Morning: Sleeping In & Soaking Up the Luxury

^{By Jeffrey Guard}

---

Let’s be real—jet lag is no joke. After days of walking through Athens’ ancient wonders, a full embarkation day on Viking Star, and exploring the ship, we were utterly exhausted. So, we did what any rational traveler would do: slept in.

And let me tell you—waking up to a quiet morning, ordering room service, and sipping coffee on our private balcony while watching the cool December sun sparkle on the Aegean Sea? Pure bliss.

Unlike summer in Greece, where the heat can be relentless, December’s air was crisp, cool, and perfect. I wrapped myself in a cozy sweater, looked out at the peaceful port of Piraeus, and silently thanked past-me for booking this winter cruise. No crowds. No sweat. Just calm waters and endless beauty.

Discovering the Cozy Corners of Viking Star

Since our first official Viking excursion—“Panoramic Athens & Archaeological Museum”—didn’t start until noon, we had a leisurely morning to explore more of the ship.

One of my favorite discoveries on Viking Star was The Living Room on Deck 1, particularly the hidden reading nook tucked at the far end. Imagine giant, marshmallow-soft chairs, shelves filled with art, history, and biography books, and a space so peaceful that you forget you’re on a ship.

I curled up with a book on Coco Chanel, feeling both intellectual and incredibly indulgent, before heading to The World Café for an early lunch at 11:30 AM.

A Quick Note on The World Café

While The World Café is a solid buffet option, I found it most memorable for its incredible staff—hands down, the most attentive service on the ship. Whether it was making sure we had everything we needed or simply engaging in friendly conversation, they truly went above and beyond.

That said, not all Viking eateries are created equal. Places like The Winter Garden and The Pool Grill were noticeably slower when busy. (More on that later…)

Afternoon: Exploring Athens A Mix of Awe & “Meh” Moments

Viking’s Included Excursion: Panoramic Athens & Archaeological Museum

This was the “free” included excursion that came with our Viking package, and I’ll be honest—it was a mixed bag. 

We boarded a coach bus that took us on a sightseeing tour through Athens, driving past some notable sites before stopping at a couple of key locations. 

✔️ First stop: The Small Harbor of Zea – Apparently, this 5th-century BC dock is still intact, but it was more of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. The guide pointed it out, but unless you’re a hardcore maritime history buff, it wasn’t particularly thrilling. 

✔️ The Panathenaic Stadium (Home of the First Modern Olympics) – Now this was a perfect stop. Our bus parked, and we got ten minutes to admire the stadium from behind the gates. It’s a stunning piece of history, but realistically, not something you need to pay to enter or spend hours exploring. Quick, efficient, and perfect for a photo op. 

A Deep Dive into Greece’s Ancient Past: The National Archaeological Museum 

Now, here’s where the tour really redeemed itself. 

Athens is a city built on layers of history, and nothing captures that better than the National Archaeological Museum. This isn’t just a collection of old artifacts—it’s a time machine, showing how Greek civilization evolved over thousands of years. 

One of the most powerful moments for me was seeing how Greek sculpture evolved over time. As you walk through the museum, the early statues are simple, rigid, almost alien-like. Then, as the centuries progress, the sculptures become more intricate, more lifelike, more breathtakingly real. 

It was like watching humanity discover itself—learning how to shape stone into emotion, movement, and beauty. 

👉 Key highlights to look for in the museum: 

• The Mask of Agamemnon – A gold funeral mask believed to belong to the legendary Mycenaean king. 

• The Antikythera Mechanism – An ancient Greek analog computer (seriously, look it up!). 

• The Jockey of Artemision – A magnificent bronze sculpture of a boy riding a horse, full of movement and life. 

After spending hours wandering through history, I was exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

That’s when I truly appreciated Viking’s decision to make this tour mostly bus-based. Instead of being overwhelmed by endless stops, we got just the right balance—a deep dive into one major historical site, with quick drive-bys of others. 

A Drive Through Constitution Square & The Hellenic Parliament 

The last part of the tour was a drive through Constitution Square (Syntagma Square) and past the Hellenic Parliament. 

✔️ Hellenic Parliament – A beautiful neoclassical building that used to be the palace of Greece’s royal family. We didn’t get to see the Changing of the Guard, but luckily, we had caught it the day before. 

✔️ Plaka District – This is Athens’ posh shopping area, but since we were just driving through, we didn’t get much of a feel for it. Looked nice enough, though! 

Evening: Tea, The Spa, & A Sunset I’ll Never Forget 

Winter Garden Tea & A Case of the “Frozen Staff” 

Back on board by 4:30 PM, we decided to grab afternoon tea at The Winter Garden. This is one of Viking’s most beloved experiences, and for good reason—the setting is gorgeous, with soft lighting, live music, and an air of old-world elegance. 

But here’s the thing about The Winter Garden—when it gets busy, the staff practically freezes in place. 

We had to wave someone down just to get service, and while everything turned out fine, I definitely noticed that The World Café staff were far more attentive. 

A Sunset Worth Savoring 

One regret? Not spending more time on the lanai outside The Winter Garden. 

Around 5:00 PM, The Viking Star pulled out of Port and headed to open waters. Our cruise was officially on the move!

As we coasted, the sky over the Aegean transformed—soft pinks, deep purples, fiery golds streaking across the water. It was the kind of sunset that reminds you how lucky you are to be alive. 

In hindsight, I wish I had: 
📖 Brought a book. 
🎶 Grabbed my headphones and playlist.
🌊 Sat back and let the view swallow me whole. 

Dinner & The Ultimate Indulgence 

Dinner at The Restaurant was an elegant, solidly delicious meal. What I love about The Restaurant is that it’s sophisticated, people were dressed nice, fine art on the walls–you feel like you are some place special. Best off all you don’t need a reservation.

The menu is alos varied: they have one section that caters to the location you’re in. So, for this night we had a selection of food that was common in Athens, or we could choose from classic American staples with some gourmet flourishes (i.e. mash potatoes with truffle oil)

We kept it simple:

✔️ Steak & French fries – Because sometimes, simplicity is perfection. 
✔️ Crème brûlée…times two. – Because Viking lets you order as much as you want, and I am not a person who says no to extra dessert. 

Final Thoughts on Day 4 

✔️ Highs: 

• The Archaeological Museum was a mind-blowing journey through time. 

• Tea, sunsets, and spa time made for a perfectly relaxing evening. 

• Viking Star’s reading nooks & quiet luxury are next-level comfort. 

❌ Lows: 

• Winter Garden’s staff struggles when it’s busy. 

• The Panoramic Athens tour was hit-or-miss. 

Next up: Crete! Stay tuned for Day 5 in Heraklion. 

DOCUMENTS: VIKING DAILY and MORE

Download Viking Daily | Viking Star

Download Shore Excursions Descriptions for Athens | Viking Star

👉 What’s been your favorite museum experience while traveling? Drop a comment below! 

---