You Can Choose Your Own Adventure
On a holiday like this one, how much you get out of it is up to you. There is zero judgement from fellow travellers on what you do with your days – I saw families making the most of the facilities on-board and sojourning for short shore expeditions with their young kids, and I saw seasoned cruisers heading out for all-day hikes with bucket hats and maps in hand.
My husband and I took it at our own pace – some of the highlights for me were the free time during our tour of Amalfi, browsing the upscale boutiques and incredible vistas of Positano and lunch in Sorrento taking in the seaside opulence and the sweeping Italian coastline – we ate at one of the oldest family-run hotels in Europe perched on the cliffside I was told you come for the lunch and the free views. They didn’t disappoint.
We also loved exploring the less touristy spots, like Chania where we took a $6 return shuttle to the Old Market – a bustling shopping and dining precinct on the water that gets compared to Venice. I’m not sure we would have ever made it to Chania if it wasn’t on the cruise agenda, and now we’ll definitely be going back.
We fell in love with Chania’s alleyways and local markets. Image: Supplied.
Should I Book Excursions On A Greek Isles Cruise
Many cruise ports in Greece are charming and walkable, meaning it’s possible to spend an entire day wandering around town without booking a tour. Some ports even have nice beaches within walking distance of the ship if youre hoping for a low-cost beach day.
Some port stops may be easier with a tour, especially if you plan to visit archaeological sites. If you want to visit the Acropolis in Athens or Olympia, for example, you may prefer the insights youll gain on a narrated tour of these famous sites rather than exploring on your own.
Likewise, boat or catamaran tours can be an excellent way to enjoy Greeces coastline and beaches. These tours are extremely popular, so youll often find tour companies selling boat trips right when you get off the ship.
If youre looking to book a tour through an independent provider, be sure to read our guide about booking excursions independently.
Greece & Turkey Cruises
Greece & Turkey cruises typically visit either Kusadasi or Istanbul in Turkey in addition to several Greek islands.
Kusadasi, located nearby the famous ancient city of Ephesus, is much more common as a port stop than Istanbul. Both ports, however, offer the chance to discover the blend of culturesfrom Mediterranean to Middle Eastern and Central Asianthat make Turkey so unique.
Don’t Miss: Can You Add Cruise Insurance After Booking
Which Ship Should I Book
In the Caribbean, which has an abundance of ships sailing at any time of year, we often say to choose a newer or amplified ship for your first cruise experience. Choosing a newer, updated ship means youll be able to experience Royal Caribbeans latest activities, entertainment, and restaurants.
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 wont be able to book the biggest cruise ship.
Related: 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship
If youre 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, its not uncommon for there to be only one day at sea while cruising the Mediterranean.
Sovereign Of The Seas
Ship’s fate: Scrapped
Sovereign of the Seas, despite being considered a small ship by todays standards, was once the largest cruise ship in the world. At 73,529 gross tons and with a capacity of 2,850 passengers, she was much larger than Royal Caribbeans previous cruise ships.
As the first Sovereign Class cruise ship, her maiden voyage was in April of 1988, and she was the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature the cruise lines signature suffix of the Seas.
Related: Take a look back to a Sovereign of the Seas cruise in 1998
Sovereign of the Seas sailed for Royal Caribbean from 1988 to 2008, when she was transferred to Pullmantur Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean. She was renamed the MS Sovereign and sailed for Pullmantur Cruises until they filed for reorganization in 2020.
The vessel was scrapped in Turkey from August 2020 through February 2021.
You May Like: Shoreline Architecture River Cruise Chicago
Greek Isles Cruise Itineraries
Its rare for a Greek Isles cruise to only visit Greece. In fact, even when a cruise is labeled Greek Isles Cruise on Royal Caribbeans website, the itinerary usually includes one or two port stops in nearby countries in addition to Greece.
There are plenty of beautiful and historic ports in the Mediterranean to discover outside of Greece, but the type of Greek Isles itinerary you choose can influence what other countries and ports youll visit.
Brilliance Of The Seas
Focusing on open spaces, natural light and floor to ceiling windows, Brilliance of the Seas is full of the unique entertainment, original facilities and signature features that passengers have come to expect from Royal Caribbean International. Ideal for those seeking an action packed resort style cruise, the ship caters particularly well for families with kids and teens.
Launched in 2002, refit in 2013, she now offers more than half a dozen main, casual and speciality dining options and over a dozen bars, lounges and pubs. The introduction of Royal Babies and Tots during her refit means that kids and teens of all ages can experience the fun Adventure Ocean programme.
Don’t Miss: How Much Are Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises Highlights
- An incredible company that has been in operation since 1969.
- A well-known name in the cruise line industry, with service standards that accompany their length of time in the industry.
- Winner of a plethora of service awards, including “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean,””Best Cruise Line Overall,” and “Best Cruise Ship Symphony of the Seas.”
- Amazing rooms in various sizes available for all of your accommodation needs and party sizes.
- Breathtaking views, offering you uninterrupted views of the water, the shores, and all of the beautiful sights of each destination.
