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Greece: a land of mysterious, ancient ruins and gorgeous whitewashed buildings facing the incredible blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. I had always longed to visit Greece and explore the ruins in the hopes of revealing some fascinating mysteries of the past.
A Greek island hopping cruise itinerary sounded like the perfect mother daughter trip. So my Mom and I set out together on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas to explore 4 of the most popular destinations in 7 days: Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and Katakolon (Olympia).
Advantages of a Cruise
In our particular situation, there were so many advantages in taking a cruise to Greece – but this really applies to any other destination as well.
If you are traveling internationally, the ship’s currency is the US Dollar and they will also convert your money to the destination’s local currency onboard. So when the ship docks, you don’t have to worry about being able to pay for meals or souvenirs. Or worse, finding a place that’s willing to convert your currency without totally ripping you off!
Another advantage of a cruise to Greece is that some of the Greek isles are only accessible by boat which can make island hopping very difficult and require a lot of planning in advance. If you opt for a cruise, you will be transported to the different islands without giving it any thought. For us, the ship moved between islands at night so when we woke up, we were in a new destination.
On the subject of planning, a cruise really takes the planning stress out of your trip. All you have to do is hop on board and into ultimate relaxation mode – they will take care of the rest!
In my opinion, a cruise is a great way to ease yourself into international travel. You get to experience a new destination but if you’re nervous about staying somewhere new a cruise is great because your lodging and meals are all taken care of. Being on the ship, it gives a sense of familiarity in a new place, which is nice for a first timer.
My final advantage for cruising is that you get to easily see so many popular destinations all around the world and do all of the most popular excursions with ease. The cruise line has dedicated staff members that are there to help you book excursions. All you have to do is tell them what you want to do.
Picking Your Cruise and Getting to the Port
Royal Caribbean has several different cruise itineraries available to Greece and the Greek Isles. If you go to their website you can narrow it down by the port you want to leave from, number of days you want to spend on your trip, or even the particular ship you want to sail on.
Our particular cruise left from Italy so we flew to Fiumicino airport in Rome and then took a bus 45 minutes to the port of Civitavecchia (say that 5x fast) stopping along the way to enjoy an espresso. Our shuttle transfer to and from the airport to the port was booked directly through Royal Caribbean so it was really easy.
Depending on what time your flight arrives, you may end up waiting in the port for awhile before you can board the ship. Your luggage will be taken upon arrival, so make sure you have a small bag with activities to keep you occupied, especially if you are traveling with children.
Visiting Greece
The best time to visit Greece, or the Greek isles, is May – October. Peak tourist season is July & August so these are obviously the two busiest and most expensive months.
The climate in Greece is generally dry summers and mild winters with average temperatures around 50 degrees fahrenheit in the winter and in the 80s in the summer.
If this is your first time to Greece, I definitely recommend that you do not miss the opportunity to spend some time in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. We will get into each of these destinations later into this post.
What to Expect on the Cruise Ship
I should mention that we didn’t splurge for a nicer room with a view, and we really should have. Our room was a small interior room…but we were only really there to sleep, so I guess it wasn’t really a deal breaker. If you are looking to save money on your Greece vacation, this may be a good place to start.
I know some people are nervous to sail because they are afraid they will get seasick. I can tell you that, in my experience, I could only feel the ship rocking on deck 5 and even that was not incredibly noticeable.
The ships all have different activities, depending on which ship and which destination you are sailing to. However, they all have so many entertainment options to keep you busy and having fun. We loved going to the theater shows every night and just lounging on the deck checking out the scenery. But our ship also had a disco club for teens, a spa and fitness center, poolside movies, a rock climbing wall and much more.
Lastly, there are certain nights where there is a dining dress code. At least one night, the main dining room will host a formal dining night where a dress code is required. This is going to vary by venue, but to be on the safe side plan on no jeans in the dining room, period.
Being on the ship we really got to soak in the indescribably beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea. I have a hard time describing its beauty when asked; I usually just say there is no crayon color that even comes close. The depth of the beautiful cobalt goes as far down as the eye can see. We spent our first day at sea (waiving to the island of Sicily as we passed by) sailing to our first stop; Santorini.
Santorini
Santorini is known for its whitewashed buildings with blue dome roofs that sits on the cliffs of an active volcano. The village of Oia is what most people think of when they think of Santorini; one of the most photographed places in the world. With panoramic ocean views it’s a dream come true. No wonder it is considered one of the most romantic places in the world. Which would explain why it is a popular wedding/honeymoon destination. If you are going in peak season, expect it to be very crowded.
We spent most of our time in Fira, the island’s capital. In order to actually get on the island, you will have to take a cable car above the water to and from the ship. So if you are afraid of heights, you can opt for the trek up the cliffs on a donkey instead. While there, don’t forget to try some of the local wine and mezes!
Mykonos
Mykonos is my favorite of the islands we chose to visit. It is an island known for its amazing beaches and awesome party scene.
It is part of the Cycladic region of the Aegean Sea and I like to think of it as a mystical maze; no matter which way you go it will lead you to the ocean. Don’t get upset if you get lost once, or several, times while you are here. Fun fact is that the island was actually built to be confusing that way as to deter pirates.
You can always feel and smell the fresh salt breeze on this picturesque island. It is magical.
If you have the opportunity, I would highly suggest you take a boat out to the island of Delos and check out the Terrace of the Lions. These are the statues that stand guard over the place Greek mythology tells us the god Apollo, and his twin sister Artemis, was born.
Also while in Mykonos, you should spend some time exploring the city. We got to make some mosaics with local artists. Don’t forget to try some authentic Greek cuisine. Moussaka, perhaps?
Athens
Athens, which is part of the mainland, has a personality all its own and is not like the picturesque islands of Santorini or Mykonos. However, it is still a must see as it is one of the oldest cities in the world! There are so many ancient ruins and so much history here it is hard to take it all in!
Of course you have to visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Erechteion, but take a ride through the city and pass by the temple of Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian as well. The detail is just incredible!
Also, it is worth a trip out to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon. You won’t be disappointed on the ride out there, the view of the sea is incredible. The trip will take approximately 45 minutes by bus from Athens.
Olympia
Our last stop before heading home was in Katakolon (Olympia), the place of the first Olympic games. Olympia is also located on the mainland.
There isn’t much left here besides a bunch of ruins. If you take a guided tour you will be given iPads that allow you to look at what the ruins used to be.
It is deathly hot in June with little shade, so dress accordingly and make sure you bring enough water.
After your tour, stop by a local restaurant for some mezes and watch some Greek dancers. Opa!
Conclusion: Greek Island Hopping Itinerary – Is it Worth it?
If you are looking to see more than one of the islands (and you should!) on your trip without too much planning, a cruise may be the way to go. If cruising isn’t your thing, and that’s okay, there are some incredible luxury hotels on each of the islands.
No matter what your vacation taste is, Greece has something for everyone. Each island has its own unique appeal.
The beautiful sandy beaches are a must for beach-lovers. Or you can trek through some of the oldest cities of the ancient world for the history buff.
There is an unexplainable magic about Greece that really makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world.
I hope you enjoyed this Greek island hopping cruise itinerary. Have you visited Greece? Let me know which island is your favorite and about any cool experiences while you were there!
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