Exploring Greece

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Tender transfer

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A cruise ship anchors offshore at the port of Mykonos, Greece.

What is a Cruise Tender Transfer?

Not every Mediterranean harbor can receive a large cruise ship. Sometimes the harbor is too shallow and the draft of the ship is too deep. Sometimes the pier infrastructure cannot accommodate the sudden arrival of a large crowd. Sometimes the port is congested and all the docking spaces are taken. And sometimes—just sometimes—the weather is rough and the decision is made to anchor in deeper water. So what happens next? How do passengers get from ship to shore without swimming for it?

The answer is a tender transfer.

Tenders are small support vessels that service big ships. Tender service shuttles people and supplies to a luxury liner anchored in deep water. The ride is typically short: 10 to 20 minutes at most.

The tender pulls alongside of the cruise ship.

Tips for a Tender Experience

Tender service is an important aspect of maritime operations. Accommodating a large number of people in a short amount of time means that the crew (and port authorities) must be ready to coordinate, receive, secure, and help transfer people from one moving craft to another. Because there is some risk involved (however small), precautions must be taken. (Those with mobility issues must be aware of these challenges and plan accordingly.) Tender tickets need to be secured in advance of disembarkation. Attention to ticket and door numbers on a big cruiser requires a bit of concentration (alert: there may be multiple departure doors). Lines must be found and formed inside the ship at assigned times. Passenger identities have to be checked (coming and going). And of course, instructions about when the last boat will be returning to the ship must be heeded, otherwise you may extend your visit unexpectedly!

A tender boat disengages from the cruiser and begins its journey toward the pier in Mykonos.

Because tendering is a regular part of the cruise industry, the work may appear effortless. But be assured, it is serious business and represents an exercise in passenger safety.

Personally, I enjoy tender treatment. Small boats offer a whole difference experience on the water. New angles—particularly the scale of ships—makes for fun photography. And let’s admit it, you can’t say you’ve really been at sea until you inhale a little salt spray!

So when you come to a port where the tenders are waiting, pump it up. Be sure to listen to instructions. Secure your tickets. If motion is a problem for you, take your medications in advance. Pay attention to timing. Find your line. Wear your sticker (and your life-jacket if instructed). Follow the instructions of the crew.

And get set for an amazing port of call!

Join Our Next Apostle Paul Mediterranean Tour

Join us on the wine dark sea this coming fall (Oct 22 - Nov 3, 2026). Mediterranean stops include Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus, Santorini, Mykonos, and others. For details on this journey highlighting the Apostle Paul, follow the link here. Of course, you can also email your questions directly to us here.

And while you’re at it, here’s five reasons why you will be pleasantly surprised by a Mediterranean tour. Follow the link here.

Mark and Vicki at Santorini.

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Big ship energy or mid-sized intimacy?

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Vicki can’t hold it back anymore.

Different ships, different audiences

Cruise ships are not “one-size fits all.” Different sized ships serve different purposes and cater to different audiences.

Large ships like the Celebrity Reflection (pictured above) carry 3,000 passengers or more. They are built for maximum capacity, fun, and variety. Multiple pools, entertainment venues, restaurants, and activities appeal to multi-generational travelers. They are floating cities, and for this reason, often sail the major routes, hopping between big ports.

We used the Celebrity Reflection back in 2018 for our Mediterranean Cruise. That’s Vicki in the picture above!

The Celebrity Infinity. Image from here.

In praise of the mid-sized ship

In October of 2026 we’ll be returning to the water on the Celebrity Infinity, a sibling of the Reflection. Unlike the Reflection, however, the Infinity is a smaller cruiser. It is classed as midsized.

Midsized ships still have plenty of amenities. But they are not as overwhelming and seek to balance comfort with intimacy, relaxation with activity. Midsized ships tend to attract an audience more interested in destinations than on-board entertainment. They also call on smaller ports that supersize liners bypass.

