Eastern Promise Winter Med Cruise From Athens

Five-star B&B hotel stay in Athens

Enjoy a winter getaway full of eastern promise from Athens. Sail to the crossroads of Europe and Asia to perhaps haggle in the Grand Bazaar or visit the Blue Mosque and the Haggia Sophia. Explore the Roman ruins of Ephesus from Izmir and check out the Cypress clad hills or Corfu – the setting for My Family & Other Animals.

An overnight five-star hotel stay in Athens will get your holiday off to a great start with the chance to visit the Acropolis and sample some delicious Greek Mezze dishes. Perhaps have an ouzo, finish off with a Metaxa after good try at dancing the Sirtaki!

Fly to Athens and make your way to the city centre for an overnight hotel stay.

Wyndham Grand Athens

Wyndham Grand Athens hotel welcomes you, fully renovated, to a new haven of affordable luxury in the center of Athens. Conveniently located right next to the Metaxourgeio Metro station it offers the ideal starting point to explore all of the city's major attractions and places in just a few minutes walking distances. Wyndham Grand Athens hotel, with 276 exquisitely comfortable rooms and suites in 8 floors, offers a wide variety of brand new accommodations to suit single, couple or family needs for business or leisure travelers

Make your own way to the nearby Port of Piraeus to embark the ship and enjoy the sailaway party.

MSC Lirica

This 65,591 tonne ship entered service in 2002 and underwent extensive renovation under the "Renaissance Programme" in 2015 when she was lengthened with an extra 80-foot section. A refreshing spray park was added to the main pool area, the buffet, restaurant, shops and kids facilities were all upgraded too. MSC Lirica offers a traditional take on cruising for those looking for a comfortable and unpretentious cruise in an easy-going, fun-loving atmosphere. With so many great itineraries, it’s fortunate that this ship has plenty of open deck space and lots of spacious public rooms that help elevate watching the world go by into something rather special. 

Izmir

Izmir is situated on a wide bay under a range of high hills halfway down Turkey's west coast. This big city with a long history is an excellent base for trips to nearby Ephesus and Pergamon. Alexander the Great started building the city and the Romans finished the job, so it's worth a visit to the Roman and Greek remains at the Agora. Walk among the colonnades and remnants of once-mighty gates and visit the statues of Poseidon, Demeter and Artemis from the altar of Zeus which are displayed in the site's museum.

Istanbul

Istanbul is where east meets west straddling the Bosphorous Strait. Visit either Asia Minor or Europe in one city, check out the Blue Mosque and St Sophia - its twin, haggle in the Grand Bazaar, visit Topkapi palace and try out an invigorating Turkish Bath.

Enjoy an uninterrupted day of relaxation at sea taking advantage of the facilities, entertainment and dining options on board.

Corfu

Corfu is the northern-most and capital of the Ionian Island chain - lying just a short hop from the coast of Albania. One of Corfu's many claims to fame is the birthplace of Prince Philip at the Palace of Mon Repos. It is where the famous zoologist Gerald Durrell lived with his family just before World War two - being the setting for his book - My Family and Other Animals, and the location for the popular TV series. The Achilleon Palace is home to the statue of Achilles Heel and was where Kaiser Wilhelm declared World War I. Corfu Town is the largest "living" medieval town in Greece and an absolute pleasure to walk around, perhaps watch some cricket in the square or sample the excellent local cuisine. Try the local Kumquat liquor or simply watch the world go by with an ice-cold Frappe. Rolling Cypress Pine clad hills drop down to beautiful bays and beaches.

Enjoy an uninterrupted day of relaxation at sea taking advantage of the facilities, entertainment and dining options on board.

Disembark the ship after breakfast in the Port of Piraeus and make your own way to Athens airport for your flight home.

Start Date Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite
14/12/25 £839 £899 NA NA view
04/01/26 £729 £809 NA NA view
11/01/26 NA £689 £939 £1199 view
18/01/26 £579 £659 NA £1169 view
25/01/26 £579 £659 NA £1169 view
01/02/26 £559 £629 £869 £1119 view
08/02/26 £599 £689 NA NA view
15/02/26 £689 £769 £989 £1229 view
22/02/26 £659 £729 £999 £1209 view
01/03/26 £649 £719 £969 £1159 view
08/03/26 £649 £719 NA £1179 view
15/03/26 £689 £759 NA NA view