Vicky Malakoff

Earlier this month, I boarded the Crystal Symphony in Athens for a seven-night island-hopping adventure through the Aegean and disembarked with a suitcase full of sunlit memories. The pace was unhurried, the itinerary balanced between well-known gems and quieter harbors, and the ship — newly refreshed — felt both elegant and intimate. It was the kind of voyage that makes you grateful for long evenings on deck and spontaneous mornings ashore. The Ship & My Suite The Crystal Symphony, renovated in 2023, is a study in thoughtful refinement. With fewer staterooms and more suites, the ship felt spacious without ever feeling empty — an atmosphere of calm luxury. Specialty dining is a highlight (including the only Nobu at sea), and the crew’s warmth was striking: attentive and gracious service made the experience feel both polished and welcoming. When Crystal Cruises resumed sailing in 2023, many former crew members returned, making for some memorable reunions with loyal Crystal cruisers. I stayed in a Sapphire Balcony Suite, which I found to be generously proportioned and tastefully appointed, and the double balcony became my favorite room in the ship — perfect for evening breezes and technicolor sunsets. The butler service was quietly impeccable; daily chocolates and canapés were a lovely, indulgent touch that made every return to the suite feel special. Ports of Call — Moments That Stayed with Me Nafplio — Close to Athens but wholly Venetian in character: elegant squares, ramparts, and a coastal charm that felt more Italy than mainland Greece. My walking tour here was a fascinating journey through several millennia of history. Mykonos — Tiny, labyrinthine streets and the postcard windmills; lively and iconic in equal measure. Rhodes — A revelation: a fortress city sculpted by chivalric builders, meticulously preserved, with unexpectedly good shopping tucked into historical lanes. Patmos — Quiet, unhurried, and utterly enchanting; one of those rare islands where you can genuinely feel time slow down. For a quiet week on the beach, this island would be worth returning to. Kusadasi — Gateway to Ephesos and the site of one of the trip’s most memorable excursions. Ephesos — Archaeology with Heart The archaeologist-led tour of Ephesos was a standout. Crystal paired a Greco-Roman scholar with a charming, elderly archaeologist who had worked on the 1980s excavations — someone who had literally been there when pivotal discoveries were made. For me it was a personal revisit: I first saw Ephesos at 14, wide-eyed, and returning with fresh scholarship and newly unearthed Roman villas added layers I hadn’t known to expect. The storytelling and expertise brought the ruins to life. Onboard Life & Evening Pleasures Dining felt like a voyage of its own — specialty restaurants with distinctive personalities, attentive service, and small, thoughtful luxuries that kept each evening interesting. The ship never felt crowded, so enjoying the Beef Bar’s lounge or finding a quiet deck chair was always possible. The White Party toward the end of the cruise was pure fun — slick performances, great music, and an energy that invited everyone to let loose for a few hours. A Ship You Could Call Home (but Glad You Explored Ashore) The Crystal Symphony offered a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere; there were stretches when I could have happily stayed aboard and surrendered to the calm. Yet each port brought its own reward: the Venetian flair of Nafplio, Mykonos’s iconic corners, Rhodes’s medieval grandeur, the archaeological richness of Ephesos, and Patmos’s intimate charm. Between superb service, the luxury of space in the suite, and thoughtful shore programming, the cruise felt like the ideal blend of pampering and exploration. Final Impressions...