Mediterranean Cruise Experience: Ports of Paradise
As long as I can remember, I have dreamed of visiting Greece. Everything about the whitewashed houses, blue roofs, and vibrant waters drew me in. Perhaps Mamma Mia! contributed to my obsession with the region, but this destination sat at the top of my bucket list for many years. In May 2025, I packed my bags and flew to Athens, Greece, on a mother-daughter Mediterranean adventure, along with a group of clients aboard the Sun Princess!
The itinerary we chose began in Athens, Greece, and ended in Barcelona, Spain. The port stops included spending Mother’s Day in Mykonos, as well as visits to Corfu; Bar, Montenegro; and Messina (Sicily), Italy. I love one-way cruises like this because you’re able to experience such a range of locations. Book-ending your trip by spending additional time in both your start and end ports, allows you to experience the best of both land and sea. It was the perfect blend of ancient historical sites, charming Greek towns, and mountainside cities with old fortresses.
Favorite Port Experiences
The port I was most excited about was Mykonos. We booked a private tour for our group of four, which allowed us to see so much of the island in a short span of time. Our driver explained the history behind the windmills, took us to a privately owned family church that was 200 years old, showed us the Armenistis Lighthouse, and brought us to a monastery and museum. We had coffee at our guide’s favorite streetside market owned by his friends and saw half a dozen different beaches. He dropped us off after lunch in Old Town to explore, which turned into the sweetest adventure with my mom—wandering little alleys and popping in and out of beautiful storefronts. It lived up to every dream I had ever had!
Italy has always been on my dream-trip list as well, so I was counting down the days until our stop in Messina. During my research prior to the trip, I learned that about 45 minutes up the mountain from the cruise terminal is a little town called Taormina. Situated on a cliff, it oozes Italian charm with its colorful buildings. At dinner two days before this stop, we realized this would be the only rainy day of the entire trip. We had a walking tour booked and made a last-minute decision to cancel because of the rain. I was able to find a cooking class in Taormina, which ended up being my favorite memory from the entire trip!
The family-owned restaurant was stunning, with its rainbow-colored tiles, wall of wines, and the kindest staff. As we sat down to begin our cannoli class, the smells of giant meatballs and other Italian dishes—including pizza—drifted down the table and tickled our noses. There I was, in Italy, surrounded by my mom and best friend, learning how to make cannoli from scratch with the sound of rain in the background. All I could think was, “Someone pinch me!” They took us back into the kitchen to see how the cannoli were cooked, all while the staff buzzed around us preparing for the lunch crowd. Following the class, we stayed to enjoy a true Italian meal—of course, I chose spaghetti and meatballs! It was every bit as heavenly as it sounds. We spent another hour walking around rainy Taormina before heading back to the ship. This city stole my heart, and I will absolutely be back one day—hopefully without rain next time!
When I was researching cruises to take a group of clients on, the number one thing I focused on was itinerary and ship—in that order. The ports were the priority! The biggest piece of advice I can give when looking at a European cruise is that your stops along the way are key. I really honed in on which Greek towns I wanted to see and found an itinerary that also included Italy and Montenegro. Once I finalized the itinerary, I reviewed which ships were sailing in that region, and Princess was an easy top contender. The ship I selected was brand new and offered exceptional entertainment, dining, and service. Because we traveled at the very beginning of tourist season in early May, the prices were fantastic, and we didn’t have to wrestle with the heavy summer crowds often present in June, July, and August.
I’m here to tell you—don’t wait to take the trip you’ve been dreaming about! It is worth the investment of time and budget to see the world with the people you love.
Written By: Rachel Baldridge
Rachel is a Platinum Top-Producing, Senior Travel Advisor proudly serving clients through Share the Magic Travel. Known for her personalized service and attention to detail, from theme park vacations to luxury cruises and tropical escapes, she designs intentional travel experiences that turn meaningful moments into lifelong memories. She and her husband, a youth pastor, are raising and homeschooling their three children, which gives her a unique perspective on planning family-friendly, memory-filled vacations. Rachel is passionate about creating seamless travel experiences that allow families to slow down and truly connect.
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