Category: Cruise Ports

  • 🇮🇹 Naples Cruise Port: Sorrento, Pompeii & All the Flavors

    Our day in Naples was a perfect blend of history, views, and indulgent snacks—just how we like it! We booked a private tour through Viator that included stops in Sorrento and Pompeii, and while the traffic was wild at times, the experience was absolutely worth it.

    Streets of Sorrento

    🍋 Sorrento: Sweets, Streets & Stunning Views

    We kicked things off in beautiful Sorrento, with time to wander the charming streets, soak up the views, and (of course) snack. Here’s what we loved:

    • 🍨 Gelato from Antica Gelateria dell’Accademia — the cannoli flavor was unforgettable!
    • 🌸 Macarons from Amorino — almost too pretty to eat (almost).
    • 🍫 Pistachio + lemon chocolates from Nino and Friends — so good, and great for souvenirs!

    Macarons from Amorino

    🏛️ Pompeii: Walking Through History

    Next up was a guided tour through Pompeii, where we walked the ancient Roman streets frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our guide was knowledgeable and great with kids—bringing the ruins to life with fun facts and stories.

    Ruins at Pompeii

    Mount Vesuvius view from Pompeii

    Despite Naples’ reputation for hectic traffic (and yes, we hit some!), the entire day was a smooth ride thanks to our driver and guide.

    🎟️ Tour Details

    We booked this private tour through Viator and had a great experience:
    👉 Private Day Tour: Amalfi Coast, Sorrento & Pompeii (Viator)
    Customizable itinerary, comfortable van, and a family-friendly approach — highly recommend!


    📝 Quick Tips

    • ✅ Pompeii gets hot! Bring water and a fan — we love these travel gear picks.
    • 🍋 Don’t skip Nino and Friends — try the chocolate samples!
    • 🚗 Expect some traffic—plan buffer time if you’re on a tight cruise schedule.
    • 🎒 Comfortable shoes are a must for Pompeii’s uneven roads.
  • 🇬🇷 Athens Cruise Port: Private Tour with PK Travel Greece

    Our stop in Athens was packed with ancient history and memorable moments! We spent the day on a private 8-hour tour through PK Travel Greece, exploring the city’s most iconic landmarks—from the Acropolis to the Olympic Stadium. It was educational, beautiful, and (spoiler alert) a little exhausting in the heat!

    Family in front of the Parthenon

    🏛️ The Sites

    We were picked up directly from the cruise port by our driver and guide. Our full-day Athens tour included:

    • 🌀 The Acropolis: Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaia
    • 📍 Areopagus (Mars Hill)
    • 🏛️ Temple of Olympian Zeus
    • 🏟️ The Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)
    • 🏛️ Drive-by tour of The Old Palace and Catholic Cathedral
    • 🎖️ The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Changing of the Guards at the Parliament
    • 🏛️ The Acropolis Museum
    The Parthenon

    Our driver was excellent—kind, flexible, and safe. PK Travel was responsive and very easy to work with before and during the trip. Our tour guide was clearly knowledgeable, but the level of detail felt geared toward adults with graduate degrees in archaeology 😅. With three kids in tow, that didn’t quite land—but to their credit, PK Travel was receptive to our feedback and seemed open to better matching guides for family tours in the future and I think guide would be excellent for those adults that want all the details!

    Family in front of Olympic Stadium

    🍽️ Lunch in Plaka

    We broke for lunch in the charming Plaka neighborhood and ate at Estia—a casual, delicious spot for gyros and Greek favorites. Our group shared pork and chicken gyros, halloumi cheese, and lots of cold drinks. It hit the spot!

    Lunch at Estia in Plaka

    ☀️ Final Thoughts + Tips

    Athens was a highlight of our cruise—but it was hot. Like, surface-of-the-sun hot. If you’re traveling in summer, be ready for strong sun and lots of walking. I highly recommend checking out our travel gear page for the portable fans and essentials we brought (and used constantly)!

    Despite the heat, this tour made it easy to see the best of Athens with a family in one day. Would definitely recommend PK Travel for their organization and convenience. With a more kid-friendly guide, this would have been a perfect day!


    📝 Quick Tips

    • ☀️ Bring hats, fans, and refillable water bottles—heat is no joke!
    • 📚 Make sure your guide adjusts to your group’s vibe—especially with kids
    • 🍽️ Estia in Plaka was great for lunch—tasty, affordable, and kid-friendly
    • 📷 Have your camera ready—Athens is packed with iconic photo spots
  • 🇬🇷 Mykonos Cruise Port: Private Catamaran Adventure with Kids

    Our stop in Mykonos turned out to be one of the dreamiest days of the whole cruise! We booked a private catamaran through Kids Love Greece, and it was the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation for our family.

    🚤 Getting to the Catamaran

    After disembarking from the Disney Fantasy, we were picked up from the port and driven to a tiny dock. There, a friendly local was selling warm, fresh donuts—and of course Paige had to try one! 🍩
    Dockside donuts

    From the dock, a small tender boat whisked us out to meet our beautiful catamaran for the day. There were 13 of us total, and we were in great hands with our captain, Miguel, and first mate/chef, George.

    🌊 Sailing the Aegean Sea

    We sailed for about 5 hours through the sparkling waters of Mykonos. The coastline views were incredible, and we made a few peaceful stops in hidden bays. There was an option to swim each time—Chris and Maddie jumped in (brave souls!), while Paige, Olivia, and I opted to dip our toes in only. 🧊


    Swimming in the bay


    Sailing views in Mykonos

    🍽️ Lunch on Board

    Despite the strong winds, the whole day felt calm and carefree. We sipped drinks, took in the sun, and were treated to an incredible lunch prepared by George right on the boat. Authentic Greek flavors, fresh ingredients, and a salty breeze—perfection.


    Lunch on the boat

    By the time lunch wrapped up, the sun and sea had worked their magic—both Maddie and Olivia passed out on the front deck. 💨☀️💙


    Kids napping on catamaran

    🌟 Final Thoughts

    We absolutely loved our day in Mykonos. The Kids Love Greece catamaran experience was smooth, safe, and unforgettable for all ages. Highly recommend it for cruise families looking for a relaxing, personalized way to explore the Greek islands.


    Final view from catamaran


    📝 Quick Tips

    • ✅ Book early—catamarans fill up fast!
    • 🍽️ George’s cooking = unforgettable
    • 💨 Windy days are common—pack a light cover-up
    • 🧳 Curious what we packed for the cruise? See our must-have travel gear