This week on Cruise Radio, Joe reviews a seven-night Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean cruise from Athens to Barcelona. We cover his Sky Suite in The Retreat, Luminae dining, entertainment, the new Bazaar, crowds, sea days, and Celebrity Xcel's secret speakeasy.
Joe al…A 2026 review of Celebrity Xcel.
This week on Cruise Radio, Joe reviews a seven-night Celebrity Xcel Mediterranean cruise from Athens to Barcelona. We cover his Sky Suite in The Retreat, Luminae dining, entertainment, the new Bazaar, crowds, sea days, and Celebrity Xcel's secret speakeasy.
Joe also shares his experiences in Santorini, Mykonos, Kusadasi, and Valletta, including a visit to Ephesus, exploring the ancient ruins of Delos, and what first-time Mediterranean cruisers should know about summer heat and crowds.
Plus, Joe shares whether Celebrity's Retreat was worth the upgrade and his final thoughts on sailing Celebrity Xcel and the Edge-class experience.
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About Cruise Radio: Cruise Radio has been delivering cruise news, ship reviews, and money-saving tips weekly since 2009.more
Planning a trip to Athens? In this episode, we share our Athens itinerary, including the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Greek food tour, Plaka neighborhood, Aegina Island day trip, Lake Vouliagmeni, and practical travel tips for transportation, tickets, and budgeting in Greece.
If you …Planning a trip to Athens? In this episode, we share our Athens itinerary, including the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Greek food tour, Plaka neighborhood, Aegina Island day trip, Lake Vouliagmeni, and practical travel tips for transportation, tickets, and budgeting in Greece.
If you want to take this exact trip, download our 3 Day Athens Itinerary and if you plan on visiting the islands check out our 9 Day Greece Itinerary!
Athens, Greece Episode Highlights:
• Download an E-sim before you arrive
• Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 20+ Tastings
• Aegina Island Daytrip
• Delphi Daytrip
• Lake Vouliagmeni Thermal Spa And Temple Of Poseidon Tour
• More Greece Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
Our top recommended hotels in Athens:
• InterContinental Athenaeum Athens by IHG
• Acropolis View Hotel
• Athens Gate Hotel
• Athens4
Check out our Greece Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
Find a great flight deal to Athens with Thrifty Traveler’s Premium Subscription. You’ll get flight (and hotel!) deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.
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Shawn blew up his Europe itinerary at the last minute, but this one worked. He canceled Condor premium economy through Frankfurt and rebooked American to Athens for fewer miles, less cash and a cleaner connection. The catch was making American economy survivable, which led him t…Episode Description
Shawn blew up his Europe itinerary at the last minute, but this one worked. He canceled Condor premium economy through Frankfurt and rebooked American to Athens for fewer miles, less cash and a cleaner connection. The catch was making American economy survivable, which led him to Hyatt's American Airlines status for a day benefit.
Shawn and Mark talk through how the 8,000-point Hyatt redemption worked, why the Main Cabin Extra seat process was clunky, and how his account eventually showed full American Platinum status before travel. They also cover a Royal Air Maroc business class win from Casablanca to LAX, Benjy's strategy for checking AA award bookings after you book, the weird world of backup reservations, and Delta's new second checked bag benefit for eligible Amex cardholders.
Episode Guide
• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 1:18 Shawn's last-minute Europe rebooking
• 2:31 Hyatt status for a day on American
• 4:32 The status finally appears
• 6:18 Platinum vs. Platinum Pro benefits
• 9:00 Royal Air Maroc business class to LAX
• 10:28 Award space quirks and hotel plans
• 14:18 Rechecking AA awards after booking
• 16:28 Backup bookings and reservation "gardening"
• 19:30 Delta cards add a second checked bag
• 20:35 Carry-on vs. checked bag strategy Links
• Travel Freely/CardGenie
• Hyatt: American Airlines partnership FAQs
• LoyaltyLobby: Hyatt's American Airlines Status for a Day awards
• MTM: Over 75k Miles Back & 4 Upgrades with 1 Award Booking Strategy
• MTM: Delta Amex Cards Adding New Benefit
• One Mile at a Time: Royal Air Maroc launching Los Angeles flights
• American Airlines: Using miles for travelmore
Doug interviews Andrea about her ten-night "Best of Greece" cruise aboard Celebrity Infinity. Andrea discusses the ship's recent technical issues, her decision to sail, and highlights from the itinerary, including ports like Nafplio, Heraklion, Rhodes, Kavala, Kusad…A review of Celebrity Infinity.
