Christmas & New Year Cruise 2023
Celebrate the festive season in every way you can imagine. Joining us on a Christmas odyssey across Europe, Africa and Asia, you’ll explore waterfalls near the birthplace of Santa Claus, trace the story of Mary and Joseph on Christmas Day, and watch New Year’s Eve fireworks in Istanbul. Because why shouldn’t Christmas last 19 days?
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Cruise itinerary
At-a-Glance ItineraryAthens
(Pireaus)
Your cruise begins in the majestic ancient city of Athens. As one of the oldest cities in the world, the vibrant modern metropolis boasts an intriguing and contrasting mix of the old and the modern architecture that is in perfect balance and harmony. Explore the city and soak up the atmosphere by the harbour’s edge as you wait to embark for your exciting adventure.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a gorgeous and cosmopolitan seaside city and the largest in Greece after Athens. Centuries of cultural commingling has also made Thessaloniki a culinary nirvana, with almost too many great restaurants and little eateries to count.
Izmir
We enter from the azure-blue Bay of Izmir, watching the lively city approach with its distinctly Turkish skyline. The Pearl of the Aegean, Izmir has a rich heritage of multicultural influences, so the cuisine and communities are endlessly inviting. Even in winter, the laidback and vivacious atmosphere can make it feel like summer never left
Agios
Nikolaus
Along the spectacular Cretan coast east of Heraklion you’ll find the energetic resort towns of Hersonissos and Malia and also the capital of the Lassithi region, Agios Nikolaos. The charming resort town, whose name (Saint Nicholas, in English) refers to Greece’s patron saint of sailors, fronts the wide blue Bay of Mirabello. The town’s landmark round Lake Voulismeni—where the goddess Athena is said to have bathed—connects to the sea.
Antalya
An extra special stop on our festive cruise brings you within 100 miles of the birthplace of St Nicholas, the original Santa Claus. Here in Antalya you’ll follow the footsteps of a Roman emperor at Hadrian’s Gate. You’ll discover Ottoman-era houses and gardens in the old town of Kaleici. And you’ll even meet the founder of Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, at his striking monument in Republic Square.
Limassol
Bustling Limassol is Cyprus’ cultural hub and tourist centre. Its streets are lined with colourful cafes, bars and restaurants. To complement the modern attractions, the lively city also has the historic monument of Limassol Castle and a collection of ancient treasures on show in the Cyprus Medieval Museum. Unveil the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Pafos, and the legend of Aphrodite’s Rock.
Alexandria
Haifa
Your Christmas story leads you down the same path as the Three Wise Men on their journey to Palestine’s Bethlehem. Here in Haifa in what is now Israel, you will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bringing scenes from the holy story to life for yourself. Wander through ever-changing neighbourhoods and witness the blend of modernity with ancient culture.
At
Sea
A day at sea gives you the opportunity to explore the ship’s array of amenities, take full advantage of the onboard activities and indulge in our chef’s exquisite cuisine. Kick back and soak up the sun as we treat you to complimentary drinks from the bar. Alternatively, why not participate in handicrafts, language lessons, traditional dancing, games or exercise. There’s plenty to do.
Athens
When we arrive back in Athens for a day of festivities, Greek-style, you can choose how to spend our day together. Visit the monuments you know from legends and history? Marvel at the view of the city from the Acropolis? Shop for last-minute gifts to share your voyage with loved ones at home? It’s all up to you. This is our home city, and we can’t wait to show you around.
Crete
(Heraklion)
As we pull into Heraklion, you have the chance to snap the imposing 16th-Century walls of Koules Fortress. Here you can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront, explore the Cretan countryside or discover the Palace of Knossos. This spellbinding tour invites you to listen to tales of intrigue and learn about Europe’s first civilisation in the Knossos museum. Was the Minotaur half-man or myth? You’re about to find out!
Rhodes
The picturesque island of Rhodes is well known for its beautiful beaches, majestic fortified ruins, and its glorious year-round sunshine. Perched high on the clifftop that dramatically rises up from the crystalline waters is the island’s crowning glory – the Acropolis at Lindos. Your complimentary guided tour here also includes the chance to discover the island’s enchanting Old Town.
