Greece Cruises

History & culture

Greek history and its culture are one of the key reasons to visit Greece. Explore the archaeological treasures, that are rich in that destination. Walk the streets of Athens, see the Parthenon, and discover its wonderful museum. Cruise to Katakolon, a place where the Olympic games were born, or see the famous ruins of the Apollo Theatre in Delphi. Greece is full of architectural masterpieces, ancient temples and impressive ruins you can admire during your cruise.

Food & drink

Greek food may not be as famous around the globe as Chinese or Italian, but it certainly is delicious. And going on a Greek cruise is the best way to try all the essentials and fall in love with these fresh, authentic and rich in flavours cuisine.

Top-5 greek dishes you absolutely must try on your cruise to Greek islands:

• Gyros – vertically roasted meat, placed on pita bread with fresh onions, tomatoes and lettuce, usually served with some fries. It’s a great yummy snack to try and an affordable one.

• Moussaka – that’s something you can find literally in every Greek taverna. Moussaka is like lasagna, but instead of pasta, there are eggplants. So it’s basically layers of minced meat, eggplants and sauces like bechamel and sweet-spice tomato sauce. So the dish is very juicy and extremely delicious.

• Keftedes - that’s the name for meatballs, another traditional Greek dish. And the fun fact is that keftedes is not always made from meat, for instance in Santorini we recommend you try "tomato keftedes" or "kolokytho keftedes" (made from zucchini).

• Lamb – is being a Greek speciality since antique times. On the menus you’ll find numerous variations of lamb: it can be stewed with house red wine, roasted with herbs or stuffed with nuts. Either way, you are to have a pleasant dinner.

• Greek coffee – they cook it differently in Greece, using a traditional long handles coffee pot. And since Greece is a hot country and you may prefer something fresh instead, try frappe - a popular ice coffee drink in Greece.

Athens

Athens is the largest Greek city, it's capital and one of the oldest cities in the world. Some people even call it the historical capital of Europe. Athens is a place where arts, philosophy, science and democracy were born. It is a fascinating open-air museum full of great examples of antique architecture and you get to see them all on your cruise to Greece. The Parthenon, without a doubt, is the key highlight of the city. An important thing you should remember is that Acropolis is located on a hill, and you need to climb there. So make sure to dress comfortably, apply sunscreen and don’t forget to hydrate. 

Santorini

Santorini is a bucket list destination, extremely popular around the world - courtesy of its white-blue architecture, sandy beach, blue sea and spectacular views. Santorini is a volcanic island. In fact, it’s an active volcano which makes your visit even more thrilling. The best thing to do on a cruise to Santorini is to explore the beautiful villages of Oia and Fira, relax on a black-sanded beach, try some traditional Greek food and enjoy a magnificent sunset view of the caldera with a glass of local wine.

Mykonos

Mykonos is another magical Greek Island and a popular cruise destination for most Mediterranean cruises. Mykonos is a luxurious island with lots of boutiques, award-winning restaurants, villas and fabulous nightlife. It also has some exceptional beaches with crystal blue waters. No wonder Mykonos is one of the top-summer destinations for tourists.  

Zakynthos

Zakynthos is an intimate and incredibly beautiful Greek island you can visit on a cruise. Once upon a time, it was Venetian, and they called it “Fiore de Levante”, which means flower of the East. And, well, Zakynthos truly is a gorgeous flower of the East Mediterranean. We recommend you have a boat trip around the island, so you can enjoy the beautiful blue caves, picturesque villages, wonderful coastline and the famous Navagio beach, the most photographed place on Zante.

Corfu

Every time we describe Greek islands, we mention fabulous beaches and, well, Corfu is no exception. It’s located in the Ionian sea, has a very rich history, an interesting old town to visit and lots of spectacular sandy beaches to enjoy while you are on a cruise to Greece.

Crete

Talking about the Greece cruise and not mentioning its biggest Island is impossible, so another great destination is Crete. You'll find various beautiful beaches, wild natural beauties, famous archaeological sites, rich cultural heritage and exquisite Greek cuisine.   

Currency considerations

The official currency in Greece is Euro and cash is much more popular than the credit cards. They are of course acceptable in big cities and popular tourist destinations, but in small villages they still prefer cash.

Customs and traditions to be aware of 

Greek people are extremely friendly and hospital, especially if you can speak a word or two. So don’t be shy and communicate with locals. There’s one safety tip we would like you to keep in mind. Pickpocketing is still a thing in many Greece destinations, especially on busy Athens streets, so be careful and probably don’t wear some expensive jewelry while there. 

Making the most use of short durations in port

If you want to make the most of your Greek cruise, we recommend you avoiding the peak season. The temperature may be extremely high making it impossible to visit the Acropolis, for example. Also the prices in August are increasing and there are thousands of tourists. So pick May, September or October cruises to have the best experiences of your life.

Transport

There are various types of transport in Greece depending on where exactly you are traveling. You can use taxis, public transport, boats, ferries and even donkeys. We strongly recommend you book all the tickets you can buy online in advance, especially if you have an august cruise, this way you’ll avoid the queues and save lots of time for exploring.

We have put together the following FAQs. We hope that you will be able to find an answer to your question below, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team.

• When is the best time to cruise to Greece?

The most popular month for a Greek cruise is July and August, but it’s the peak of the season, with lots of tourists, high temperatures and high prices. The best month to visit Greece are July, September and October. 

• What other countries can I visit on a Greece Cruise?

Greece is a popular destination for a cruise in the eastern Mediterranean. Other popular destinations here would be Croatia, Montenegro and Italy.

• What is the prettiest Greek island?

Greece has around 6 000 islands, some of them like Santorini, Rhodos, Mykonos, Corfu, and Crete are very well known, while others like Zakynthos, Paros, Naxos and Milos are not so famous, but also extremely beautiful. Honestly, it’s impossible to say which island is the prettiest. Most people would chose between Mykonos and Santorini. We think the best way to find out the answer to that question is to visit them both, explore them and make your own decision.