Cruise Diary: Adriatic Gems

A cruise holiday around the Adriatic Sea is nothing short of magical. With its turquoise waters, picturesque sunsets, historic towns, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and stunning scenery, this enchanting region offers a perfect blend of comfort, culture, and adventure. Let me take you on a journey through my Adriatic cruise with Holland America Line on board Oosterdam.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Holland America Line. In August 2024 I was invited on board Oosterdam, one of Holland America’s Vista Class ships.

DAY 1 – Embarkation in Athens

Seamless Embarkation and Settling In
Flying into Athens a day early allowed me to settle in before embarkation day – a must to avoid travel stress. As i had a day in Athens before my cruise I took the opportunity to explore Athens with an excellent food tour. The taxi-ride to Piraeus port was smooth, and boarding Oosterdam was quick and efficient. My spacious Verandah Stateroom on board Oosterdam was welcoming and a home from home on aboard.

Lunch at Lido Market: A Delicious Start
The Lido Market buffet (included in your fare) impressed me with its variety; pizza, sushi, and hot meals were just a few of the delicious options on offer. After lunch and a quick tour of the ship to get my bearings, I prepared for the sail-away festivities at the Sea View Pool, featuring tempting cocktails and live entertainment.

Dinner at Vistas and Sunset Stroll
Dinner this evening was at Vistas (the main dining venue on board Oosterdam). This elegant split-level dining room offers stunning wake views and certainly set the tone for a luxurious evening. The day ended perfectly with a sunset stroll on Oosterdam’s wonderful wraparound wooden promenade deck.

Catch up with more of my adventures 
embarking Oosterdam in Athens and my first day on board
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 2 – At Sea

Exploring Oosterdam’s Offerings
A sea day provided me with plenty of time to explore Oosterdam’s diverse array of on-board activities. The daily planner and Navigator app offered endless options, from culinary classes to relaxing poolside. It was difficult to choose.

Beer Tasting at Pinnacle Bar
In the end I decided to join the beer tasting in the Pinnacle Bar, sampling a selection of international brews (other tasting events, like wine, and whiskey, were also available). The event was a lot of fun mingling with fellow passengers from all over the world.

Royal Dutch Tea Experience
After lunch on my balcony, I headed to the Royal Dutch Tea; A tradition not to be missed on Holland America Line. The tiered presentation of cakes and sandwiches, paired with endless tea or coffee, was utterly delightful – and delicious!

Dinner at Canaletto
Dinner this evening was at Canaletto, the specialty Italian restaurant on board. The menu features fresh pasta and sharing platters which results in a wonderful social dining experience with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Evening Entertainment
After dinner I headed to Billboard Onboard with its duelling pianos (a shout out to Megan and Gabe who were the talented musicians on this cruise). Billboard Onboard is a venue which should be at the top of your evening entertainment list when you’re on board and it never fails to deliver an engaging (and interactive) musical evening. The addition of a Tuscan Lemon Drop martini also added the perfect touch this evening and I highly recommend you try this cocktail when on board – it soon became a favourite of mine. Later, as I headed back to my cabin, the distant rumbles of thunder over the sea preceded what was to be a dramatic, breath-taking finale to the this wonderful sea day.

Catch up with more of my sea day adventures on board Oosterdam over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 3 – Dubrovnik and Cavtat

Arrival in Dubrovnik
Today marks our first port of call on this itinerary. Our arrival at Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” was serene and a perfect start to the day. After watching some relaxing scenic sailing into port, a hearty room service breakfast, including continental and American options, prepared me for a busy day ashore. I am still dreaming about Holland America Line’s room service breakfast – it is SO good.

Shore Excursion: Best of Dubrovnik and Cavtat
I was booked on a shore excursion today – Holland America’s seamless shore excursion process made the “Best of Dubrovnik and Cavtat” tour totally stress-free. I love planning my own shore excursions as I love the flexibility, but I found Holland America Lines excursion was engaging and varied enough and also included some free time to explore. A walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town was followed by a visit to a traditional Croatian farmhouse offering a taste of local history and cuisine.