Sign on for our upcoming Apostle Paul Mediterranean Cruise

Bible Land Explorer is excited to partner with the Christian HolyLand Foundation and Educational Opportunities aboard the Celebrity Infinity. We’ll be visiting Mediterranean sites of biblical significance, including Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Thessaloniki, Corinth and others. A pre-tour to Rome is also available. Our onboard talks will be focused on the life of the Apostle Paul. Attention will given to biblical and archaeological angles.We’ll also take time to savor the 40th anniversary of the ministry of the Christian HolyLand Foundation (CHLF).

I hope you will join us for this amazing voyage. Click the link here for the trip brochure.

For a tour of the Celebrity Infinity, follow the link here.

Five reasons why you will be pleasantly surprised by a Mediterranean cruise—click here.

And to learn more about the work of the CHLF, follow the link here.

The Government House of Thessaloniki: 2,000 Years of Power

The Government House of Thessaloniki. Image from wikipedia.org (accessed 2/9/2026).

Standing as a testament to two millennia of unbroken power, the Government House of Thessaloniki—locally known as the Konak—is a structural palimpsest of the Mediterranean's greatest empires. While the current neoclassical structure was designed by Italian architect Vitaliano Poselli in 1891, the ground beneath it has served as the heartbeat of authority since the Hellenistic era. From its roots as a luxurious Roman residence to its role as the Ottoman seat of administration, and finally its modern evolution into the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace, this site offers a rare continuity of place that mirrors the turbulent history of the region.

To see it yourself and learn more, watch the video below.

Experience Greece with Bible Land Explorer

We aim to be back in Thessaloniki twice in 2026.

  • Land Tour of Biblical Greece, October 10 - 21, 2026. See the travel brochure here for details.

  • Mediterranean Cruise, Oct 22-Nov 3, 2026. See the website here for details.

Seats are available on both excursions. Experience the place where faith begins!

Alexander and his Horse on the Thessaloniki Waterfront

Every great hero needs a legendary companion, and for Alexander the Great, that was Bucephalus. More than just a warhorse, Bucephalus was a symbol of Alexander’s early genius and his relentless drive to conquer the unconquerable.

Alexander and Bucephalus are remembered by a statue on Thessaloniki's waterfront. We stop by statue for some thoughts about Alexander’s Horse. Check out the video below.

Here’s another shot: Behind Alexander

Walking in the Footsteps of Kings and Apostles: Owensboro Christian Church at the Theater of Philippi

Owensboro Christian Church group at the Ancient Theater of Philippi, Greece.

History isn't just found in books—sometimes, you have to stand in the middle of it. Recently, our group from Owensboro Christian Church (OCC) traded the hills of Kentucky for the ancient stone of Philippi, Greece, on an unforgettable journey.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

Standing at the base of the ancient acropolis, we found ourselves surrounded by the tiers of the Theater of Philippi. Built in the 4th century BC, this architectural marvel was commissioned by Philip II of Macedon—the legendary father of Alexander the Great.

To think that this structure was already old and worn when the Apostle Paul walked these same streets is a powerful reminder of the deep roots of our faith and history.

History Comes to Life

While the stones are silent, our group from OCC certainly wasn't! There is something transformative about seeing a site name leap from a Bible map to a physical reality. Seeing church family gathered where the Greeks watched dramas and Roman citizens gathered brought a new energy to these ruins.

Why Philippi Matters

For us, Philippi isn't just a feat of Macedonian engineering; it’s a place of beginnings.

  • Royal Roots: It bears the name and the vision of King Philip II.

  • Scriptural Connection: This city was the site of the first Christian community in Europe.

  • Living Fellowship: Today, it serves as a backdrop for our own journey of discovery and development.

As we continue our journey, we carry the echoes of this ancient theater with us. It’s a powerful feeling to know that while kingdoms rise and fall, the stories we share and the faith we hold continue to bridge the gap between 4th-century Greece and 21st-century Kentucky. Or, as we say around here at Bible Land Explorer, we “Discover the Place where Faith Begins.”

Nafplion: Port of the Wine-Dark Sea

The Port of Nafplion serves as a breathtaking gateway to the Greek Peloponnese, blending a deep maritime history with one of the most picturesque waterfronts in Greece. Once the strategic naval hub of the first capital of modern Greece, this harbor is now a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Argolic Gulf. Watch the video below.

