• I've sailed on many cruises and stopped at over 100 ports worldwide. There are a few I don't love.
• Richards Bay is only fun if you have an excursion booked, and Costa Maya is too touristy for me.
• The cruise crowds in Santorini, Greece, and Nassau, Bahamas, often leave me feeling overwhelmed.

I've taken more than 55 cruises and visited over 100 cruise ports all over the world.

Along the way, I've learned that some destinations are definitely worth exploring, while others can be unexpectedly disappointing.

As a destination-focused traveler, I rarely choose to stay on board when my ship is docked in port. Usually, I'm eager to disembark the ship, experience the local culture, and explore the area.

But after revisiting many of the same ports, I've also realized that certain destinations aren't always worth the hassle. While some offer beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and bucket-list excursions, others can feel crowded, touristy, or difficult to navigate.

Although these ports can still be enjoyable with the right planning and expectations, I'm often happier staying on board to take advantage of the ship's amenities.

Here are five cruise ports where I'd rather stay on the ship than venture ashore.

As Ukraine prepares for another winter under Russian attacks, its energy strategy is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

As Ukraine prepares for another winter under Russian attacks, its energy strategy is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

With the grand military parade in Thessaloniki Greece marks the 86. anniversary of the so-called “Ochi Day” – No Day – honor the steadfast resistance of the Greek people against the Italian and German forces of the fascist-nazi Axis and the WWII. For the first time, the military parade features the debut of new air […]

The post Watch Live the Grand Military Parade on October 28 appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

The future of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), which, if completed, will link the energy grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, is “being handled away from the public eye”, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday, with it yet to be confirmed as and when seabed surveys for the project’s construction will begin.

“Everything which needs to be done regarding this specific matter, in terms of the Republic of Cyprus exercising its sovereign rights, is being handled away from the public eye and without excessive public statements,” he said on the sidelines of a parade to mark ‘Ochi Day’, the anniversary of Greece’s entry into the Second World War.

It is widely expected that a navtex, a message used to transmit information to seaborne vessels, regarding planned seabed surveys for the laying of cables for the GSI project, will be issued in the coming weeks, though matters have been complicated by the fact that part of the interconnector’s planned route passes through seas which are claimed by both Greece and Turkey.

Of this, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had stressed last week that his country will not “raise any objections” to the interconnector’s construction, provided that it is given prior warning ahead of the navtex by the governments of Greece and France, the country in which the project’s majority stakeholder, asset management firm Meridiam, is based.

“What we are asking is that when a ship conducts research at sea, it send us a written notification, not just an oral one, stating, ‘we are going to undertake specific actions in this area, here are the coordinates’. That is all we are asking for. Nothing more,” he said.

On this front, Cypriot Energy Minister Michael Damianos had said two weeks ago that the navtex for the seabed surveys will be issued before the end of this month, with the Greek coastguard having said that French-flagged research ship the Abeille Marengo will be the ship conducting the surveys.

Damianos said last week that “if the project progresses”, it is believed that it will be fully completed by 2031.

Turkey’s claim to regional seas may be strengthened by Libya deal

However, Turkey’s claim to the seas through which the interconnector may pass appears to have been strengthened in recent weeks, with Libya’s parliament last week having unanimously ratified a maritime boundary agreement its government had signed with Turkey in 2019.

That agreement saw Turkey and Libya define where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ) border one another in the eastern Mediterranean, with that border, according to the agreement, falling between two points southeast of the Greek island of Crete, where the interconnector cable will connect to Greece.

Greece and the Republic of Cyprus object to the deal, saying that Turkey and Libya do not share a maritime border because islands are each entitled to a full EEZ, and that therefore, the sea in question belongs to Cyprus and Crete. Turkey’s position is that islands are not entitled to a full EEZ.

That agreement has received international pushback, with the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas having told Fidan that the deal “infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states”, while European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had said that they “deeply regret” it.

“We reaffirm our solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. We reiterate the EU’s well-known position against any outside interference in Libya,” they said.

In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that “we are not, so to speak, trying to score a goal against anyone in the eastern Mediterranean”, but that “we are only concerned with protecting our maritime jurisdiction areas, rights, and interests”.