Discovering Cavtat
After a tasty Konvale lunch, the tranquil resort town of Cavtat beckoned. Just a short drive from Dubrovnik, Cavtat offers a peaceful escape, and I highly recommend a visit if you are calling in Dubrovnik on your itinerary. Even just a short walk along it’s picturesque waterfront or a short dip in the Adriatic Sea does wonders for the mind and soul. If it wasn’t for this shore excursion, I would have completely missed this wonderful little escape not far from Dubrovnik.

Evening in Dubrovnik
After returning to the ship around 4 pm, we were greeted with cold towels and iced water and lemonade, and I absolutely love Holland America Line for this. Then it was time for a quick freshen up before I took the ship’s shuttlebus back into town to meet up with friends and enjoy a drink and snacks at a Prosecco bar while we watched the sun set over the Adriatic Sea.

Late Night Port Calls
Holland America Line has some great late-night port stops which means you have some extra time in port when most of the tourists have headed home (or back out to sea) and can make the most of the local culture and atmosphere as the sun goes down. Back onboard, room service dinner on my balcony provided a quiet, relaxing end to the day.

Catch up with more of my adventures in 
Dubrovnik and Cavtat 
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 4 – Kotor and Perast

Sailing into Kotor
The sail-in to Kotor rivals Norway’s fjords, and the early morning views of the Bay of Kotor today were nothing short of spectacular. The narrow Verige Strait (which is only 350 meters at its narrowest point) only added to the drama of our arrival. The sail-in to Kotor is an unmissable experience, best enjoyed from the ship’s bow.

Exploring Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks
Since we were at tender rather than docked portside in Kotor, I was able to get a great view of Oosterdam from the water and I always love a tender ride to shore. My shore experience with Holland America Line today brought me to Perast, a small village inn the Bay of Kotor with unmistakeable Venetian architecture. A boat ride to the man-made island of Our Lady of the Rocks offered both history and beauty. Our tour guide was able to provide lots of informative insights during our visit inside the small church with its breathtaking paintings.

Lunch in Perast
Back in Perast, we had some free time again to wander through its charming waterfront restaurants and quaint alleys. Perast offers a relaxed, elegant atmosphere, a perfect escape from the crowds of Kotor. I seized the opportunity to try some refreshing local ice cream before heading back to our waterside venue for lunch. Lunch was at a charming and totally dreamy and relaxing waterside venue and featured fresh, local dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. I could have ensconced myself here all afternoon.

Wandering Perast’s quaint streets on our way back to meet our bus was an equally tranquil experience. Perast is a must visit – if you get the chance – like Cavtat – it’s a venue i’m glad I discovered on my Holland America Line Shore Excursion.

Kotor’s Old Town and Scenic Sailing
Back in Kotor, a short walking tour of the Old Town led us to the Maritime Museum – a must-see for history enthusiasts. Then it was time to make my way back to the ship. I wish I’d had more time to explore the Old Town but we’d had such as full day in Perast, time had just seemed to slip away from us today. I’ll leave exploring Kotor in more detail to another day.

Once again before we boarded the tender, we were greeted with cold towels, which was, once again, much appreciated after a long hot and humid day in port. As our ship got underway, I headed down to the bow which was open once again for scenic sailing and we were treated to panoramic views of the bay as we made our way to Corfu.

Poolside Burgers and Evening Entertainment
It had been a long and jam-packed day, so tonight, I wanted to have an early dinner and enjoy some of the entertainment on board. This is the one of the things about a cruise holiday I love so much – you can flex your plans as much or as little as you want.

So, tonight instead of joining the rest of our group in the main dining room, I popped up to the dive in burger bar next to the Lido Deck which serves food until 6pm. Dive-In cooks burgers to order, and I can confidently say in my 20 or so years of cruise holidays Holland America does the best poolside burgers at sea.

It was another delightfully full day in port and I certainly needed my bed, but I couldn’t resist having a quick look around Oosterdam’s entertainment venues (Billboard On Board duelling Pianos warranted a quick check in) before heading back to my cabin to rest and refresh ready for another exciting day in port tomorrow.

Catch up with more of my adventures in 
Kotor and Perast
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 5 – Corfu/Kerkira

Independent Exploration
Today I explored port independently and my plan was to spend some time exploring Corfu Old Town. Corfu’s Old Town is easily accessible by local bus. Exploring at my own pace, I visited Porta Remonta and Boschetto Gardens, admiring Venetian mansions and lush greenery on the way. Corfu is an utter feast for the eyes – i’m sure there’s something about the light here too, every colour seemed to ‘pop’ against the blue sea and sky.

