Med Cruise – Celebrity Ascent
September 2026
4 September 2026
A Boeing 787 was stuck on the runway delaying our Easy Jet flight by four hours. At 10.30 pm we arrived at Rome airport where everything was shut including the escalators and lifts. It was exhausting lugging all our luggage up and down numerous steep stairs. Thinking we should be adventurous we somehow took the wrong train into Rome and eventually arrived the hotel 00.20.
Saturday 5 September
We are staying in a very pleasant suite at Starhotels, Metropole (£743 for 3 nights) Early start for the Vatican visit. I don’t remember much other than the paintings in the Sistine Chapel from our last visit 25 years ago. I definitely don’t remember everything being so big or seeing the gardens. We really enjoyed it even though it was about 35°. Taxis and Ubers were easily found and reasonable. We like Ubers as it’s good to know the cost beforehand.
Lunch and Aperol Spritz at cafe on the corner by hotel before our not so successful Colosseum visit. We were unable to get a guided tour and just had an app. We couldn’t face the included Palatine Hill visit so it was good that we could remember a little from our last visit. We ate just along from the hotel and I had GF seafood spaghetti. After a very strong Negroni Rick got a bit carried away trying out his Italian on the couple next to us who turned out to be Brazilian.
Sunday 6 September
Surprisingly, many of the main stores were open. Everywhere on our way to the Trevi Fountain was really busy especially in the narrow streets lined with touristy shops and restaurants. We paid €2 each to get nearer the fountain.
25 years ago
From there we walked to the Pantheon where on the first Sunday of each month the main attractions are free. Once again everything seemed so much more on a grand scale and busier than I remembered. Stopped for lunch at a restaurant advertising GF Pizzas. Sat next to a mismatched couple. The Australian guy’s Malaysian partner was a strong willed, confident Accountant. They are on a whizz around Europe tour, making it up as they go. She was insisting on a sparkling Italian red wine that took a bit of negotiating to get the right one. He was in Sales, laid back and quite a bit older than her. Interesting his views on King Charles and Camilla, he seemed to think they were unpopular with the Brits. Hot, hot walk back to the hotel.
Went back to same restaurant as last night and the Brazilian couple came over to shake Rick’s hand; very funny he must have made in impression last night. Another enjoyable meal and goodnight cocktail at the corner.
Monday 7 September
Celebrity transfer to the Ascent, which was only built in 2023, was fine with a very easy check in. Chatted with couple next to us in restaurant. I initially thought he was a London wide boy, not so. He is a Frenchman who came to London when he was 18 and worked for Clarridges for 8 years and cooked for the Queen four times. He now manages properties in Holland Park. It’s still very hot, mid 30s but our room is air conditioned and very comfortable. The balcony is part of the room with a folding door and an electric window with an electric blind for nighttime. The room feels spacious with an enormous bed, lots of storage and a big television.
Tuesday 8 September
Very lazy day at sea eating, drinking, reading and getting to know the ship. Had a look at the Magic Carpet which is a large, cantilevered orange platform suspended from the starboard side of the ship. It moves vertically between decks to change its function. There is a weird corridor full of space age looking statues on the way to the Eden Bar. There are four main restaurants Cyprus, Normandie, Tuscan and Cosmopolitan and the Oceanview Cafe plus lots of others at an additional cost. The four main ones all have the same menu but also a few traditional choices depending on which country you are in. Last evening we were in the Normandie and I had snails and duck breast. The theatre entertainment began with the Greek Captain introducing himself and his main staff. He is very handsome and very funny and we wondered if Ricks father used to have to do something similar when he was a Captain. Fabulous show inspired by iconic Las Vegas residencies featuring authentic footage from the strip. A really great show.
Wednesday 9 September - Chania
Today we are in Chania, Crete. We breakfasted with a couple from Maine. The guy was a pilot for a private airline owned by his father. We mentioned about our airplane delay due to an aborted take-off and he told us about how before they take off they do all the calculations specific to the plan. They input the weight, runway length, wind direction and wind speed. As they go along the runway the co-pilot monitors the speed of the plane and when they achieve what they call V1 they must take off, there is no stopping. Before V1 they can abort take-off. Our first visit was to the Suda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery. Our guide had given a brief history on the Battle of Crete beforehand which we found very informative.
Onto the Agis Triads monastery with its distinctive stone bell tower and ochre coloured facade. It was busy but we enjoyed the museum. The monastery harvests its own grapes and olives and produces its own wine, vinegar and olive oil which is sold in the cellar shop. The tour ended in Chania old town with its Picturesque Old Venetian Port, iconic 16th century lighthouse and charming narrow alleyways full of souvenir and leather shops.
Tonight’s entertainment was an energetic comedian/musician called Tommy. We were on edge throughout his performance as we were sitting in the front rows and there was a lot of audience participation. We ate in the Tuscan restaurant and sat next to a Wigan couple both of whom worked in the prison service for 15 years, he said he now has a cushy job with the railways.