Doug interviews Andrea about her ten-night "Best of Greece" cruise aboard Celebrity Infinity. Andrea discusses the ship's recent technical issues, her decision to sail, and highlights from the itinerary, including ports like Nafplio, Heraklion, Rhodes, Kavala, Kusadasi, and Athens.
She shares insights on dining, entertainment, and shore excursions, noting the ship's age but praising its cleanliness and crew.
Despite minor setbacks prior to her sailing, Andrea describes the cruise as a bucketlist itinerary and well-paced, with a focus on exploring Greek destinations rather than what the ship offers onboard.
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New York Times writer Jonathan Zwickel discussed his recent article about tours that uncover the political and economic forces that are shaping life in Athens, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and other important cities. Then Hiroko Yoda discussed her illuminating book about Japanese traditions, religio…New York Times writer Jonathan Zwickel discussed his recent article about tours that uncover the political and economic forces that are shaping life in Athens, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and other important cities. Then Hiroko Yoda discussed her illuminating book about Japanese traditions, religious practices and life "Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan.
Takeaways:
• Zwickel recounts his experience of wandering through an Athens neighborhood, revealing the urban decay and struggles faced by locals.
• We discuss the importance of ethical tourism, emphasizing the need for respectful engagement with local communities and their histories.
• The podcast highlights the emergence of social and political walking tours as a means to provide deeper insights into the realities of city life and its challenges.
• Additionally, we examine how these tours can serve as an antidote to overtourism by redistributing visitor traffic to underappreciated areas.
• In the second half Yoda discusses the interplay between different religious traditions in the temples of Japan; how she came to find Shinto teachings helpful while grieving the loss of her parents; and a the story behind a famous mound in Tokyo, that has a surprising history.
Links referenced in this episode:
Margie gives a review of her second Virgin Voyages cruise. This time she sailed from Athens on an eight-night Greek Isles cruise in a balcony cabin. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news.
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Third-party travel i…Margie gives a review of her second Virgin Voyages cruise. This time she sailed from Athens on an eight-night Greek Isles cruise in a balcony cabin. Staff writer Richard Simms has cruise news.
Sponsor
Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.
Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.
Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.
What happens when you mix millennia-old ruins, sun-drenched islands, and gourmet Greek cuisine? You get an unforgettable adventure—plus a podcast episode to match.
In this wanderlust-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond are joined by a very special guest: J…What happens when you mix millennia-old ruins, sun-drenched islands, and gourmet Greek cuisine? You get an unforgettable adventure—plus a podcast episode to match.
In this wanderlust-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond are joined by a very special guest: Joe's wife, Cheryl Saul-Sehy, a seasoned traveler with a keen eye for luxury, efficiency, and surprise gems you won't find on most itineraries. Together, they unpack their latest trip to Greece, spanning the historic streets of Athens, the Instagram-ready cliffs of Santorini, and the charming hospitality of Crete and Naxos.
Here's What You'll Explore:
• The Ancient Meets the Modern in Athens: From the Acropolis to upscale walking food tours, Joe, Crystal, and Cheryl break down why the cradle of Western civilization should still be on your bucket list (and your stomach's).
• Santorini's Stunning... and Packed: Is the sunset as romantic as it looks in the brochures? Yes. But also: elbows. Lots of elbows. Get tips on dodging crowds and soaking in the caldera views like a pro.
• Crete's Hidden Depths: Explore more than beaches—like the poignant beauty of a preserved leper colony and the stunning Palace of Knossos. Plus, Cheryl's unexpected emotional moment at a nearly forgotten site.
• Naxos, the Culinary Underdog: Spoiler alert—this island may have stolen the show. Learn why renting a car here is a must, how to find secret beaches, and where to eat your weight in feta.
