Greek Islands Cruises
Sail between sun-drenched islands, ancient cities and beautiful Aegean coastlines on a Greek Islands cruise, with holidays available from Athens, the UK and ports across the Mediterranean.
Greek Islands Cruises with Paramount Cruises
A Greek Islands cruise is one of the easiest ways to experience more of Greece in a single holiday. Wake up beneath the cliffs of Santorini, wander the whitewashed streets of Mykonos, step inside the medieval walls of Rhodes and discover a completely different side of the country in Crete, all without repeatedly changing hotels or packing your suitcase.
Itineraries range from short, destination-packed cruises from Athens to week-long island-hopping holidays and longer voyages combining Greece with Turkey, Croatia, Italy and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.
Whether you want to fly straight into the sunshine, add a few nights in Athens before your cruise or sail from the UK without stepping on a plane, Paramount Cruises can help you find the itinerary, cruise line and holiday that suits you.
Why Cruise the Greek Islands?
The Greek Islands feel made for exploring by sea. Hundreds of islands are scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas, each with its own landscapes, history, food and atmosphere. A cruise lets you experience several of them within one holiday, while your ship takes care of the travelling between each destination.
One day might be spent admiring Santorini's volcanic caldera, the next exploring ancient ruins in Rhodes or swimming in clear blue water off a quieter island. Many itineraries are particularly port-intensive, making Greek Islands cruises a great choice if discovering new places is as important to you as time onboard.
There is plenty of variety when choosing a ship too. You can opt for a smaller vessel focused almost entirely on the destinations, a relaxed All Inclusive fly cruise, an adults-only escape, a premium experience or a family-friendly resort ship packed with entertainment.
Greek Islands Cruises from the UK
There are two very different ways to cruise the Greek Islands from the UK. Fly cruises place you in the heart of the region from the beginning of your holiday, while selected longer cruises from Southampton allow you to reach Greece without flying.
Fly Cruises to the Greek Islands
Flying to the Mediterranean is the most popular way to enjoy a Greek Islands cruise, particularly if you have seven to ten days available. Athens is one of the principal gateways, with the cruise port of Piraeus offering easy access to the Aegean and some of Greece's most famous islands. Other itineraries may begin elsewhere in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing you to combine the Greek Islands with destinations in Turkey, Italy, Croatia or Montenegro. A fly cruise also gives you the opportunity to extend your holiday before or after sailing. Spend a few nights beneath the Acropolis in Athens, enjoy dinner in Plaka and explore the Greek capital before starting the island-hopping part of your holiday.
Greek Islands Cruises from Southampton
Prefer not to fly? Selected longer cruises sail from Southampton towards Greece, making it possible to enjoy the Greek Islands as part of a no-fly cruise from the UK. Because of the distance involved, these holidays are considerably longer than cruises beginning in Athens. The journey becomes part of the experience, with sea days and ports in destinations such as Spain, Portugal, France or Italy before your ship reaches the Eastern Mediterranean. A Greek Islands cruise from Southampton is particularly well suited to anyone who enjoys longer voyages, wants to avoid airports or simply likes the idea of stepping onboard in the UK and letting the holiday begin immediately.
Top Greek Islands to Visit on a Cruise
Part of the appeal of a Greek Islands cruise is just how different each port can feel. Some itineraries focus on the famous Cyclades, while others reach further towards the Dodecanese, Crete or the Ionian Islands.
Santorini
Few cruise arrivals are as memorable as Santorini, with whitewashed villages perched above a dramatic volcanic caldera. Explore Fira, head to Oia for iconic blue-domed views, or discover volcanic beaches and ancient sites.
Mykonos
Mykonos is famous for whitewashed lanes, waterfront restaurants and iconic windmills. Wander through Mykonos Town and Little Venice, relax at a nearby beach, or venture inland to discover quieter villages and a more traditional side of the island.
Rhodes
Rhodes blends beautiful island scenery with thousands of years of history. Explore the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town beside the cruise port, or head to Lindos to see its hilltop acropolis and views across one of the island’s prettiest bays.
Crete
Crete, Greece’s largest island, offers ancient history, lively old towns, rugged landscapes and beautiful beaches. Cruises may call at Heraklion or Chania, giving you a taste of the island’s distinctive culture, scenery and famous Cretan cuisine.
Corfu
Corfu combines lush green scenery with elegant Venetian architecture and beautiful coastline. Explore atmospheric Corfu Town on foot, or venture further afield to discover traditional villages, panoramic viewpoints, secluded bays and inviting beaches.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is known for dramatic mountain scenery, colourful harbour towns and beautiful beaches. Cruise visits offer the chance to explore highlights such as Melissani Cave and Myrtos Beach, while enjoying a more relaxed side of the Greek Islands.
Cruises from Athens
Where Do Greek Islands Cruises Depart From?