Kusadasi
The dynamic beach resort of Kusadasi welcomes you with its warm and friendly ambience. From here you will be whisked away for a guided tour round ancient Ephesus, one of the highlights of this iconic Aegean cruise. Before rebounding the ship, take time to enjoy the scenic seafront promenade and the town’s impressive Grand Bazaar.
Istanbul
The enchanting capital city of Istanbul is split between the continents of Europe and Asia, and offers a truly unique experience. The city’s skyline is embellished with the silhouetted minarets of the lavish Byzantine and imperial mosques that line the Bosphorus Strait. Our complimentary cruise along the Bosphorus or visit to the spice market to experience the sights, smells and sounds of this enigmatic city.
At
Sea
A day at sea gives you the opportunity to explore the ship’s array of amenities, take full advantage of the onboard activities and indulge in our chef’s exquisite cuisine. Kick back and soak up the sun as we treat you to complimentary drinks from the bar. Alternatively, why not participate in handicrafts, language lessons, traditional dancing, games or exercise. There’s plenty to do.
Volos
The attractive and picturesque coastal port city of Volos is associated with many captivating tales of Greek mythology. It’s the mythical home of Jason and the Argonauts, and the birthplace of the Centaur. The island’s most popular attraction, however, are the six spectacular monasteries that are perched high on the magnificent vertical rock formations collectively known as Meteora. You have to see it to believe it.
Athens
(Pireaus)
Our cruise arrives back in Athens early where you will have the entire day to explore the magic of this modern metropolis. The heart of ancient Greece is the cultural home to numerous important archaeological sites and famous landmarks. Take your time to discover the highlights, or alternatively uncover the colourful street art or relax on the gorgeous golden-sand beaches.
DATE | PORT/CITY | ARRIVE | DEPART |
---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Athens (Pireaus) | 15:30 | |
Day 2 | Thessaloniki | 09:00 | 15:30 |
Day 3 | Izmir | 09:00 | 15:30 |
Day 4 | Agios Nikolaus | 08:30 | 15:30 |
Day 5 | Antalya | 10:00 | 17:00 |
Day 6 | Limassol | 08:30 | 13:30 |
Day 7-8 | Alexandria | 07:30 | 13:00 |
Day 9-10 | Haifa | 09:00 | 16:00 |
Day 11 | At Sea | ||
Day 12 | Athens | 08:30 | 17:00 |
Day 13 | Crete (Heraklion) | 08:00 | 17:00 |
Day 14 | Rhodes | 08:00 | 18:00 |
Day 15 | Kusadasi | 08:00 | 14:00 |
Day 16-17 | Istanbul | 12:00 | |
Day 18 | At Sea | ||
Day 19 | Volos | 07:00 | 17:00 |
Day 20 | Athens (Pireaus) | 07:00 |
Amazing excursions carefully curated
- Included Excursions
- Optional Excursions
CLASSIC CAIRO
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS THROUGH THE AGES – HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN
Learn MoreMINOAN PALACE OF KNOSSOS – 1ST EUROPEAN CIVILISATION
Learn MoreELOUNDA AND BEYOND
Learn MoreJERUSALEM & BETHLEHEM
Learn MoreJAFFA & TEL AVIV
Learn MoreUNESCO CHURCHES IN SOLEA REGION – 2 CHURCHES
Learn MorePANORAMIC LIMASSOL & CURIUM
Learn MorePAPHOS, THE CITY OF UNESCO
Learn MoreEXPERIENCE THE TRADITION
Learn MoreCURIUM, THE WINE VILLAGE OF OMODOS AND LIMASSOL
Learn MoreCLASSIC CAIRO
Learn MoreHOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY & ANCIENT EPHESUS
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS THROUGH THE AGES – HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS AND THE TERRACE HOUSES
Learn MoreANCIENT EPHESUS & MILETUS
Learn MoreTURKISH BATHS
Learn MoreISTANBUL
Learn MoreOTTOMAN EMPIRE AND BYZANTINE LEGACY TOUR
Learn MoreDISCOVER THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF SULTAN AHMET SQUARE
