10 Entertainment
Think of the ship as a hotel. The Observation Lounge features a piano player in the evenings. On some days we had a 5:00 PM lecture from the geology professor on staff. Almost every day there was a 6:00 PM talk giving a preview of the next day’s tour. The major entertainment was new friends meeting up to talk about the day’s activities.
10 Ports
I am reminded how tough it is to be a tourist when I set out on my own. Swan Hellenic includes an escorted tour in every port. They have their own tour guide, licensed for that country, on staff and onboard. They have shipboard staff who join each tour to keep the group together. They use a smartphone app, I think it is called “Whisper,” so everyone can hear the guide as you walk around. If your smartphone does not work in that area, they have extras they distribute, collecting at the end of the tour. Although many of the tour sites were crowded, the guide and staff keeps that “small tour feeling” intact. We went to popular sites like Santorini, Rhodes and Crete. We went to an uninhabited island where an archeological team was restoring an ancient temple.
10 Staff
The staff get to know you by name and your preferences in cocktails and wine. You must be very, very careful because if you express a desire for something, they will try to make it happen! I mentioned Steak Tartare. The next day, it was served to me at lunch. I mentioned we wanted to have a cabin party. “No problem.” We will need canapes. “No problem.” I mentioned we had a couple of bottles of wine. They considered the guest list and simply said: “You will need more champagne.” All this was provided free of charge. On tours, the staff is always alert, always counting heads. The tour guide and lecture speakers mingle with the passengers and will join you for dinner. Tipping is included in the cruise fare, so this level of attention is standard. High Points: There were many. Every day had a high point. These are some general ones. Internet. This was the best internet connectivity I have ever experienced at sea. Internet access is also included in your fare. Wine. We drank a lot of wine. On the final night, they announced they went through 1,314 bottles of wine in about ten days! Doing the math, this averages two bottles per passenger per day. This does not count beers or cocktails! I never felt groggy or sluggish the next morning. Staff attentiveness. Everyone was upbeat. Whatever we asked for, they would try to comply. Fireplace in the cabin. We had an electric fireplace. Others did too. We understand all cabins will be getting them soon. The quality of the tours. There was a different one daily, all included. You felt like a small group, even when in a crowded setting. Here are some specifics: The Corinth Canal. What cruise line puts an experience of a lifetime on day #1? Because the ship is small, we could go places others could not. Ephesus . Visiting this ancient site is like going back in time. Seeing the Celcus Library is like stepping into the first Indiana Jones movie. The restoration of the terraced houses is fabulous. Delphi. Visiting the Temple of Apollo, site of the Oracle at Delphi and learning it’s history was wonderful. Despotiko Island. We visited someplace others have not. We saw an archaeological team in action and could talk with them.
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