- Unmatched customer service to make your trip a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
- Knowledgeable tour guides to accompany you to places that you might have never heard of.
- Lots of space to explore and get to know the ship.
Check Back Soon As We Continue To Add Guides And In
-
Basseterre
From rum tastings and beach hangs to rainforest explorations and catamarans to Nevis, the capital of St. Kitts social scene revolves around good living and even better chat.
-
Bridgetown
Miles of sandy beaches and teal waters meet rhythmic local culture and unbelievably mouth-watering classic dishes in this electric Barbadian city.
-
Castries
Visit the sulfur hot springs, hike through the Piton mountains, or soak in the volcanic mud baths the capital of St Lucia is a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts and lounge-seekers alike.
-
Fort-de-France
An island rich with contrasts, Martinique mixes quiet moments on quaint beaches or atop dramatic mountains with the cultural vibrancy of downtown Fort-de-France.
-
Oranjestad
Known as One Happy Island, Aruba is home to electric-colored architecture, uncrowded beaches, and crystal-clear water perfect for a diving glimpse of their famed shipwrecks and marine life.
-
Pointe-à-Pitre
On islands home to lush national parks and streaming waterfalls, Guadeloupes largest city is known for its vivacious French feel, lively fish markets, and café-lined streets.
- ADDITIONAL PORTS
St. John’s
Home to 365 white sandy beaches, this Antiguan city is perfect for beachside lounging, snorkeling, or hiking up to Fort Barrington for panoramic views of the island.
Discover something new or revisit a destination you already love.
Read Also: Dolphin Cruise In Clearwater Fl
It’s Really Bloody Fun
So yeah, there’s a lot to do, but you can also do very little. Between all this I still found loads of time to chill by the pool reading my book and drinking margaritas while my partner did… whatever it is men do to relax. But I can safely say there was not one dull moment.
When I look back on my favourite vacations, the best ones had a mix of soul-nourishing travel experiences and relaxing downtime, and this trip provided that balance. I surprised myself with just how much I enjoyed and made use of the conveniences of the boat, once I leaned in to the big, OTT energy of it all.
Yes, at times it’s a bit like Vegas on the water , and if you embrace it with an open mind, then it’s literally impossible not to have a good time. Because they all are, and it’s infectious.
Sunset cocktails every day? That’s the honeymoon goal. Images: Supplied.
If you’re after travel that’s simplified, stress free, and a little bit surreal, this might be the holiday for you.
Mamamia travelled as a guest of Royal Caribbean. All opinions expressed in this article are the authors own.
Tamara is Mamamia’s Head of Lifestyle. For more, follow her on .
Royal Caribbean 9 Night Greek Isles Cruise sailing on Sep 28 2022 on board Odyssey of the Seas from Rome starting at $2,083. Ports of call include Naples/Capri, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Ephesus and Chania.
Feature image: Supplied.
Love to travel? Take this short survey now to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher!
Royal Caribbean Cruises Travel Tips
- A brand name that you know and can trust.
- Industry master, with over 50 years of experience and operation in the cruise line sector.
- They provide an incredible travel experience to all ages and have amazing amenities to help heighten your experience.
- Rock walls, surfing, and even waterparks to offer you something unique that you won’t find on any other cruise ship.
- Simply unpack and settle in once, then relax into your stateroom for the remainder of your trip.
- Our fast processes for embarkation and disembarkation give guests even more time to explore and allow for quicker access to the ship to reach anything you may need from us or your room.
- Incredible staterooms and suites to offer you the most relaxing experience while onboard.
- Incredible personalized experience designed to provide a family-like atmosphere.
- The industry’s most knowledgeable cruise managers and guides, providing you with the best guided experiences in the cruise market.
- Varied excursions available including everything from walking tours to guided biking tours, hikes, and more.
You May Like: Where Does Norwegian Cruise Leave From Nyc
There’s Something For Everyone
When I think of a cruise, the first thing that comes to mind is activities. Loads of activities. And the Odyssey of the Seas has… all of them. From a surf simulator to an indoor skydiving facility, bumper cars to laser tag, a walking track, climbing wall, games arcade, day spa, adults-only pool retreat and a decked-out gym with plenty of free classes from yoga to cycling. Not to mention the North Star viewing deck, which is the highest observation deck at sea in the world and offers 360 views of the boat and the surrounding ocean.
And got a bird’s-eye view from the North Star. Image: Supplied.
On the entertainment front, it’s everything you could imagine: there’s a fully fledged casino and several theatres and an old-fashioned music hall offering pool, karaoke nights and themed trivia around the clock. On the retail front you’ll find jewellery stores, merch shops, and a man playing showtunes on a piano while you browse. Very boujie.
What Ships Sail To Greece
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 Caribbeans onboard activities, dining venues, and entertainment.
Related: Complete guide to Odyssey of the Seas
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.
While Royal Caribbeans older cruise ships may not have as many of the bells and whistles as a ship like Odyssey of the Seas, they still offer fantastic dining options, pools, childrens programming, and entertainment. 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.
