Athens & 4 Day Greek Isles Cruise 2026
Athens, then a 4-day cruise to Mykonos, Kuşadası, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete & Santorini; travel on your own with flights & hotel included. Optional Classical Greece extension.
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | April – November 2026 | ||
Themes | Small Ship Cruises | ||
Activity Level | Recreational | ||
What to Expect | This is a moderately-paced, independent package. Excursions with local tour guides include a reasonable amount of walking and requires and average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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No Mediterranean getaway is complete without this unforgettable journey through Athens and the dazzling Greek Isles. Begin your adventure in Athens, the vibrant capital where ancient history and modern energy collide. Spend three nights in the cradle of Western civilization and four magical nights cruising through the Aegean, stopping at the iconic islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini, along with a fascinating visit to Kuşadası in Turkey.
This incredible package includes round-trip international flights, superior hotel accommodations in Athens for three nights, a four-night Greek Island cruise, a half-day city tour of Athens, daily breakfast, all meals aboard the cruise, and seamless transfers. Whether you choose to explore independently or join captivating optional tours, the flexibility is yours to create the dream vacation you deserve—all at a surprisingly affordable price. And if time allows, why not extend the adventure with our budget-friendly Classic Greece extension—an exciting way to make the most of your already-included airfare!
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Round trip flights from New York UFK) or Newark (EWR) via scheduled carriers including taxes & fees, with other gateways available on request
- 3 nights in Deluxe hotel accommodations in Athens
- 4 nights IA interior cosmos cabin aboard the Celestyal Discovery
- Port Charges
- Cruise tips for main dining staff and cabin attendants
- 15 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
- Sightseeing in Athens
- All group transfers
- Celestyal One Package with complimentary essential WiFi and soft drinks, juice, filtered coffee, tea, and water stations during main restaurant dining hours. Plus extra snacks from the Greek Deli and Pizza Oven throughout the day.
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Cabin Upgrades
- Optional shore excursions in Mykonos, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Patmos, & Santorini
- Optional tour of Cape Sounion
- Celestyal Pay: A pre-purchased specialty food and drink package
- WiFi Data option to send files, share photos or videos to social media, use streaming apps or make video calls
- Optional Classical Greece extension (Value Vacation, groups may be larger)
Why you'll love it
- Enjoy 4 nights aboard the Celestyal Discovery, cruising along the Mediterranean Sea en route to some of Greece's captivating islands.
- Stroll through the island of Mykonos, enjoying the surrounding natural beauty, friendly locals, and decadent cafes.
- Spend the afternoon in Patmos and have the chance to tour the cave where St. John once lived as well as the Monastery, perched on one of the highest points on the island.
- Explore Rhodes at leisure, or have the chance to discover the ancient Acropolis at Lindos.
- Browse the stalls full of fresh foods and other goods at the open-air market in Heraklion, or join an optional excursion to see the ruins of Knossos.
- Admire the ancient monuments and temples of the past and the modern structures of the present during your guided tour of Athens.
- Visit the well-known Acropolis and the variety of monuments that occupy its rocky base.
- View the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, University, and National Library during your drive along Panepistimiou Avenue.
Itinerary at a Glance

- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Athens
- 3 Athens & Mykonos
- 4 Kuşadası, Turkey & Patmos, Greece
- 5 Rhodes
- 6 Heraklion & Santorini
- 7 Athens
- 8 Athens
- Optional Excursion: Cape Sounion (purchased locally), $55
- 9 Depart Athens/Arrive USA
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Note: Some departures will follow Celestyal Cruise's winter schedule and will note stop in Crete on Day 6 and spend the full day in Santorini.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Check in for your overnight flight to Greece
Day 2 Athens
- Arrive in Athens, Greece and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar
Full Day ItineraryArrive today in Athens. Our representative will meet you and then escort you to your hotel, centrally located near Constitution Square and the famous Plaka (Old Town). Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, once hailed as the Paris of the Mediterranean, is now a bustling modern city, a colorful tapestry of Eastern and Western influences, full of outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, parks, and gardens, street bazaars, dilapidated mansions, and ancient ruins.
Day 3 Athens & Mykonos
- Board your cruise ship and set sail
- Enjoy the evening at leisure on the island of Mykonos, or join an optional excursion
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryTransfer to the port to board your cruise ship, Celestyal Discovery. In the afternoon, enjoy the sun, sea breezes, pool, and other onboard facilities.
