The Open Compass Co

In 2025, we chose a seven-day Mediterranean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas because the itinerary looked like the best fit for what we wanted most: time to relax while still experiencing several unforgettable places.

Our journey began in Rome, Italy, before taking us to Santorini, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; and Naples, Italy. This overview will connect the entire trip, while later stories will take a closer look at every stop, the excursions we booked, and what we would do differently.

Our Seven-Day Route

Stop	Country	What We’ll Cover
Rome	Italy	Arrival, our hotel, Vatican City, and getting to the port
Santorini	Greece	Island scenery, our excursion, and expectations
Ephesus	Turkey	Ancient history and the excursion experience
Mykonos	Greece	The island, atmosphere, and what stood out
Naples	Italy	Our final Italian stop and excursion

Arriving in Rome

We arrived in Rome before the cruise and stayed at the Aurelius Art Gallery Rome Hotel. The artwork and beautiful classical statues gave the hotel a personality of its own and made it feel like our trip had started before we ever reached the ship.

From the hotel, we explored the streets around Vatican City, wandering through the shops, trying the food, and taking in the busier downtown areas. We were not trying to rush through a checklist. Rome was the beginning of the relaxing pace we had chosen this itinerary for.

Taking a Taxi to the Port

When it was time to leave Rome, we took a taxi to the cruise port. Getting onto the ship has never been much of an issue for us, and this embarkation was smooth as well. Most of the people helping travelers spoke English, so it was easy to understand where we needed to go.

The Funny Mistake We Learned From

The return trip taught us not to rely completely on English. Some signs and instructions were not in English, and knowing a few basic Italian words would have made the airport and transportation parts of the trip easier.

We also learned that some taxi drivers want cash. Carry the correct local currency and keep a little extra set aside for transportation. That small backup can make the difference when you are trying to get to the airport and make it home.

Our Rome travel reminders

• Learn a few basic Italian travel phrases before leaving home.
• Do not assume every sign or instruction will also appear in English.
• Carry euros because some taxi drivers may want cash.
• Confirm how you can pay before the taxi ride begins.
• Keep a little extra money reserved for the trip back to the airport.

Boarding Odyssey of the Seas

With Rome behind us, it was time to settle into Odyssey of the Seas and begin the seven-day cruise. Next, we’ll add our first impression of the ship, our cabin, favorite onboard areas, meals, entertainment, and what made the sailing feel relaxing.

The Stops Ahead

The next chapters will cover Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Naples one stop at a time. We’ll share the scenery and excursions, what caught our attention, what was worth the planning, and what we would change on another Mediterranean cruise.

More From This Series

Separate travel guides will also cover the flight, cruise planning, booking excursions, and the practical details that can catch travelers by surprise.