Learn MoreBOSPHORUS CRUISE AND THE SPICE MARKET
Learn MoreA TASTE OF ISTANBUL: STREET FOOD TOUR
Learn MoreANCIENT PERGAMON
Learn MoreLEGENDARY TROY & THE NEW TROY MUSEUM
Learn MoreGALLIPOLI, TROY AND THE NEW TROY MUSEUM
Learn MoreGALLIPOLI
Learn MoreFULL DAY TRIP TO TROY & ASSOS
Learn MoreVOLOS & MT. PELION
Learn MoreTHE SPECTACULAR ROCKS & THE ‘HANGING’ MONASTERIES
Learn MoreLEGENDARY MOUTZOURIS (MOUNTAIN TRAIN RIDE)
Learn MoreDRINK AND EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Learn MoreLAND OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Learn MoreTHE ROYAL TOMBS OF VERGINA
Learn MorePANORAMIC THESSALONIKI
Learn MoreVERIA (BERROIA)
Learn MoreHIGHLIGHTS OF THESSALONIKI
Learn MoreWALKING TOUR IN SYROS
Learn MoreTHE ESSENCE OF SANTORINI
Learn MoreSPECTACULAR OIA VILLAGE PERCHED ON THE CALDERA RIM
Learn MoreOFF THE BEATEN TRACK – JEEP SAFARI ADVENTURE
Learn MoreCRUISE TO SANTORINI’S ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES
Learn MoreAKROTIRI VILLAGE EXCAVATIONS
Learn MoreWALKING TOUR IN THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF RHODES
Learn MorePHILERIMOS CHURCH AND THE PALACE OF THE KNIGHTS
Learn MoreMEDIEVAL TOUR – ACROPOLIS OF LINDOS AND THE CITADEL OF THE KNIGHTS
Learn MoreTRADITIONAL FEAST IN PATMOS
Learn MoreRELIGIOUS VISIT TO ST JOHN’S MONASTERY – GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE
Learn MoreCOUNTRYSIDE TOUR WITH CHORA AND THE GROTTO OF APOCALYPSE
Learn MoreMYKONIAN DINNER
Learn MoreMYKONIAN COUNTRYSIDE TOUR WITH CHORA AND LITTLE VENICE
Learn MoreDELOS – SACRED ISLAND & APOLLO SANCTUARY
Learn MoreCYCLADIC TASTES (FOOD ON FOOT)
Learn MoreTHE AMAZING BEACHES TOUR
Learn MoreSTEP BACK IN TIME – (RELIGIOUS)
Learn MoreSTEP BACK IN TIME
Learn MoreNOSTALGIC MILOS
Learn MoreKAVALA – Prophets, Legends and the heroes of Philippi
Learn MoreCRETAN JEEP SAFARI
Learn MoreRIVER TREKKING TOUR
Learn MoreA DELECTABLE DAY IN CRETE
Learn MoreTHE PALACE OF KNOSSOS & COSMOPOLITAN HERAKLION
Learn MoreTHE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS OF ELOUNDA AND SPINALONGA
Learn MoreVENETIAN HERAKLION AND THE UNIQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Learn MoreMINOAN PALACE OF KNOSSOS – 1ST EUROPEAN CIVILISATION
Learn MoreKNOSSOS PALACE AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Learn MoreEXPERIENCE THE CRETAN COUNTRYSIDE AND LIFESTYLE
Learn MoreTHE ACROPOLIS & THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Learn MorePANORAMIC ATHENS AND CORINTH CANAL CROSSING
Learn MoreCORINTH CANAL, ANCIENT CORINTH, BEMA OF ST. PAUL
Learn MoreATHENS MONUMENTS AND THE ACROPOLIS
Learn MoreATHENS TOUR AND THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Learn MoreALL INCLUSIVE CRUISING
ON BOARD DINING
Originating from Greece, we have a proud culinary tradition and love delighting our guests with a range of sumptuous recipes. Our specialty chefs lovingly prepare authentic Mediterranean dishes bursting with mouthwatering flavors.
UNLIMITED CLASSIC DRINKS
Enjoy the ambient lounges and admire spectacular views as you indulge in our range of premium brands, selected wine and spirits.
ENTERTAINMENT ONBOARD
You’ll never be lost for anything to do with our full-program of entertainment throughout the day and in the evening.
SELECT SHORE EXCURSIONS
We don’t believe in surprising guests with hidden fees so include port charges and gratuities with the final cost of your cruise so you can protect your travel budget.
PORT CHARGES & GRATUITIES
We don’t believe in surprising guests with hidden fees so include port charges and gratuities with the final cost of your cruise so you can protect your travel budget.