Cruise · 20 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral charts a three-continent route from Athens to Málaga, lingering at islands and ancient cities over 20 days at an easy pace, with extended port time to unfurl the Mediterranean’s layers beyond the usual glance.
- Duration
- 20 nights
- Departs
- 23 Nov 2027
- Sails from
- Piraeus (for Athens)
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £2,179
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Extended time in Athens’ ancient heart
Sailing the Dardanelles between Europe and Asia
Visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
Island stops at Crete, Malta and Sardinia
Call at Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean port
About the trip
This 20-night cruise with Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets off from Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, where the ancient Acropolis rears above the city. From there, the ship heads north to Istanbul, a city split by the Bosphorus and famed for its Grand Bazaar, where the scent of spices hangs heavy in the air.
The route then wends along Turkey’s Aegean coast to Kusadasi, a stepping stone for Ephesus and its theatre carved into a hillside. Egypt follows with a call at Alexandria, where the Mediterranean meets a city founded by Alexander the Great. Later, the cruise settles into island life around the eastern Mediterranean, with stops at Heraklion on Crete, Valletta in Malta, and two ports in Sardinia – Cagliari and Mahon on Minorca.
The itinerary winds westward, finishing in southern Spain with Málaga’s tapas bars and Mediterranean light. Sailing the Dardanelles, leisurely island days and time to absorb historic cities hold the pace—no rush, just enough to reflect on how many layers a single region can hold.
- 1 Athens
- 2 Istanbul
- 3 Kusadasi
- 4 Alexandria
- 5 Heraklion
- 6 Valletta
- 7 Trapani
- 8 Cagliari
- 9 Mahon
- 10 Málaga
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Day 2
Istanbul, Turkey
Day 3
Kusadasi, Turkey
Day 4
Alexandria, Egypt
Day 5
Heraklion, Greece
Day 6
Valletta, Malta
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Piraeus (for Athens)
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean is a 20 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean depart from?
- Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean departs from Piraeus (for Athens).
- Who operates Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean cost?
- Prices for Iconic Islands & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean start from £2,179, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to Greece? Our Greece guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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