Inspiration
Ultra-inclusive Greek Cruise
There’s something timeless about a Greek island summer: sun-bleached villages, aquamarine bays and long, languid lunches under the vines.
Starlit seas and Cycladic charm
This curated journey with Explora brings a refined, unhurried take on island-hopping, with a ship that feels more like a private floating resort than a traditional cruise.
Over seven days, you’ll glide across the Aegean, waking each morning in a new destination, from headline spots like Santorini and Mykonos to quieter corners where life moves at a gentler pace. Days ashore are deeply personal, with a choice of immersive experiences, while time onboard is a chance to truly unwind, with world-class dining, spacious suites and wellness at your fingertips.
This is island-hopping reimagined: effortless, elegant and entirely your own.
- Athens
- Mykonos
- Syros or Paros
- Santorini
- Patmos or Volos
Pauline Duffin
Pauline specialises in designing highly-personalised adventures, guided by her decades of travel expertise. With a focus on India, South East Asia and South America and a deep love of African safaris, she's renowned for her finely-tuned ability to create experiences that reflect your unique interests.
Athens
Begin your journey in Athens, surrounded by ancient history and contemporary energy. Before boarding, take time to explore the Acropolis Museum, stroll the atmospheric streets of Plaka or enjoy a rooftop lunch with sweeping views of the Parthenon, a classic Athenian scene.
Board your ship at the port of Piraeus. This is no ordinary boat: more a boutique floating hotel, with ocean-facing suites, a state-of-the-art spa and six elegant dining venues offering everything from Mediterranean specialities to pan-Asian tasting menus.
Settle into your suite, unpack and let the ship do the rest. That evening, dine al fresco on freshly grilled seafood as the city lights recede into the horizon: your first taste of life at sea and the start of something rather special.
Mykonos
Wake up to the sparkle of the Aegean Sea as you arrive in Mykonos, a destination long associated with style, sunshine and Cycladic beauty. But there’s more here than beach clubs and boutiques.
Take a private tour to Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo, where marble ruins stand quiet against the sea breeze. Prefer something more local? Visit a traditional farm for a hands-on cooking class, followed by lunch under the vines.
There’s time for shopping in Mykonos Town, its whitewashed alleys lined with galleries and artisan finds, or for doing absolutely nothing at all, with a cool drink at a harbourfront café.
Return to the ship for a sunset cocktail as the island’s lights begin to twinkle across the bay, a gentle close to a day that blends cultural depth with classic island ease.
Syros or Paros
Today’s stop offers a more under-the-radar take on the Cyclades: either Syros, the archipelago’s elegant capital, or Paros, with its laid back charm and creative spirit. Each one invites you to slow down and enjoy a more authentic Greek experience.
In Syros, wander through the neoclassical streets of Ermoupoli, home to grand 19th-century mansions, lively squares and one of the oldest theatres in Greece. Visit the open-air market with a local guide or hear rebetiko music in a tucked-away taverna where time seems to stand still.
If you anchor off Paros, explore the pretty fishing village of Naoussa, all marble lanes and bougainvillaea-draped balconies. Join a vineyard lunch in the hills or swim in hidden coves only locals know.
These are places where Greek life unfolds at its natural pace: unhurried, unpolished and impossibly picturesque. Return to the ship with sun-warmed skin, full of stories from the road less travelled.
Cliffside Brunch in Santorini
Step into a postcard moment as you follow a local chef to a hidden cliffside farm in Santorini. After a guided stroll through sunlit lanes and ancient ruins, you’ll arrive to long wooden tables shaded by vines, where brunch is a celebration of the island’s volcanic terroir: warm breads, tangy goat’s cheese and tomatoes picked just moments before. Overlooking the caldera, with a glass of crisp Assyrtiko in hand and the scent of herbs in the air, it’s a feast for all the senses: and one of the most memorable ways to experience the island’s rich flavours and soul-stirring beauty.
Santorini
Few arrivals rival the first glimpse of Santorini – the whitewashed villages clinging to volcanic cliffs, the sapphire Aegean far below. From the ship’s Observation Lounge, the caldera view is pure theatre.
Step ashore early to beat the crowds in Oia, where narrow lanes wind past blue-domed churches and sunlit terraces. Join a guided visit with skip-the-line access, followed by a chef-hosted brunch at a cliffside farm: expect the likes of soft goat’s cheese, heirloom tomatoes and fresh-baked breads still warm from the oven.
Later, soak in the island’s volcanic hot springs or visit a boutique winery in Pyrgos, known for its crisp Assyrtiko and sweeping views. Santorini’s wines are shaped by ash and sea breeze: you’ll taste it in every glass.
Back on board, catch golden hour from Explora Lounge with a flute of vintage Champagne and that unmistakable Aegean glow. It’s a day that lingers long after the sun goes down.
Patmos or Volos
Today’s port depends on your itinerary, but both offer a quieter, more contemplative side of Greece.
In Patmos, a place of pilgrimage and peace, visit the Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where it’s said the Book of Revelation was written. The town itself is a maze of whitewashed chapels, bougainvillaea-draped houses and timeless stillness. With fewer visitors than the bigger islands, it’s easy to feel the sacred calm.
Alternatively, Volos brings a more natural drama. From here, venture inland to Meteora, where centuries-old monasteries perch atop vast stone pillars – it’s otherworldly, especially at sunrise. Or explore the Pelion Peninsula, where cobbled mountain villages meet green hills and quiet bays.
Whichever you choose, the pace is gentle and a chance to pause and experience a different rhythm before your final day at sea.
Your final full day is spent at sea – and it’s one of the most restorative of all. Whether this voyage marks the end of an unforgettable family holiday or is just one chapter of a longer adventure, today is about slowing down and soaking up the in-between.
Start with coffee on your balcony, followed by a yoga class on deck or a detox ritual at the spa. Let the children enjoy the Explorers Club while you indulge in a long lunch paired with Mediterranean wines, or join a hands-on cooking class with one of the ship’s chefs.
With no agenda, no rush and nothing but blue all around, this is the perfect moment to reflect, reconnect and reset, before one last evening under the stars.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
