By Arie Boris CruiseGourmet.com Magazine
Upon landing in Athens, after a nine hour flight, a Travel Dynamics representative was waiting just outside the arrivals gate. I was whisked off to Piraeus, where I was personally escorted onboard the intimate Corinthian II. I was offered a cool drink, declined an invitation to lunch and was lead to my intimate, yet plush suite. I was met with welcoming deep woods, mirrors, a sofa with matching azure blue curtains and bedspreads. I took a quick shower in the marble tiled bathroom, unpacked (the compact walk-in closet provided plenty of storage) and crawled under a plush duvet for a welcome nap.
Travel Dynamics, based in New York, specializes in upscale (not inexpensive) highly sophisticated adventure cruises. The caliber of guides and lecturers is superior and a typical guest may be a Yale or Harvard Alumnae and/or a patron of the Smithsonian. Tours and lectures are educational and can approach a graduate level. You learn about the ports of call, their history and life through the ages, while being treated to superior service onboard the Corinthian II. With a capacity for only 114 guests, this yacht-like vessel offers a truly high quality cruise experience.
Built more than twenty years ago, some of the interior design is dated, but the deep wood paneling throughout the ship, along with the plush rugs, drapes and traditional artwork gives a sense of “classic” Ocean Liner…albeit, on a smaller scale. The main public rooms include a large lounge for lectures, the club/library where cocktails, afternoon tea and a collection of books and DVD’s are available. The formal dining room is my favorite, with dark wood furniture, beige fabrics and elegant table settings. The most popular place is the outdoor restaurant where buffet breakfast and lunch is served al fresco, along with stunning views.
Sailing on the Corinthian II is an all inclusive experience…wines, cocktails, transfers and tours are included. Service staff is exclusively from the Philippines; friendly, welcoming and, although at times, a bit too informal, well deserving of the suggested $16 dollars per day per guest (oddly, gratuities are not included).
Dining was, for the most part, good. Both breakfast and lunch consisted of outdoor buffets with full waiter service available in the formal dining room (less crowded and more relaxed with the same choices from the buffet). Eggs made to order, pancakes, breakfast meats, etc. in the early morning. Lunch offered different specialty dishes like Paella, grilled kebabs, assorted pastas, and freshly sliced Parma ham or prosciutto.
Dinner is a more formal affair. Guests are greeted and escorted to tables…if traveling alone; you will always be invited to join a large table. Each evening the menu consists of several appetizers, a soup, salads and a choice of two main entrees…generally fresh fish and meat or poultry. I enjoyed the grilled snapper, salmon and venison. The pasta with pesto entrée was so good I asked for a special order of it for lunch later in the week. Along with two specially prepared desserts each evening, ice creams, homemade sorbet and a cheese plate are always available.
Tours and lectures are intensive and not for the faint hearted. You can plan on full day tours and early morning wake up calls. Expert guides provide comprehensive histories in each port of call. Often, morning tours return to the ship for lunch followed by another tour in the afternoon. I took several afternoons off just to enjoy being on this lovely little ship!
If you are fascinated by ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean, enjoy history, sociology, and archeology of ancient cultures, Travel Dynamics programs on the lovely Corinthian II are for you! For more information visit www.TravelDynamic
