The enduring appeal of Greece is its myriad archipelagos, making it a magnet for cruise lines. Each spring, ships make a beeline for their azure seas and beautiful shorelines, spending the summer season before departing for warmer waters when autumn nights draw in.
Exploring these isles on a cruise brings out their contrasting characters, from pulsating party spots and their hedonistic hordes to sleepy backwaters sustained by tiny tavernas serving Hellenic specialities against a backdrop of gorgeous vistas.
With many voyages departing from Athens, it’s easy to slot in a few days in the buzzy Greek capital, and while hotspots Mykonos and Santorini continue to attract the masses, there’s also lesser-known Patmos, Skopelos and Milos to explore for a more peaceful escape.
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Best for luxury
7-Day Ephesus & Greek Island Gems
Seabourn
Key stops: Mykonos, Crete, Symi, Kos and Kusadasi for Ephesus
Departure port: Piraeus for Athens
Duration: Six nights
Ship: Seabourn Quest
Mykonos and Kusadasi, on the Turkish Riviera, are the two big-hitters of this Aegean Sea sailing – combining the glitzy vibe of the thumping Greek party island with the Roman ruins of Ephesus, reached from the Turkish beach resort. Luxury line Seabourn prides itself on bringing a different flavour to its voyages and a stand-out highlight of this cruise is an evening classical concert offered gratis to guests amid the ruins of Ephesus once the day’s crowds have departed.
Pretty Symi is an enchanting isle with colourful neo-classical former merchant’s houses lining the harbour, so be sure to stop for a drink at one of the many restaurants along the quayside. The island is also the setting for Seabourn’s Marina Day with complimentary water sports, while the nearby isle of Kos brings a rich archaeological heritage as the birthplace of Hippocrates.
Seabourn Quest has the ambience of a sophisticated mega-yacht shared between just 458 guests in 225 suites, all with their own verandas. Interiors are plush, light and airy with a decent choice of dining venues, all included. Don’t miss Seabourn Moments, extra spontaneous pampering touches that encompass suite treats and surprises.
Insider tip
The superb Mediterranean fare served in Solis makes Seabourn’s new restaurant a popular haunt, so get your reservation in early.
How to do it
A six-night Ephesus & Greek Island Gems voyage departing September 13, 2026, costs from £4,759pp for an ocean view suite. Includes accommodation, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi and Ephesus experience.
Best for getting off the beaten track
Greece Intensive Cruise: Thessaloniki, Patmos & Mykonos
Azamara Cruises
Key stops: Thessaloniki, Volos, Patmos, Monemvasia, Mykonos, Nafplio and Piraeus for Athens
Departure port: Istanbul
Duration: Eight nights
Ship: Azamara Onward
Aside from the party isle of Mykonos and Greece’s second city of Thessaloniki, this voyage from Istanbul to Athens fulfils Azamara’s aim of scratching beneath the surface and visiting some of the country’s lesser-known spots.
Peaceful Patmos is steeped in the spirituality of its Christian heritage, while the centuries roll back in the medieval fortress town of Monemvasia, set on a hulking isle connected to the Peloponnese peninsula by a causeway. Hailed as one of the most romantic towns in Greece, and the country’s first capital to boot, the mainland settlement of Nafplio is made for wandering; the marble-paved streets of its Old Town revealing Byzantine and Venetian roots.
Accommodating just 684 passengers, Azamara Onward can squeeze into smaller ports that larger ships simply can’t. Styled as a floating boutique hotel, it brings a classic style of cruising with wood panelling and gleaming brass, though the main living room has a lighter contemporary feel. One of Azamara’s best features is its immersive AzAmazing special events that are held on every cruise – and on this sailing, a deck celebration is planned showcasing Greek music and dancing.
Insider tip
Azamara’s White Night deck parties are one of the high points of its voyages, so don’t forget to pack accordingly.
How to do it
An eight-night Greece Intensive Cruise departing April 30, 2027, costs from £2,129pp for an oceanview cabin. Includes dining, drinks, gratuities and Azamara special events. Excludes flights.
Best for seeing the main islands
Mediterranean Icons (West to East)
Celestyal
Key stops: Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari, Athens, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos
Departure port: Piraeus for Athens
Duration: 14 nights
Ship: Celestyal Journey
This cultural odyssey from Celestyal Cruises combines the Aegean and Adriatic coastlines, taking guests on a centuries-old journey through the treasures of ancient Greece to the Venetian heritage of the walled city of Dubrovnik. One of the most fascinating stops is the Greek port of Katakolon, where a short distance away is Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games and where, astoundingly, you can still run on the original track the first Olympians raced along in 776 BC.
A useful stop in Athens partway through means passengers can explore the Greek capital in more depth, while later departures from Santorini and Mykonos (10pm and 2am respectively) afford time to enjoy these islands late into the evening. You can watch the sunset in Santorini’s hilltop town of Oia and hit the late-night clubs in Mykonos. Milos is a complete contrast – its ivory rock formations giving this hideaway an unusual, lunar-like landscape where daredevils jump from the cliffs.
Celestyal Journey is more than 30 years old, but upgrades have kept it looking fresh and public areas are modern and stylish. The Blue Bar is the place for pre-dinner drinks, while the Horizon Lounge is the setting for late-night carousing; the Pink Moon Asian restaurant is the pick of its speciality haunts.
