Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Best Greek cruises: Top 5 ships sailing the Greek Isles

greek island cruise small ship

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective. Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage). For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.

Itinerary Review

A healthy light lunch onboard sets the stage for our arrival at Aegina. Enjoy free time to explore the island and its charming town or opt for our optional excursion, unveiling the Monastery of Agios Nectarios, the ancient temple of Aphaia, and the picturesque Aegina town. As dawn graces the horizon, witness the awe-inspiring passage through the Corinth Canal, a testament to human ingenuity connecting the Saronic Gulf with the Aegean Sea. The morning unfolds with breathtaking views, marking the beginning of a day filled with exploration. Our maritime sojourn takes us to the small yet enchanting island of Agistri, known for its natural beauty and crystal-clear waters.

Best Greece cruises: Top 5 ships sailing the Greek isles

The months of May and October are cooler, mostly sunny and ideal if you are looking to see Greece crowd free. June and September are very popular months for cruising in Greece driven by warm pleasant weather. July and August are great months if you are after hot weather, plenty of sunshine and seeing the islands in full swing. We also do cruises in the off season months of November and April, which are perfect for exploring the historic Peloponnese region home to Nafplion, Corinthia and Mycenae. Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty.

What's Included

Way too hot this time of year (mid 90’s with high humidity). These 2 items did affect the overall enjoyment of the trip. We most enjoyed Santorini and Mykonos...They are the most beautiful.

11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds - The Times

11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds.

Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Greece Small Ship Cruises

There's also Scarlet Night — a rave-like pool-deck dance party where everyone wears red. If you're not sure which ships to consider, here's a list of the best cruises to Greece for different kinds of travelers. Built in 1998 and refurbished in 2021 the Elysium’s 25 cabins are available in five different categories, including double, triple, and interconnecting family cabins, all of which have windows or portholes. Each one is ensuite, with comfortable bathrooms that have showers, organic toiletries, towels, hairdryers, spa robes, and slippers. For those who love the romance of sail, Sea Cloud Cruises is theperfect choice. New small ship cruises, adventure trips, ships & the best deals at your fingertips.

Learn more about the difference between small ship cruising and big ships. Big ships are focused inward on the floating resort and amenities. The ship itself is the attraction with waterslides, casinos, Broadway-style shows and midnight buffets. Big ships visit crowded ports at midday and cruise at night. Pristine Greek waters provide a stunning backdrop for romantic voyages while aboard one of Sea Cloud Cruises' two sailing ships..

A Small-Ship Cruise in the Aegean Sea

In the summer, evenings are wonderful here, lounging on the large slumber sofa under the full moon, but Phos is an inviting place to be day or night. Mykonos is popularly known for its nightlife, whitewashed landscapes and sandy beaches. A walking tour of Hora must include visits to the iconic windmills, Paraportiani Church, the Maritime and Cycladic Museums, designers’ shops and Little Venice Cafes. Mykonos is the jumping-off point for the archaeological site of the nearby island of Delos.

One of the highlights of our cruises is the chance to swim in beautiful clear bays and blue waters. You can look forward to regular stops for enjoying a refreshing dip, depending on the season and the weather. There are ladders for convenient access to the sea from the swimming platform, but be sure to read the safety instructions before leaping in.

greek island cruise small ship

Feel the echoes of different eras as you explore the winding streets, absorbing the essence of Messolonghi's rich past. In Greek mythology, Poseidon created the island of Paxos by striking Corfu with his trident, so that he and his wife Amphitrite could have some peace and quiet. Antipaxos is a smaller nearby island famous for its wine, and two of the finest sandy beaches in the Ionian Sea. Your small ship cruise guide may lead a walking tour through postcard perfect alleyways and scenic overlooks, helping you get the lay of the land. Then wander aimlessly to find stunning beaches and a mouthwatering meal under the shade of olive trees. A short hike on a stone path to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the village of Hora will be rewarded with a spectacular sunset.

After cruising overnight you’ll reach Sifnos by mid-morning. You will have time at leisure to explore the island of Sifnos, known for its traditional white washed architecture, food scene and hiking trails. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the enticing traditional tavernas here. As the sun sets, enjoy an entertaining and tasty farewell dinner hosted onboard this evening. As Santorini fades away, we cruise on to Antiparos for a swim stop in one of its secluded bays. We’ll reach Paros at noon, an island with diverse, beautiful landscapes that include rolling hills and lush valleys as a great mix of sandy beaches surreal turquoise waters.

The crew, both Lindblad and Sea Cloud, were warm, gracious and a delight to sail with. The best time to cruise Greece is in spring, early summer and fall. May, early June and September are particularly nice because prices are lower, and crowds are fewer.

Of course the best Greek Islands are subjective and depend on your personal interests and travel style. Our experts agree that the best Greek Islands for small ship cruises are Folegandros, Paros, Paxos, Tinos, Syros and Santorini. TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance.

Local entertainment is sometimes brought aboard and movies might be shown, plus you can always count on silly contests and games at the deck bar as part of the after-dinner offerings. Other activities on the ship tend toward the nautical, such as visiting the bridge, observing the crew handle the sails, and participating in knot-tying classes. Or you can just pad around the decks and lie in a deck chair underneath the sails. While our ultimate destination is Santorini, we’ll visit Ios along the way for a swim stop at Magganari Beach, a large stretch on the south coast boasting soft golden sands with clear, shallow water.

You can leave these 2 famous places for the large number of cruise ships that frequent the shores. Very crowded and not much fun...though we imagine they might be very nice when not overflowing with people. But we’re equally sure there are a lot more islands in the Cyclades that would be even more enjoyable to visit. In general the smallest boats, those carrying 60 guests or fewer, will offer more off vessel activates such as swim stops and kayaking in between the islands. Small ships carrying more than 100 guests will feature larger cabins, more deck space and luxurious accommodations. Among the sailings that take in Greece is the six-night Greek Isles & Maltese Magic itinerary.

Summer evenings in Greece are also pleasantly warm, so clients will enjoy dining on shore in smart chino shorts, jeans, linen trousers or summer dresses. During the cooler months, we do advise guests to bring a windproof jacket and slightly warmer clothes as temperatures in the evening can get quite chilly. The owner and operator of SeaDream Yacht Club, Atle Brynestad, has a luxury-line pedigree as the founder of Seabourn Cruise Line. For more than 10 years, he has been carrying on the Seabourn tradition of luxury and elegance, on a smaller, more casual, yachtlike scale. SeaDream in 2001 purchased the Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II from Seabourn, and after renovations renamed them SeaDream I and SeaDream II (built in 1984; 116 passengers; 4,260 GRTs).

There is a main open-eating restaurant, two alternative venues, plus a poolside grille. Enjoy a two-level state-of-the-art gym and spa, which includes a pair of spa villas. This Gibraltar-like town tied to the mainland by a single thread of causeway holds treasures that are old even by Mediterranean standards, with town walls and several churches dating to the 12th century. Climb to the upper town for an up-close look at the castle and Agia Sophia, a Byzantine church.

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