Early BookingVisa Required
4 Nights 5 Days
Early BookingVisa Required
Greece
Aegean & Adriatic Cruise from Istanbul
From Galataport to Mykonos, Athens to Olympia and the Bay of Kotor to the coast of Puglia – no flights needed
Istanbul · Mykonos · Piraeus (Athens) · Katakolon · Kotor · Bari
From €835
per person sharing an interior cabin
Overview
How about starting your holiday not at an airport but in the heart of Istanbul, at Galataport? On this cruise your luggage goes straight from home to your cabin, and we sail for the Aegean after saying goodbye to the Bosphorus and the skyline of the Historic Peninsula from the deck.
The route opens with Mykonos, one of the best-known Aegean islands, then takes you from the port of Piraeus to the Acropolis in Athens and from Katakolon to Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. After calling at the fjord-like Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic and at Bari in Italy's Puglia region, we return to Istanbul over two days at sea, passing through the Dardanelles.
All main meals on board, shows and pools are included in the price. The days at sea offer a genuine holiday pause that balances the pace of the port days. The route is a sample itinerary that may vary with the ship's seasonal schedule.
Highlights
- Embarkation at Galataport and the Istanbul skyline at sunset
- The whitewashed lanes and windmills of Mykonos
- The chance to visit the Acropolis in Athens from Piraeus
- An optional excursion from Katakolon to ancient Olympia
- Kotor's UNESCO-listed old town and bay views
- Sailing through the Dardanelles and two days at sea on the way home
Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul (Galataport) – Embarkation
In the afternoon we complete check-in at the Galataport cruise terminal and settle into our cabins. After the mandatory safety briefing, the ship leaves port in the evening. From the deck we watch the skyline of the Historic Peninsula as we sail out into the Sea of Marmara.
Day 2 Day at Sea
We spend the day on board as we pass through the Dardanelles and sail into the Aegean. Relax by the pools, use the gym and spa or simply explore the ship. In the evening the captain's welcome night and a show await.
Day 3 Mykonos (Greece)
We arrive in Mykonos, one of the icons of the Cyclades. Wander the narrow whitewashed lanes of Chora, see the waterfront balconies of Little Venice and the windmills on the hill. In the late afternoon we return to the ship and sail for Athens.
Day 4 Piraeus (Athens)
We dock at Piraeus, the port of Athens. The city centre is about 30 minutes away, where you can visit the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the lanes of Plaka. An optional guided tour of Athens is available.
Day 5 Katakolon (Olympia)
We are in Katakolon, a small harbour town on the western Peloponnese. About 40 minutes away lies Olympia, home of the ancient Olympic Games, where an optional excursion takes you to the remains of the Temple of Zeus, the ancient stadium and the archaeological museum. Staying in town, a taverna stop along the waterfront is a pleasant alternative.
Day 6 Kotor (Montenegro)
After a morning in the Ionian Sea we cross into the Adriatic and enter the mountain-ringed Bay of Kotor; gliding through its narrow straits is one of the most beautiful moments of the route. In the walled, UNESCO-listed old town you can visit St Tryphon's Cathedral and the stone squares, or climb the fortifications if you feel energetic.
Day 7 Bari (Italy)
We arrive in Bari, capital of the Puglia region. In the old town, Bari Vecchia, you can visit the Basilica of San Nicola, which holds the relics of St Nicholas, and the lanes where women make orecchiette pasta by hand in their doorways. An optional excursion takes you to Alberobello, famous for its cone-roofed trulli.
Day 8 Day at Sea
We spend the whole day on board as we sail south-east across the Ionian Sea. Relax on the sun deck, join the ship's activities or take some time for yourself at the spa. We suggest bringing smart attire for the gala dinner in the evening.
Day 9 Day at Sea – the Dardanelles
We spend our last full day on board while crossing the Aegean northwards. In the late afternoon we watch the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula from the deck as we pass through the Dardanelles. In the evening you are asked to pack and leave your luggage outside your cabin door.
Day 10 Istanbul (Galataport) – Disembarkation
Early in the morning we approach Istanbul and dock at Galataport. After breakfast we complete disembarkation and passport formalities, bringing our voyage to an end.
