crew members led us into a restricted area, instructing us to seal our phones in a bag before entering a room. To our surprise, it turned out to be an intimate magic show with a charismatic magician. We thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the magician's entertaining persona.
While we waited for dinner, we played games, listened to live music, and savored drinks. Eventually, the gentlemen in our group embarked on their own adventure, leaving the ladies to enjoy the live music until it was time for our dinner reservation.
Upon arriving at the Test Kitchen, the menu proved just as impressive as our previous visit. This time, I decided to indulge in the wine pairing, and it did not disappoint. Each course was a culinary delight, and I found myself hoping to discover a similar dining experience back home, if one exists.
As we exited the restaurant, we stumbled upon more live music and couldn't resist stopping to enjoy the soothing melodies. When the group decided to take a break, we knew it was our cue to retire for the night. We were en route to Mykonos for a day and a half of exploration on that captivating island.
Mykonos welcomed us with its vibrant streets and breathtaking scenery. Erik and I had a day to ourselves for a cheese and beer tour, a journey that delighted our taste buds and introduced us to the island's rich culinary traditions. We returned to the port with memorable experiences and eager hearts.
Back on the ship, we decided to treat ourselves to lunch, indulging in classic flavors like burgers and ramen. Afterward, we explored the charming town of Mykonos, losing ourselves in its labyrinthine streets and absorbing the local culture.
After our exploring we headed back to the ship, called our girls, and prepared for dinner at Pink Agave, a Mexican restaurant on board. Our taste buds danced to the flavors of guacamole, shrimp, enchiladas, and corn during the appetizer course. For our main courses, I ordered the duck with mole, while Erik selected the pork dish. Both dishes were delicious, offering a unique twist on Mexican cuisine.
Our dessert choices included bread pudding and chocolate tacos, and we savored each bite. While the table enjoyed traditional margaritas, I searched for a well-crafted espresso martini. Unfortunately, the first one I ordered had a smoky quality from the mezcal used, so I switched to a passion fruit margarita, which hit the spot.
The evening continued with a comedy musician performance that, while promising, fell short of our expectations. We decided to leave midway and call it a night, knowing we had one more day in Mykonos before our journey back to Athens.
Our final day in Mykonos began with mixed emotions. We had another tour planned, one that we had considered canceling due to tour fatigue. However, the cancellation fee made us reconsider, and we ended up joining half of the tour before breaking away to explore more of the town.
Back on the ship, we joined our friends for brunch at Razzle Dazzle, raising our glasses in celebration of a friend's 40th birthday. We sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed mimosas as we soaked in the lively atmosphere. The afternoon presented a chance to relax, enjoy some drinks, and witness the fierce winds that Mykonos is famous for, resulting in choppy waters.
As evening descended, we had one last "couples" dinner at Gunbae, a Korean BBQ restaurant on board. Laughter filled the air as we played a counting game with a unique twist, involving clapping instead of speaking numbers with 3, 6, or 9. Erik emerged victorious, earning himself an extra shot.
We savored the predominantly soju-based drinks and indulged in kobe beef and a combo featuring beef, pork belly, and shrimp. For dessert, we had the choice of mango or matcha green tea ice cream, and I chose matcha while Erik opted for mango.
With our hearts and bellies full, we decided to stay up late, savoring our last night onboard. We indulged in a few more drinks to finish our bar tab and attended the show, "Persephone." Despite the ship's strong swaying due to rough waters, the performers delivered a captivating performance, weaving the tale of a Greek goddess through singing, dancing, and acrobatics.
After the show we went back to our room as we needed to start our packing and get a good night's sleep before we embarked on the final leg of our journey, heading back to Athens.
The morning arrived, and we began wrapping up the final packing details, reminiscing about the incredible experiences we had on this Greek cruise. Our last meal on the ship was a breakfast reservation at the Wake with some of our friends. I ordered shrimp, soft-shell crab benedict, and panna cotta for dessert, while Erik opted for the wedge salad, the Wake benedict, and cheesecake.
Disembarking from the ship was a relatively smooth process. We had the option to take a shuttle to the terminal or walk, and as we could see the terminal from where we were, we decided to walk. Once at the terminal we waited for our driver to begin our long travel home.
Reflecting on our cruise through Greece, we couldn't help but be amazed by the colossal and impressive vessel that was our cruise ship. Even for someone like me, prone to motion sickness, it was a pleasant surprise to have only felt ill once during the entire trip, requiring anti-nausea medications just once. What truly stood out during our cruise, however, was the food. With a variety of different restaurants and a well-stocked buffet area, we enjoyed a diverse range of delicious meals throughout our week-long journey.
The drink scavenger hunt added an extra layer of fun, allowing us to explore every bar on the ship. Virgin Voyages is highly recommended for anyone considering a cruise, as the cruise line provided an exceptional experience, and we would not hesitate to cruise with them again in the future. The ship's amenities, dining options, and overall atmosphere made for an enjoyable and memorable vacation.
However, it's essential to note that our Greek cruise, while fantastic, did not offer an in-depth cultural immersion experience. We were unable to fully explore and savor the unique flavors and cultural nuances of Greece. If your primary goal is to immerse yourself in the local culture and indulge in authentic Greek cuisine, a cruise may not be the ideal choice. Instead, consider a land-based adventure to truly absorb the richness of the Greek culture.
That said, we have no regrets about our cruise experience and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore Greece in this unique way. Our journey was a delightful mix of relaxation, exploration, and culinary delights, leaving us with beautiful memories and the desire to return to Greece someday for a more immersive experience.
In the end, our Greek adventure was a captivating chapter in our travel story, and we eagerly await the next adventure that awaits us. Greece, with its stunning landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
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