Cruise · 21 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt
A three-week Fred. Olsen cruise aboard Balmoral, looping the Greek Islands before calling at Cyprus, Egypt’s historic Alexandria and Turkey’s Marmaris and Istanbul, all from Heraklion with a measured pace and a blend of familiar and lesser-known ports.
- Duration
- 21 nights
- Departs
- 29 Oct 2026
- Sails from
- Heraklion
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £4,059
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Sailing from Heraklion through multiple Greek Islands
Passing Mount Athos’s monastic peninsula
Two days in Alexandria, Egypt
Stops in Marmaris and Istanbul, Turkey
Visit to Piraeus, Athens gateway
About the trip
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets off from Heraklion to explore the Greek Islands with plenty of time to watch the coastline slip by. Stops include Ermoupoli, where grey neoclassical buildings rise above an old port, and Thessaloniki, a city with Byzantine churches and lively waterfront cafés. The itinerary skirts Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic peninsula visible from the ship.
From there it ventures further afield: Lesbos, Kos and Rhodes offer distinct island atmospheres before reaching Limassol in Cyprus, a place where modernity meets ancient ruins. Alexandria brings Egypt’s famous library and Mediterranean history into focus, offering a sharp contrast to the Greek and Turkish surroundings.
Turkey takes the cruise next, with Marmaris's seaside bustle and Istanbul’s mix of Byzantine mosques and palaces standing out. The journey rounds out at Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, before returning to Heraklion. Balmoral provides a steady rhythm suited to those who prefer to absorb scenes rather than race between ports.
- 1 Heraklion
- 2 Ermoupoli
- 3 Thessaloniki
- 4 Mytilene
- 5 Kos
- 6 Rhodes
- 7 Limassol
- 8 Alexandria
- 9 Marmaris
- 10 Istanbul
- 11 Piraeus
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Heraklion, Greece
Day 2
Ermoupoli, Greece
Day 3
Pass Mount Athos, Greece
Day 4
Sithonia coastline, Greece
Scenic cruising
Day 5
Thessaloniki, Greece
Day 6
Mytilene, Lesbos, 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 Heraklion
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Superior Ocean View
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 Islands with Turkey & Egypt?
- Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt is a 21 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt depart from?
- Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt departs from Heraklion.
- Who operates Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt?
- Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt cost?
- Prices for Scenic Greek Islands with Turkey & Egypt start from £4,059, 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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