Cruise Update 3: Greek island of Santorini gives true meaning to breathtaking

Reporting on an ocean or river cruise could easily miss the experience on the ship itself.

Viking is known for the variety of opportunities to keep passengers occupied and entertained on the

ship. Being a “small” ship compared to large carriers, our ship, the Viking Star, has four main restaurants and several smaller casual eating places and bars.

As well, there are swimming pools, hot tub, gym, spa, lounges, cinemas, theatre for nightly concerts, walking tracks, swimming pool, hot tub, board games, library, museum, viewing decks and afternoon tea room. Because the vessel is relatively small, these services are easily accessible.

Much of the enjoyment of a Viking cruise is available without stepping outside the ship.

However, our excursion to Santorini today was an example of the enormous pleasure of seeing one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean.

Santorini, or Thira, is a crescent-shaped volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands.

Its dramatic landscape, characterized by steep cliffs plunging into a submerged volcanic crater (the caldera), was shaped by one of the largest eruptions in history around 1600 BCE.

Today, it is famous for its whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, and world-renowned sunsets.

The western edge of the island is lined with perched villages that offer the most recognizable views of the Aegean Sea.

Our journey took us to Santorini’s northernmost peak to explore one of its prettiest towns. We left the ship by tender to the island’s main port at Athinios. With the help of our local guide, we took a scenic drive to the cliffside village of Oia, where we strolled its narrow, cobblestone streets.

Renowned for its whitewashed houses hugging the hills, azure-blue domes and triple bell towers, Oia is a remarkable sight.

After the tour, we returned to Fira, the island's capital, where we took a cable car to the tender pier to return to the ship.

It was an experience of a lifetime to visit the village of Oia, described as the most picturesque village in Santorini. Oia is world-famous for its sunsets and high-end boutique hotels. What a spectacular end to today’s excursion.

Yet the day was still packed with events on the ship like a reception for returning passengers, a Mediterranean dinner and live performance in the Star Theatre by the Viking Vocalists, four extremely talented and high egergy young performers.

Tomorrow we visit Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. We hope you visit us on that stop.

Moses and Cintra