Culinary Highlights
One of Corfu’s delights is a small but unassuming café called Stasi Meli which literally translates to ‘dripping with honey’. This café is dedicated to making loukoumades – honey-soaked doughnuts introduced by the Venetians and is somewhere you definitely should hunt down if you’re visiting the Old Town .Stopping at Stasi Meli, was a gorgeous sweet treat during my time in port today. Fuelled by loukoumades and gorgeously strong Greek coffee, I meandered through the Porta Remonta district, finally ending up at the expansive Spianada Square, the largest open square in the Balkans.

Dinner at Morimoto at Sea
Back on ship after another fabulously full but utterly enjoyable day in port, dinner this evening was at Morimoto at Sea, which features fresh, contemporary Asian cuisine. The three-course menu was outstanding and is a must if you enjoy Asian cuisine and seafood. In particular, I highly recommend the Sushi plate, the Angry Lobster Pad Thai, the wasabi with mashed potato, and the dark chocolate sphere.

Orange Night Festivities
After such an amazing meal, it was time for a Holland America Line tradition, which is one of the highlights on each Holland America Line voyage, the biggest Dutch party at sea, the Orange party. The celebrations this evening also included Dutch dishes in the main dining room. A fun-filled bar hop also added to the festive atmosphere on board and the evening culminated in a lively Lido Pool celebration.

When you sail with Holland America, remember to pack something Orange. But even if you don’t have orange attire or forget to pack something, the ship’s shops offer themed items to help you join in.

Catch up with more of my adventures in 
Corfu
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 6 – At Sea with Volcanoes

Relaxing Onboard
Today we continued on our journey passing through the Messina Straits on our way to Naples. I started the day with a leisurely breakfast in the main dining room accompanied by a fantastic aft view. There is always plenty of choice on the menu in the main dining room, from simple dishes to more indulgent options, today, I opted for the French toast, which was a perfect start to the day.

Upon returning to my cabin, I faced the dreaded sight: disembarkation information and tickets. The fact they were neatly placed on the bed didn’t make them any easier to deal with. But the information was nice and clear and gave me all I needed to know as, for my transfer from the cruise ship to the airport at the end of the cruise

Determined to put disembarkation thoughts aside, I spent the day exploring the rest of the ship. First, I headed up to The Retreat. This is a secluded area on Deck 11 with cabanas available for reservation. They are priced at $75 per day for up to two people, with family-sized cabanas for up to six people prices at $150 per day. I though they were fantastic value – especially if you have booked an interior cabin and want to upgrade to some private deck space for your time on board.

After touring The Retreat, I visited the World Stage Theatre for the “City at Sea” presentation. This is a fascinating insight into what it takes to run a cruise ship and all that goes on behind the scenes. You gain an insightful appreciation of the hard work the crew put in to give guests a memorable time at sea. I highly recommend checking out this presentation if you get the chance during your cruise.

Lunch and Sweet Temptations
After a wonderful morning on board, lunch in the Vistas main dining room began with a light salad, followed by a Cordon Bleu burger. For dessert, the Grand Marnier chocolate mousse was heavenly. Later, I discovered the “Cake Me Away” event at the Lido Market. The array of cakes looked incredible, including crepe cake and strawberry gateau. Unfortunately, I was too full after lunch to sample the – a mistake I won’t repeat next time!

Scenic Sailing Through Messina Straits
This afternoon, we were treated to scenic sailing through the iconic Messina Strait, a narrow waterway between Sicily and Calabria connecting the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. At its narrowest point, it’s just over three kilometres wide. The strait’s legendary strong currents and whirlpools made for a great scenic sailing experience. Our Captain expertly navigated this iconic passage, providing plenty of photo opportunities for us guests.

Gala Dinner and Stromboli Sunset
The evening gala dinner offered a mouthwatering menu. I chose a light salad and steak, followed by a parade of kitchen staff through the dining room as guests waved their napkins in appreciation. After dinner, I rushed to the bow for the highlight of the day: sunset sailing near Stromboli, an active volcanic island north of Sicily.