This evening, arrive at the gorgeous island of Mykonos and transfer from the port via a complimentary shuttle. Enjoy an independent stroll through Mykonos town with its labyrinth of winding alleyways, whitewashed buildings, basket-laden donkeys, cascading geraniums, and upscale shops and cafés. Or, join an optional evening excursion.
Day 4 Kuşadası, Turkey & Patmos, Greece
- Enjoy the morning in Kuşadası at leisure or join an optional shore excursion
- Spend the afternoon at leisure on the Greek island of Patmos
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive in Kuşadası, Turkey this morning. Spend the morning at your leisure, soaking up seaside charm and browsing bustling bazaars, or join an optional shore excursion exploring ancient ruins, including a tour of Ephesus.
Return to your ship for lunch aboard as you sail toward Patmos, Greece. Disembark at Skala harbor, a lively place with whitewashed houses, flowered courtyards, tavernas, and shops. The Island of Patmos is famous in history as the place where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. An optional tour takes you to the cave where St. John lived and the nearby Monastery, built on one of the island's highest points, priceless housing icons, and manuscripts in its Treasury. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 Rhodes
- Explore Rhodes indepdently, or join an optional shore excursion
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryToday, visit Rhodes, the beautiful "Island of Roses" and the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, where striking landscapes blend dramatic ancient ruins with hillside villages. In the heart of Rhodes city lies the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, a fascinating maze of Byzantine, Turkish, and Latin remnants, enclosed by mighty fortifications that stand as some of the finest surviving examples of medieval defensive architecture. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this remarkable island or join an optional shore excursion—perhaps visit the ancient Acropolis at Lindos or wander the cobbled alleyways and narrow arteries of the Old Town, where opulent architecture and centuries of history await.
Day 6 Heraklion & Santorini
- Explore Heraklion independently, or join an optional shore excursion
- Spend the evening at leisure in Santorini, or join an optional shore excursion
Celestyal Discovery or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive early this morning in Heraklion, the bustling capital of Crete. As you pull into port, be sure to capture the imposing 16th-century Koules Fortress, then choose your own adventure!
Explore the city at your leisure—strolling the open-air market, where locals trade everything from livestock to fresh yogurt, or visiting the city’s many landmarks, including the Venetian fortresses and loggias. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum, one of Greece’s finest, which houses exquisite treasures from the Minoan era, or the Historical Museum of Crete, showcasing Byzantine and folklore collections. Or, join an optional shore excursion to the nearby ruins of Knossos, the ceremonial and political heart of the Minoan civilization.
Return to the ship and continue sailing to the island of Santorini, a volcanic crater immersed in the Aegean Sea, renowned for its dramatic, rugged landscapes, and iconic beauty. As you approach, you'll be captivated by the sweeping views—whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches perched high on striking cliffs, creating one of the world’s most photographed, picture-postcard scenes. Accessible by foot, cable car, or mule, the charming cliffside villages are dotted with open-air cafés and glittering boutiques, offering a peaceful oasis of tranquility and romance. Spend time at leisure exploring at your own pace, or join an optional shore excursion to discover even more of Santorini’s timeless charm.
Day 7 Athens
- Disembark the ship in Athens
- Enjoy a tour of Athens, including the Acropolis
- Spend the afternoon at leisure, or enjoy an optional excursion
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryWitness the striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of a glorious past and elegant modern structures during your tour of Athens. Visit the Acropolis, the crowning beauty and glory of Ancient Athens, with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the awesome Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, with its Porch of Maidens. Drive to the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathinaikon Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1986), and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament House on Constitution Square. See views of government buildings and elegant structures of the 19th century. Drive along Panepistimiou Avenue and view the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University, and the National Library. In contrast, conclude your tour with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum, a marvel of architecture with an entire exhibition of the glory of Ancient Athens.
Day 8 Athens
- Spend a full day at leisure exploring Athens, or join an optional excursion
- Or, continue on our Classical Greece Extension
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Optional Excursion: Cape Sounion (purchased locally), $55Drive along the coastal road past countless coves and the beautiful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza to Cape Sounion. Dominated by the spectacular Temple of Poseidon, the sanctuary at Sounion is one of Attica's most important archeological sites. Although evidence suggests that the site dates back to the prehistoric period, the sanctuary is first mentioned in Homer's Odyssey, where Menelaos stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides. Learn about this area's rich history as you take in stunning views of the Aegean on this optional excursion.
