What Cruise Lines Go to the Greek Isles?
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|
| Jul 2021 | 61 cruises | $849 |
| Aug 2021 | 70 cruises | $748 |
| Sep 2021 | 66 cruises | $616 |
| Oct 2021 | 66 cruises | $299 |
Traveling from Athens (port of Piraeus) to Santorini by ferry. The ferry route Piraeus to Santorini normally lasts from 4 hours to 5 hours with a high-speed ferry and the average ticket cost is €40. Check our summary with the latest data for ferries from Athens to Santorini.
Generally, the cruise ship itineraries in Santorini drop some passengers off at Athinios and the others at the Old Port of Fira. Passengers who arrive at Athinios Port are supposed to book a bus tour via the cruise ship company. These tours are usually packed with many people and hence, we don't recommend them.
Experienced cruisers will recognize Royal Caribbean, Princess, Disney, Holland America and Carnival around the islands. Some, such as Norwegian Cruise Lines and MSC, incorporate Greece into extended Eastern Mediterranean tours, with embarkation at Italian ports, and may even include stops in Croatia and Turkey.
Best Cruises for Greek Island Hopping
- Star Clippers.
- Windstar Cruises.
- SeaDream Yacht Club.
- Variety Cruises.
- Celestyal Cruises.
- Azamara Club Cruises.
- Seabourn Cruise Line.
- Sea Cloud Cruises.
The fastest way to travel by ferry from Italy to Greece is by taking a ferry from the port of Brindisi. Brindisi is the closest Italian port to Greece and is connected to Igoumenitsa, with up to 2 daily ferry routes. The ferry operators that serve these crossings for 2021 are Grimaldi Lines and European Seaways.
Country-Specific Information:The Department of State has issued a Travel Advisory Level 3 for Greece advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Greece due to COVID-19. Greek authorities have confirmed COVID-19 within its borders.
The season in the Greek islands runs from May to late October. While July and August are the most popular for cruise ships, keep in mind that temperatures can top 100 degrees. June and September are probably the best months, as the tourist crush isn't as thick and the climate is cooler.
Freighters usually carry up to a dozen passengers, and cost around $100 per day (including meals) for each person. Traveling from the United States to Europe via freighter will usually take from one to two weeks, so these trips work best for travelers with flexible schedules and plenty of time.
Cheap Transatlantic Cruises
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|
| Oct 2021 | 20 cruises | $529 |
| Nov 2021 | 55 cruises | $570 |
| Dec 2021 | 13 cruises | $569 |
| Jan 2022 | 12 cruises | $1,059 |
The time to cross the Atlantic can vary between six days to more than two weeks, depending on the route.
Round-trip Cruises to Europe from Brooklyn New YorkThere are round-trip cruises to Europe from New York. Sail on the Queen Mary 2 in complete luxury. Cross the Atlantic then visit some of the most popular and historic ports in Northern Europe or the Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean International Europe Cruises. Choose a Royal Caribbean Europe cruise to the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. You can feast on the fine seafood of the Amalfi Coast, learn of great histories and peoples in the castles of the British Isles, or gaze upon the fjords of Norway.
There are cruises from the United States to Italy. Six cruise lines offer options. US to Italy cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa or New York. Rome is on the west coast of Italy, and Venice is on the far north-east coast.
Most transatlantic cruises travel from the East Coast of the United States to the United Kingdom – usually England. By air, this trip might take only six or seven hours, but by sea, you can expect to spend closer to six or seven days in transit, and sometimes longer.
A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that travels across the Atlantic Ocean, typically between North America and Europe. They usually last around two weeks and spend several consecutive days at sea, allowing you to enjoy the best a cruise ship has to offer on board.
Europe is gradually reopening to U.S. travelers who wish to visit for recreational purposes, as long as they have proof of a vaccine or a negative coronavirus test result, or both. The long-awaited return is being celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Greek Islands is $1,274 for a solo traveler, $2,288 for a couple, and $4,290 for a family of 4. Greek Islands hotels range from $50 to $226 per night with an average of $87, while most vacation rentals will cost $130 to $380 per night for the entire home.
Good to know
| Low season | October | Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price. |
|---|
| High season | December | Most popular time to fly with an average 14% increase in price. |
| Average price round-trip | $892 | (avg. price over the last 2 weeks) |
| Good deal round-trip | $283 | or less |
| Good deal one-way | $246 | or less |
If you go by sailboat and you're not a racer, your average speed will be 5 knots [1]. The distance from San Francisco to Piraeus via Panama is 9091 miles, which can be covered in 76 days at that speed. If you add to that a couple of port calls, then you need at least 80-90 days.
Ferries, catamarans, and hydrofoils make up an essential part of the national transport system of Greece, reaching every inhabited island. If the boat journey will be more than a couple of hours, it's a good idea to take along water and snacks.
Starting 14 May 2021, travel for holiday reasons is allowed in Greece. You can catch a ferry to the Greek islands from all mainland ports and you can also go island-hopping! The Health Statement Form is completed by adult passengers for their ferry trip within 24 hours before each ferry trip.
The most common way to travel between Italy and Greece is by ferry. There are several Italian ports from which you can choose to take a ferry to Greece, Croatia, and other Mediterranean destinations.
Flying time from United States to Athens, GreeceThe total flight duration from United States to Athens, Greece is 12 hours, 29 minutes. If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway.
How do I get to Greece? By far, the fastest and easiest way to get to Greece is to fly. There are direct flights to many Greek destinations from all major airports. If you have more time, then driving or traveling by train can be enjoyable, although probably more expensive than flying.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) advises against all but essential travel to Greece, except for the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. Greece is on the amber list for entering England.
Rough Waters: Cruise travelers might experience rough seas in several places in Europe. The biggest offender is the Mediterranean, which tends to be roughest in the fall and winter, due to winds and storms. However, avid cruisers have experienced rough seas in the spring and summer, so be prepared for anything.
Most eastern Mediterranean cruises will visit Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Cypress, and Bulgaria. In Greece, ships will typically stop in Athens, Corfu, Crete, Katakolon, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, and Volos. While in Greece, be sure to explore the many beautiful beaches and architecture this ancient country has to offer.
The 12 Best Mediterranean Cruise Ports
- Santorini, Greece.
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Naples, Italy.
- Rome, Italy.
- Venice, Italy.
- Valletta, Malta.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.
- Barcelona, Spain.
Mediterranean on a budget: Ten + travel tips
- DO IT ON A CRUISE!
- PRE-BOOK MUSEUM TICKETS FROM HOME.
- EAT LIKE A LOCAL.
- FIND YOUR OWN SANTORINI CAMPING.
- TAKE THE TRAIN.
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COUCHSURFING.COM.
- GET THE BEST RATES FOR YOUR HOTELS.
- CHOOSE THE CHARMING INEXPENSIVE CITIES INSTEAD OF THE EXPENSIVE CROWDED ONES.
Cruises from Athens depart from Piraeus, the port of Athens about 7.5 miles (12km) from its city center. Before you leave on your cruise to Greek islands, take time to explore Athens' sun-dappled blend of ancient city and modern metropolis.
There are a few ways to travel the islands – you can hire a private yacht, take the ferries, go with a tour boat or fly. Ensure you research which islands have airports and which you'll need to travel by boat.
