Greek Islands In July: Hot Ports, Cooler Seas

If your vacation falls in July this year, consider the enchanting Greek Islands. Many are easily visited by cruising from Athens or several Italian ports.

Here is a selection of sailings in July 2018 that are still available; some brands have already sold out for this summer or have just a few remaining cabins. If you plan a year ahead, you will find itineraries from additional cruise lines in 2019.

Mykonos

Some luxury and premium cruise lines listed here are all-inclusive, some not so much. Ask your cruise agent. And ask for any discounts, on-board spending allowance, or extra benefits, hold a cabin today if you are considering a sailing, make a final decision after checking air fare and other logistics.

July 7 "Treasures of the Greek Isles" seven nights round-trip Athens, Spectacular Evening In Ephesus

Windstar Wind Star, 148 passengers, built 1986, refurbished 2013. Remaining cabins from $6,299 per person. There is no hyperbole in the cruise line's pitch:

Wind Star at Kusadasi

"No one who has seen the magnificent Celsus Library of Ephesus will ever forget it. And Windstar guests will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Library – after hours during this exclusive Evening in Ephesus event."

Intinerary

Athens, Nafplio, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Santorini, Monemvasia, Athens.

July 12 "Mediterranean Classics" 10 nights Athens to Barcelona

Oceania Riviera, 1,258 passengers, built 2012. Ocean view from $3,599, or $4,999 with roundtrip Airfare and 6 Shore Excursions or beverage package or $600 shipboard credit.

"Wonders of the past: This voyage invites you to set aside your modern sensibilities and envisage what it was like to live hundreds and even thousands of years ago – some aspects differ, while others are the same."

Oceania Riviera

Itinerary

Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Cruising the Mediterranean Sea; Valletta, Malta; Messina (Sicily), Italy;  Amalfi/Positano, Italy; Ajaccio (Corsica), France; Saint-Tropez, France; Barcelona, Spain

July 20 "Italy & Greek Isle Cruise" 10 nights round-trip Rome

Celebrity Reflection in Santorini

Celebrity Reflection, 3,046 passengers, built 2012, refurbished 2018.  Last ocean view from $3,699, "Suite Class" from $8,599 with exclusive suite-only restaurant and lounge, personal butler, other benefits.

Itinerary

Rome, Messina, Malta, Sea, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens, Sea, Naples, Rome.

July 28 "Greece & Dalmatian Highlights" seven nights Athens to Venice

Seabourn Odyssey, 450 passengers, built 2009. Ocean view from $4,299, veranda from $4,999 with two category upgrade. Click "Let Us Choose" when booking on Seabourn website to see these lowest prices.

Seabourn Odyssey

Itinerary

Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Monemvasia, Greece; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Syvota, Greece; Brindisi (Lecce), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Zadar, Croatia; Venice, Italy

July 29 "In the heart of the Adriatic" seven nights round-trip Venice a la francaise 

Ponant Le Lyrial, 264 passengers, built 2015. From $3,570 oceanview, $3,840 balcony, per person including gratuities.

"A cruise featuring culture and history, sailing along the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea to visit four countries (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia)."

Itinerary

Venice, Rab, Hvar, Sailing bay of Kotor, Kotor, Dubrovnik overnight, Mljet, Korchula, Piran, Venice.