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The old town was empty and perfect for exploring the windmills, Little Venice and gorgeous streets. Then we went to Giora’s Medieval Bakery (running since the 1400s) for amazing baklava and spanikopita! We had a delicious Greek lunch of tzatziki, Greek salad, grilled octopus and fresh grilled fish at Vegera in port. We then took the sea us back to old port and walked to Agios Stefano beach which had beautiful water and stayed there until time to return to the ship.
Ancient history
We have an evening walking tour of Rome planned for the day we arrive (Viator), an Italian cooking class (Airbnb experiences) that afternoon. The following day, an early morning dome tour at St. Peters (Get Your Guide), Colosseum tour, and a Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel tour booked direct through Rome's tourism site. For a Greek Isles cruise, however, we advise looking more at the destinations you want to visit rather than the ship itself. If sailing through the dramatic cliffs of Kotor, Montenegro would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you, you won’t be able to book the biggest cruise ship.
Odyssey of the Seas Itineraries Cruises
Weather in the Mediterranean remains sunny, dry, and warm throughout the cruise season and seas tend to be quite calm. Greece & Turkey cruises typically visit either Kusadasi or Istanbul in Turkey in addition to several Greek islands. Located on the Greek island of Crete, Chania is known for its colorful Venetian Harbor, which was built in the 14th century. Chania’s Old Town is a picture-perfect place to spend the day, but if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, don’t hesitate to book an excursion to discover Crete’s mountains and valleys. Rhodes is most known for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While the 108 ft. statue has long been destroyed, the island still boasts a plethora of attractions for visitors to enjoy.
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Greece uses the Euro, and ATMs are widely available on Greek islands. It’s recommended to bring around 200 euros with you on a Greek Isles cruise, as you may occasionally come across restaurants, bars, and shops that do not take credit or debit cards. Most businesses will take card payments, especially in more touristy areas, so try to pay with card first (assuming your card has no foreign transaction fees). The newest and biggest Royal Caribbean ship sailing to the Greek Isles is Odyssey of the Seas. As a Quantum Class cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas boasts the latest and greatest of Royal Caribbean’s onboard activities, dining venues, and entertainment.
Cruise Itinerary
Skiathos is not a very common port stop on a cruise to Greece, and you’ll likely see the stop on itineraries labeled “Mamma Mia Cruise”, named after the iconic musical filmed in Greece. With 60 beaches on the island, Skiathos can make for an excellent beach day. Thessaloniki is not an island; it’s located in mainland Greece and is the second biggest city in the country. Don’t let this deter you, though, as the city offers plenty of activities for all interests.
We took the longest tour we could find (under the theory we'd only get there once) and had a spectacular time. You didn't say when you're traveling but we were there in May and it. Umbrellas for shade, plenty of water, sunscreen, think "blazing sun" and be ready. If you’re looking to book a tour through an independent provider, be sure to read our guide about booking excursions independently.
Best time of year for a Greek Isles cruise
As most Greek Isles cruises visit other countries in addition to Greece, it’s important to know which currencies to use in each port. Therefore, don’t overlook a smaller, older Royal Caribbean ship for a Greek Isles cruise. When visiting Europe, a cruise is sometimes more about the destination than the ship itself. Truthfully, there is no “wrong” time to go on a Greek Isles cruise.
Having an understanding of what is offered in each Greek port can help you better select a cruise itinerary. No matter which itinerary you choose, however, you’ll likely be amazed by the beauty, culture, and charm of everywhere you visit in Greece. While the scenery can change from port to port, expect to see tall, rugged mountains and some of the most turquoise water you’ll ever see. The port is not accessible by car (at least, the old port isn't). So you have to take the cable car/path/donkey before and after the cab. It gets insanely crowded, leave plenty of time to get back to the ship (hours if you can't walk the path in a pinch) .
Life Onboard Rhapsody of the Seas
Greek Isles cruises tend to stick relatively close to land, meaning you’ll almost always have views of nearby mountains and islands while at sea. If you book a cruise to the Greek Isles, you’ll only have to unpack once, yet you’ll be able to explore a new port nearly every day. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a classic cruise experience onboard in the evening without any stress about travel logistics from place to place. Typically, I would book all excursions through Viator or Get Your Guide, but decided to pay a bit extra and schedule all but one through Royal while on the cruise for the peace of mind. I cannot speak from experience quite yet, but did extensive research before booking.
Starting your meal with a Greek salad is a must while in port, and you may want to try dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) as well. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. If you’d prefer to stay close to the port, the city’s cafe-lined waterfront is sure to be a relaxing place to dine as you watch Thessaloniki’s bustling city life pass by. We are preparing for extreme heat and have purchased UV blocking umbrellas, dorky neck fans, and really comfortable, broken in shoes. We will fill one of our water bottles with ice too to keep water cold throughout the day. You can post now and register later.If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
4 mistakes & 7 things I did right on my Royal Caribbean European cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
4 mistakes & 7 things I did right on my Royal Caribbean European cruise.
Posted: Fri, 08 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Walking through Corfu’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will allow you to transport yourself back in time to the island’s Venetian rule. If an active adventure is more your style, consider a 4-wheel adventure through Corfu’s hillsides or a coastal hike along Corfu’s crystal clear beaches. After returning from the archaeological site, be sure to take some time to walk around Katakolon’s town center, where plenty of shopping and restaurants await. Katakolon, located in western Greece, is a gateway to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games. A walk through the Olympia complex is a must when visiting Katakolon, where you’ll be able to see where the Olympic Games took place from 776 BC to 393 AD.
One of the best aspects of a European cruise is tasting local cuisine in each port and country you visit, and Greece will certainly not disappoint when it comes to food. We recommend allotting 1-2 hours per port day to sit down for a nice Greek meal. Not only will it offer much-needed rest in the shade on hot summer days, but you’ll be able to taste local and regional specialties.
Several smaller cruise ships sail to the Greek Isles each year. Typically, these will be Vision, Radiance, or Voyager Class cruise ships like Rhapsody of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s European cruise season runs from April to October each year, with cruises to the Greek Isles being offered all season long. Greek & Adriatic cruises combine visits to the Greek Isles with port stops along the Adriatic to ports in Italy, Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia. Many of these cruises are one-way sailings from Athens, Greece to Venice (Ravenna), Italy and vice versa. In fact, even when a cruise is labeled “Greek Isles Cruise” on Royal Caribbean’s website, the itinerary usually includes one or two port stops in nearby countries in addition to Greece.
The island is famous for its white buildings topped with blue domes, dramatic sunsets, and romantic atmosphere. Popular activities for a day in Santorini include exploring the town of Oia, visiting the Red Beach, and taking a catamaran tour through the island’s underwater volcano. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine.
When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Likewise, boat or catamaran tours can be an excellent way to enjoy Greece’s coastline and beaches. These tours are extremely popular, so you’ll often find tour companies selling boat trips right when you get off the ship.
There are few cruise ports offering the opportunity to walk alongside ruins built over 2,500 years ago, yet you can discover ancient ruins in not just one, but several Greek cruise ports. If you’re traveling with kids, keep in mind that most Greek Isles cruises are extremely port-intensive. Unlike on a Caribbean cruise where you may have three sea days in one week, it’s not uncommon for there to be only one day at sea while cruising the Mediterranean. They can also come at a much better price than a newer ship, allowing you to save more money for shore excursions and cruise add-ons. The most important thing you can do when traveling in peak season is to disembark the ship as early as possible. Not only will you be able to start exploring before the weather gets too warm, but you’ll get the chance to walk around town before hoards of other tourists arrive.
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