The cruise company Explora Journeys has begun the launch of what will eventually total six ships by 2028 and I’m travelling for just under a week on one of them, Explora II. We embark at Valletta in Malta where an expansive wedding is taking place. One of the port's large canons is fired as the couple tie the knot, in a scene resembling The Godfather spliced with Game of Thrones (the TV series was filmed here).

I spend some time at the harbour, where there are plenty of places to sit with a coffee and de-stress, people watch or take time out. The Upper Barrakka Gardens feature statues and plaques marking the siege by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy during the Second World War. It was liberated by Operation Pedestal and a statue of Winston Churchill is given a respectful position in the now peaceful gardens.

The capital and port of Valletta wasn't really on my radar but I’m quickly enchanted by the wonders of the 16th-century city that appears untouched by time. It's surprisingly quiet on a sunny afternoon walking past a variety of cafes, hotels, bars and churches. St John's Co-Cathedral, which features Caravaggio's painting The Beheading of St John the Baptist, is well worth a visit. It's a city I’d like spend longer in but after a long day of travel, it’s time to return to the ship for a rest. 
Later in the evening I’m invited to the Marble & Co Grill where I enjoy a tuna steak with salad. I'm welcomed into the restaurant with a glass of champagne and as someone who suffers from seasickness, I soon forget I am sailing with no problems during the trip.

After dinner, I visit the ship's Sky Bar on the 14th deck where night is beginning to fall. At 9pm the Pageant of the Seas fireworks display attracts a big crowd on deck; it's a massive cultural event that we watch unfold before leaving the port.

After a spectacular display I'm joined by a group of German writers and travellers keen to talk about Scotland's performance in the World Cup. I'm not so keen and decide it's time to decant to my cabin. It's an elegant, spacious room and soon becomes a welcome retreat. Over the next few days, I'm able to work and relax with a private dining area and lounge, sofa and chairs. The oceanfront terrace is an ideal place to sit and eat, lie down or take time out day or night. 

It is an early rise for our arrival in Taormina, Sicily. There's a strong Glaswegian connection to the area with fans of Simple Minds visiting the Villa Angela owned by the band's singer Jim Kerr. The views from the hotel are breathtaking, taking in Mount Etna, and the hotel features some impressive art with a variety of connections to pop culture and Scotland.

Next to the hotel's front desk is an image of David Bowie as Pierrot, the clown from the Scary Monsters period. Above Bowie, the words Barrowland Star references his 1997 performance at the iconic venue and the Simple Minds track of the same name.

There’s an artwork of Jim Kerr represented as a cat in a leather jacket and you can also spot him disguised as a humble fisherman at market. In the hotel swimming pool is the famous Simple Minds heart and crown logo of the Irish Claddagh ring.

I'm served by a friendly Scot who recommends local beer and after chatting to some Simple Minds fans I decide to venture into the town centre which is bustling with atmosphere. An absolute must-see is the Greek theatre; at the time of my visit preparations are being made for a classical concert and I’m left to wonder what it must be like to be part of a 5,000-strong crowd in this third-century venue.

It's the best spot for a photo and it's possible to get around the theatre in about 40 minutes or less. There's also a cafe where you can stop and look at the wonders with a tipple of your choice.

I decide to hang on and visit Pasticceria Minotauro after a local recommendation; the cannoli lives up to its recommendation and there’s an infectious buzz as staff prepare wedding cakes and serve a long line of locals and tourists.

Back on board, I visit Sakura. Named after the cherry blossom, Japan's national flower decorates the restaurant which helps me shake off the sleepy feeling after a day in the warm sun.

The pan-fusion of flavours is another wake-up call for what is a highlight of my dining experiences on board which offers Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian cuisine. The dark wooden frames decorated in cherry blossom remind me of a previous trip to Kyoto and, while the ambience does spirit me back to the far-east, I decide to eat on deck with the sun having not yet gone down. I go for the recommended wagyu beef tataki, wakame salad with smoked Madagascan pepper, which is delicious.

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Explora's Ocean Wellness offers some mindfulness experiences that allow travellers to connect with the sea. I am offered one of the experiences where singing bowls are placed all around as I lay down on a soft mat in front of the sea.

The vibrations are said to have a positive effect on the mind and spirit. There's a sense of disconnection from everything and I spend a good few hours feeling relaxed and restored afterwards. I have the best night's sleep since arriving and any feelings of stress from travel are soon gone.

Our next stop is Greece and we arrive at the port in Chania on the north-coast of Crete.  There are several excursions available to passengers for potential day trips and I opt for a visit to the Cabana Beach Club where I am greeted by a large statue of a minotaur.

During a hot day, it’s the ideal spot for a swim in the sea and a traditional lunch. I opt for gyros, a popular Greek dish with large pieces of pork in herbs and spices served with chips and tzatziki. A local busker with a saxophone belts out Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street and I’m spirited away by another Scottish connection.

After a few hours by the sea, a bus transports us back to port. As well as various shops, there is an exhibition of American pop art featuring Andy Warhol and a selection of his Campbell's soup can prints, as well as Roy Lichtenstein's experimental comic book take on the Statue of Liberty.

(Image: Jim Kerr)

A selection of outdoor bars are the best place to unwind on deck. I visit the Helios pool and bar named after the Greek god of the sun and it's the perfect place for sun worshippers. Some holidaymakers sit with a beer or cocktail in the light while others, such as myself, retreat to the shade.

Another favourite dining experience on board is the Emporium which offers a cornucopia of eating possibilities in a friendly and welcoming environment. A variety of cuisine from around the world is prepared in front of you. It offers flexible dining and I find myself taking this option instead of the richer foods from the restaurants. Walking around the cooking station while watching the various chefs work is an entertainment in itself.

A simple breakfast of pancakes and coffee as well as pizza and pasta for dinner is just what I need winding down on the last day. After dinner, the on-board entertainment is well worth a visit. During my trip, there is a Carole King tribute as well as a Ukrainian pianist. She is joined by the ship's resident singer. He and a fellow traveller engage in a spontaneous vocal duet which turns into an epic duel; I won't tell you who won but it is a dramatic finish to my first cruise. If you've never cruised before and are curious to try it, this is the one. 

Travel facts:

Book with Explora Journeys before December 4, 2024 to benefit from savings of up to 50% and only 5% deposit. Guests enjoying their suite solo can book any suite with a single supplement starting from 25% above our current per person fare.

For more information visit explorajourneys.com