July 5, 2024 • 9 mins
"Has a Greek Islands cruise been flirting with your imagination? Recently, I renewed my Greek Islands love affair, joining my sister on a week-long adventure cruising the Aegean Sea aboard Celestyal Journey. The flagship vessel for Celestyal Cruises is deployed on their most iconic cruise, Idyllic Aegean, which is a 7-day highlights reel of the region. It’s like the Aegean’s greatest hits, with port calls in Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Kusadasi, Thessaloniki and Milos. From Ephesus —site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World— to the cube houses and windmills of Mykonos and blue-domed churches of Santorini, the Aegean is as dreamy as reality gets."
Read Mike's full article here.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at b.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Our Travel. Correspondent is Mike Yardley. He's with us.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Hey Mike, Good morning Jack. The All Blacks by ten,
George Stephanopolis by twenty. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Okay, so you're referencing the interview that George Stephanopolis is
doing with Joe Biden today. Do you know how long
the interview is going to be?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Apparently it's half an hour, but I've just really still
really clips and Ye'll tell you what, Jack, it's not
looking flesh. One of the clips bubber Lake. George asks Joe,
have you watched the debates from last weekend? Joe Biden's
not actually sure if he has or not.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I mean, I said last week I thought it was it.
I thought I think I thought it was done. I
still think he's going to be done. I still think
he's going to be done. But oh my gosh, I
can't wait to see that. That sounds incredibly Yeah, it
sounds sounds amazing and exciting because they were saying originally
that Stephanopoulos was only going to have fifteen minutes. Because
(01:10):
the thing about Joe Biden is he doesn't do many interviews,
hasn't done a sit down interview with The New York
Times and the whole time he's been president, which is
very very very uncommon, like very unusual. I think he's
the first president, you know, in kind of modern history
not to do that. And so yeah, a lot of
pressure on this interview today. They were meeting in Wisconsin,
I think, but fifteen minutes. I feel like most people
(01:31):
can be interviewed for fifteen minutes with that too much
of an issue, maybe even Joe Biden, but that it
might not be okay, Okay, Well, we'll make sure that
the news team are looking through those clips and we
can share them, share them with everyone very shortly. As
for the all backs by ten at least, I reckon
that's I reckon, that's a good part. How are you
feeling about demo at ten peta fete at fifteen?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Mm, yeah, I can understand it. I'll diplomat. I think
it's good.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
No, it's good. The thing of Damian McKenzie, especially, he's
he's kind of reduced the number of eras he made,
but I reckon he's he's still such an exciting and
unpredictable player, and that's what you need against the English,
I think because they're not going to exciting and unpredictable.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Huh, he's reliable.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I reckon he's way more reliable than he was a
few years ago. I think he's really worked on that.
That's my view. Anyway, we'll see come this evening. I do,
I do.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Richie Mowunga is in town. He's got Richie's bus.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I don't know about about I
mean maybe I just haven't. I haven't seen Richie Wong.
I played the season right, so it's kind of hard
to make that anyway. Hey, we are cruising the Greek
Islands this morning, and would you say in your experience
that megaships are best geared for cruising the Agean in
(02:49):
a word?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
No, I mean, I do think megaships had to be
a place, and of course I was on that princesseship
a few weeks ago. But with the G and C,
what I think is really important to remember is there
are generally no sea days when you're cruising it. Why
would you want to be on a mess of venue
backed ship dressed up like a theme park when the
real attraction is the onshore experience. So I would say, yeah,
(03:14):
go for a mid sized ship, even the smaller ship,
because obviously with the smaller ships, for example, Celestial Cruises
is the Greek cruise line in the Augean, they can
get you into the smaller ports, and the whole boarding
and disembarking procedure is just far more seamless. It's just
so stress free. So yeah, smaller is good in the Aegean.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Didn't didn't you previously work on a cruise.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Ship twenty five years ago? Jack saying yes, during my
oe I was the DJ on a Greek cruise ship
because Roydal Olympic Cruise Lines, Yes, on the flagship vessel
No less the stars.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Horus very good there. I had no idea the DJ
of all things as well.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Exactly said thing was after nine to eleven Royal Olympic
win busted, not because of me, but because the Americans
stopped traveling for a while. So yeah, they were. They
were sunk literally, So the Royal Olympic Cruise Lines, which
was the Greek cruise line, the torch has been passed
to this company called Celestial Cruises, which is Greek owned
(04:17):
and operated headquartered out of Pereas Athens. And I'll tell
you what, Jack, the world is indeed a village. When
I was cruising on board Celestial Journey a few weeks ago,
I suddenly recognized the head waiter, Pavlos dal Impertis, and
he is now, I would say, seventy five, still working
(04:37):
on board cruise ships. He works with me on board
the Stella Solaris, So that was such a cool we reunion.
