We go inside - we can afford more cruises that way, and to be honest this cruise was so active we hardly used the cabin except to sleep.

We were only in Athens for a few hours after leaving the ship and waiting for a 6pm flight home. Easy journey to the centre from Pireus on the metro, and left our bags at a bag b'n'b near Monistiriki station. Toured the Agora which is something we'd missed on previous trips to Athens. Paid 10 euro each to rejoin the metro for the airport journey. 

Athens (Piraeus)

Ship was 90 mins late docking, so we were playing catch up all day. I believe ours was the first Celestyal visit to Cairo so it was a learning day for everyone. 16 buses had to travel under armed escort which slowed things up slightly. The city centre museum visit covered the essentials but was rushed. Lunch was provided and we had 3 stops around the Pyramid site at Giza. I had to choose between entering one of the pyramids to see the burial chamber or spending time looking around outside because time didn't allow for both. We spent an hour in a Papyrus shop on the way home and got back to the ship at 10.30 ash. Long tiring day, 6 or 7 hours on the coach, but in hindsight it was worth it. Not sure everyone would like this though. 

Bus trip not included in cruise fare, quite expensive at &pound;100 each. Saw main sights in Jerusalem, and Bethlehem all in all a good day's sightseeing. Gardens of Gethsemene, Wailing Wall, Vis Dolorosa, Church of Holy Sepulchre Mount of Olives, then on to Bethlehem which to be honest is quite a dirty run down town, wouldn't like to overnight there, but we were there for the religious iconic sights. Tour time did not allow queuing for the 'inner sanctum' elements of the churches which may disappoint some. 

Easy day for us after so much time on busses so just used the shuttle into town and wandered about. Really nice day out. 

Limassol

Ship's tour included Lindos and Old Town in Rhodes both of which were pretty empty due to the closed season, and we had the sights to ourselves! Very impressive and a great tour. Half day. 

The cruise company took us to Ephesus and it was spectacular. Easily as good as Pompeii. In the 40 years since I last visited much more has been opened up. Highly recommended. We finished with lunch at a rug weavers where we had the usual hard sell but it wasn't too much of an imposition. However on return to Kusadasi we took a walk around the streets and were TORTURED by the local shopkeepers who were just far too over the top. Worse than Cairo. Completely put me off the place, will never stay here, wouldn't be a comfortable experience. Worst harassment I've ever seen. 

Cyprus - we needed a day off so just took the free shuttle into Limassol and had a very pleasant few hours wandering about.30 and we ignored the queuing instructions as we only had hand luggage and sneaked off the ship ahead of being called, there was no queue and we just walked off.

Celestyal Crystal Review

3 Continents. One of the best ever!

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Athens (Piraeus)

Limassol

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