However, when I received an unexpected offer to embark on a cruise in just a few days on the newest ship, the “Celebrity Xcel,” to the most beautiful Mediterranean islands, a flutter stirred in my heart – maybe this is a sign that I should finally dare to try this way of traveling?
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The route intrigued me – from Barcelona to Athens – visiting Malta, Santorini, and Mykonos islands, stopping in Kuşadası near Ephesus. A perfectly planned week-long trip.
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The ship’s interior was designed by the Beckham family’s designer
My curiosity was equally piqued by the fact that we would be sailing on the newest, most modern ship, which debuted only in November 2025.
“The ship’s interior was designed by Kelly Hoppen – a designer who has worked with the Beckham homes and One&Only hotels, and Lithuanians also contributed to its outfitting – the Klaipėda-based company Aros Marine! The concept of this ship resembles a luxury hotel on water more than a typical cruise ship,” intrigued me Inga Dikšaitienė, head of 1000myliu.lt, who invited me on the trip.
– We searched long for a cruise that would include the most beautiful European islands and a truly beautiful ship. Because often you have to choose: either stunning places and an old, tired ship, or a new ship but a less attractive route. This time we found both. It would be hard to imagine a more beautiful route in Europe.”
These arguments were so convincing that they overcame any fears and myths about cruises.
Moreover, even if you wanted to purchase such a trip for this year, there would be no chance, as everything on this ship is sold out. A spot unexpectedly became available when a woman could no longer go on the cruise. The decision had to be made within just a few hours.
Cruise start – Barcelona
It’s hard to imagine a better start than Barcelona: colorful Antoni Gaudí architecture, the famous Sagrada Familia church, under construction longer than the Egyptian pyramids, Guell Park with mosaics and colorful benches, and an impressive city panorama.
The Mediterranean atmosphere and that pleasant feeling that the vacation begins even before boarding the ship. Barcelona is no coincidence – a city among the world’s top visited, one you want to return to at least every year. To stroll along the famous La Rambla promenade, visit the market for fresh fruits, seafood, or Iberico ham. One day is too little to experience the city’s spirit. But a great introduction to the cruise program.
The ship – a luxury hotel on water
As soon as you step onto the cruise ship, you enter the most luxurious, stylish hotel. Every corner is worthy of influencer photos, making you gasp in admiration.
Kelly Hoppen is one of the best-known British interior designers worldwide, with projects including luxury private homes, hotels, yachts, and cruise ships. Her restrained, luxurious style based on neutral tones is especially felt in the cabins and private spaces on this ship.
On the “Celebrity Xcel” ship, you quickly forget you are on a ship. Its interior resembles a luxurious modern hotel more than a traditional cruise ship – lots of space, modern design, restaurants, bars, a spa, and places where you can simply enjoy your time, refresh in pools, sunbathe on loungers, or watch sunsets.
Even the bed has its luxury story
One of the most unexpected things – the “Cashmere” mattresses in the cabins. No, this is not a poetic description: the “Celebrity Xcel” itself is presented with king-size “Cashmere” mattresses and “eXhale” bedding.
Another detail that greatly changes the cruise experience is the balcony. When you look out the window in the morning and instead of the usual hotel view see the sea, you realize that this time the hotel itself moves with you. And the view outside the window changes daily.
Cruise to the most beautiful European islands
I was especially drawn to the cruise by places I had not yet visited. One of them is Mykonos island. The views are like from a promotional postcard: white and blue houses, narrow streets, white pavement, and the famous windmills.
This Greek island is famous for its lively parties at beach clubs and is favored by celebrities from around the world and Lithuania. At the same time we visited Mykonos, Simona Nainė was celebrating her birthday with a group of well-known friends at the same beach club.
Santorini and Malta – islands I gladly return to
One day of the cruise was dedicated to the most famous Greek island, titled the most beautiful place in the world – Santorini. Although I had visited here for the second time, the charm of this island undoubtedly captivates every tourist every time.