But he's been working on cruise ships now for over
fifty years with no intention of retiring.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Yeah, yeah, that's amazing. So one of the most popular islands, well.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Obviously Meconos and Santorini would stand out as the perennial
pin ups, and any self respecting cruise itinery would include
those islands. What about Mecanos as small, she style absurdly
good looking, but she does get crowded very fast. Yes, somehow, though,
(05:15):
even though there is that massive humanity in all of
your lane ways, it's those cubist, white washed houses. That
charm of that architecture just subdues the crowd congestion. Somehow,
you still think this is magical. And if you want
to go to the best best bar in town, I
(05:36):
would strongly suggest you book an advance a table at Veranda,
which is that little Venus, that little cocktail strip Inos.
You can book a table in advance, even if you're
just a day tripper and you want to cocktail at
Little Venis, Do that and you'll be able to q
jump the congestion in Mechinos.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah right, okay. So after tendering ashore, what is the
best way to reach the top of Santorini.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
This is a good question because from the old port
it's a thousand feet up to the clip tops on
a fetter, which is that magnificent tiara of whitewashed houses
crowning Centorini. The cable car is appealing. The problem is
if you've got multiple ships tendering at the same time,
you will be queuing for a cable car ride for
(06:22):
several hours. Bugger that. So option to the donkey ride.
A lot of people wonder about the donkeys. I have
to say, those donkeys are looking way better, way healthier
than I remember from twenty years ago. And I've actually
got a weight limit weight limits now, So if you
weigh over one hundred kg, no donkey for you in Greece.
(06:46):
So option three walk it six hundred stone steps the
gigsig zagging the cliff face up to Fera. But I
did the walk, and I have to say, not that
I weigh one hundred kg. I hastened to it, But
I have to say the good thing is you can
console yourself by remembering every step you are taking is
burning off that buffet from breakfast.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, there's a way to do it, even if it's
absolutely stinking hot. You know, you've got to take some
water in that kind of thing, but it's just definitely
the best way to do it. You're just so much
more satisfying if you can get them. So did your
cruise take you to any lesser traffic islands, ones that
weren't quite as busy?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yes, I tell you what, Jack. The real surprise for
me was this little island called Melos. I've never been
there before, but the name is interesting because Melos think
Venice to Milo. The statue at the Louver, and this
is where it was discovered a couple of hundred years ago,
that statue of the Greek goddes sepharad Deite. It's not
so terroristy Meloss, but unbelievably beautiful. The thing about it
(07:45):
is it's got all the whitewashed villages that are so
you know, quintessential Greece. Yeah, but then you've got all
these dramatic volcanic rock formations, rock arches, sea caves, bone
white beaches like Suterkenico Beach, which is truly mesmerizing. I
was watching the water and it just pivots from turquoise
to cobalt, turquoise, go on. I don't know how they
(08:08):
do it, but it's just extraordinary. So pack your tags
because that will be the dip of your trip. Soda
can he Go Beach very good.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Would you recommend Celestial Cruisers?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yeah, I would. It's a good value for star cruise experience,
and as I mentioned before, it's the only Greek owned
and operated cruise line in the Aegean and the Mediterranean.
And you really do feel that sense of pride. You've
got not only that passion for their home waters, but
you combine that with three thousand years of cultural heritage.
