We cruised overnight to arrive at the port of Rethymno on Crete.

The crossing was a bit rough as it was largest open water during the cruise.

We bused to the ancient Palace of Knossos 

Knossos was the seat of the legendary King Minos and the main center of power in Crete.

This first Palace was destroyed circa 1700 BC. It was rebuilt and destroyed again by fire, this time definitively, in 1350 BC. The environs of the Palace were transformed into a sacred grove of the goddess Rhea, but never inhabited again.

The Palace of Knossos is the monumental symbol of Minoan civilization, due to its construction, use of luxury materials, architectural plan, advanced building techniques and impressive size.

 Parts of the palace, like this throne room, had been reconstructed which provided something to look at but according to our guide this type of reconstruction is no longer regarded as appropriate by archeologists.

This is a rendition of what the palace might have looked like almost 4,000 years ago.

Because of its age, the palace is very significant but in truth there isn't that much to see at the site.

I was impressed by this road which seems to me to be a significant piece of engineering considering how old it is.

We had lunch at a nice outdoor restaurant near the palace.

That evening it was Greek night on the boat.  Dinner was served outdoors on the sun deck.  It was very pleasant.

 Dancers arrived to perform traditional Greek dances.

 Later all of us got into the act.  It was fun.

 More dancing all around the sun deck.

 The party lasted well into the night.