Independence Day is a Double-Barreled party in Greece

In Greece, Independence Day (March 25th) is a double-barreled celebration that turns the entire country into a party. It’s a massive display of national pride marking the 1821 revolution against Ottoman rule, but it’s also the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, making it both a patriotic and religious blowout. Watch the video below.

Reaching the Mountain Palace of Philip II at Vergina is a Hike

The rutted road to the Philip II’s palace at Vergina.

Philip II's palace at Vergina (Ancient Aigai) is three times the size of Athen's Parthenon and is arguably the most significant building of classical Greece. However, it suffers from inaccessibility issues. It is located on the side of mountain that overlooks the Macedonian plain. Reaching it requires a long hike on a rutted road. Want to see more? Stay tuned.

Thessaloniki’s Iconic Landmark: OCC at the White Tower

Owensboro Christian Church family stops for a group shot at the "White Tower" in Thessaloniki, Greece.

There’s no better way to kick off a journey through Northern Greece than at the most famous landmark in Thessaloniki. This week, our Owensboro Christian Church group gathered at the foot of the White Tower, the historic heart of the city’s waterfront.

A Tower with a Story

Originally a Byzantine fortification and later a notorious Ottoman prison, the White Tower has been "whitewashed" of its dark past to become a symbol of Greek liberty. Standing six stories tall against the deep blue of the Thermaic Gulf, it’s a stunning reminder of the layers of history—Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern—that make Thessaloniki so unique.

Experience Greece with Bible Land Explorer

We aim to be back in Thessaloniki twice in 2026.

  • Land Tour of Biblical Greece, October 10 - 21, 2026. See the travel brochure here for details.

  • Mediterranean Cruise, Oct 22-Nov 3, 2026. See the website here for details.

Seats are available on both excursions. Experience the place where faith begins!

The Original Spirograph: Ancient Math in the Baths of Dion

Ancient Roman mosaic floor with geometric hypotrochoid patterns at the Great Baths of Dion, Greece.

Did you ever play with a Spirograph when you were a kid? Remember that mesmerizing box of plastic gears and colored pens promising a world of perfect geometric art? Of course, if you were like me, you usually ended up skipping a tooth or popping a pin halfway through, and totally boogered the whole masterpiece!

But did you know that while you were struggling with those slipping gears, you were actually dabbling in the world of hypotrochoids?

A 2,000-Year-Old Design

It turns out the ancient Greeks were "playing" with these same complex patterns long before the toy hit shelves in the1960s. Check out this incredible mosaic from the Great Baths of Dion, Greece, dating back to approximately AD 200.

While the Romans were relaxing in the thermal pools at the foot of Mount Olympus, they were walking across floor designs that look suspiciously like the ones we tried to draw on our bedroom floors.

What is a Hypotrochoid?

In mathematical terms, a hypotrochoid is the curve traced by a fixed point on a circle as it rolls around the inside of a larger fixed circle.

  • The Greeks: Used these geometric patterns to represent harmony, movement, and the infinite.

  • The Toy: Used the same principles of gear ratios and fixed points to let kids create "mathematical roulette curves".

History Under Your Feet

The next time you’re at a site like the Dion Archaeological Park, keep your eyes on the ground. Between the statues of Dionysus and the ancient water organs, you’ll find these timeless geometric patterns. It’s a powerful reminder that while our tools change—from stone tesserae to plastic cogs—our fascination with math and symmetry remains the same.

Experience Greece with Bible Land Explorer

We aim to roll wheels around Greece twice in 2026.

  • Land Tour of Biblical Greece, October 10 - 21, 2026. See the travel brochure here for details.

  • Mediterranean Cruise, Oct 22-Nov 3, 2026. See the website here for details.

Seats are available on both excursions. Experience the place where faith begins!

My go-to in Athens

O Thanasis is an eatery on a corner of Monastiraki Square. It boasts a short menu of authentic Greek dishes. It also claims to be the oldest restaurant in Athens.

It is my go-to when visiting, and from the looks of the crowd, an opinion shared by many.

Gyros, souvlakis, kebabs, salad . . . they have it all . . . and at good street prices.

Still my beating heart.