It's pretty hard to beat.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Yeah, it sounds so good. And when would be the
best time of year to cruise the Agen do you think?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Not now? Too hot? Too busy, and it's just insanely
busy through the European summer now, so definitely go for
the shoulder seasons. The good thing about the cruise season
in Greece it generally runs now from March to November,
so I would opt for March, April, May maybe, even
though May is actually now busy. But then again of
(09:06):
Toba November at the end of the year, and you
will have a far more optimized experience.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So good, okay, it sounds like an amazing little trip. Mike,
thank you so much for sharing that with us.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We'll make sure.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
All of Mike's tips for cruising the Greek Islands are
available on the News Talk' ZEDB website.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to news Talk ZEDB from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at b.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Our Travel. Correspondent is Mike Yardley. He's with us.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Hey Mike, Good morning Jack. The All Blacks by ten,
George Stephanopolis by twenty. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Okay, so you're referencing the interview that George Stephanopolis is
doing with Joe Biden today. Do you know how long
the interview is going to be?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Apparently it's half an hour, but I've just really still
really clips and Ye'll tell you what, Jack, it's not
looking flesh. One of the clips bubber Lake. George asks Joe,
have you watched the debates from last weekend? Joe Biden's
not actually sure if he has or not.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I mean, I said last week I thought it was it.
I thought I think I thought it was done. I
still think he's going to be done. I still think
he's going to be done. But oh my gosh, I
can't wait to see that. That sounds incredibly Yeah, it
sounds sounds amazing and exciting because they were saying originally
that Stephanopoulos was only going to have fifteen minutes. Because
(01:10):
the thing about Joe Biden is he doesn't do many interviews,
hasn't done a sit down interview with The New York
Times and the whole time he's been president, which is
very very very uncommon, like very unusual. I think he's
the first president, you know, in kind of modern history
not to do that. And so yeah, a lot of
pressure on this interview today. They were meeting in Wisconsin,
I think, but fifteen minutes. I feel like most people
(01:31):
can be interviewed for fifteen minutes with that too much
of an issue, maybe even Joe Biden, but that it
might not be okay, Okay, Well, we'll make sure that
the news team are looking through those clips and we
can share them, share them with everyone very shortly. As
for the all backs by ten at least, I reckon
that's I reckon, that's a good part. How are you
feeling about demo at ten peta fete at fifteen?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Mm, yeah, I can understand it. I'll diplomat. I think
it's good.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
No, it's good. The thing of Damian McKenzie, especially, he's
he's kind of reduced the number of eras he made,
but I reckon he's he's still such an exciting and
unpredictable player, and that's what you need against the English,
I think because they're not going to exciting and unpredictable.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Huh, he's reliable.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I reckon he's way more reliable than he was a
few years ago. I think he's really worked on that.
That's my view. Anyway, we'll see come this evening. I do,
I do.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Richie Mowunga is in town. He's got Richie's bus.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I don't know about about I
mean maybe I just haven't. I haven't seen Richie Wong.
I played the season right, so it's kind of hard
to make that anyway. Hey, we are cruising the Greek
Islands this morning, and would you say in your experience
that megaships are best geared for cruising the Agean in
(02:49):
a word?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
No, I mean, I do think megaships had to be
a place, and of course I was on that princesseship
a few weeks ago. But with the G and C,
what I think is really important to remember is there
are generally no sea days when you're cruising it. Why
would you want to be on a mess of venue
backed ship dressed up like a theme park when the
real attraction is the onshore experience. So I would say, yeah,
(03:14):
go for a mid sized ship, even the smaller ship,
because obviously with the smaller ships, for example, Celestial Cruises
is the Greek cruise line in the Augean, they can
get you into the smaller ports, and the whole boarding
and disembarking procedure is just far more seamless. It's just
so stress free. So yeah, smaller is good in the Aegean.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Didn't didn't you previously work on a cruise.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Ship twenty five years ago? Jack saying yes, during my
oe I was the DJ on a Greek cruise ship
because Roydal Olympic Cruise Lines, Yes, on the flagship vessel
No less the stars.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Horus very good there. I had no idea the DJ
of all things as well.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Exactly said thing was after nine to eleven Royal Olympic
win busted, not because of me, but because the Americans
stopped traveling for a while. So yeah, they were. They
were sunk literally, So the Royal Olympic Cruise Lines, which
was the Greek cruise line, the torch has been passed
to this company called Celestial Cruises, which is Greek owned
(04:17):
and operated headquartered out of Pereas Athens. And I'll tell
you what, Jack, the world is indeed a village. When
I was cruising on board Celestial Journey a few weeks ago,
I suddenly recognized the head waiter, Pavlos dal Impertis, and
he is now, I would say, seventy five, still working
(04:37):
on board cruise ships. He works with me on board
the Stella Solaris, So that was such a cool we reunion.
