(6) Whisper Smartphone App: The Whisper smartphone app kept us effortlessly connected to the ship's activities and provided fascinating insights about the destinations we visited, enhancing our sense of discovery. What is different: Touring on your terms. On other tours, you might be trying to keep up with the guide and hear what they are saying. The Whisper app lets you choose how near or far you wanted to stand and still hear what is going on. (7) Exclusive Despotiko Island: Our discovery of the hidden gem that is Despotiko Island felt like uncovering a secret treasure. Its unspoiled beauty and serene atmosphere made it a cherished memory. What is different: Exclusivity. We had a specially arranged tour. If you wanted to visit otherwise you would need to get to the nearby island of Antiparos and either charter a boat or find a local boat operator who also gives tours to the uninhabited island. (8) Daily Inclusive Tours: One of the joys of this cruise was the inclusion of daily tours, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the culture and history of each port without any extra planning or cost. What is different: Someone else makes the arrangements. On most other cruises, you pay your basic cruise fare, then book shore excursions “a la carte” in advance or once onboard. The most popular ones might sell out quickly. (9) Personalized Service: The crew's warm hospitality was exceptional. They quickly learned our names and our preferred drinks, making us feel like cherished guests rather than passengers. What is the difference: You feel like a local. It’s a smaller ship. 192 passengers maximum. With about 140 crew, the passenger to crew ratio is almost 1:1. It is easier for the staff to get to know your name.
Santorini
(10) Cabin Parties: The cabin parties were a delightful surprise. They brought together fellow travelers and fostered a sense of camaraderie that made the voyage even more enjoyable. What is the difference: All-inclusive redefined. On other cruise ships, hosting a party is like planning a small reception. You buy canapes and alcohol from the ship. On Swan Hellenic, we asked to hold a party and it was gratis. ( 11) Social Connections: The smaller ship size created an intimate atmosphere, and it was incredibly easy to strike up conversations and form friendships with fellow passengers. What is different: It’s a friendly bunch. Different cruise lines have different personalities. Some people can be impressed with their own self-importance. That was rare to nonexistent on the SH Diana. ( 12) All-Inclusive Luxury: The convenience of not having to worry about extra expenses allowed us to relax and fully savor every moment of our cruise. What is different: It’s hard to spend more money. You do not start your cruise with the expectation you will spend hundreds or thousands in onboard expenses. We received no bill at the end of our cruise.
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