Short answer: it depends on the traveler
There is no single best cruise line for the Greek Isles. The best choice depends on who is traveling, the budget, how much time you want ashore, and whether you prefer a big resort-style ship or a smaller one. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are among the lines most often recommended for mainstream Greek Isles itineraries. A Greece-focused line such as Celestyal is a different style of option, and small-ship and luxury lines suit travelers who want fewer passengers on the shore.
Itineraries, ships and prices vary by year, so use this as a starting point and compare the actual sailing.
Best cruise lines for the Greek Isles by traveler type
| Traveler | Lines to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises | Large ships with kids’ programmes and plenty of onboard activities |
| Couples and foodies | Celebrity Cruises, Azamara | A more polished, adult-leaning atmosphere and an emphasis on dining and longer port stays |
| Culture and history lovers | Viking, Regent Seven Seas | Destination-focused sailings with lecturers and organized shore programmes |
| Greek and Turkish ports with a local feel | Celestyal Cruises | A line focused on Greece and nearby waters, with short and week-long cruises from Athens |
| Value-seekers | MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa | Competitive fares and flexible options; compare what is included |
| Small-ship luxury | Windstar, Ponant, Silversea and similar | Smaller vessels that can reach harbours larger ships cannot |
These are general tendencies, not guarantees, and each line runs many different ships.
What to look for in a Greek Isles itinerary
Port intensity and tendering
Greek island itineraries are often port-intensive, with a new island almost every day. At Santorini in particular, large ships typically anchor off the island and passengers go ashore by tender, so the day can involve queues for the tender and the cable car or other routes up to the town. Smaller ships may have an easier time, and some islands have docks while others do not. Look at each port on the itinerary and ask whether it is docked or tendered.
Embarkation port
Athens (via Piraeus) is the usual Greek embarkation point for Greek Isles cruises. Others start in Italy or Croatia and include Greece as a leg of a longer Eastern Mediterranean loop. If you want to maximize Greek days, check how many of the ports are actually in Greece, because some “Greek Isles” itineraries include only two or three Greek stops.
Ship size
Bigger ships have more facilities but bring more passengers to the same small ports. Smaller ships can offer calmer days ashore and visit smaller islands. Neither is better in the abstract; choose according to how you like to travel.
When to go
Summer is hot and busy, with the most crowded ports in July and August. Late spring and early autumn are widely preferred for a better balance of weather and crowds. See our guide to the best months for a Mediterranean cruise for a month-by-month look.
Tips
- Compare itineraries rather than brand names; the same line can offer a great week and a mediocre one.
- Check what shore excursions and gratuities cost on top of the fare.
- Book ahead for Santorini and Mykonos excursions if you want a specific time.
- If you are comparing regions as well as lines, see our overview of the best European cruise destination.
- For the Italian end of a combined itinerary, see our notes on getting to Rome from Civitavecchia and Venice docking.