Stromboli’s Fiery Display
Known as the “lighthouse of the Mediterranean,” Stromboli put on a fiery display for us. Holland America’s immersive itineraries allowed us an extended, lingering view of Stromboli, perfectly timed to coincide with the sunset. The unforgettable experience ranks among the best moments of my 20 years of cruising and the lingering sail past Stromboli allowed for unforgettable photos and memories.

Chocolate Parade and Evening Shows
The evening continued with Holland America’s chocolate parade, where crew members offered delicious chocolate treats like cupcakes and sweets. I then headed to the World Stage Theatre to watch a mesmerising and energetic performance by the Step One Dance Company ended the day on a high note.

Catch up with more of my adventures in 
Sailing Past Stromboli Volcano
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 7 – Naples and Herculaneum

Sailing into Naples at Sunrise
I woke up early enough to catch the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius at sunrise while enjoying my final room service breakfast – a bittersweet moment knowing my journey was nearing its end.

Exploring Herculaneum
After a leisurely breakfast I headed to the World Stage Theatre to join my shore excursion. Today’s tour was a half-day trip to Herculaneum. The reason I chose Herculaneum was that on a previous cruise I had visited Pompeii, so I wanted to discover Herculaneum instead. This had also been a port intensive cruise and with embarkation and a full travel day looming tomorrow, I wanted to take it easy today, so a half day excursion was also a perfect choice.

As I have visited Pompeii on one of my previous cruises, I was curious to explore this other if somewhat smaller UNESCO world heritage site. While Pompeii is vast and bustling, Herculaneum is smaller and served as a seaside retreat for the Roman elite at the time Mount Vesuvius erupted.

While you can tour the site yourself, I definitely recommend visiting with a guided tour or an archaeologist guide to gain a deeper understanding of its history if that’s what you’re into – for example there were many small artifacts and small details I would have completely missed and walked past if they were not pointed out to me. But it is still a great site to wonder on your own..

Relaxing Afternoon
Back on board, Holland America’s shoreside hospitality greeted us with iced drinks and towels. I couldn’t resist another Dive-In burger for lunch, followed by an afternoon of relaxation by the Sea View Pool at the aft of the ship. With many guests still ashore, the ship felt tranquil and serene. Later in the day, I returned to my cabin to find a lovely memento from Holland America: my Holland America Passport with its first sticker, commemorating my cruise and a collectible Delft tile – both charming mementos of the trip.

Farewell Dinner at Pinnacle Grill
For my last dinner on board, I dined at the Pinnacle Grill. This is one of the speciality dining restaurants on board Oosterdam and is a celebration of fine dining. Classic steakhouse dishes sit alongside innovative recipes, with all dishes complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines.

The menu in the Pinnacle grill has recently undergone menu refresh in late 2024 just after I disembarked my cruise, but many of the core dishes and guest favourites featured her are very much still on the menu. Of course, I had to try Holland America Line’s signature candied clothesline bacon to start, and it didn’t disappoint! I followed this with beef tenderloin with lobster dumplings which was cooked to perfection and the bordelaise sauce was so flavoursome. Then I finished with a not so classic baked Alaska.

The evening concluded with cocktails and live music at Billboard Onboard Lounge – and of course a Tuscan Lemon Drop Martini was the perfect way to toast an incredible journey.

Catch up with more of my adventures in 
Naples and Herculaneum
over on my YouTube Channel

DAY 8 – Disembarkation at Civitavecchia

A Relaxed Farewell
When I woke, Oosterdam had already docked in Civitavecchia, my disembarkation port. The beautiful sunrise over Civitavecchia this morning made it even harder to leave. An al fresco breakfast at the Sea View Pool set the tone for a smooth disembarkation.

Effortless Disembarkation and Transfers
Disembarkation was seamless. The Holland America Line port transfer to Fiumicino Airport was convenient and stress-free, ending the trip on a high note. The scenic transfer through the Italian countryside took under an hour and was an affordable and convenient choice.

Final Thoughts
This unforgettable cruise through the Adriatic was filled with incredible experiences, from exploring historic sites to witnessing Stromboli’s fiery display. Throughout the cruise, the friendly and helpful crew had made my journey truly special. If you’re considering a similar itinerary with Holland America Line, I hope my adventure inspires you.

Until next time, happy cruising!

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