CRUISING is for old people, right? That was my view ahead of my seven-day Greek voyage on the Celestyal Crystal.
How wrong I was.
The luxurious trip was perfect for a woman in her twenties used to lying around in her bikini — and now I understand why cruises are becoming so popular with a younger crowd.
The first thrill of any summer holiday is being met with blue skies and a warm breeze as you leave the plane.
On a cruise, the buzz of arriving at a new destination is relived again and again as you wake up at a beautiful, fresh location almost daily.
My itinerary included four Greek islands plus the ancient city Ephesus, with overnight stays in Mykonos and Santorini.
On your voyage you’ll visit the Greek islands of Mykonos, Delos, Milos, Santorini and Ephesus in TurkeySettling into my room on board I immediately felt at home — the cabin and bathroom were spacious, well equipped and had an ocean view.
Any fears about feeling the ship moving, and getting seasick, were soon dispelled.
The voyage was so smooth I would forget I was at sea until I looked out at the endless blue — often while dining at one of three restaurants.
And with 1,200 passengers and 476 cabins, the ship never felt crowded.
Unbeatable weather at every destination provided the ideal backdrop to days out exploring.
I have visited Mykonos before — browsed the high-end boutiques, enjoyed cocktails at beach clubs and partied into the night at the bars and clubs.
But on the Celestyal Cruise I experienced all the fun and liveliness this glam island has to offer, plus delving into the local history.
I toured the nearby island of Delos where ruins of the Temple of Apollo, from the 4th Century BC, are still visible today.
The Temple of the Twelve Gods and the Avenue of the Lions also made for fantastic photo opportunities and the accompanying tour guide’s expertise made the visit all the more enjoyable.
Unlike other cruise itineraries that may require you to be back on board early evening ready for your next departure, Celestyal offers two overnight stays, one of which was in Mykonos.
So by night, passengers could experience Mykonos town and its world-famous windmills or simply relax on board — where the cultural immersion continued with the cuisine, cocktails and live music.
With two lounges, five bars, three restaurants, a fully equipped gym, beauty centre and casino, the ship offered plenty to explore.
And mealtimes offered something for everyone — including fussy eaters like myself.
Our next destination was the breathtaking island of Milos, named one of the world’s “must-see places” by Forbes.
We disembarked and boarded a smaller boat for the Nostalgic Milos Cruise.
White rocks and clear waters all around, it was a spectacle of colour and form — and is the one place in the Aegean I would most like to return to.
The rocks get their luminous glow from having been flung out of the sea by volcanoes that blew around two million years ago.
Sarakiniko beach had a lunar wonder about it, with its chalky-white rocks and Zen vibe.
The next morning, I was eating a breakfast of Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit, cheese and meats on the deck outside as we approached Santorini.
Here we discovered hidden villages overlooking the still-smoking volcano.
The island’s dramatic shape comes from 1650BC when the massive Thira volcano erupted, sinking the centre of Santorini and leaving behind an incredible caldera.
At Santorini’s most significant archaeological site, the village of Akrotiri, we enjoyed the panorama of the island’s famous windmills.
Stunning views awaited us at the village of Oia, where we spent the evening admiring the whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches and narrow cobbled stairways.
Then we were taken to a spot where crowds gathered to watch the sun set — a special moment bringing strangers together.
Next morning we enjoyed a wine-tasting in Santorini’s capital, the town of Fira — and more spectacular views over the Aegean.
That evening, guests dressed up and joined the captain for a cocktail party on board then enjoyed a fabulous cabaret.
On our penultimate day, visiting Crete, we toured the ancient city of Knossos and strolled through the apartments of its palace before heading to the city’s Archaeological Museum.
Our journey finished at the ancient kingdom of Ephesus — one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, now in modern-day Turkey.
A private guide took us on a magical journey through time, weaving tales of this once-thriving home to elite families and their luxury villas.
You can still see inscriptions on the walls and the two-storey design of the buildings.
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They even had central- heating, and hot and cold water.
Like my fellow cruise fans, those ancient people clearly loved luxury.
My time in Greece had proved it’s no myth or legend — cruising really can be fun in your twenties.
GO: GREECE
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven days’ full-board on the Celestyal Crystal is from £1,099 per person with stops at four Greek islands and Ephesus in Turkey, including return flights from London and three shore excursions.
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News Pictures A trip around Greece on the Celestyal Crystal is the perfect cruise for a woman in her twenties
You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st
To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.
Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”
Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”
kim cattrall
Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb
SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NINTCHDBPICT000435778551.jpg?strip=all&w=960
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