Cruise · 33 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean
A 33-night voyage from Athens offering slow-paced Adriatic cruising and longer calls in Istanbul and Alexandria, aboard Fred. Olsen's Balmoral with a route through Italy, the Balkans, Turkey and Egypt.
- Duration
- 33 nights
- Departs
- 2 Nov 2027
- Sails from
- Piraeus (for Athens)
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £3,649
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Scenic sailing through St Anthony Channel, Croatia
Extended stays in Athens and Istanbul for relaxed exploration
Walking the Dubrovnik city walls
Overnight in the Bay of KotorWith Venetian architecture
Visit to Alexandria near the Pyramids of Giza
About the trip
This cruise sets off from Piraeus, the port serving Athens, then crosses the Adriatic to Taranto in Italy, a city better known for its naval base than tourists. After a brief stop in Sarandë, Albania, the Balmoral moves on to the northern Adriatic, docking in Koper, Slovenia before a scenic sail through St Anthony’s Channel in Croatia.
Croatia features again with two stops among Dalmatia’s historic ports: Šibenik and Dubrovnik. The latter’s medieval old town has walls you can walk along, though it’s worth going early to avoid the day-trippers. There’s also overnight time in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, a fjord-like inlet with Venetian architecture and a compact old town. From here the cruise heads east to Bodrum and Alanya in Turkey, Rhodes and Heraklion in Greece, then Istanbul, where a longer stay allows some breathing space to check out Hagia Sophia and the Spice Bazaar.
The last days bring further Turkish culture at Kusadasi, gateway to Ephesus, followed by a stop in Alexandria, Egypt, well south of the Mediterranean’s usual circuit and a chance to glimpse the city beneath the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza. The Balmoral returns to Piraeus for disembarkation, having followed a route that blends slower Adriatic passages with some classic eastern Mediterranean ports and a final nod to antiquity in Egypt.
- 1 Athens
- 2 Taranto
- 3 Dubrovnik
- 4 Kotor
- 5 Bodrum
- 6 Rhodes
- 7 Istanbul
- 8 Alexandria
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Day 2
Taranto, Italy
Day 3
Sarandë, Albania
Day 4
Koper, Slovenia
Day 5
St. Anthony Channel, Croatia
Scenic cruising
Day 6
Sibenik, Croatia
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 Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean?
- Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean is a 33 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean depart from?
- Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean departs from Piraeus (for Athens).
- Who operates Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean?
- Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean cost?
- Prices for Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean start from £3,649, 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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