• Logistical Gold: From scoring flights with credit card points to the perks (and limitations) of Disney-guided tours, this episode dishes out real traveler talk for making your next trip smoother—and more rewarding.
• Gear of the Day: Cheryl reveals the MVP of the trip, a simple travel essential that made all the difference in staying organized and secure abroad. You'll want to add this to your packing list, stat.
Why This Episode Belongs in Your Carry-On
This isn't your average travel chat. It's a blend of heartfelt storytelling, practical wisdom, and enough dreamy island imagery to get your suitcase halfway packed. Whether you're planning your first Greek adventure or reliving your last one, you'll walk away with ideas, laughs, and a serious craving for baklava.
Have a favorite Greek island, hidden taverna, or ferry tip? Share it with the Stacking Adventures community—we're always hungry for more (especially if it involves olives or octopus). more
Dale and his wife took a four night cruise on the Celestyal Discovery out of Athens, Greece as part of a tour package. He shares his experience of Celestyal Cruises and reviews the itinerary and ship.
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Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.
Third-party …Dale and his wife took a four night cruise on the Celestyal Discovery out of Athens, Greece as part of a tour package. He shares his experience of Celestyal Cruises and reviews the itinerary and ship.
Sponsor
Cruise line protection is designed to help if you can't take your cruise.
Third-party travel insurance helps protect you during the trip. Including medical care, delays, and unexpected issues.
Compare plans and save up to 30% at TripInsurance.com.
Hear about sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent yacht charter with Navigare Yachting.
My wife and I had wanted to gather a few friends and do a small boat sailing trip in the Greek Islands for more than a decade. This dream reached fruiti…Hear about sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent yacht charter with Navigare Yachting.
My wife and I had wanted to gather a few friends and do a small boat sailing trip in the Greek Islands for more than a decade. This dream reached fruition when Navigare Yachting offered to provide the use of a boat in exchange for talking about the journey on the podcast.
We began our one-week sailing adventure in Athens before setting off to Perdika, a small fishing village in Aegina. Arriving at the Navigare port, we completed the necessary paperwork, familiarized ourselves with the boat, and received a safety talk from Captain Kostas. After stocking up on groceries and supplies, we set sail, navigating through choppy seas due to a strong breeze from the south. We soon learned that sailing on a sailboat doesn’t always mean using the sails, as we mostly relied on the motor for this trip.
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/sailing-in-the-saronic-islands/
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Planning a getaway to Athens? In this episode, we share eight unforgettable experiences for couples or families. From bike tours and rooftop dinners to hammam spa treatments and must-see cultural sites, you're not going to want to miss this destination!
In this episode, David and Tim discuss their experiences in Athens, Greece. They talk about the historical significance of the city, its gritty charm, and the proximity to other Greek attractions. They share their favorite places to stay, including the Four Seasons Athens and the Fresh Hotel. They a…In this episode, David and Tim discuss their experiences in Athens, Greece. They talk about the historical significance of the city, its gritty charm, and the proximity to other Greek attractions. They share their favorite places to stay, including the Four Seasons Athens and the Fresh Hotel. They also highlight the vibrant food scene in Athens, with recommendations for local tavernas and street food. Tim suggests visiting the Saronic Islands as a day trip from Athens. They conclude with tips for planning a trip to Athens, including booking tickets in advance and exploring the city's unique offerings like haircuts and glasses. Takeaways
• Athens is a historic city with a gritty charm and access to other Greek attractions.
• The Four Seasons Athens and Fresh Hotel are recommended places to stay.
• The food scene in Athens is vibrant, with local tavernas and street food.
• Visiting the Saronic Islands is a great day trip option from Athens.
• Plan ahead for popular attractions and explore unique offerings like haircuts and glasses.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Athens and its Charm 03:01 Where to Stay in Athens 06:00 Day Trips from Athens 08:56 Indulging in Greek Delicacies 13:57 Exploring the Local Food Scene 15:45 Tips for a Trip to Athens 18:46 Unique Experiences in Athensmore
