The windmills of mykonos, in greece, illuminated at night
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Europe Mediterranean Cruise

Jewels of the Cyclades

The 8-day Jewels of the Cyclades cruise begins and ends in Athens, Greece, showcasing Aegean Islands known for their whitewashed villages and ports, bright skies and crystal-clear waters. Optional activities allow guests to explore with a guided group or on their own, while touring the unbeatable Greek Isles.

Santorini is famous for sunsets, sugar cube villages and the historical site of Akrotiti. Mykonos is known as the queen of the Aegean, and nearby Delos, Apollo’s sacred island, is a fascinating open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage site. At Folegandros, a truly authentic, off-the-beaten-path island, visit a famous Venetian castle and traditional, welcoming Greek taverns. Immerse in the fairytale town of Paros with charming fishing ports and local people. And tour Syros, the capitol of the Cyclades, overflowing with perfect sand beaches and unique architecture.

Sail between the most breathtaking Jewels of the Cyclades aboard one of two 49-guest, 3-masted motorsailers: Galileo or Panorama. These ships live up to their name with sweeping sight lines. Soak up some rays from a lounge chair on teak decks. When the weather permits, appreciate the elegance of full sails on the motorsailers, or enjoy a dip in the sea at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands, from the swimming platform on the stern. Optional activities may be added on to the voyage at an additional price, or simply enjoy time in port on your own.

Whatever optional activities you choose, experience the Jewels of the Cyclades at your leisure. Call the experts at AdventureSmith Explorations for recommendations on which activities may best suit your travel interests and book your Greek small ship cruise of a lifetime!

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Greece small ship cruises, small ship Mediterranean cruises and Mediterranean trips.



Itinerary

Jewels of the Cyclades Itinerary

The 8-day Jewels of the Cyclades cruise begins and ends in Athens, Greece, showcasing Aegean Islands known for their whitewashed villages and ports, bright skies and crystal-clear waters.

Jewels of the Cyclades route map.
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Day 1
FRI - Marina Zea, Athens, Greece, to Poros

Embark today between 2:00 and 3:00pm from Marina Zea in Piraeus, Athens, Greece. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet the crew and fellow passengers. Athens, the capital and largest city in Greece, is a bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis, and is one of the world’s oldest cities. Its recorded history spans at least 3,000 years and it boasts ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all the Parthenon on the Acropolis. In the afternoon, sail for Poros for a short 3-hour visit, before setting sail to Poliegos. Overnight at sea.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
SAT - Poliegos & Folegandros

This morning, arrive in Poliegos, a very small island known for its amazing beaches. Enjoy a morning swim stop followed by a BBQ on deck. This afternoon, sail to Folegandros, one of the most amazing and less known islands in the Aegean Sea, where three small villages, Chora, Karavostassis and Ano Meria, are connected by a paved road. Walk the amazing Upper city and dine at one of the traditional Greek tavernas. Overnight in Folegandros.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast and lunch or dinner

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Day 3
SUN - Santorini

Early this morning, depart for the volcanic island of Santorini, with the biggest caldera of the world. Today’s shape of the island is a result of a huge eruption followed by a catastrophic explosion in the 16th century, which had destroyed the island and the city of the Cycladic Civilization. Upon this morning’s arrival at Santorini, explore its capital Fira. Take an optional excursion to the Akrotiti excavations and a tour of the villages, including the small beautiful village of Oia known for its breathtaking view over the caldera. Overnight in Santorini.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast and lunch or dinner

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Day 4
MON - Antiparos & Paros

In the morning, enjoy a swim stop in an enchanting bay of Antiparos before arriving in Paros around noon. Visit Parikia and the quaint village of Naoussa. In the evening, get ready for a fun night and show off your dancing skills during the ship’s famous Greek Night. Overnight in Paros.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast and lunch or dinner

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Day 5
TUE - Delos & Mykonos

This morning, consider an optional morning tour to the archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island. Except for the guards and guides, the island is uninhabited. According to the Greek Mythology, Leto, haunted by jealous Hera, had found asylum on this island to give birth to Zeus’s children, Apollo and Artemis. Apollo became one of the most important gods and so Delos became a great sacred place for worshiping him. Later on, stop at one of Mykonos’s beautiful bays for swimming off the ship before sailing into the port of Mykonos. The island of the jet setters is yours to explore and the night is young. Overnight in Mykonos.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast and lunch or dinner

