Cruise · 8 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean
An eight-night cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral calling at four Mediterranean islands and Málaga, starting and ending in Athens’ port, Piraeus, with smaller, less frequented harbours like Trapani and Mahón adding a quiet note.
- Duration
- 8 nights
- Departs
- 5 Dec 2027
- Sails from
- Piraeus (for Athens)
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £699
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Valletta's Grand Harbour from the ship's deck
Small ship port of Trapani on Sicily
Medieval streets and rooftops of Cagliari, Sardinia
Wide streets and British influence in Mahón, Menorca
Afternoon light on Málaga's Alcazaba fortress
About the trip
Setting off from Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, this cruise takes you across the Mediterranean’s better-known and quieter corners alike. After the Greek capital’s lively port, Balmoral heads to Valletta, where the city’s Grand Harbour is one of the few in Europe to still be surrounded by intact fortifications from the age of sail.
From Malta, the ship slips into Trapani on Sicily’s west coast, a fishing town with a long history and views towards the nearby Egadi Islands. Sardinia’s main port, Cagliari, offers an unexpected mix of medieval buildings and sunlit rooftops, while Mahón on Menorca recalls its time under British rule with wide streets and yellow sandstone buildings.
The last call is Málaga, on Spain’s southern coast, where the afternoon light lands on the Alcazaba fortress and the city’s port buzzes with day-trip ferries and fishing boats. Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral keeps the atmosphere unhurried throughout, carrying fewer passengers than many others and tying the itinerary together with easy sea days.
- 1 Athens
- 2 Valletta
- 3 Trapani
- 4 Cagliari
- 5 Mahon
- 6 Málaga
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Day 2
Valletta, Malta
Day 3
Trapani, Italy
Day 4
Cagliari, Italy
Day 5
Mahon, Spain
Day 6
Málaga, Spain
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 of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean is a 8 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean depart from?
- Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean departs from Piraeus (for Athens).
- Who operates Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean cost?
- Prices for Iconic Islands of the Mediterranean start from £699, 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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