Cruising the Mediterranean & Egypt: 11 Days on Holland America with Teens & a Tween

A Mediterranean cruise is the perfect blend of history, adventure, and downtime for your family, especially with teens and tweens in tow. We sailed with Holland America from Athens to Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Türkiye, and packed in unforgettable moments, local flavor, and, of course, some serious beach time.

Holland America’s Oosterdam was the perfect ship for us. It had a family pool and an adult pool, a teen area with events planned in the evenings, and some family events for us to enjoy. We spent most of our days off the ship, but always made it back for dinner because Holland America’s food cannot be beat. Our tween thought he was extra fancy when he ordered escargot off the dining room menu. Our cabin crew were awesome, always calling us by our names, keeping track of our preferences, and asking us about our days. Evenings were filled with family time on the ship, but keep reading to see how we spent our days.

Holland America's Oosterdam in Marmaris, Türkiye

Athens (Piraeus Port), Greece

Our adventure began in Athens, where mythology meets modern hustle. I always recommend a pre-cruise overnight or two to explore the sights (and sites!) and grab souvlaki from a local taverna. The best souvlaki in town goes to The Greco’s Project, right in the heart of Monastiraki. Every dish we ordered was incredible. Debating which type of souvlaki to get? It’s not on the menu, but they were happy to make us a mixed platter. It’s the perfect way to ease into the rhythm of the region.

If you only have a day, take a tour of the Acropolis area or, if it’s more your speed, do a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour. If you have some extra time, the sunset at Poseidon’s Temple is an incredible experience. Our guide had a plethora of information, and the drive there was so informative.

Alexandria & Cairo, Egypt

Egypt was a dream. A hot, sweaty, 105-degree dream. Summer is toasty and humid. My boys were so excited about this location and somehow, the reality outdid the anticipation.

Our ship docked overnight in Alexandria and we decided to book a private two-day tour in and around Cairo. We toured Giza, Sakkara, Memphis, and Cairo with the most incredible guide and driver. It was two full days of jaw-dropping history and personal storytelling.

• We stood inside a pyramid in Sakkara, surrounded by hieroglyphics that told stories of fishing, hunting, and even a hippo birth with a crocodile waiting to attack.

• At the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, we saw real mummies—hair, nails, and all. Fascinating and a little unsettling.

• We unexpectedly toured a church built on a cave where Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus once stayed.

• We visited the new Grand Egyptian Museum (commonly referred to as the GEM), and although King Tut’s exhibit opening was pushed back a few months, we really enjoyed it here. The number of artifacts was overwhelming.

• And yes, the pyramids and sphinx were every bit as majestic as you might imagine.

Hieroglyphs inside a pyramid in Sakkara

Our guide was a retired archeologist, which as you can imagine, made for quite the learning experience.

We overnighted at a dreamy property with views of the pyramids, which meant no long drives back to port. We wanted to take advantage of every minute in Egypt, and the six-hour roundtrip drive was NOT conducive to that plan.

We stayed at the Marriott Mena House and the entire stay was amazing. The staff was incredible, and the property itself was GORGEOUS. We ate a delicious dinner and breakfast on property, all while peeking at the pyramids and being surrounded by lush landscaping. If you’re planning travel to Egypt, I’ve got the guide, the driver, and the hotel connection ready for you.

Limassol, Cyprus

Cyprus surprised us in the best way. I booked a food tour that headed into the Troodos Mountains and turned into a full-on cultural immersion. Our guide was phenomenal—knowledgeable, warm, and deeply connected to the island’s history and people. She shared her story of fleeing during the Turkish invasion, and it really brought the (relatively recent) history to life for all of us.

We wandered through small villages where time slows down and Cypriot hospitality flows freely. We met farmers and their families, sampled local wine, learned how carob is harvested and made into syrup, and chatted with artisans who’ve been crafting their goods for generations. The mezze lunch at the tucked-away Makrinari Tavern was a highlight. It was fresh, flavorful, and served with stories that made every bite more meaningful. Bonus! The owner is a musician, Mr. Polis. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see him perform.

We ended our tour with a visit to a local Cypriot Delight sweets shop. Generations of the family used this recipe, which was brought back from Egypt by an ancestor.

This was a chance to connect with the soul of Cyprus. If you’re cruising with kids or teens, this kind of experience is gold. It’s engaging, hands-on, and leaves everyone with a deeper appreciation for the island’s rich heritage (and full bellies!).

Alanya, Türkiye

This was a short stop, so we split up for maximum fun. My teens and I went paragliding with Kings Paragliding, launching from 700 meters and landing on Cleopatra’s Beach. We ended up catching a ton of thermals and stayed airborne longer than expected. It was pure magic. Tip: If you get even the littlest bit motion sick, I highly recommend taking motion sickness medication before you fly. I took it this time around, and while it didn’t help completely, it was a much better experience than the last time I did it.

