Greece, Travel blog

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise

Greece has got so many islands it is sometimes difficult for travelers to choose which one to go. To take the Greek island hopping itinerary of Celestyal cruise is therefore a good way to discover many islands at a time.

The best option to fly to Greece and inside Greece is with Aegan Airlines.

I took my first cruise in Greece last year on the luxurious MS Europa 2. The experience was fantastic, the MS Europa 2 is a wonderful boat with many on board option and even though the destinations were great, it is more about the on board experience than the destinations.

While cruising with Celestyal cruise, the experience is all about the destination.

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise

Celestyal Cruise has got two offers. A long weekend offer and a 7 day Greek island cruise trough some of the most beautiful Greek islands.

While the other cruise ships stop for a short day at every destination, Celestyal Cruise stops for a longer period of time on some island to allow the passengers to enjoy fully what the island has to offer.

Cyclades island hopping

One day in Mykonos

Mykonos is world known for it’s lifestyle and more exactly for it’s nightlife. What a pity it would be to spend only half a day on the island.

To allow it’s passengers to enjoy fully what the island has to offer, Celestyal Cruise stays a full one day on Mykonos. You have a night on board so it is possible to dance the night away and board back the boat early in the morning before the ship cruises to the next island.

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Cyclades island hopping one day in Mykonos

2 days in Santorini

Santorini is probably THE most famous destination that you can’t miss while on a Cyclades island hopping! With it’s two villages, Oia and Thira, it’s black and red beaches, it’s famous wine. You will need of course more than a day to explore it all. 

Here again, Celestyal Cruise stays two days on the Island so that you have plenty of time to go shopping, enjoy the sunset, explore the beaches and taste the famous Santorini wine.

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Cyclades island hopping 2 days in Santorini Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Cyclades island hopping 2 days in Santorini Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Cyclades island hopping 2 days in Santorini

Relax on Milos island

On a cruise you will also want to relax. Celestyal Cruise brings you to two island that are not that touristy. Milos, my favourite island of the itinerary, with its amazing lunar landscape. Not to miss : Sarakiniko beach!

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Cyclades island hopping Milos Sarakiniko

Greek island hopping – Samos in the Dedaconese

Samos is close to the border of Turkey. It is one of the island of the Dedaconese. The far eastern part of Greece. not so typical for Greece, it reminded me more of Italy or Croatia than the typical white island of Greece but not less beautiful and charming. On Samos also, you will want to taste the wine, as it is one of the best wine in Greece.

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Samos Dodecanese

Greek island hopping itinerary with Celestyal cruise Samos Dodecanese

Greek island hopping – Heraklion in Crete

Finally, Celestyal cruise also stops in Crete. Crete is a huge island so you will want to concentrate on the area that is around the port. Why not do a little city trip to Heraklion or see the famous Knossos palace.

Celestyal cruise on board experience

What I first want to praise about the on board experience is how friendly and polite the staff was. This helps a lot to get the best possible experience. 

The ship has got three restaurant, which is very nice so that we don’t need to wait for a table. For dinner, there is a buffet and à la carte option. We mainly ate the à la carte dinner which was very good. I only regret it had not that much greek food.

About the entertainment, I personally don’t need much entertainment, I prefer at least day time to go off the boat and explore but there are definitely activities for people of every age. In the evening, I liked to watch the show performances and later on have some fun at the karaoke. This is not for every taste but it is also possible to listen some some live music or just have a drink on the outside bar of the boat.

Regarding the facilities, I used the spa for a massage. It also has a sauna and a jacuzzi and there is a pool and a gym for those who want to stay active.

All in all I liked the experience with Celestyal Cruise, I wished the ship would be a bit more modern regarding the interior but as I mentioned before it is not so much about the onboard experience but more about the destinations so it is fine.

You can book your on the Celestyal cruise Website and for more informations about Greece visit Discover Greece

If you want to read more about my cruise experience, read my article about my luxury cruise in Greece on the MS Europa 2 and about my sailing cruise through Indonesia.

*This trip was organized by Discover Greece and Celestyal Cruise. All opinions remain my own

**Pictures : Roland Kunos