Cruise · 7 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Scenic Greek Island Hopping
A seven-night cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, island hopping from Athens to Santorini with stops that include Syros, Kos and Crete, allowing a relaxed pace and longer visits in two ports.
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Departs
- 26 Oct 2027
- Sails from
- Piraeus (for Athens)
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £949
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
A day in ErmoupoliWith neoclassical architecture and quiet tavernas
Harbour views and Roman ruins in Kos
Extended time to explore Agios Nikolaos on Crete
Santorini’s volcanic caldera as seen from the ship
Return to Piraeus near Athens for a two-night stay
About the trip
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral sets off from Piraeus, Athens’ busy port. The itinerary begins with a call at Ermoupoli on Syros, an island where neoclassical architecture rubs shoulders with quiet backstreets and seafood tavernas. Next up is Kos, known for its tree-lined harbour and a Roman odeon that hints at a long history beneath the usual swimmers and cyclists.
Onwards to Crete, where Balmoral docks at Agios Nikolaos, a town edged by a lagoon and overlooked by hills. There’s time here to wander the café-lined waterfront or consider a detour to the island’s archaeological treasures. The cruise rounds off with a visit to Santorini, its famous whitewashed buildings and volcanic caldera visible from the ship, before returning to Athens by night.
The daily pace means there’s no rush, with chance to settle into each port’s rhythm and find details missed on hurried visits. Balmoral, a ship with a long pedigree, carries fewer passengers than some giants, which suits this kind of gentle island hopping in the Aegean.
- 1 Athens
- 2 Syros
- 3 Kos
- 4 Agios Nikolaos
- 5 Santorini
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Day 2
Ermoupoli, Greece
Day 3
Kos, Greece
Day 4
Agios Nikolaos, Greece
Day 5
Santorini, Greece
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 Scenic Greek Island Hopping?
- Scenic Greek Island Hopping is a 7 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Scenic Greek Island Hopping depart from?
- Scenic Greek Island Hopping departs from Piraeus (for Athens).
- Who operates Scenic Greek Island Hopping?
- Scenic Greek Island Hopping is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Scenic Greek Island Hopping cost?
- Prices for Scenic Greek Island Hopping start from £949, 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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