Thursday 10 September – Santorini
Today we visited Oia, a coastal town on the north-west tip of Santorini. We had a very knowledgeable guide who has a Santorini father and Newcastle mother. On arrival the island looked bare, no trees and very steep. They have a lot of vineyards but the vines are bushy plants close to the ground to protect them from the wind and sun. It was a scary, windy steep coach journey to the white pumice stone top. The town has whitewashed houses, some with blue domes, that are carved into the cliffs and overlook the vast caldera filled with water.
The town is full of narrow alleyways with tourist shops and beautiful views. There are lots of hotels that can’t be reached by cars and luggage and materials have to be brought up manually or by donkey. We next visited the Santorini capital Fira, where you can make your way back to the Old Port by car, cable car, donkey or by walking the 567 steep, slippery steps down. We chose the latter, it was very hot and of course I didn’t have sensible shoes, so it was a real challenge. When we reached the harbour our knees ached and our legs felt quivery and jelly like.
Back at the boat drinks in the Eden Bar and an early supper in the Cosmopolitan. Stephen Barry entertained us with his absolutely amazing voice; it gave me goosebumps. What a fantastic day.
Friday 11 September - Ephesus
First time in Turkey for our Ephesus visit. Docked in Kusadasi which used to be a typical, unspoilt farming and fishing region until about twenty-five years ago when it became popular with yachters. We were tendered in, its great being on an almost new ship, the tenders are a huge improvement on the older ones. It is thought that the World Heritage site of Ephesus was settled about 3000 years ago by a tribe of Amazonian women who chose Artemis as their god of fertility and nature. It has since been shaped by the Persians, Egyptians, Ionians and Romans.
We both have sore thighs and are stiff and finding it difficult getting up and down. Ephesus is an enormous site; Celebrity have more than 55 coaches full of tourists here today and yesterday there were more than 100 Celebrity coaches. The site is like an enormous jigsaw puzzle and you have to walk a long way before you find the more recognizable buildings. Celsus is one of the most beautiful structures of Ephesus; the facade of the library has been carefully reconstructed from original pieces and looms large over the city. It was originally built in 125 AD in memory of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus,
The ancient Greeks built the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only one column remains of the temple today, it was said in its day to be very grand and impressive indeed.
Nike, the winged goddess of victory – and the toilet block!
The open-air amphitheatre with a capacity of 25.000 is believed to be the largest in the ancient world. Initially used for dramatic performances, there is evidence that it was later used for gladiatorial fights.
The wide pathways are lined with marble. I was concentrating so much making sure I didn’t slip that I became separated from the group. I did have a bit of a panic as it was quite some time before they caught up with me. We finished off with an interesting visit to the Archaeological Museum.
Saturday 12 September – Istanbul
Docked at the amazing Galataport in Istanbul, the World’s first underground cruise terminal. Tour started at 2.30pm and didn’t get back until 8.45 pm, much too long especially as our legs were still aching from Santorini.
First stop the Turkish Bath Museum where we didn’t actually see a bath but did see some weird shoes they wore. Lots of photo stops before I had to cover my head, arms and ankles (they weren’t keen on the side split in my ankle length dress) for the visit to the Mosque. I didn’t get quite the same vibes as in our churches, perhaps because it was so big and open.
The second-hand bookseller's market was great. Had coffee on top floor of cafe overlooking where they filmed the motorcycle chase for Skyfall.
Onto the Grand Bazaar but it’s not the cheapest place as they must pay high rents. We are looking for small, patterned bowls, €2 in book market, €5 - 8 elsewhere. Onto yet another carpet demonstration and then a spice shop. Original carpet skills are subsidized by the government, so all the tours seem to end there. The shops also sell leather goods, expensive jewellery, clothing and ceramics.
Getting dark but we made it back through rush hour just in time to get our evening meal in the cafeteria instead of the restaurant. On the way to supper, we rushed into a packed lift. I snuggled up closely and looked adoringly to a man who I thought was Rick and said “Oh my God, you’re not my husband “. The whole lift was in fits; one lady missed her stop. Rick said I must be the only one who can get lost in a lift. Best Martini so far.
Sunday 13 September - Istanbul
Early start for “Istanbul Panoramic Tour” and more general info before a visit to the Spice Market where we bought several little bowls. Enquired about future cruise next September. Loving the food, still drinking too much though. Magician and Street Dancer, Magical Bones in the theatre.
Monday 14 September – At Sea
Welcome relaxing day cruising the Dardanelles, especially after busy tour days in Chania, Santorini, Ephesus and Istanbul. Lunch next to a sweet Sri Lankan couple who live in Sydney. He’s mad on cruises, she isn’t, so he tends to link them to something religious for her. This time it was Apostle Paul’s time spent in Ephesus. He has business interests in London and other countries. They just didn’t seem the type to enjoy bingo, but she won $200 and he won $50on Deal or No Deal. Caught up with news from home, Meadow’s eyes are much the same and Jen took her for some acupuncture. Didn’t know they could do that for dogs. Tonight’s show was spectacular and technological show about surreal dreams, exploring a world where anything can happen. The singers and dancers were amazing. Dinner in the Normandy but a bit off my food and drink.
Tuesday 15 September - Mykonos
A short boat journey from the ship to the old town of Mykonos which is surrounded by the Aegean Sea. It was very pretty with whitewashed buildings adorned with bougainvillea, blue domed churches and windmills. There is a photo opportunity around every corner of its narrow-paved lanes. Its labyrinth of lanes was once intended to confuse the pirates and are now full of upmarket shops and restaurants.
It was a good job we set off early when it wasn’t that busy as there were four cruise ships in port today. Relaxing afternoon by the pool. We couldn’t find the tv controller to turn it off, we pulled the room apart and even went through the suitcases stored under the bed. The room attendant came to help and we couldn’t believe he turned the lights up, wish we had known about that switch earlier as we have been living in semi darkness. On the way to the lift, I found it in my handbag. We caught a bit of the obviously very talented violinist before going to the 3 Michelin stars Daniel Boulud’s Le Voyage restaurant. The meal was okay but nothing really special. The Greek Captain and Housekeeping Director hosted an hilarious Truth or Lie game. We found out that the Captain has a brother who is also a Captain.
Wednesday 16 September
Temperature the last few days has cooled to a comfortable 24° which is just right as we have a Sea Day today. This gives me time to reflect especially as I want to comment on the improvements made to this new ship compared to previous ones we have sailed on. First thing that comes to mind is the infinity balcony which is part of the room. It’s good we no longer can see or hear guests either side of us, the electric window and blinds are great. When we leave the ship the blinds and window automatically close. All the public toilets have touch doors and the toilets flush automatically. The cafeteria has a large station for handwashing; all these changes must help reduce the spread of viruses. There are a lot more sunbeds but you still must be there early to secure one on Sea Days. Large umbrellas are available by the pool along with unlimited towels. Instead of two large main restaurants there are now four smaller ones giving you more choice and each one has a speciality menu. The food has been excellent; all staff have to watch and pass an exam on food allergies so me being gluten free is no problem at all. The garden area is pleasant with comfortable seating areas and includes a Pickle Ball court. There are larger public spaces and an expanded full circle Martini Bar. The theatre has much improved screens and sound, the graphics have been amazing. We’ve been on lots of excursions this time so haven’t have time to get into the other activities of which there are many. The excursions have been well organized not like some of the previous ones. The Eden Lounge is a bit strange especially the seating, the Club Room now hosts a lot of the quizzes. The Magic Carpet makes it a lot easier for tendering. It’s noticeable that the guests are becoming younger or is that because we are now in the old age group.
Thursday 17 September – Naples
As our flight home Friday isn’t until 7pm and as we are due to leave the ship early we have booked an excursion to a Vineyard that will drop us off at the airport afterwards. Rick also booked an airport lounge but unfortunately in the wrong terminal. He spent most of the day trying to change it
We were in Naples only 3 years ago, so we thought that after 25 years another trip to Pompeii was due. Thank goodness we had done it before as it was a very disappointing excursion. The guide was useless, just kept on about water and saying “Walk On”. We did get one new bit of info though, when they were excavating the site they would come across hollows where the bodies had decomposed. They would then squirt Plaster of Paris into the gaps to form models, as per my photos of the dog and the family group.
It still amazes me how civilised they were 2000 years ago.
We got back in time for the end of cruise celebratory fish lunch in the cafeteria. It was hard not to overeat as we were booked that evening into “The Fine Cut Steakhouse” at an additional cost although with a 30% reduction. We saved the best until last, it was an amazing meal.
Friday 18 September
Rick had his last breakfast of thick fried bread and all the trimmings, goodness only knows how much weight we have put on. The ship is anchored about 1.5 hours from the airport and had we not booked the excursion it would have been a nightmare getting a taxi.
The “Castello di Torre” vineyard is dedicated to the ancient prehistoric elephants who roamed in Torre in Pietra. Several fossils were found during the restoration works in the early 20th century to enlarge the cellar’s tuff caves. It’s very close to the airport although you wouldn’t know that from surrounding pretty countryside. The castle dates back to 13th century and the cellar that was built in 1635 is next to the castle tower. The cellars were built by digging into the hill/tuff. They use stainless steel vats for fermentation, concrete tanks for refinement and wooden barrels for the important wines, everything is organic. We enjoyed a few glasses of wine along with some traditional cuisine, the bread was a bit tough but the wine was pleasant and reasonably priced.
After killing a few hours at the airport but decided to book the Airport Lounge even though we may have had to pay again. We were surprised and delighted that they accepted our 3 hour voucher even though it was for the wrong terminal. A long day but not too bad in the end. What a fantastic cruise, we visited Turkey, Santorini and Mykonos for the first time and refreshed our Italian memories. The weather was hot but not unbearable and more delicious food and drink than we could take. We are looking forward to our next cruise on The Ascent in June.
Booked Trips
- Akrotiri and the Old Town. £80.20/£55.71
- Oia and Fira £120.76/£96.27
- Ephesus and Archaeological Museum £172.78/£148.29
- The Grand Bazaar in Depth £72.72/£48.23
- Panoramic Istanbul and Spice Market £92.54/£68.05
- Pompeii £138.38/£113.96
- Wine Tasting and Airport transfer