Some tips about ferries and cruises through the Greek Islands

Greek Islands

The challenge is to make the itinerary with stopovers and decide what to see or do in the face of a huge and varied offer of attractions.

You will be able to go through different experiences, touch several ports in one trip, and accumulate images and sensations at full speed in our incredible itinerary made so that you can enjoy the most of these enchanting destinations in Greece.

The Most Practical Tips on Cruises to the Greek Islands

Enjoying each stop with such a formula that transforms that string of ports into something memorable is possible, fulfilling certain requirements.

Cruisers

You can reach some of the Greek islands on the two cruise ships that ply the beautiful Hellenic waters. The main company is Celestyal Cruises which departs from the port of Piraeus, in Athens. The cruises only operate from mid-March to early November.

Reservations

To get on a cruise and visit the Greek islands it is important to make your reservation in advance, especially in high season. Tickets are purchased through this agency, Greca Viajes.

Routes

The cruise routes skirt mainland Greece and reach the nearest islands, usually several of the Cyclades. There are also routes between Rhodes, in the Dodecanese, and Samos, at the southern end of the Northeastern Aegean.

Ship Plan

You can ask Greca Viajes for the ship's plan. This elaborate layout, on which all stateroom numbers are noted, may seem overwhelming at first, but closer inspection will show you all the amenities available on the decks.

Cabins

Staterooms generally have two berths - four in some cases - and outside staterooms are the most expensive. Those in the central area are the most economically stable and the higher you are, the more expensive the cabins are.

Meals

Our high-quality food will be distributed according to the following schedule: coffee first thing in the morning, breakfast, mid-morning buffet, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and midnight buffet.

Best Time to Travel

While it is perfectly possible to tour the Greek islands via cruise ship from March through November, the best time to embark is from mid-May through late June.

The days are usually mild, even hot, but dry at the same time, and the seawater is warmed by the sun. While mid-summer evenings are ideal for outdoor dining at cruise ship buffets.

Spring is also the perfect time to explore the cities, and there are far fewer tourists than in summer.

If you're not a fan of crowds, and beaches are not on your agenda, April and May are good times to tour the country.

As for festivals, the carnival season and Greek Easter, with its processions, lambs, and red eggs, are the highlight of the season.

Slow and Fast Ferries in the Greek Islands

Apart from cruises, the Greek islands are also crossed by ferries, which do not leave every day from all destinations and may suspend their service as soon as bad weather appears.

Ferries, except in calm waters, are rather slow and are not advisable for those prone to seasickness.

The slow ferries, on the other hand, cover the main routes, and in summer the smaller and faster ferries operate between the Greek islands.

Local slow ferries, regardless of size, are subject to official fares. Tickets are also purchased through Greca Travel.

Greca generally recommends slow ferries as the first contact with the Aegean Sea makes the trip more enjoyable.

You should also pay close attention to the destinations. If you take a ferry from Athens to Mykonos, for example, the boat does not usually make a direct destination but passes first through Syros and Tinos, and then Mykonos.

These vessels have the advantage of offering direct links and avoiding the hassle of calling at mainland ports.

Travel to Greece

If these fascinating destinations in Greece caught your attention, don't hesitate to also visit our packages to Greece, let alone our cruises to Greece Islands.