Explore the Greek Islands on an 8-day sailing cruise aboard the Sea Cloud II, starting and ending in Athens. Sail through the Cyclades with guided visits to Tinos, Amorgos, Santorini, Delos, and Sifnos. Discover key landmarks like the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, the cliffside Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery, and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Walk through historic villages, visit UNESCO-listed ruins, and try local food along the way. Onboard, watch the crew manage 30 sails by hand and join expert-led talks on Greek history and culture. The trip includes daily shore excursions and optional extensions to Crete or Athens. This cruise is ideal for travelers looking for a mix of history, culture, and island exploration.
Highlights
Walk the ancient streets of UNESCO-listed Delos island
Explore cliffside monastery Panagia Hozoviotissa in Amorgos
Discover Santorini’s Minoan ruins at Akrotiri archaeological site
Tour Tinos and the famous Panagia Evangelistria pilgrimage church
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Athens, the capital city of Greece, and transfer to Piraeus where you'll embark the ship in the late afternoon. Get comfortable in your cabin and go above deck for a glass of champagne as you set sail this evening.
Spend your first morning at sea, sailing toward the Cyclades and soaking in the Aegean’s endless blue. Lounge on deck with a book or journal. See the crew climb the rigging to adjust the sails by hand. Join engaging talks from your expert guides on the region’s history and ecology.
Drop anchor at the island of Tinos, a sculptor’s haven dotted with villages full of terraced hillsides, Venetian-era dovecotes and quarries renowned for their superb green marble. Explore the picturesque village of Pyrgos, generously adorned with carved marble facades. And visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria. Built around a miraculous icon, it’s Greece’s holiest shrine–and thousands of pilgrims make their way here every year to pray.
The easternmost island of the Cyclades, Amorgós is a bit less frequented than many, but no less impressive. After dropping anchor, take in the beautiful domed churches and windmills of the main city, a scenic enclave perched in the mountains. Explore the Panagia Hozoviótissa monastery, clinging tenaciously to a cliff face above the sea. Like so many others in this region, it was built a millennium ago to protect a precious religious relic.
Venture into remarkable Santoríni—an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone that erupted 3,600 years ago to bury the resident Minoan culture in ash. Sail directly into the caldera and then drive through windswept vineyards to reach spectacular high views from the town of Oía. Tour the Archaeology Museum and excavations at Akrotiri, an important Minoan town preserved under volcanic ash like Pompeii, with well-built houses, streets, waterworks, pottery and art.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, uninhabited Delos is an outstanding archaeological gem. In myth, it’s the birthplace of the twin Greek immortals Artemis (goddess of animals and the hunt) and Apollo (god of healing, music and light). Spend a morning surveying the Terrace of the Lions and exquisite Temple of Apollo, among the many incredible ruins preserved here. This afternoon, the adventure continues aboard the ship.
In the morning, set foot on a rugged island known for its flavors, its beaches, its 227 churches and its poets. A quaint harbor and scenic upper chora (village) invite exploration, and tempting local comestibles can be found at a waterfront taverna. This is also a fine place for a brisk walk or a lazy stroll along the beach. As afternoon arrives, the crew prepares to hoist the sails once more and depart for Piraeus.
Day 8: Piraeus | Disembark Ship | Athens
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Piraeus and transfer to the airport for flights home or explore more on a three-day post-voyage extension in Crete.
Departure Time: Depart after 12:00 p.m. local time.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
Category 1
Cabins #207-210: These 236 sq. ft. outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and two portholes. Cabin features include a couch, television, small table, dressing table with mirror, a closet, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower. Note: Solo occupancy cabins are available in Category 1.
Category 2
Cabins #211-212, 214-217, 224-231: These 247 sq. ft. outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and two portholes. Cabin features include a couch, television, small table, dressing table with mirror, a closet, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower. Note: Some Category 2 cabins have connecting doors.
Category 3
Cabins #218-223: These 258 sq. ft. outside-facing cabins, located on the Cabin Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three portholes. Cabin features include two chairs, a small table, television, dressing table with mirror, writing desk, two closets, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower.
Category 4
Cabins #301, 302: These 249 sq. ft. outside-facing cabins, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. Cabin features include two chairs, a small table, television, writing desk/dressing table with mirror, closets, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble bathroom is equipped with a shower.
Category 5
Cabins #303, 304: These outside-facing suites, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. #303 is 271 sq. ft. and #304 is 265 sq. ft. Suite features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with shower bathtub and marble washbasin.
Category 6
Cabins #305-312, 314-319: These 281 sq. ft. outside-facing suites, located on the Promenade Deck, have a double bed (which can be separated into two single beds) and three large panorama windows. Suite features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with shower bathtub and marble washbasin.
Category 7
Cabins #401, 402: These 335 sq. ft. outside-facing suites, located on the Lido Deck, have a double four-poster bed and four large panorama windows. Cabin features include an electric fireplace, separate sitting area with a couch, two large chairs and large table, walk-in closet with four large wardrobes, television, dressing table with mirror, two nightstands, minibar, safe, temperature controls, and telephone. The large, beautiful marble and gold-fitted bathroom is equipped with separate shower and bathtub, and marble washbasin.
Initial deposit is 15% of cabin fare and may vary by program, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx, or check. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are available aboard the ship. Additionally, a selection of super premium wines and liquors is offered for purchase.
Crew gratuities
Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, Wi-Fi and phone services (except when indicated as included)
We strongly recommend our guests to take Travel Protection Plan. A Plan with comprehensive coverage to protect you from cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruption, damaged or lost baggage, medical assistance, and evacuation during your travels
Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
Additional costs associated with medical services outside onboard physician consultation (where available)
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