Day 9 Depart Athens/Arrive USA
- Bid farewell to Athens as you’re escorted to the airport to board your return flight
- Arrive in the USA later today
At the ports of Mykonos, Patmos, and Santorini, disembarkation is by tender boats, weather permitting. Kusadasi and Patmos stops might be in inverted order. Passengers taking the optional shore excursions disembark first. The itinerary listed, including ports of call, embarkation/disembarkation times, shore excursions, and prices, was correct at the time of publication. We and our partner, Celestyal Cruise Lines, will do our utmost to adhere to the itinerary as listed. Still, due to sea conditions and other factors, minor changes to the itinerary may be necessary, and some shore excursions shown may not be available. Celestyal Cruise Lines may also substitute another ship from their fleet of similar size and amenities. We will do our best to inform travelers immediately of such changes.
Classical Greece Extension
Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare and visit the classical cities of Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, and Delphi? Your extension includes superior hotels, most meals, and guided touring of the most fascinating of the classical cities of Greece, including entrance fees to places visited. This extension is part of our Value Vacation, and groups may be larger than our Small Group Tours.
Day 8 Athens, Mycenae & Olympia
- Drive across the Corinth Canal to Olympia
- Eroute, visit the famous theatre of Epidaurus
- Spend the evening at leisure in Olympia
Amalia Hotel Olympia or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, board your touring coach and begin a tour of Greece's classical cities. Drive across the Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean, to the Peloponnesian Peninsula, where 4,000 years of history are more fully and comprehensibly illustrated than elsewhere in Europe.
Visit the famous theater of Epidaurus, the best preserved in Greece, which reached the height of its fame in the 5th & 4th centuries B.C. The acoustics are so perfect that every word can be heard, even from the last of the 55 tiers. Continue to ancient Mycenae. According to the poets, Mycenae was founded by Perseus and built with the aid of the mythological Cyclops. Drive on to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games, for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 Olympia, Nafpaktos & Delphi
- Enjoy a morning tour of the archaeological site and museum at Olympia
- Embark on an afternoon drive via Patras to Rion, Antirion and picturesque Nafpaktos
- Spend the evening at leisure in Delphi
Amalia Hotel Delphi or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, tour the archaeological site and museum at Olympia, where the Olympic games were conceived as a tribute to Hercules, son of Zeus. These games were the most important international event in the Hellenic world from 776 B.C. to 393 A.D. and continue today, with the lighting of the Olympic flame that runners carry across the globe. Visit the Sanctuary of the Olympian Zeus and the Museum.
This afternoon, drive via Patras to Rion, Antirion, and picturesque Nafpaktos, where, according to mythology, Hercules slew the Erymanthine boar and where we'll view the lovely circular Venetian harbor. Continue our drive to Delphi for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 Delphi & Kalambaka
- Enjoy a morning tour of Delphi
- Spend the evening at leisure in Kalambaka
Amalia Hotel Kalambaka or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, explore the ancient site of Delphi, located on the slopes of the breathtaking Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Here lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the museum, which contains masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture, including the famous bronze Charioteer. The site had been sacred since at least the Bronze Age. According to legend, the shrine was originally guarded by the she-dragon Pytho. She was killed by Apollo, who then took over the oracle. In antiquity, Delphi was regarded as the center of the world.
Later, depart for the small town of Kalambaka, built at the foot of the majestic gray rocks, where the river Pinios leaves Pindos Mountain.
Day 11 Meteora & Athens
- Enjoy a morning tour of Meteora monasteries
- This afternoon, drive back to Athens via Thermopylae
- Spend the evening at leisure in Athens
Royal Olympic Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, visit the spectacular Meteora monasteries, perched upon the summits of some steep and isolated rocky pinnacles, which rise above the almost flat valley of the Pinios River, 5.5 miles beyond Kalambaka. The monastic history of Meteora goes back to the 11th century AD when the monks constructed inaccessible eagle's nests in the crannies of these rocks, and today, four are still occupied.
Later this afternoon, drive back to Athens via Thermopylae, a famous battleground from the Persian wars. Arrive in Athens and check into your hotel.
Day 12 Athens/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Athens as you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
Reviews & Photos
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Greece? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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What should I know about Turkey? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.