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Day 6
WED - Syros

After a morning swim, arrive in Syros, the capital of the Cycladic islands, which was the largest cultural and trade center of the Aegean in the 19th century. From the time of the Fourth Crusade (13th Century) until 1568, Syros belonged to the Duchy of Naxos. After that period the island had a significant Roman Catholic minority which was under the protection of France from piracy and during the Turkish occupation. Spend the day strolling along one of many beautiful sandy beaches or walking through town and admiring the architecture. Overnight in Syros.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast and lunch or dinner

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Day 7
THU - Kythnos to Marina Zea

In the morning, arrive in Kythnos for a swim in Kolones Bay. Kythnos, or Thermia, is part of the Western Cyclades and is considered an unspoiled island with very friendly locals. Its major attraction is a fairly well-known healing thermal spa that attracts many Greeks and foreign visitors. The colorful quaint villages of Kythnos, with their traditional houses and the peaceful landscape, will not disappoint. Set sail for Marina Zea for a later afternoon arrival via Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. This evening, be treated to the captain’s farewell dinner and overnight in Marina Zea.

Accommodations

Galileo, Panorama

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Day 8
FRI - Disembark Marina Zea, Athens, Greece

After breakfast, disembark at 9:00am at Marina Zea, Piraeus, Athens, Greece, and transfer to the airport for flights home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations in double or twin cabins with private bathroom and air conditioning; half-board: buffet breakfast and one meal daily, including welcome cocktail, local themed evening, fun BBQ (weather permitting) and captain’s dinner; regular filter coffee, tea and drinking water free all day; use of fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling equipment (subject to availability) & beach towels; English-speaking cruise escort.

Exclusions

Airfare; port charges ($380 per person in 2024; $385 per person in 2025); beverages (except those mentioned above); personal expenses such as laundry, boutique items, etc.; gratuities; insurance of any kind; medical expenses; shore excursions; use of onboard WiFi (available at a charge); expenditures incurred ashore; and anything not mentioned in cruise program. All onboard charges are in Euros.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 120 days – € 120 (Euro) / US $140 cancellation fee (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
119 to 90 days – 15% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 25% of total trip cost
59 to 30 days – 50% of total trip cost
29 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Jewels of the Cyclades cruise begins and ends in Athens, Greece (ATH). Plan flights to arrive to Athens, Greece, by 10:30am on Day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Athens, Greece, no earlier than 12:00 noon on Day 8. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page.

Activities

Activities aboard include swimming, kayaking and snorkeling from the vessel. Shore excursions are not included in this cruise’s listed rates. This helps keep the cruise fare low while providing flexibility for guests to choose the tours they wish or to explore independently. Shore excursions are available per the cruise schedule and ports of call visited. Contact an AdventureSmith Specialist for the most up-to-date information regarding shore excursions prior to departure. Details are also available upon embarkation in your cabin and are reviewed daily by the onboard Cruise Coordinator. We find that most guests prefer to wait until they are on board to purchase shore excursions to take advantage of local conditions. Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and based on a minimum participation.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 60% supplement of the per-person listed rate in Category C and B cabins, or 75% supplement for Category A cabins, upon availability. Third person rates are available at 30% reduction of the double occupancy rate in Category A cabins only.

Families & Children

Families with children 5-17 years old are eligible for the following special offers on select departures, upon request and on first-come, first-served basis. For a single parent with 1 or 2 children in the same cabin, the parent pays the Single cruise fare and children cruise for free. For a couple with 1 child sharing the same cabin, a child 5-10 years old is free and a child 11-17 years old receives a 50% fare reduction. For a couple with 2 or 3 children, both cabins will be charged at the Single cruise fare. Port charges are not discounted and apply for all passengers, but optional excursions for children are offered at a 25% reduction.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; swim stops and barbeques are weather permitting. Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of the cruise operator and of the vessel’s captain in case of adverse weather conditions (winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel), on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle passengers to any refunds, but the cruise operator guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.

