Classic Aegean Sea Cruising in the Wake of Odysseus
Don’t miss…
- Patmos: A touch of the Divine
- The Cave of the Apocalypse
- Santorini Sunset & Greek Night on board
- The Graeco-Roman world truly comes alive at Ephesus
- The traditional charm of Kythnos & Tinos
Odysseus, also known as Ulysses, was the legendary King of Ithaca and one of the world’s great wanderers. Hero of the Trojan wars, he famously cruised these Aegean waters for 10 years, and was inspiration for Homer’s famous poem. We don’t have that long, but you’ll still have the chance to discover much-loved or unknown gems of rich history, incomparable light, translucent water, and heavenly beaches. Greece and the Turkish coast are magical lands with an endless supply of beauty and culture. This truly classic cruise is always worth returning to.
Ports of call: Santorini - Patmos - Kusadasi (for Ephesus) - Delos - Mykonos - Tinos
The Weather
Reliable sunshine is virtually guaranteed during the season between early May and late October, with temperatures ranging from the low 20’s in early and late season up to the mid to high 30’s from late June until August. Winds are predictable with moderate winds (Force 3-4) from the NW.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Friday: Marina Zeas (Piraeus)
Embarkation 14:00-15:00 Once on board we’ll offer you with a cocktail and cruise briefing. Then, after we set sail for Ios, we’ll invite you to join us in the restaurant for our Welcome Dinner. Overnight at sea.
Saturday: Ios – swimstop – Santorini
We stop off this morning for a swim at one of the most beautiful places in the Aegean – Manganari Beach on Ios. We reach the half-submerged crescent of the volcanic caldera which makes up Santorini around noon. Once moored we’ll take a cable car to the town of Fira, a stunning cluster of white buildings atop a cliff. This afternoon you have an optional tour to Akrotiri to see the ruins of a city buried in the eruption that created the caldera in 1600 B.C. The tour ends in Oia, famous for its awesome sunsets. Overnight at sea to Patmos.
Sunday: Patmos
Morning arrival in Patmos. Your optional Patmos excursion includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Grotto and Monastery of St. John – plus the historic centre of the medieval town of Chora. Afternoon at leisure to discover Scala, the capital or swim at a nearby beach. Overnight in Patmos.
Monday: Patmos – Kusadasi for Ephesus – Samos
Early morning sailing to Kusadasi in Turkey where our explorations of antiquity civilizations continue with an optional tour to Ephesus, the greatest and most truly awesome archaeological site in the Aegean region. If, as you tour this remarkably preserved Greek and Roman city, you feel you might encounter a toga-garbed resident, or hear a chariot clattering down the main avenue, you can do so in the knowledge that it is the exact same avenue that Cleopatra and Mark Anthony rode in procession down more than 2,000 years ago! After lunch and some free time at leisure, we sail to the Island of Samos, arriving late afternoon at the quaint port of Pythagorion. You can enjoy a late afternoon swim, walk the narrow alleys of the city or relax at the many seaside cafes. Late in the evening we sail for Delos and Mykonos. Overnight at sea
Tuesday: Delos – Mykonos
Welcome to the classically blue and white Cycladic Islands starting at tiny Delos, the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Our optional guided walking tour visits the archaeological ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, unearthed in the 19th century. Delos is now an open-air museum with many ancient monuments and buildings that are remarkably intact. Later we sail to a beautiful bay for a refreshing swim stop and lunch, weather permitting. In the afternoon we reach Mykonos Harbour and disembark to stroll in the narrow streets and discover its brilliant white houses. While exploring the town you can enjoy the archaeological museum or the maritime museum, but don’t forget to visit a bakery that has been turning out bread in wood-fired ovens since the 15th century. We suggest ending your evening as the Mykonians do by enjoying a glass of ouzo and traditional “mezedes “appetisers or experiencing the world-famous night life. Overnight in port.
Wednesday: Mykonos – Tinos
We leave Mykonos at dawn heading for the island of Tinos. First stop is the beach of Ysternia for a swim and a barbeque. After lunch we sail into Tinos harbour for an optional afternoon excursion visiting the picturesque villages of Exovergo and Volax. We also visit the famous basket weavers of Tinos and the workshops of the marble sculptors of Pyrgos. The famous monastery of the Holy Virgin, a site of pilgrimage, well worth a visit. Overnight in port.
Thursday: Tinos – Kythnos – Cape Sounion
In the morning we leave Tinos and sail to Kythnos for a swim stop and beach BBQ. After lunch we sail to Cape Sounion, arriving at around 17:30 for farewell cocktails & dinner under the Temple of Poseidon. In the evening, we will leave Sounion to reach Marina Zea. Overnight Marina Zea.