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas met his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, with discussions focusing on the latest international security developments and defence cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, as the two countries marked the 86th anniversary of October 28, 1940.

Palmas is representing the Cyprus government at the Ochi Day celebrations in Thessaloniki, which culminate in a major military parade attended by Greece’s political and military leadership.

“I had the pleasure of meeting today in Thessaloniki with the Defence Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Vasilis Palmas, on the anniversary of October 28, 1940,” Dendias said in a social media post.

“We discussed the latest international developments concerning security issues and defence cooperation between our countries,” he added.

Speaking separately to ‘Defence Redefined’in Thessaloniki, Palmas said defence cooperation between Cyprus and Greece had moved “from slogans to political action”, pointing to what he described as the permanent presence of Greek F-16 fighter jets and a Greek Navy vessel in Cyprus.

He said cooperation between Athens and Nicosia was excellent at both political and military levels, highlighting bilateral agreements and joint programmes, including those under the EU’s SAFE defence financing scheme. He also described the participation of Cypriot commandos in the Thessaloniki military parade as both symbolic and a practical demonstration of the close ties between the two countries.

Turning to defence procurement, Palmas referred to Cyprus’ cooperation with France and Israel, confirming that a contract for the acquisition of a new offshore patrol vessel from Israel had been signed on October 26. He added that further Israeli defence equipment programmes were being planned to strengthen the National Guard’s deterrent capabilities.

Palmas on Wednesday described Greece’s historic “No” of October 28, 1940, as a defining moment in Greek history and a symbol of resistance with worldwide significance, as he attended Ochi Day commemorations in Thessaloniki.

In a message on social media marking the 86th anniversary, Palmas said the Greek people’s refusal to surrender to fascist Italy sent a powerful message against totalitarianism, expansionism and disregard for human dignity.

He said the events of 1940 left behind an enduring responsibility to preserve historical memory, defend democratic ideals and strengthen unity among Greeks.

That responsibility, he added, extended to working towards “a Europe and a world where freedom, peace and justice are non-negotiable values and firm foundations.”

Palmas concluded by extending his wishes to Greeks around the world.

The Cyprus presidency also marked the anniversary, paying tribute to the Greek people’s resistance against fascism and their contribution to the wider Allied struggle during the Second World War.

“We honour the epic of 1940, the unparalleled resistance of the Greek people and the Greek nation against fascism, which marked a milestone in the broader effort to halt the Axis powers,” the presidency said.

It added that the events of 1940 demonstrated that “the dignity and pride of a people cannot be measured by the strength of weapons.”

The foreign ministry similarly described October 28 as a day of determination and resistance, when Greeks stood united in defence of their freedom and national independence.

It also highlighted the contribution of Cypriots who supported Greece during the war.

“Cypriots stood alongside Greece then, supporting the struggle in every possible way,” the ministry said.

“We honour the memory of those who defended the ideals of democracy. Our duty remains to continue the struggle for freedom,” it added.

The commemorations in Thessaloniki mark the culmination of three days of celebrations honouring the city’s liberation from Ottoman rule on October 26, 1912, the feast of its patron saint, Saint Demetrios, and the anniversary of October 28, 1940.

The military parade along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue is being attended by Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, opposition leader Nikos Androulakis, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, alongside Palmas and other dignitaries.

The programme includes a wreath-laying ceremony at 10.15am, followed by the parade at 11am.

For the first time this year, military contingents will march ahead of civilian groups, with the parade scheduled to conclude with a precision flying display by an F-16 fighter jet from the Greek Air Force’s Zeus demonstration team, piloted by Squadron Leader Christos-Paris Charitos.

Cyprus is marking the 86th anniversary of October 28, 1940, on Wednesday with church services and parades across the island, as political leaders and parties pay tribute to those who fought against fascism and the Axis powers during the Second World War.

The anniversary, widely known as Ochi Day, commemorates Greece’s historic refusal to surrender to an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940, and the resistance that followed against fascism and, later, Nazism.

In Nicosia, a celebratory church service will be held at 10am at the Apostle Barnabas Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Georgios, in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides, House President Annita Demetriou, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, Greek Ambassador Konstantinos Kollias and members of the political and military leadership.

Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis will deliver the commemorative address.

At 11am, Christodoulides and the Greek ambassador will take the salute at the parade outside the Greek embassy, with contingents of war veterans, university and college students, secondary school pupils, scouts, associations and organisations taking part.

Similar events will be held in towns and communities across the government-controlled areas.

The government will be represented by Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki in Limassol, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis in Paphos, Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki in Larnaca and Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis in Paralimni.

Meanwhile, political parties issued statements marking the anniversary, paying tribute to the sacrifices of those who fought in 1940 while drawing parallels with present-day challenges, particularly the continuing division of Cyprus.

Disy described October 28 as one of the most significant milestones in modern Greek history, saying the courage and determination demonstrated by the Greek people remain an enduring example for future generations.

The party also paid tribute to Greek Cypriots who fought during the Second World War and served alongside Allied forces, describing their contribution as an inseparable part of the island’s historical memory.

For Cyprus, Disy said, the anniversary carries particular significance as long as the island remains under Turkish occupation.

“With unity, responsibility and a firm commitment to European values, we continue our efforts for a free, secure and reunified Cyprus,” the party said.

Diko similarly emphasised the importance of the historic Greek refusal to surrender, describing the events of October 1940 as a demonstration of a people’s determination to defend their independence and dignity, even when faced with overwhelming odds.

“Eighty-six years later, we honour all those who fought and sacrificed themselves, writing one of the most glorious chapters in the history of Hellenism,” the party said.

Drawing parallels with Cyprus, Diko said the lessons of 1940 remain particularly relevant given the continuing consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation.

It accused Turkey of pursuing objectives contrary to international law and United Nations resolutions, stressing that the struggle for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus must continue through political responsibility, unity and a clear strategy.

The party said defending the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus remains a non-negotiable priority, while acknowledging that achieving these objectives requires more than simply invoking international law.

“The lessons of 1940 are not that difficulties can be overcome easily, but that even in the most difficult circumstances, a people must never abandon its principles, rights and just demands,” Diko said.

Akel focused on the anti-fascist significance of the anniversary, paying tribute to the Greek people’s resistance against the Italian invasion and the subsequent struggle against Nazi occupation.

The party highlighted the role of the Greek National Resistance, particularly the EAM-ELAS movement, and commemorated those killed in battle, executed by occupying forces or sent to Nazi concentration camps.

It also remembered victims of Nazi atrocities in Kalavryta, Distomo, Kaisariani and Kokkinia, alongside those who died from hunger and deprivation during the occupation of Greece.

Akel placed particular emphasis on the contribution of thousands of Cypriot volunteers who fought against fascism during the Second World War, recalling its Central Committee’s decision on June 16, 1943, encouraging party members and officials to volunteer for military service.

The party warned that the lessons of October 28 remain relevant amid what it described as the re-emergence of fascism in Europe and internationally, through nationalism, racism and attempts to distort historical events.

“October 28 reminds us that fascism is not invincible,” Akel said, stressing that its defeat was achieved through the struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people.

Elam, meanwhile, paid tribute specifically to the historic “No” of Ioannis Metaxas to the ultimatum delivered by the Italian ambassador on October 28, 1940.

Describing the anniversary as one of the most glorious in Greek history, the party praised the bravery of Greek soldiers who fought to defend their homeland.

Alma – Citizens for Cyprus also described October 28 as a symbol of national dignity and resistance to fascism. However, it also criticised President Nikos Christodoulides’ handling of the Cyprus problem, warning that his “policy of illusions” appeared to be reaching its end, with the risk of a dangerous deadlock in which responsibility could be shared equally between the two communities rather than attributed to Turkey.

Direct Democracy Cyprus highlighted Cyprus’ contribution to the Second World War, noting that more than 12,000 Cypriots enlisted in the Cyprus Regiment of the British Army, while others volunteered for the Greek armed forces. It said hundreds lost their lives and more than 2,000 were taken prisoner.

The Green Party – Citizens’ Cooperation said October 28 was not only a day of historical remembrance but also a reminder that democracy, freedom and human rights cannot be taken for granted and require constant protection.