Therefore, dont 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.
Don’t Miss: Honolulu Star Whale Watching Cruise
Life Onboard Explorer Of The Seas
There is so much to enjoy on Explorer of the Seas, one of Royals Voyager class of ships, offering impeccable service, entertainment and dining. Read more
Treat yourself to award winning service and world class innovation on your cruising holiday – just part of what creates the Royal experience. Read more
You will be thrilled with the endless on board fun on Explorer of the Seas. From active pursuits to classes there is something for everyone. Read more
Explorer’s complimentary and specialty dining is waiting to take your tastebuds on an epicurean journey around the globe. Read more
You will be dazzled by first class entertainment from Broadway style musical productions, dancing and themed bars. Read more
Book yourself a treatment in the luxury on board spa join in a specialised class or shop for a little retail therapy. Read more
Other Greek Isles Itineraries
Outside of cruises to Turkey and the Adriatic, youll come across other cruise itineraries that visit Greece. Holy Land cruises, for example, often visit several Greek islands in addition to ports in Israel and Turkey.
You can also find itineraries that include stops in Greece and Cyprus as well as one-way sailings from Greece to the Western Mediterranean visiting ports like Rome and Barcelona.
Don’t Miss: What’s The Best Alaska Cruise Itinerary
The Hard Work Is Done For You
After our wedding, we were tired. Tired of planning, tired of logistics, tired of dishing out eye-watering amounts of money to different suppliers. The beauty of a cruise, as I discovered, is that once you’ve booked your trip, the itinerary is taken care of and you just have to… show up. And I know – to some, that may sound a little lazy. But not if you’ve spent the last two years dreaming about a holiday where you barely have to lift a finger.
Our Royal Caribbean cruise ticked off some of the best of the Med, starting and ending in Rome and stopping along the way in Naples , Santorini, Mykonos, Turkey’s scenic port city of Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete.
We started in Rome and ventured through several iconic Italian locations, like Positano, before we got to Greece. Images: Supplied.
On a packed trip like this one, the itinerary will generally allow for one day of sightseeing at each stop – you depart the boat at the port and return when you’re done exploring, before sunset. Unfortunately, this means you miss out on the local nightlife, which is a downside that is balanced by all the on-board entertainment that happens after nightfall.
On board the ship you can easily book in to a number of pre-arranged tours, for an additional fee. These are especially handy in places like Turkey where there is some road travel involved in reaching key destinations like Ephesus , but whether you book a tour or simply wander freely and take it all in is up to you.
The Food Is *chef’s Kiss*
We ate like we’d never eaten before, dividing our time between the stacked buffet and the 20 restaurants on board, 13 of which were included with our stay. Seven speciality restaurants offer different cuisines depending on what you fancy, like gourmet Italian, an American steakhouse, and an Alice in Wonderland themed dining experience that specialises in culinary trickery, Heston Blumenthal style.
There was a lot of this. Images: Supplied.
There were also countless bars including one completely manned by robots and another offering live music and sunset cocktails.
Have you ever had a robot arm deliver you a freshly made mojito? Oh, you haven’t? Weird.
Bionic Bar was a highlight. Images: Supplied.
You May Like: What Cruise Ships Go To Aruba
Best Time Of Year For A Greek Isles Cruise
Royal Caribbeans European cruise season runs from April to October each year, with cruises to the Greek Isles being offered all season long.
Truthfully, there is no wrong time to go on a Greek Isles cruise. Weather in the Mediterranean remains sunny, dry, and warm throughout the cruise season and seas tend to be quite calm.
That being said, the peak of summer can get uncomfortably hot in Greece, so scheduling excursions and port days around the beach is recommended. The most pleasant temperatures can be found in late spring and fall.
Related: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
The most crowds will be found in the peak summer months of June, July, and August, although crowds should be expected at any time of the cruise season. Oftentimes how crowded a port feels is more correlated with how many ships are in port with you as opposed to the month itself. Having only one ship in port in mid-July will feel far less crowded than having three ships in port in September.
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 youll get the chance to walk around town before hoards of other tourists arrive.
Which Currency Should I Bring Do I Need Cash
Greece uses the Euro, and ATMs are widely available on Greek islands. Its 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 .
As most Greek Isles cruises visit other countries in addition to Greece, its important to know which currencies to use in each port.
- Italy and Montenegro use the euro as their official currency, and Croatia will be officially adopting the euro in 2023, although payments in Euro are accepted in 2022.
- Turkeys official currency is the Turkish Lira, and while you can usually pay with euros or credit cards in tourist areas, you will likely get a better exchange rate when paying in Lira. If your cruise only visits Turkey for one day, though, it may not be worth the hassle to use the Lira.
- Israels official currency is the New Israeli Shekel , but card payments are widely accepted throughout the country. Similar to Turkey, if your cruise only visits Israel for one day, you may not need to take out local currency, instead opting for card payments or using euros.
Also Check: Royal Caribbean Cruises Out Of Miami