Friday: Marina Zeas (Piraeus)
Breakfast and time to leave the ship – Disembarkation between 9 and 10 am.
Your Vessel - M/S Panorama
Most recently refitted and renovated in 2014 Panorama is a 3-masted motorsailer that can accommodate up to 49 passengers in 24 cabins. Perfect for island-hoping cruising under sail around the Aegean she has also performed several Atlantic Ocean crossings, sailed from the Seychelles to Monte Carlo and from the Black Sea to Tunis. She offers the highest standard of accommodation, comfort and safety.
On board Facilities
- One sitting for all meals
- Indoor Restaurant
- Indoor & Outdoor Lounge & Bar
- Audiovisual in Lounge
- Mini library
- Beach Towels
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayak
- Board Games
- Swimming Platform
- Wi-Fi
Creature Comforts
- Windows in main deck cabins
- Portholes in lower deck cabins
- Triple Occupancy cabins: Category B
- Flat-Screen TV
- Mini Safe
- Mini Fridge
- Individually controlled A/C
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Hairdryers
- Telephone for internal use
- Central music
Category C:
Lower Deck
1 Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds
The Category C cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble.
Category B:
Lower Deck
2 Lower Beds
The Category B cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble or corian.
Category A:
Upper Deck or Main Deck
2 Lower Beds or 1 Double Bed Cabin
The Category A cabins are located on the Upper Deck or on the Main Deck and have large windows enabling a breathtaking view or the areas you are cruising in. The cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, and public address system and safe boxes. The fully equiped bathrooms are finished with marble or corian.
Lounge Area
Sundeck
Upper Deck Outdoor Bar & Lounge area
Dining Room
Optional: Cruise & Stay
Athens is a glorious place to spend a couple of days and nights exploring and our partner hotel, the Herodion, is ideally placed for exploring this vibrant city. Alternatively Athens’ beaches are often overlooked but very nice indeed – a few nights, or even a week at the Aegean Beach Resort with its imposing views of Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon makes for a real pre- or post-cruise treat. We can easily add-on either into your itinerary.
Optional excursions include a half-day city tour and an afternoon coastal trip to the temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
Includes:
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel
- Two night B&B stay at either the 4 star Herodion hotel in the historic centre of Athens, or the Aegean Beach Resort
- Transfer to the cruise ship
- Transfer from cruise to Athens airport for the return flight
Aegean Odyssey 2020
CRUISE ONLY PRICES (£) PER PERSONFRIDAY DEPARTURES FROM ATHENS
Vessel: M/S Panorama
| Departure Dates | Category C | Category B | Category A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28/08/2020 | £1,955 | £2,273 | £2,864 |
Aegean Odyssey - port charges, flights and supplements 2020
| Category C | Category B | Category A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port charges(mandatory) | £273 | £273 | £273 |
| Flights inc luggage from | £270 | ||
| Transfers from | £60 | ||
| Single use | £2,933 | £3,410 | £4,296 |
| 3rd person | N/A | £1,591 | N/A |
Book your flights with us to ensure full financial protection for your holiday.
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Your holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed and your holiday is ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTA giving additional protection. We have been trading since 1995 so with over 25 years under our belts, you can book with total confidence. |  |
- Accommodation in your chosen grade of cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
- Mini fridge, and flat screen TV with complimentary movies
- Full-board meals including an American buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Welcome Cocktail, a local themed party night, fun BBQ (weather permitting) and Captains dinner
- Regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water, plus fresh fruit are available with our compliments all day
- Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment and sea kayak (subject to availability).
- English-Speaking Cruise Director
- Flights & transfers when cruise is booked as a flight inclusive package
- Beverages except regular (filter) coffee, tea and still mineral water
- Shore excursions or other land arrangements at ports of call
- Passengers’ personal expenses.
- Wi-Fi which is available at a charge
- Gratuities which are optional and should be made centrally at the hotel reception desk to be distributed throughout the crew – we recommend Eur10-14 per passenger per day
- Flights & transfers if cruise is booked for independent travel
Flights from the UK from London Heathrow & Manchester in the morning and evening return departures from Athens Int Airport.
Total flight duration from 2.5 to 3.5 hours
ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 9511
Transfers from and to Havana Melia Cohiba hotel to Cienfuegos and vv are about 3 to 3.5 hours and are included in price for the start or the end of the cruise.
Havana airport transfers to/from Melia Cohiba or harbour approximately 30 minutes.
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