Greek Island Glow with Virgin Voyages

Pre- and post-cruise stays: Hotels or accommodations before and after the cruise

If it is your first time visiting Athens, I recommend staying at least three nights prior to your cruise to explore the city. This will also give you time to acclimate to any potential time changes, since the last thing you want is to be jet-lagged on your cruise. During my time in Athens, I was able to visit the Parthenon, Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, the Athens National Gardens and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Image 1: Cocktails and tapas in Santorini; Image 2: Rhodes.

Essentials to bring: Advice on what to pack for this specific cruise

Make sure to pack a pair of good walking shoes. There is so much to see at each port, and chances are you will be walking a lot. On this particular cruise, I was averaging 15,000 steps each day.

Pack a red outfit for Scarlet Night on Board and a cute pair of pajamas for the PJ party.

You'll also want a portable phone charger so you can recharge when you're off the ship and a camera to capture your voyage.

Image 1: Sail Away Party with Richard Branson on Board; Image 2: Santorini.

The ship: Detailed description, including dining options, layout and amenities like spas or casinos.

Each ship offers over 20 eateries with menus that are curated by Michelin star chefs, along with group fitness classes, WiFi, award-winning entertainment and all essential beverages. There is also 24-hour room service available with ShipEats.

There is a casino, spa and multiple lounges around the ship. If you are looking to do some shopping, head down to High Street. There is even a salon, barbershop and tattoo shop on board.

Image 1: The Temple of Hephaestus; Image 2: Windmills of Mykonos.

Entertainment & activities: Overview of onboard entertainment and kid-friendly activities if applicable

The Happenings Cast hosts various events, workshops, shows and activities across the ship. The Virgin Voyages App provides sailors with a breakdown of all of the ship's events each day. Virgin’s shows are not your average cruise-line entertainment either. As part of the Celebration Voyage, we had special guest TapeFace on board and his show was a highlight of my trip.

Port calls: Insights into what to do and see at each stop.

Santorini is known as one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Greece. The island has numerous beaches made up of either black, red or white lava pebbles. We spent our time in port exploring Fira and Oia on our own. After leaving the ship, we rode the cable car up the cliffside. It was incredible to see the Aegean sea from above. After arriving in Fira, we were able to take a local bus for a few euros to the nearby town, Oia. Oia is famous for the white-washed buildings, blue rooftops and incredible views. I recommend stopping at a cocktail bar or restaurant to relax and enjoy the view.

Rhodes was an unexpected favorite. Once you step off the ship, it feels as if you have traveled back in time. Spend your day wandering the medieval Street of the Knights and exploring the castle-like Palace of the Grand Masters. After walking the medieval streets of the Old Town, make your way towards the gorgeous beaches along the coastline. This is absolutely a must-see port in Greece.

After arriving in Bodrum, we started by walking the market streets and trying some authentic Turkish cuisine. We then made our way to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. After finishing up there, we stopped for some Turkish coffee across the street before heading to the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The walk from the town center to the ship takes about 15 minutes and takes you around the gorgeous beachfront. I highly recommend getting a Turkish ice cream while you are in town — and remember to have someone take a video; it will surely be a highlight of your trip.

Mykonos is renowned for its party atmosphere, beach clubs and high-end shopping. We chose to explore the town on our own, taking in all of what Mykonos has to offer. Known as the island of winds, we visited the Windmills of Mykonos, which is a short walk from the town center. Living up to its name, it was a windy port day. I had a few unexpected Marylin Monroe moments since I chose to wear a dress that day. Oops!

Additional costs: What is included & what is extra

During your voyage, all dining, essential drinks, wifi, tips and gratuities, fitness classes and entertainment on board are included. Essential drinks include sodas, ice tea, water, drip coffee, hot tea and non-pressed juices. This is over $1000 in value, always included.

Purchases during excursions, purchases on-board, and bar tabs are some of the additional costs you may incur during your voyage. Virgin encourages you to customize or upgrade your voyage however you’d like.

I highly recommend trying Virgin Voyages on your next cruise. This was my first cruise ever and I loved how effortless it felt. Virgin made sure I felt like a rockstar throughout my voyage. If you are unsure how to plan out your port days or days at sea, make sure to connect with a Travel Advisor.

For this specific cruise, I would recommend traveling during the summer months or early fall. This is one of the best times to enjoy everything Greece has to offer.

Additionally, if you are considering traveling in a large group, Virgin is happy to have you on board. They have made group bookings seamless to ensure that you and your group won’t have to worry about a thing.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Greece. In need of further inspiration? Check out Jessica Vidaurre’s guide, Sailing the Saronic Gulf of Greece.