VIKING STAR | DAY 1 | Extension Package: Athens Pre-Cruise Experience

Day 1 | Arrival in Athens

Restaurant with a view: PARTHENIS is the restaurant with a wildly creative menu, located on the top floor of Athen’s National Museum of Contemporary Art Credit: Jeffrey Guard

^{by Jeffrey Guard}

Our Viking Cruise journey began with a two-day extension in Athens, an add-on we purchased before embarkation. While we ultimately loved our time in this historic city, in hindsight, I wouldn’t book the pre-cruise extension through Viking. Why? I’ll share three key reasons at the end.

That said, I’d still highly recommend spending time in Athens before your cruise—just not via the Viking Cruise Extension Package. In fact, I would have flown in one day earlier to fully soak in all the art, culture, and history Athens has to offer.

Settling Into the Marriott Hotel Athens

First Impressions: A Familiar Yet Luxe Stay

Marriott Hotel Athens: The sleeping rooms were plain and standard, but the lobby and common areas had luxurious touches. Credit: Marriott

We arrived in Athens early afternoon, and settled into our hotel close to 4:00 PM.

The Marriott Hotel Athens was exactly what you’d expect from a high-end chain—sleek, modern, and comfortable, but lacking a distinctly Greek character. The room itself? Standard Marriott. If you blindfolded me and dropped me inside, I could have been in Florida, California, or Virginia.

But where this hotel truly shines is its public spaces—the marble floors, plush velvet couches, and spacious, contemporary lounge made for an upscale, elegant atmosphere.

The Location: A Hidden Gem

Initially, I was disappointed to be outside the city center. But I quickly realized that getting around was easy, and we were right across from Stavros Niarchos Park—a gorgeous urban oasis that turned out to be a hidden gem (more on that later!).

Evening Adventure: National Museum of Contemporary Art & A Culinary Surprise

A Cultural Treasure: National Museum of Contemporary Art

I had no idea what to expect from the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST)—but wow, what a surprise! The exhibition on view was dedicated to women artists and their unique perspectives.

Their permanent collection was also on display and I didn’t realize how much I would appreciate it because of all the antiquity we would be seeing for the next 13 days! I highly recommend making this a museum to visit when in Athens!

An Athens Must-See: The National Museum of Contemporary Art. Credit: Jeffery Guard

The energy was electric—it was the final day of the show, and a celebratory atmosphere filled the space. Young artists, decked out in gold lamé pants, performed impromptu theatrical pieces, live music, and interactive installations. It was an immersive, living art experience, unlike anything I had anticipated.

Two Artists Who Blew My Mind

Two artists in particular left an indelible mark on me:

**Eleni Pitari-Pangalou**‘s work gave me chills. Her ink-on-paper depictions of the supernatural and metaphysical worlds were spellbinding. Credit: Jeffrey Guard

Eleni Pitari-Pangalou – Her ink-on-paper series, “The Unknown Drawings,” felt like a portal to another world. The works depicted souls transitioning to the afterlife—haunting, mystical, and deeply evocative. It reminded me of Hilma af Klint, as if Pitari-Pangalou had tapped into some supernatural force to create these mesmerizing pieces.

Phyllida Barlow – Her massive, industrial-scale sculptures transformed the museum into an abstract concrete forest. Made from everyday materials like wood, concrete, and fabric, her work was a study in simplicity and grandeur—stunning in both its scale and emotional depth.

Dinner: A Bold Culinary Journey at the Museum

Dinner at the museum was an adventure in itself. The restaurant offered a tasting menu that reinterpreted traditional Greek flavors using modern techniques. It was the kind of meal where you had no idea what you were eating—but you loved every bite.

Parthenis: All of the food was presented in a novel way, a hybrid of ingredients with a theme of seasons that was truly contemporary

Most of the dishes were seafood-focused, and by the end, I could only taste fish (in the best way possible!). If you’re a culinary adventurer who enjoys pushing your palate to new frontiers, this is your kind of restaurant.

Parthenis: Not only was the technique of cuisine experimental and novel but so were the vessels in which they were served, in seashells and on a loofah sponge

The setting? Unforgettable.

We dined with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis and Parthenon, illuminated against the night sky.

The presentation was as artistic as the museum itself—dishes served in ceramic seashells and delicate floral arrangements.

A Surprise Evening Party!

After dinner, the museum transformed into a full-blown nightclub—the galleries closed, the DJ turned up the bass, and the lobby erupted into a party. Guests were dancing, drinking, and fully embracing the moment.

While at dinner at Parthenis, the museum transformed into a nightclub party. Not going to lie, it was a lot of fun!

Final Thoughts: Should You Book the Viking Pre-Cruise Extension Package?

While we loved Athens, I would not recommend booking the Viking Cruise Extension Package. Here’s why:

Limited Value – The extension is just the hotel transfer from the airport and to the port, and the Viking Travel Assistance desk at the hotel. The only thing that justifies the price is that you have dedicated travel team there to help you. It’s great if you are wary of international travel.

Hotel Location – While Marriott Hotel Athens was comfortable, it wasn’t centrally located. A boutique stay in Plaka or near Syntagma Square would have been more immersive.

Better Value Elsewhere – Booking hotels and tours independently would have saved money and allowed for a more personalized experience.

Final Verdict? Visit Athens—But Plan It Your Way!

Athens is an incredible city, and if you have the time, I highly recommend at least 2-3 days before your Viking Cruise. If you are a seasoned traveler, skip the pre-packaged extension and design your own adventure for a richer, more authentic experience.