Overview
690
408
2000
2016
QS12U332
Itinerary
Welcome to the ancient city of Athens, the 'Cradle of Western Civilisation'. If your schedule is tight, savor traditional Greek coffee at a café with a view of the city's iconic ruins, soaking in the historic ambiance before your cruise departs. If you've got time to explore the Acropolis stands as a must-see, a UNESCO World Heritage site, adorned with iconic structures like the Parthenon and nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus. The nearby Acropolis Museum showcases stunning artifacts from ancient Greece, providing deeper insight into the city's heritage.
Piraeus is located about 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city center and it takes roughly 20-30 minutes to reach by taxi or train. A taxi ride from the airport to Piraeus port will take approximately 40-60 minutes, depending on the traffic. The taxi fare (indicative only) is around 45 euros in the daytime and 64 euros at night (24:00-05:00).
Ephesus, a marvel of ancient architecture, invites visitors to explore its well-preserved ruins and relive the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Key highlights include the Library of Celsus, a stunning facade that once housed over 12,000 scrolls, and the Great Theatre, which could seat 25,000 spectators for dramatic performances.
Travellers can also wander the streets of this historic city to uncover the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only foundations and a single column remain, the site's past significance as a major religious and commercial center is palpable. A morning visit is recommended to avoid the crowds and heat.
Kusadasi's main cruise terminal is Ege Port, conveniently located just 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the city center, a quick 5-minute walk. Its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus makes it a prime spot for history enthusiasts.
In the town itself, explore the bustling bazaar, where you can find traditional Turkish crafts and spices. Take a leisurely stroll along the seafront promenade, enjoying views of the azure waters and vibrant marina. For a taste of local cuisine, try a traditional Turkish breakfast or fresh seafood at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
A natural, strategic waterway, the Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and on through the Aegean to the Mediterranean. As such it is the only sea link between the eastern European countries of the Black Sea and the rest of the world.
One of the busiest straits in the world with around 50,000 passing through it annually, it divides Istanbul and separates the European and Asian parts of Turkey.
Along its entire course is a profusion of palaces, fortresses, old wooden houses, gardens, and seaside cafes.
The Romanian city of Constanta is more than just the entry point to the Black Sea coast and Bucharest. It is a place with a long and interesting past, attested by its many Roman vestiges, historic buildings, facades and mosques that colour the Old City Centre. Ships will dock at Port Constanta.
Top Things to Do in Constanta:
- visit the Museum of Ethnography
- take a river boat down the Danube Delta
- explore the archaeological site of Histria
- spend the day in Bucharest
- relax on the beaches of Mamaia resort
Although this 'Pearl of the Black Sea' is now a bustling port of over a million inhabitants, Odessa still retains an old fashioned charm. Stretching along a semi-circle bay, it is known for its beaches and 19th-century architecture, including the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre. Ships will dock at the Port of Odessa.
Top Things to Do in Odessa:
- climb the Potemkin Steps
- visit the Palace of Count Tolstoy
- stroll along Primorsky Boulevard
- explore Gagarin's Palace
- visit the Akkerman Fortress
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at our fitness center, or lounge the day away on our sunny pool deck. In the evening, savor inspired Italian cuisine at Aqualina, or relish in a classic steakhouse experience at Prime C. Plus, you’ll find plenty of exciting evening entertainment, from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
Located on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is Russia's only subtropical resort city and the gateway to the 'Russian Riviera'. Most famous for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, its fresh air, majestic mountain scenery, mineral springs, long beaches, warm sunny days, and bustling nightlife, are also a big draw. Ships will dock at the Port of Sochi.
Top Things to Do in Sochi:
- stroll through the Dendrary Botanical Garden
- hike through the beautiful Alek Mountains
- tour the Olympic Park
- try a Russian tea at Dagomys Tea Plantation
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at our fitness center, or lounge the day away on our sunny pool deck. In the evening, savor inspired Italian cuisine at Aqualina, or relish in a classic steakhouse experience at Prime C. Plus, you’ll find plenty of exciting evening entertainment, from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
Once the seat of two massive empires, Istanbul has been shaped by its colourful history. From massive Byzantine churches, to towering Ottoman mosques, history can be found in each building no matter what part of the city you wander through. Ships will dock at the Galataport cruise ship terminal which is a 40 minute drive from the Istanbul Airport.
Top Things to Do in Istanbul:
- marvel at the Blue Mosque
- haggle at the Grand Bazaar
- explore the Underground Cistern
- visit the Hagia Sofia
Once the seat of two massive empires, Istanbul has been shaped by its colourful history. From massive Byzantine churches, to towering Ottoman mosques, history can be found in each building no matter what part of the city you wander through. Ships will dock at the Galataport cruise ship terminal which is a 40 minute drive from the Istanbul Airport.
Top Things to Do in Istanbul:
- marvel at the Blue Mosque
- haggle at the Grand Bazaar
- explore the Underground Cistern
- visit the Hagia Sofia
Life On Board
Modern and intimate, enjoy a boutique cruise journey just as special as the places she visits. Read more
Top tier authentic service complements Azamara’s intimate ships and inclusive amenities. Read more
Go places larger vessels can’t get to and linger longer to immerse yourself in unique destinations. Read more
Entice your tastebuds with a world of flavours at every meal, from classic choices to regionally inspired menus. Read more
Head ashore for a bespoke performance curated to showcase destinations and cultures around the world. Read more
Enjoy destination focussed programming and continue your cultural journey from shore to ship. Read more
Ship Reviews (5)
Service and food on Azamara were great. We especially enjoyed the complimentary White Night with plentiful seafood including lobster. Whilst their standard dining menus contained Gluten free options they were happy to specially adapt most menu items to gluten-free provided we pre-ordered.
Special thanks to Tracey our Global Journey's Advisor who came to our rescue when our flights from BA to Ushuaia were cancelled because of a general strike. Tracey managed to find us flights the next day despite them not being generally available.
The verandah stateroom plus is a very good option and is serviced daily by a valet, ours was very obliging and left a small sweet treat every evening. Shore excursions are expensive but well run. Try the Tuk Tuk options for local tours and other options is you want to take longer trips to inland areas, islands or nearby towns etc. Chioggia is difficult to get to by private transfer. There is a local bus service from Venice for about €6-7 and takes about an hour. However you still have to get to the embarkation point from the town - you cannot rely on taxis as there are only 4 in the town. The only option is travel from Venice or the airport with pre arranged transfer on embarkation and disembarkation. This is expensive and seems designed for those Northern Hemisphere clients.
If people want to position themselves the day before the cruise starts, spend overnight in Venice or the airport for transfer the following day. As there were only a few of us not using the Azamara transfers, the company didn’t seem interested in helping. Our plans were upset a bit because the bus we planned to get to Padua on May 1 wasn’t running because of a public holiday! Thankfully the other bus company got us back to Venice where caught the train to Venice. A message to Azamara to be a bit more client focussed would help us southerners! Overall it was a great experience which we would recommend and as all the Azamara ships are the same, we’d certainly consider them if we were to cruise again, e.g around Japan
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Azamara. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