The island, distinguished by white houses with blue domes, attracts millions of tourists every year who want to see the most beautiful sunsets and admire breathtaking views. I would gladly return to this unique island a third and fourth time.
From the cruise, we were ferried by smaller boats and ascended from the Old Port to the center of Fira town by funicular. A one-way ticket costs 10 euros. You can also ascend riding a donkey. However, this activity is not very safe: donkeys climb steep, dirty, and therefore slippery stairs.
Romantic entertainment – with scents
I was convinced of this when my fellow travelers and I descended the stairs to admire the scenic route and sunset. We had to pass by donkeys standing across the entire path or riding donkeys and descend somewhat dirty stairs, so the romantic entertainment had some scents.
For the fourth time, but always gladly, I return to Malta. The capital Valletta is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the whole country is like an open-air museum with narrow Old Town streets and impressive defensive walls.
In the morning, you drink coffee with a royal view of Valletta, and after a few hours, you walk through Malta’s historic sites, admiring the Maltese knights’ capital built in a record short time – just 15 years. Returning to the ship, you soak in the pool with an unparalleled view of the huge Maltese defensive walls and sailing yachts. The views are worth millions.
Ephesus – one of the seven wonders of the world
An interesting cruise stop is Kuşadası, a port in Turkey. Near it is one of the most important sites of ancient civilization, Ephesus – one of the best-preserved ancient Greek-Roman cities in the world. It housed the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world.
For Catholics, Ephesus is an important pilgrimage site. It is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last years a few kilometers from Ephesus.
Next to the stone house – a chapel – there are holy springs – mountain water and a wishing wall where pilgrims leave secret wishes written on paper or napkins, which are then burned. It is believed that the rising smoke symbolizes prayers ascending to heaven.
Cruise finish – Athens
The last cruise stop is one of the most impressive European cities with the famous Acropolis on a high hill – Athens.
Narrow streets leading to the Acropolis with rooftop restaurants and a special city panorama – a perfect final chord of the trip. I would like to stay a few hours longer and enjoy Greek cuisine without rushing to the airport…
The first cruise ended. I want to enjoy every moment more and absorb the impressions so that my heart rejoices as long as possible.
Has my opinion about cruises changed? Yes, radically.
The hotel travels with you
This is one of the biggest advantages of a cruise. The trip was very intense – in a week we visited Barcelona, Malta, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Athens. However, the travel itself was not as tiring as it might seem.
You don’t have to pack your suitcase every evening. You don’t have to think in the morning about how to get to the airport. You don’t have to look for another hotel for the night. Your hotel travels with you and brings you to a new place every morning.
Is a cruise really only for older people? My first cruise shattered this myth faster than I expected. On the “Celebrity” cruise, there were far fewer older people than younger ones: couples, families, groups of friends.
If you are afraid of seasickness and rocking, the Mediterranean Sea is the most suitable for a first cruise. Only one evening did the ship rock more; other days, it was practically unnoticeable that we were sailing.
A modern cruise can be both a luxurious rest, an active trip, a party, a gourmet experience, and an opportunity to see as many places in one week as would be difficult to visit independently.
On a cruise, you can lazily lie on loungers or actively celebrate life, participate in ongoing programs on the ship. From pool workouts, wine tastings, tartare cooking lessons, diamond education, art auctions – to live music, piano concerts, and silent discos where everyone wearing headphones can dance to their preferred music from several options.
“Celebrity Xcel” has many restaurants and bars where you can romantically dine in à la carte restaurants or choose your food in a more casual restaurant. Whatever you prefer.
“One of the most interesting new spaces is ‘The Bazaar.’ Here, the ship’s atmosphere absorbs the moods of the visited places, merging inspirations from different world cuisines. ‘Celebrity’ presents this space as one of the new ‘Xcel’ experiences specially created for the European season,” says the head of 1000myliu.lt.
There are so many entertainments on the cruise that it is impossible to try everything. Another week would be needed to experience all the entertainments. Maybe a cruise is not a trip “someday, when I get older”? Maybe it is a trip worth trying now?
Text – “Travel Enthusiasts”
