From ancient mythology to wine and olives, there’s a lot to like about Greece. There is something magical about the contrast between the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the ancient ruins and white buildings of the Greek islands.
The best cruises to Greece offer a diverse mix of islands and key destinations in Greece: Athens for its ruins, Santorini for its blue-roofed churches, Mykonos for its shopping and nightlife, and Rhodes for its palace and charming cobbled streets. You might even get lucky and visit places like Turkey or Montenegro.
If you’re not sure which ships to consider, here’s a list of the best cruises to Greece for different types of travelers.
Note: Prices were correct at time of publication; they are subject to change without notice.
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Best Greek Islands Cruises for Families: Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families. If a Disney cruise to Greece with kids sounds appealing, Disney Dream is the ship that will take you there.
The ship is not the newest of the line, but not the oldest either, and there is still plenty to do on board. The small size of the ship with room for 2,500 passengers makes it easy to get to know your way around. In fact, Disney Dream is typically cheaper than the line’s newest ships.
Dream offers breathtaking entertainment and daily character performances, meaning your kids are unlikely to be bored on the ship. The magical kids’ clubs feature a replica of Andy’s room from ‘Toy Story’ and the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon from ‘Star Wars’. (Expect surprise visits from R2-D2 or a squad of stormtroopers.)
Plus, Greece is surrounded by tons of ancient history that will capture your family’s imagination. In Athens, for example, you can choose to take a tour of the Acropolis, followed by a ‘day in the life of an archaeologist’ experience, where you search for treasures in a mock archaeological dig.
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If the kids prefer something sportier, they can enjoy an excursion that takes visitors to the Panathenaic Stadium for a tour and a lecture about the first Olympic Games of modern times.
Disney Dream offers five-, seven- and nine-night itineraries from $322 per person, per night, for a windowless interior cabin. Some routes sail round-trip from Rome, while others make a one-way trip between Rome and Barcelona with stops in Athens, Mykonos and other ports in Greece.
Related: Best Cruise Lines for Families
Best adult cruises in Greece for party animals: Resilient Lady
If you like a lively party atmosphere on a mega-ship, but don’t want an environment overrun with children, then Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady is probably the best cruise option in Greece for you.
Although Virgin’s Greek routes are fairly standard, what sets Virgin apart is the onboard experience in the region.
The adults-only ship combines a casual atmosphere with a vibrant nightlife. You’ll find passengers dressed as mermaids, crew dressed as drag queens, and performers who more accurately portray a cross-section of real life than those found on most other lines’ ships.
Part of what is arguably the best entertainment at sea, the nightly shows range from lounge singers and seemingly impromptu dance parties in the atrium to secret visits below deck to the ‘crew bar’ for drinks. There’s also Scarlet Night – a rave-style dance party on the pool deck where everyone wears red.
If that’s not wild enough for you, there’s also an app that lets you order champagne wherever you are on board, free fitness classes that encourage you to dress in your 80s best and even a tattoo parlor so that your bad can make decisions. .
Resilient Lady operates seven-, 10- and 11-night cruises from Athens, starting from $145 per person, per night, for an inside cabin. The trips include a mix of stops in Greece (including Santorini and Rhodes and an overnight stay in Mykonos), Croatia, Turkey and Montenegro, depending on the specific route you choose.
Related: The Best Cruises for Adults to Try If You Can’t Handle Being With Kids on Vacation
Best budget-friendly cruises in Greece: Rhapsody of the Seas
Do you want to explore Greece, but have limited resources? While you’ll need to plan for potentially expensive flights to Europe to get on board, a trip on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas could be for you.
The ship is one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships – it debuted in 2000 – but that doesn’t mean you won’t find fun activities on board, like trivia, pool games, nightly theater performances, game shows, dancing and live music.
The best part if you are on a budget is the price. You can book six, seven or eight night sailings from just $85 per person, per night, for an inside cabin. These cruises sail between Rome and Athens or between Barcelona and Athens, or round-trip from Ravenna (the port of Bologna, Italy). The trips include visits to Athens, Santorini and Mykonos, as well as ports in Cyprus and Turkey.
Related: How to Get a Deal on a Cruise
Best Luxury Small Ship Cruises in Greece: Windstar’s Wind Star
The namesake of Windstar Cruises, Wind Star is a 148-passenger masted sailing yacht that offers a special experience on the Greek islands as it visits some of the smaller ports in the area in addition to Athens.
The ship is great for sailing enthusiasts. Due to its small size, it can visit smaller ports that larger ships cannot access. (Think Monemvasia, a city carved into the rock, and Gythion, where you’ll find caves and beautiful beaches.)
Additionally, Wind Star is a luxury ship, which means you will find high-quality dining and service on board. All cabins have at least one window. When you purchase an all-inclusive rate, Wi-Fi, gratuities and alcohol are included in the price.
The ship’s cruises include week-long cruises between Athens and Rome, calling at Monemvasia and Gythion in Greece, as well as several ports in Italy. Rates start from $300 per person, per night, for an outside cabin.
Related: The Best Luxury Cruise Lines for Elegance and Exclusivity
Best Local Cruises in the Greek Islands: Celestyal Journey
Celestyal Cruises is a cruise line you don’t hear about very often, but it is based in Greece, which means it has a unique perspective on Greek island sailings.
If you’re looking for a cruise vacation full of local Greek flair, check out the brand’s Celestyal Journey. The ship is not new, but it is new in the line. After an extensive renovation and the Celestyal debut at the end of 2023, it is the youngest member of the liner fleet.
With approximately 1,200 passengers, Celestyal Journey is small enough to still provide a personalized experience, but large enough to offer a host of onboard amenities. Enjoy yourself at the spa and fitness center, eight bars, seven restaurants, a chef’s table experience and two swimming pools. The ship has 630 cabins, including 149 balcony cabins, 120 junior suites and 28 full suite accommodations.
The itineraries offered by Celestyal Journey range from four to 28 nights, departing from Athens or Thessaloniki. Most trips include visits to well-known Greek ports such as Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos, while longer sailings also visit places in Turkey and Montenegro. Prices start from $89 per person, per night, for an inside cabin.
In short
The best cruises to Greece combine a mix of fascinating destinations with a ship that suits your budget and travel style. If you’re still unsure which cruise to choose, contact an experienced cruise travel agent who can help you sort through the options.
Do you have more cruise questions? TPG has answers: