Against what she thought was her better judgement ZOE CHRISTODOULIDES goes on a cruise

Going on a cruise is something I just don’t do. In fact, the last time I stepped on a boat I felt so sick that I vowed never to enter anything that crosses the high seas no matter how tempting the final destination may be. But lo and behold, I was somehow recently convinced by a group of friends to take a weekend cruise to Mykonos and Rhodes.

I eventually mustered up the courage to face my demons and hit what I for so long thought of as an endless blue abyss that had caused me so much strife in the past. To be honest, I have no idea if it was my determination or the herbal remedies that I popped before entering the vessel, but somehow, I barely even feel an inkling of nausea.

Armed with plenty of these herbal delights (which go by the name of Travella for anyone that suffers from the same problem), I soon realise that there’s also one more essential thing I should have armed my self with: ear plugs. Although our cabin is nice, clean and more spacious than expected, I can’t stress enough that being on a ship means you also have to prepare for being in a highly social environment (like it or not).

Expect your neighbours who come along with what seems like their entire extended family to shout out to each other from across the long corridors, and come night time you may want to bury your head in your pillow to drown out the sounds. But let’s not focus on the downsides, for going cruising with a bunch of friends can be a fantastically fun experience.

Step 1: Put on your bikini - or swimming trunks - and sunbathe out on the breezy deck as you watch the Cyprus shoreline disappear. Step 2: Stay out on deck until dusk and you’ll be in seventh heaven as the deep orange sun paints its hues over the open sea. Step 3: Doll yourselves up for the buffet dinner and hit the casino straight after. You may not have a clue what you’re doing but laughter is part of the game.

After all this you might want to head to the night time show. Down a few drinks and all you’ll want to do is giggle what with the rather ‘in your face’ sequined glad rags adorning the foreign dancers and all the ‘romantic’ songs that follow. In our case they are belted out by a charming white suited man. You might feel like you’ve travelled back through some sort of time warp but that’s the fun of it all. The Love Boat eat you’re heart out!

The next morning we indulge in a full breakfast and a little more sunbathing out on the deck, choosing to stay away from the planned activities but those who fancy a spot of aerobics or bingo can spend all day immersed in activities. And here’s the real treat if you do decide to sip on a cocktail on deck: you’ll get to see a rather magical view of any island that you approach.

We arrive in Mykonos just as the sun is going down and although the island doesn’t quite have the dramatic grandeur of Santorini, there’s something rather enticing about the low lying place speckled with gleaming white washed houses that bask in the Mediterranean sunshine. Not forgetting the rather endearing sight of the island’s trademark windmills that stand proud along the coastline marking a territory which they have called home ever since they were built by the Venetians in the 16th century.

We soon hurry down to Chora. Situated right near the port, this is the island’s capital and main hub of activity. To be honest I’d heard so much about the night life in Mykonos that I was expecting something on par with the sleaziness and madness of Ayia Napa but I’m very pleasantly surprised.

The labyrinth of paved streets branching out from Plateia Manto Mavrogenous are pretty and appealing, many of them filled with overgrown, deep purple bougainvilleas that wind round chic shop fronts and the walls of charming little cafés. If you love to shop you’ll adore all the boutiques but a word of warning: if you have a weakness for unusual silver jewellery prepare to splurge or just stay away.

As the sun fully sets we catch glimpses of all the people that Mykonos is famous for: tanned Italian tourists showing off their toned bodies and sporting the latest designer sunglasses, chic young Greek families who want to combine adventure with a little beach side lazing, and of course, the loved up men walking hand in hand who are proud to be spending yet another year in their gay haven.

Among all these characters you certainly can’t ignore the sunburnt Scandinavians or middle aged Brits but they don’t really stand out of the crowd as much as their more showy European counterparts. Young women will most certainly get chatted up by some charming Greek lothario who thinks that this just might be his lucky night, while men will also no doubt get chatted up by a similar charmer thinking exactly the same thing. But hey, this is Mykonos and just about anything goes. By 11pm the narrow streets are bustling.

We pop into a variety of bars housed within in the dazzling conglomeration of whiter than white buildings. Down narrow lanes, upstairs, downstairs, behind alley ways: you name it, there’s going to be a bar luring in the crowds. A few hours and drinks later it’s all aboard as we set sail for Rhodes.

The next day’s visit is much shorter, with only a few hours to walk around the old town in the largest island of the Dodecanese islands. Armed with a hats and plenty of sun cream we brave the heat and make for the largest inhabited medieval town of Europe with its mighty fortifications greeting any tourist that wanders through its imposing arches.

In complete constant to Mykonos, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped away from the toy-like little show town and into something a little more earthy and real. A little bit like Old Nicosia, the tourist shops are not as chic, the cafés not so glam, and the streets not so dainty. But the charm is still there.

A mesh of Byzantine, Ottoman and Latin architecture, the deserted alleyways that run behind the main thoroughfares will certainly please many happy snappers as dark wooden balconies laden with flower pots protrude from buildings seeping with hidden tales and history galore.

Back on board for the final night means yet more cocktails, more food, and plenty of hilarities when the entertainment begins once again… by this time you’ll know the cheesy lines off by heart while you’ll be more than happy to kick your feet up and relax. Reflecting back on our last morning I can only pose a question: ever watched Cyprus sprawl out before you rising against a foreground of vibrant deep blue sea? It’s a sight worth savouring if ever there was one.