Sun Princess - 5 night inaugural cruise - Civitavecchia to Athens
Sun Princess is the newest and largest ship in the Princess fleet, and it’s a showstopper. Sleek, modern, and full of natural light, it blends elegance with comfort. The architecture of the Piazza, its soaring glass dome atrium is a definite highlight, and there’s something magical about sipping an Aperol Spritz while watching the sea sparkle below you! With an impressive selection of dining options, lounges, and entertainment venues, the ship struck the perfect balance of luxury and laid-back vibes.
Day 1: All Aboard in Civitavecchia
We boarded in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome, buzzing with excitement. Even though this was a working trip, the atmosphere was electric, lots of familiar faces in the industry and everyone eager to explore. After a smooth check-in and a first peek at our balcony stateroom (hello, Mediterranean views!), we grabbed a celebratory cocktail and explored the ship. Dinner that night? An indulgent multi-course affair that ended with us raving about dessert and promising ourselves a trip to the gym that never quite happened. The thought was good though!
Day 2: Pizza, Views & Vibes in Naples
We woke up to Vesuvius peeking over the horizon as we pulled into Naples. With just a day in port, we made the most of it, pizza, naturally, was a priority. We wandered through the buzzing streets, took in the views from Castel Sant’Elmo, and grabbed an espresso so strong it could wake the dead. Back onboard, we caught golden hour from our balcony and later enjoyed live music and dancing under the stars.
Day 3: Chania’s Charm
Chania, Crete, was next and it stole our hearts. The Venetian harbour was picture-perfect, with its pastel buildings and little cafés right on the water. We strolled through the Old Town, picked up a few handmade souvenirs, and enjoyed some authentic Greek food that made us rethink everything we thought we knew about feta cheese. Back on Sun Princess, we caught a performance in the ship’s state-of-the-art theatre beyond impressive!
Day 4: Ancient Wonders in Kusadasi (and a little shopping!)
Kusadasi gave us the chance to visit the incredible ancient city of Ephesus, which was just wow. Walking those marble streets where history comes alive was surreal. We couldn’t stop snapping photos, and our guide made it all so fascinating. We squeezed in a little market browsing before heading back, where we indulged in a relaxed dinner with sea views and talked about how lucky we were to be here!
Day 5: Cruising towards Athens
Our final full day was at sea, perfect for enjoying everything Sun Princess had to offer. We lounged by the pool, dipped into the spa (highly recommend the thermal suite), and soaked up the sunshine with a few cheeky cocktails. There was something really special about sailing through the Aegean with no rush, no to-do list, just time to enjoy.
Disembarkation in Athens:
We arrived in Athens with full hearts, full phones (over 1000+ photos!), and a few new freckles. Criona, Nadine, Eleanor and I all agreed: being hosted by Princess Cruises on this sailing was an unforgettable experience. Between the destinations, the incredible hospitality, and the sheer beauty of the ship itself, it was the kind of trip that makes you grateful for what you do!
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