Accommodation
You stay in a double interior cabin on a modern ship from the MSC Cruises fleet on a full-board basis. Upgrades to outside (window) and balcony cabins are available for a supplement; the ship varies by date and is confirmed at booking.
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On boardInterior cabin (outside and balcony cabin options available)
Transport
The entire journey is aboard the MSC ship, embarking and disembarking at Istanbul's Galataport, so no flights are needed. Getting to Galataport is up to you, though a paid transfer can be arranged on request.
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Istanbul (Galataport)Mykonos
Cruise · 1 day at sea · through the Dardanelles
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MykonosPiraeus (Athens)
Cruise · Overnight sailing
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Piraeus (Athens)Katakolon
Cruise · Overnight sailing
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KatakolonKotor
Cruise · Overnight and morning sailing · afternoon arrival
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KotorBari
Cruise · Overnight sailing
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BariIstanbul (Galataport)
Cruise · 2 days at sea · morning arrival
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Per person | Single supplement | Child (2–12) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–11 May 2027 | €835 | +€590 | €249 | Available |
| 20–29 Jun 2027 | €949 | +€670 | €279 | Few seats left · Last 12 seats |
| 12–21 Sep 2027 | €899 | +€630 | €269 | Available |
Prices are per person in a double room and subject to availability.
What's Included / Not Included
What's Included
- 9 nights in an interior cabin on an MSC ship
- Full board on board: main restaurant and buffet meals
- Port taxes
- On-board shows, pools, gym and entertainment programme
- Assistance with embarkation and disembarkation at Galataport
- Turkish-speaking tour leader throughout
- Compulsory professional liability insurance
Not Included
- Ship service charge (per person per night, added to your on-board account by MSC)
- Drinks with meals and drinks packages
- Optional shore excursions and port tours
- Schengen visa fee and Turkish departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harcı)
- Travel health insurance (can be added on request)
- Spa, speciality restaurants, internet packages and personal expenses
Visa Information Visa Required
As the route includes the Schengen countries Greece and Italy, Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports need a valid Schengen visa. Because the ship calls at Montenegro, which is outside Schengen, the visa must be multiple-entry; the application is usually made to Greece, where most ports are visited. Montenegro does not require a visa from Turkish citizens for short visits. The seasonal express visa offered on some Aegean islands covers only arrivals at specific islands from Turkish ports, so it cannot be used on this route. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date; current requirements are confirmed before departure.
Important Information
- This is a sample itinerary; the order of ports, arrival and departure times and the ship may vary with MSC Cruises' seasonal schedule and weather conditions.
- Please arrive at Galataport no later than the check-in time given by the cruise line; passport and visa checks take place at the terminal.
- The ship service charge is set by MSC and added nightly to your on-board account; the current amount is confirmed at booking.
- Shore excursions are optional; the ship will not wait for passengers who miss the all-aboard time.
- The child price (ages 2–11) applies when sharing a cabin with two adults; children also need a valid passport and visa.
Cancellation & Refunds
Bookings are confirmed with a written package tour contract finalised with our adviser. Cancellation charges based on the time remaining before departure, non-refundable items (visa fees, insurance, special-fare flights) and your rights if a tour is cancelled are explained on our Cancellation & Refund Policy page. Tour-specific terms are stated in the contract.
Cancellation & Refund PolicyGallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a flight?
No. You board and leave the ship at Istanbul's Galataport. Guests joining from other cities arrange their own travel to Istanbul, and our adviser can help with domestic flights and transfers if needed.
Why do I need a multiple-entry Schengen visa?
The ship first enters the Schengen Area in Greece, then leaves it for Montenegro and re-enters in Italy. A single-entry visa is therefore not sufficient, and boarding could be refused.
Are shore excursions included?
No, shore excursions are optional. Our tour leader briefs you before each port; we recommend organised excursions for sites further from port such as Olympia and Alberobello, and exploring independently in places close to the pier such as Mykonos and Kotor.
Enquire about this tour
Fill in the form for availability, room options and current prices; our adviser will get back to you shortly. No payment is taken on the site.
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