Overview
1,260
500
1994
2025
CCIDA7
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).
Greece's 'second city', Thessaloniki, is the countries energetic cultural capital. Weaved in among ancient ruins are vibrant streets lined with a diverse selection of delicious restaurants, boutique shops and beautiful beaches. Ships will dock at the Port of Thessaloniki.
Top Things to Do in Thessaloniki:
- visit the iconic White Tower and Museum
- tour the city's 15 UNESCO listed monuments
- visit the Royal Tombs in Vergina
- explore the ancient city of Dion
- stroll along the Thessaloniki waterfront
- shop the Modiano and Kapani markets
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.
Heraklion, also known as Iraklion, is adorned with a rich collection of quality museums, ancient ruins from antiquity, and a lively culture. The city is built on a hillside overlooking its port and is encircled by impressive Venetian walls. Ships will dock in the port of Heraklion.
Top Things to Do in Heraklion:
- explore the ancient Palace of Knossos
- visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- tour the Plateau of Lassithi
- visit the ancient Minoan Palace of Phaistos
- shop for pottery in Thrapsano Village
- explore Spinalonga Island
Santorini, a jewel of the Aegean Sea, is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets and distinctive white-washed buildings with blue domes. Begin your exploration in Fira, the island's bustling capital, where narrow streets are lined with charming shops, cafes, and stunning views of the caldera. Don't miss the Archaeological Museum of Thera to glimpse into the island's ancient past.
A short journey from Fira, the village of Oia awaits with its iconic sunset views and picturesque architecture. Wander through its winding alleys, and discover unique art galleries and boutiques. For a taste of local flavors, indulge in fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes at a cliffside taverna. End your visit with a relaxing afternoon on one of Santorini's famous black sand beaches.
Mykonos, a jewel in the Aegean Sea, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and iconic white-washed buildings. Begin your day in Mykonos Town, or Chora, where the maze-like streets are filled with boutique shops, charming cafes, and art galleries. The town's famous windmills, a symbol of the island, offer a perfect photo opportunity and a glimpse into the island's history.
In the afternoon, relax on one of the island's beautiful beaches, such as Platis Gialos or Paradise Beach, known for their golden sands and clear waters. For a unique cultural experience, visit the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, showcasing artifacts from the island's rich past. End your visit with a meal at a waterfront taverna, enjoying local dishes like moussaka and fresh seafood.
The most southwestern of the Cyclades archipelago, Milos is an island shaped by time, history and natural forces. Best known as the place where the Venus de Milo statue was discovered, the island offers an exciting variety of landscapes, impossibly blue waters and an intimate side of Greece. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders guests to shore.
Top Things to Do in Milos:
- explore the Catacombs of Milos
- admire Sarakiniko Beach
- visit Archaeological Museum of Milos
- explore the caves at Kleftiko beach
If you've got time to explore the rich heritage of Athens, begin at the Acropolis, where the Parthenon offers breathtaking views of the city. Nearby, the Plaka district's narrow streets are filled with charming shops and tavernas, perfect for leisurely exploring. Visit the Ancient Agora to walk in the footsteps of Socrates. For a modern twist, the National Archaeological Museum houses treasures spanning millennia. Wrap up your day with a sunset stroll up Lycabettus Hill, providing panoramic vistas of this timeless city.
Athen's city center is located about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Piraeus and it takes roughly 20-30 minutes to reach by taxi or train. A taxi ride to the airport from Piraeus 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).
Life On Board
Welcome to the latest member of the Celestyal fleet - Celestyal Journey will be at the heart of our commitment to go further and get closer to incredible destinations. Read more
Our highly trained team of chefs lovingly prepare a delectable choice of exquisite dishes using fresh, local ingredients gathered as we travel. Read more
With an extensive daily program of onboard entertainment, we promise you will have a fun-filled experience during your time with us. Read more
Turn your cruise into an adventure as you delve deeper into a land of ancient wonder and stunning coastlines. Read more
The Celestyal Journey's 630 staterooms & balcony suites are designed to give you more of what you love so there's something for everyone. Read more
When it comes to complete relaxation, nothing beats a visit to the spa. We have everything for a rejuvenating and reinvigorating experience. Read more
Trip Reviews (9)
In summary, a great cruise all-up which we can recommend. The ports we visited were very busy so next time we would try and sail outside Greek tourist season. Santorini was crowded and queues both ends of the cableway were crazy. We queued for two to three hours in 38c heat and no overhead protection. We ended up walking down the 588 steps slippery with donkey c..p everywhere. We in concert with many tourists would not ride the poor overworked donkeys on principle. We did not find a single waste bin anywhere so consequently, there were plastic and glass bottles and plastic bags everywhere - disgraceful. Certainly not a village to be visited a second time. Thank you for arranging such a wonderful enjoyable cruise for us.
Food in the a la carte restaurant was nice, our two waiters, which we saw most nights, were just lovely. Food in the buffet was repetitive and of a much lower standard. We did not try the restaurants where you pay so can’t comment on that.
Tours! The tour in Turkey of the house of the virgin Mary and Ephesus was fantastic, our tour guide was well versed in his history. The tour in Santorini not so much! We booked the sunset tour (on the advice of our tour manager daughter) so we could see the sun set over Santorini, alas Celestyal changed this to the morning tour which was quite early, hot and crowded and not much fun at all, we just wanted to get off the Island by lunchtime but had to wait well over an hour for the cable car, then another half hour for the tender to arrive! We did our own thing on the other islands but there was a lot of choice should one want to do a tour every day.
The drinks packages were overpriced, the one which allowed us to drink the nice cocktails came in at over $400 AUD for one week! We just bought a cocktail each day and saved ourselves quite a lot of money! Would I recommend this cruise? It allows one to visit the Greek islands on a smaller ship as opposed to the monstrous ones we saw off Santorini, so it was a good choice in the regard. Food could be improved but the staff were amazing and we had a thoroughly great trip!
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Celestyal Greece, Med & Arabian Gulf (2025-27)
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 Celestyal Cruises. 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.
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