Paragliding in Alanya

Meanwhile, my husband and youngest boarded a pirate ship complete with swimming, a foam party, and a Shakira impersonator. They even bought ice cream from a boat that pulled up while they swam.

Marmaris, Türkiye

We kept it low-key here. The older boys slept in while the rest of us headed to Pukka Beach Club. We grabbed a taxi right at the port and it was a quick ride to the beach.

Pukka has an amazing menu and my tween enjoyed the giant milkshakes. My husband and I enjoyed coffee and fruit drinks. The water was the most amazing color, surrounded by mountains, and warm enough for even those of us that always seem cold.

The beach in front of Pukka Beach Club

We took a water taxi back to the port and meandered through the market at the port. Marmaris is ideal for families who want a beach vacation with a touch of glam. We’d definitely come back here for a longer non-cruise vacation. There’s so much more that I want to explore.

Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes was a highlight for our crew. We booked a private tour through a great company and were assigned George, a local who knows the island like the back of his hand and, more importantly, knows the people who make it special. Plus, he’s a teacher, so of course he was fantastic!

We crossed the island to Lindos, a postcard-perfect seaside village crowned by an ancient acropolis. The streets were made for wandering, and we did just that with some shopping, snacking, and of course, like nearly every stop we made, grabbing some ice cream.

A view of the beach in Lindos

On the way back to port, George introduced us to his favorite stops for honey, wine, and olive oil. These weren’t tourist traps with laminated menus and inflated prices. These were real shops run by real families, and the difference was delicious.

Local guides like George are worth their weight in feta. They bring stories, relationships, and a layer of authenticity that turns sightseeing into soul-feeding. This is the kind of experience we love. It’s educational without being boring, and it gives everyone a chance to connect with the culture in a way that’s personal.

Kusadasi, Türkiye

Since we already explored the must-see ancient Ephesus and the Virgin Mary’s House last year when we ported in Kusadasi, we ventured inland to Pamukkale. The drive through olive, fig, and pomegranate orchards was stunning. Pamukkale’s calcium-rich waters created a surreal Arctic-looking landscape, and the ancient necropolis offered a glimpse into burial traditions from across the ancient world.

The healing waters of Pamukkale, which means "the cotton castle."

We saw archeologists actively excavating, visited St. Philip’s grave, and waded through healing waters. I know what to look for when it comes to guides, and that knowledge hasn’t failed me yet. Our guide took us to a local restaurant where we feasted on homemade manti (Turkish ravioli), sarma (seasoned rice wrapped in grape leaves), and the best tomato salad I’ve ever had. I even bought sumac to try to recreate it at home. The owner/chef kept bringing us the most amazing dishes and wanted to make sure we walked away with satisfied, full bellies. We wrapped up the day with stops at a zultanite factory and a textile outlet because who can resist some Turkish cotton.

Travel tip: If you are booked on a large group tour that includes lunch, it will often include a buffet. This allows tour companies to budget for lunch, and they usually have plenty of seating. However, if you want authentic, local food, and a more personal experience, booking private is the way to go.

Back to Piraeus

We returned to Athens with full hearts, tired feet, and a camera roll bursting with memories. Every stop offered something unique, and every guide added depth and delight to our experience. I checked out Ergon Bakehouse for some clients and we ate the yummiest of breakfast goodies. We will definitely stay here next time we’re in Athens.

If you’re dreaming of a Mediterranean cruise that blends ancient wonders with beach days, adrenaline rushes, and family-friendly logistics, I’ve got you covered. I know the guides, the hidden gems, and the best ways to keep everyone engaged without burning out.

Ready to plan your own adventure? Let’s make it happen.

• We only used local currency for tipping, at some small shops, a water taxi, and a couple restrooms (bathrooms/water closets).

• Plan ahead! You can typically order foreign currency through your bank. Different banks have different fees, but if you exchange at the airport, you’ll likely be charged a substantial commission fee. Example: Through our bank, it was free to order EUR over the amount of $300 USD. When we asked about exchanging $2,000 USD to EUR at a currency exchange in both the Paris and Athens airports, the commission they charged was between $500 and $800 USD.

• We have found the general tipping percentage for tour guides is 10–20 percent of tour cost and a daily tip of $30-$50 for a driver.

• Tap-to-pay is much more prevalent than we expected, especially in port areas.

• Carry personal wipes to use in bathrooms. Public restrooms were sometimes pay-to-use and were not always stocked with toilet paper.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.