Athens, via the nearby port of Piraeus, is the natural starting point for many Greek Islands cruises. Beginning your voyage here puts you close to the Aegean from the outset, allowing itineraries to visit several islands within a relatively short sailing.
It is also one of our favourite destinations for a cruise and stay holiday. Adding two or three nights before sailing gives you time to visit the Acropolis, explore historic neighbourhoods and enjoy the city's food and nightlife rather than heading straight from the airport to the ship.
Other Greek Islands Cruise Departure Ports
Not every Greek Islands cruise begins in Greece. Selected itineraries depart from Rome, Ravenna, Trieste, Istanbul and other Mediterranean ports before sailing towards the Aegean.
These cruises are particularly appealing if you want to combine Greece with another part of the Mediterranean rather than concentrating exclusively on the islands.
For a longer no-fly holiday, you can also look for selected cruises from Southampton that include Greece as part of an extended Mediterranean itinerary.
Popular Cruise Lines for Greek Islands Cruises
A wide range of cruise lines sail the Greek Islands, from regional specialists and relaxed fly-cruise favourites to larger resort ships and smaller premium vessels.
Other Cruise Lines Sailing the Greek Islands
For a smaller-ship or more premium experience, there are plenty of other options. Azamara is particularly strong for Greece-intensive itineraries, often combining more Greek ports with longer stays and late departures, while Windstar can reach smaller harbours. Oceania Cruises, Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn and Silversea also offer more refined ways to explore Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Best Time for a Greek Islands Cruise
The main Greek Islands cruise season runs from spring into autumn, with each part of the season offering a slightly different experience.
May and June are excellent months for sightseeing, with long days and warm weather before the busiest part of summer. July and August bring the hottest weather and liveliest atmosphere, making them popular for school holiday cruises and anyone who wants plenty of sunshine.
September and October can be particularly rewarding, with warm seas, pleasant conditions for exploring and the peak summer crowds beginning to ease.
If your priority is ancient sites, walking and exploring towns rather than spending every day at the beach, the shoulder months can be every bit as appealing as midsummer.
Greek Islands Cruise & Stay Holidays
Make more of your time in Greece by combining your cruise with a stay in Athens before or after you sail. Spend a few days exploring the Acropolis, wandering through the historic streets of Plaka and enjoying rooftop dinners with views across the city before continuing your holiday through the Greek Islands.
A cruise and stay holiday also gives you a more relaxed start or finish to your trip, with time to experience Athens beyond the cruise port rather than heading straight between the airport and your ship. From the Greek capital, you can then set sail for islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete, creating a holiday that combines one of Europe's great cities with the best of the Aegean.
Greek Islands Cruise - Frequently Asked Questions
The best cruise line depends on the type of holiday you want. Celestyal specialises in destination-rich Greek itineraries, Marella Cruises is ideal for convenient UK fly cruises, MSC Cruises offers a wide choice of Eastern Mediterranean sailings, while Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages suit different styles of onboard experience.
Popular Greek Islands cruise ports include Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Corfu and Kefalonia. Depending on the itinerary, you may also visit smaller islands such as Patmos, Milos or Kos, or combine Greece with destinations in Turkey, Italy, Croatia and Montenegro.
Athens, using the nearby port of Piraeus, is one of the most popular departure points for Greek Islands cruises. Sailings can also depart from other Mediterranean ports including Rome, Istanbul, Ravenna and Trieste, while selected longer itineraries sail from Southampton.
Yes. Selected longer cruises from Southampton visit Greece and the Greek Islands as part of extended Mediterranean itineraries. These sailings take longer than a fly cruise from Athens but are ideal if you prefer to start and finish your holiday in the UK without flying.
Greek Islands cruises are often port-intensive, with relatively short sailing distances allowing you to visit several destinations in one holiday. Expect plenty of time ashore, warm weather during the main season and a mixture of famous islands, historic towns and smaller ports depending on your itinerary.
Greek Islands cruises range from short three, four and five-night sailings to seven-night holidays and longer Mediterranean voyages of ten nights or more. Seven nights is one of the most popular options, while cruises from Southampton are generally considerably longer.
Yes. A seven-night Greek Islands cruise can visit several destinations in one holiday and is one of the most popular ways to explore the region. Some itineraries focus heavily on Greece, while others combine islands such as Santorini and Mykonos with Turkey or other Eastern Mediterranean ports.
Many Greek Islands cruises visit Santorini, Mykonos or both, but they are not included on every itinerary. If visiting either island is important to you, check the individual ports of call before booking rather than relying on the cruise being described simply as a Greek Islands itinerary.
Greek Islands Cruises in 2026, 2027 & 2028
Greek Islands cruises are available across 2026, 2027 and 2028, from short Aegean sailings and seven-night fly cruises to longer Mediterranean voyages from the UK. Booking early can give you a wider choice of itineraries, cabins and departures, particularly during the school holidays.