Mediterranean Cruise Ships

The vessel listed in Cruise Rates & Dates is the primary small ship operating the selected departure of the Jewels of Cyclades cruise; however, the operator reserves the right to substitute another comparable vessel in certain instances.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Apr 25 - May 02, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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May 02 - May 09, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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May 09 - May 16, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 16 - May 23, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 06 - Jun 13, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 13 - Jun 20, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 20 - Jun 27, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 27 - Jul 04, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 27 - Jul 04, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 04 - Jul 11, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 11 - Jul 18, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 18 - Jul 25, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 25 - Aug 01, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Aug 01 - Aug 08, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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Aug 08 - Aug 15, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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Aug 15 - Aug 22, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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Aug 22 - Aug 29, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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Aug 29 - Sep 05, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 05 - Sep 12, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 12 - Sep 19, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 12 - Sep 19, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 19 - Sep 26, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 19 - Sep 26, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 26 - Oct 03, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 03 - Oct 10, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 10 - Oct 17, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 17 - Oct 24, 2025
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 17 - Oct 24, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 24 - Oct 31, 2025
Panorama • 8 days
From $2500USD
Per Person
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Apr 17 - Apr 24, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Apr 24 - May 01, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 01 - May 08, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 08 - May 15, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 15 - May 22, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 22 - May 29, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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May 29 - Jun 05, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 05 - Jun 12, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 12 - Jun 19, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 19 - Jun 26, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jun 26 - Jul 03, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 03 - Jul 10, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 10 - Jul 17, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 17 - Jul 24, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 24 - Jul 31, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Jul 31 - Aug 07, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Aug 07 - Aug 14, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Aug 14 - Aug 21, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Aug 21 - Aug 28, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Aug 28 - Sep 04, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 04 - Sep 11, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 11 - Sep 18, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 11 - Sep 18, 2026
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 18 - Sep 25, 2026
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 18 - Sep 25, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Sep 25 - Oct 02, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 02 - Oct 09, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 09 - Oct 16, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 16 - Oct 23, 2026
Galileo • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Oct 23 - Oct 30, 2026
Panorama • 8 days
From $3090USD
Per Person
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Accommodations

Learn About the Small Ships on Your Itinerary

Mid-Sized Cruiser
Galileo

The 157-foot, 49-guest Galileo is a steel-hull motorsailer cruising the Greek Isles in classic style. Enjoy the best of the Mediterranean aboard this stunning vessel.

Mid-Sized Cruiser
Panorama

Discover a three-masted motorsailer that can accommodate up to 49 passengers in 24 cabins. This cruiser has performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings and has sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Tunis.

Deal

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires January 31st, 2025
Save Up To 10% On Select 2025 & 2026 Jewels of The Cyclades Cruises

Early birds! Book your Jewels of the Cyclades cruise and save 5% on select 2025 departure or 10% on select 2026 departure.

Expert Reviews

Reviews from Our Experts & Travelers So You Know What to Expect

Lisa Exley-Smith • November 7th, 2023
Expert Aboard: Galileo Cruise Ship Review

Read a Galileo cruise ship review that includes insight from our expert aboard, as well as ratings from our travelers who’ve also sailed on this ship. Learn what makes this ship so special that our travelers ask for it by name.

AdventureSmith Traveler • April 9th, 2022
Jewels of Cyclades Greece Cruise Review

A couple sails aboard the 49-guest Galileo motor sailor in remembrance of their Greece honeymoon cruise 21 years prior. The classic Galileo ship turned out to age like a fine wine, creating a new opportunity for a family vacation.

Testimonials

Hear It from Travelers Who Have Explored with Us

"All Very Smooth"

We wanted to revisit the experience from our Greece honeymoon 21 years earlier. The run up to our departure was marked by informative emails, setting and managing expectations. No complaints, all very smooth.

Overall
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Accommodations
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Meals
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
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"Truly A Great Experience"

40 people of different ages, from different parts of the world. We loved the diversity of the people on the ship. Everyone seemed to enjoy everyone. A small ship allowed us to meet and become friends with everyone on the boat. Truly a great experience.

Overall
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Accommodations
4.5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Meals
4 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
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"Exactly What I Was Hoping For"

It was exactly what I was hoping for. The crew were experienced, friendly, and safety conscience. Plus everyone had a great time. I would like to check out the other destinations that variety cruises offer. They have been in business since 1949, and they know what works and what does not work, Greece is a beautiful country with centuries of history.

Overall
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Accommodations
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
Meals
5 /5 Star Created with Sketch.
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100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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