The cruise line was Royal Olympic Cruises, 87 Akti Miaouli 185, 38 Athens, Phone: 011-30-210-429-1000.

We called at Mykonos; Kusadasi, Turkey for Ephesus; Patmos; Rhodes; Heraklion, Crete; and Santorini. The museum at Heraklion was wonderful.

carolyn & fun4all -- the Heraklion Museum closed last October for major renovation; opening date not announced but probably for YEARS. After months of delay (due to official fumbling), they finally opened ONE Room of major artifacts from the museum, at an address around the corner -- there will probably be a notice on the door of the museum with directions.

Thanks for all the additional information. It is very helpful. We will weigh our options with the pros and cons and make the best decision for us - I just like to make an informed choice about advantages and disadvantages of any particular property or location. I do like the looks of the Astra as well as the reviews and quality for the price - we are also looking at a couple of other possibilities in Oia, Fira and Firostefani.

I will be working on this more in the next week or two and am sure I will be back with more questions.

I appreciate your help. :-)

Sounds like a great trip. I would strongly recommend Meteora, a place not to be missed. Also, Corinth and Palamidi Castle are exceptional. It is so hard to fit in all the places, especially trying to keep it interesting for kids, so you'll have to be careful not to overdo things they won't enjoy. We loved the countryside, saw sheep, goats and herders, gypsy camps, where the battle of "300" was, etc., things far way from our everyday 21st Century life. Delphi was great, and many of the things you listed are also good. Enjoy, but slow down and appreciate the people and pace of Greece in all the different places you'll visit.