Insider tip
It’s worth paying extra for a Junior or Grand Dream Suite as they are very spacious with large balconies and walk-in wardrobe areas. Access to the thermal spa and a concierge service is also included with Grand Dream Suites.
How to do it
Celestyal Cruises 14-night Mediterranean Icons sailing departing July 31, 2027, costs from £1,489pp for an inside cabin. Includes Wi-Fi, gratuities and soft drinks. Excludes flights.
Best for a tall-ship sailing
Sporades Highlights
Star Clippers
Key stops: Dikili, Limnos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Poros
Departure port: Piraeus for Athens
Duration: Seven nights
Ship: Star Flyer
Nothing beats the thrill of riding the waves aboard one of the square riggers of the tall-ship line Star Clippers, whose size allows them to slip into smaller isles off limits to bigger ships. This sailing, which ticks off a string of gems rarely seen on cruise itineraries, is a case in point.
Limnos has mountains, a medieval castle and an ancient temple – all accompanied by the island’s home-grown wines. Elsewhere in Skiathos, beach lovers can hit the golden sands at Lalaria or Castro, or wander winding streets through the signature white and blue houses of Skiathos Town. Skopelos – spiced up with its link to the hit film Mamma Mia! – brings a similar blend of attractions, most notably the beautiful Church of Agios Ioannis Kastri and its winding staircase of 200 steps made famous by the film.
Life on Star Flyer is as far removed from traditional cruising as you can get. This is an authentic sailing ship, so cabins are compact and there are no balconies, but none of this matters as there’s plenty of room on the teak decks – sit in the bowsprit nets at the prow to catch dolphins leap from the waves beneath.
Insider tip
The Tropical Bar is the social hub of Star Clipper and evenings here are full of fun with crew fashion parades, talent shows (always entertaining) and general conviviality.
How to do it
A seven-night Sporades Highlights sailing departing August 15, 2026, costs from £2,080pp for a category 6 cabin. Excludes flights.
Best for history and culture
Best of Greece & Turkey
Celebrity Cruises
Key stops: Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Santorini, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Mykonos
Departure port: Piraeus for Athens
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Celebrity Infinity
Exploring the Eastern Mediterranean by ship illustrates how intertwined Greece and Turkey have been over the centuries. This sailing slips effortlessly between them, stopping at the Turkish beach resort of Kusadasi one day, from where the Unesco remains of Ephesus beckon, and the vibrant waterfront of Mykonos Town the next. An overnight stop in Istanbul is a treat, affording ample time to lose yourself in the packed passageways of the Grand Bazaar and wander among the minarets of the city’s famous Ottoman-era Blue Mosque.
Then it’s back to Greece to Santorini, where whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches cling to volcanic slopes, and Rhodes, which stands apart among these islands for a history entwined with the medieval Knights of St John who shaped this island and bequeathed an interesting architectural legacy.
For those who relish the attractions of mainstream ships with West End-style shows and eclectic dining venues, but don’t want to go too big, Celebrity Infinity is on the cosier side, carrying just over 2,000 passengers. A sophisticated adult-oriented vibe (though it does take children) prevails with chic dining spots and Celebrity’s hallmark Martini Bar, which is a swish go-to haunt for evening drinks.
Insider tip
Le Petit Chef speciality restaurant has true novelty value thanks to astonishing special effects that bring your table top alive with tiny cartoon chefs who appear to prepare each course, before the real thing is served by your waiter.
How to do it
A Best of Greece & Turkey sailing departing September 27, 2027, costs from £1,148pp for an inside cabin. Excludes flights.
Best for on-board amenities
Greek Isles: Santorini & Athens
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Key stops: Kusadasi, Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus for Athens, Katakolon for Olympia, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split and Ravenna for Venice
Departure port: Istanbul
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Norwegian Viva
Kotor, in Montenegro, is a wonderful inclusion to any cruise itinerary and one of the most memorable ports in the Mediterranean. The sail-in alone through the Bay of Kotor is magnificent, and this fortified medieval town – tucked into the mountains with a maze of cobbled passageways – was made for wandering at will.
The graceful marble streets and squares of Corfu Town are embellished with stately arches and columns that are not only a reminder of centuries of Venetian rule, but make an ideal place to stop for coffee and soak up the ambience. Athens is an engaging mix of ancient and modern and while the skyline-dominating Acropolis needs little introduction, be sure to visit the Acropolis Museum just a 10-minute walk away and regarded as one of the city’s must-see attractions.
Norwegian Viva is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer ships that holds nearly 3,200 passengers and is packed with action and entertainment. The most novel draw is the ship’s go-kart racetrack that weaves across three decks and its two slides that plunge 10 storeys down the side of the ship. There are around 15 dining spots and numerous lounges and bars, but there’s a more rarefied experience in The Haven VIP complex with its own sun deck and 24-hour butler service.
Insider tip
For an entertaining meal, opt for the speciality Hasuki teppanyaki restaurant where exuberant chefs keep diners entertained with singing and egg juggling, as they chop and sauté in style.
How to do it
A 10-night Santorini & Athens sailing departing July 11, 2027, costs from £2,600pp for an oceanview cabin. Excludes flights.