But he's been working on cruise ships now for over
fifty years with no intention of retiring.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Yeah, yeah, that's amazing. So one of the most popular islands, well.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Obviously Meconos and Santorini would stand out as the perennial
pin ups, and any self respecting cruise itinery would include
those islands. What about Mecanos as small, she style absurdly
good looking, but she does get crowded very fast. Yes, somehow, though,
(05:15):
even though there is that massive humanity in all of
your lane ways, it's those cubist, white washed houses. That
charm of that architecture just subdues the crowd congestion. Somehow,
you still think this is magical. And if you want
to go to the best best bar in town, I
(05:36):
would strongly suggest you book an advance a table at Veranda,
which is that little Venus, that little cocktail strip Inos.
You can book a table in advance, even if you're
just a day tripper and you want to cocktail at
Little Venis, Do that and you'll be able to q
jump the congestion in Mechinos.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah right, okay. So after tendering ashore, what is the
best way to reach the top of Santorini.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
This is a good question because from the old port
it's a thousand feet up to the clip tops on
a fetter, which is that magnificent tiara of whitewashed houses
crowning Centorini. The cable car is appealing. The problem is
if you've got multiple ships tendering at the same time,
you will be queuing for a cable car ride for
(06:22):
several hours. Bugger that. So option to the donkey ride.
A lot of people wonder about the donkeys. I have
to say, those donkeys are looking way better, way healthier
than I remember from twenty years ago. And I've actually
got a weight limit weight limits now, So if you
weigh over one hundred kg, no donkey for you in Greece.
(06:46):
So option three walk it six hundred stone steps the
gigsig zagging the cliff face up to Fera. But I
did the walk, and I have to say, not that
I weigh one hundred kg. I hastened to it, But
I have to say the good thing is you can
console yourself by remembering every step you are taking is
burning off that buffet from breakfast.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, there's a way to do it, even if it's
absolutely stinking hot. You know, you've got to take some
water in that kind of thing, but it's just definitely
the best way to do it. You're just so much
more satisfying if you can get them. So did your
cruise take you to any lesser traffic islands, ones that
weren't quite as busy?
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Yes, I tell you what, Jack. The real surprise for
me was this little island called Melos. I've never been
there before, but the name is interesting because Melos think
Venice to Milo. The statue at the Louver, and this
is where it was discovered a couple of hundred years ago,
that statue of the Greek goddes sepharad Deite. It's not
so terroristy Meloss, but unbelievably beautiful. The thing about it
(07:45):
is it's got all the whitewashed villages that are so
you know, quintessential Greece. Yeah, but then you've got all
these dramatic volcanic rock formations, rock arches, sea caves, bone
white beaches like Suterkenico Beach, which is truly mesmerizing. I
was watching the water and it just pivots from turquoise
to cobalt, turquoise, go on. I don't know how they
(08:08):
do it, but it's just extraordinary. So pack your tags
because that will be the dip of your trip. Soda
can he Go Beach very good.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Would you recommend Celestial Cruisers?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yeah, I would. It's a good value for star cruise experience,
and as I mentioned before, it's the only Greek owned
and operated cruise line in the Aegean and the Mediterranean.
And you really do feel that sense of pride. You've
got not only that passion for their home waters, but
you combine that with three thousand years of cultural heritage.
It's pretty hard to beat.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Yeah, it sounds so good. And when would be the
best time of year to cruise the Agen do you think?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Not now? Too hot? Too busy, and it's just insanely
busy through the European summer now, so definitely go for
the shoulder seasons. The good thing about the cruise season
in Greece it generally runs now from March to November,
so I would opt for March, April, May maybe, even
though May is actually now busy. But then again of
(09:06):
Toba November at the end of the year, and you
will have a far more optimized experience.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
So good, okay, it sounds like an amazing little trip. Mike,
thank you so much for sharing that with us.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We'll make sure.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
All of Mike's tips for cruising the Greek Islands are
available on the News Talk' ZEDB website.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to news Talk ZEDB from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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