Small ship cruising in Greece guide
Greece’s history is totally tied up with ships. From magnates to Homer’s magnum opus, these guys know all about journeying across the sea, and so do our small cruise ship operators. These vacations are the antithesis of giant cruise ships which disengage from local communities rather than engage. Where those skippers steer their behemoths clear of real culture, our captains drop anchor at the same time as a small island’s fishermen, so that you can eat the catch of the day at the island’s only taverna. You get the picture.
You follow in the footsteps of just about every Greek god on a small ship cruise. Pan, Zeus, Apollo, Athena, the lot. It’s as if your skipper is guiding you into the lap of the gods.![]()
There are different island groups to choose from, volcanic or hedonistic, natural or indeed naturist. But whichever one you choose, you can be sure that these itineraries will take you to the heart of Greece, following the most exquisite arteries en route, be it the Ionian, Aegean or Mediterranean.
Read more in our Greece cruising vacations travel guide.
Read more in our Greece cruising vacations travel guide.
Greece small ship cruising vacations are/aren't
Greece small ship cruising vacations are...
...on both classic and contemporary boats, sleeping no more than 50 people, sometimes under ten.
Greece small ship cruising vacations aren’t...
...all about the ship. If you love the land as much as the water, then these will tick all the boxes for you.
Is a Greece cruising vacation for you?
Go on a small ship cruise in Greece if…
Don’t go on a small ship cruise in Greece if...
Our Greece cruising Vacations
Archaeology vacation in Greece
A small-group archaeology tour of Greece
From
€1390
8 days
ex flights
Southern Croatia cruise in comfort
Cruise Croatia's beautiful islands on a small cruise ship
From
£669 to £979
8 days
ex flights
Split to Dubrovnik Luxury cruise, Croatia
Cruise Split to Dubrovnik in luxury via Croatia's islands
From
£1199 to £1899
8 days
ex flights
Luxury small ship cruise in Croatia
Luxury small ship cruise through Croatia's Islands
From
£1299 to £2299
8 days
ex flights
Alaska Glacier Bay small ship cruise
Get close up to Alaska where the big ships can't go
From
£4272
8 days
ex flights
Liveaboard diving and sailing vacation in Greece
Combine a sailing and diving adventure in the Greek islands
From
£730 to £879
7 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Greece cruising or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Best time to go on a Greece cruising vacation
Our trip coincided with the Cyclades’ ‘panigiria’ celebrations on 15 August. There was wine and food flowing, and all for local people. Nothing touristy about it.![]()
The skipper really is boss when it comes to choosing the best time to go on a small ship cruise in Greece. Generally, the season is from mid April until mid October, when the islands are all open for business. Temperatures soar during Jul-Aug, and wildflowers abound on many of the islands in May. During Sep-Oct, crowds disperse on land, temperatures dip and the water is perfect. Easter is a really busy time on the islands, but being on a small ship is a great way to evade the crowds.
Greece Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
5
12
63
FEB
6
13
54
MAR
7
15
50
APR
10
19
31
MAY
14
24
23
JUN
19
29
12
JUL
21
32
6
AUG
21
31
6
SEP
18
28
13
OCT
14
22
55
NOV
10
18
64
DEC
7
14
80
When to go cruising in Greece
What does this trip entail?
How big is a “small” cruise ship?
How big is a “small” cruise ship?
Our Greek small cruise ships range in size from four to 50 passengers, and also vary in style. Cruise the Adriatic on a luxury, 52m motor yacht, sleeping 39 passengers and with large sun decks. Saunter round the Cyclades on a handsome, 50m classic steel hull motor sailing boat, sleeping maximum 50 passengers. Or sit proudly on the deck of a sleek and contemporary chic motor yacht as your skipper drops anchor in the Peloponnese, again sleeping no more than 50 passengers. For even fewer people, head off around the Dodecanese Islands on a traditional gulet vessel, sleeping either four or eight passengers on board a boat measuring between either 21m or 30m.
What are the cabins like?
What are the cabins like?
On all small ship cruises in Greece there is a mix of twin and double rooms, with a queen sized bed the norm in doubles. Furnished stylishly with quality linen and carpets, they are en suite and usually with air conditioning (but always double check – the traditional gullet ships don’t usually have air con, but do have airy cabins). You can usually choose between an an upper or lower deck cabin, and you may have port holes or large windows, depending on the category you choose or budget for. But whatever you choose, you can depend on comfort and style when going on a small ship cruise in Greece.
Can I travel solo?
Can I travel solo?
Absolutely. This is a very sociable trip for solo travelers. If you are traveling alone and there are no single cabins, you usually have two choices: pay a substantial supplement for your own double cabin, or choose to share a twin cabin with someone of the same gender, at no extra cost. If the cruise is not fully booked, you may get lucky and end up with your own double cabin without paying a supplement, but there are no guarantees. Check with your cruise company to see if it is possible to reserve a specific cabin in advance.
What will the food be like?
What will the food be like?
Responsible, small ship cruises embrace local culture and the local economy, so produce is sourced locally by the ship’s crew when possible. From fruit juices to fish, local lamb to olives, you will get a real taste of Greece on board. You may not have all meals on board either, encouraging you to eat locally in small island tavernas. Wine at meals is not usually included and can be expensive on board.
Can I travel with my children?
Can I travel with my children?
Families are welcome, although some tour operators do have a minimum age. Cruising on a traditional gulet through the Dodecanese Islands would be wonderful for a couple of families with four members, as they sleep up to eight passengers – or perhaps a family reunion with a mix of generations. Being a good swimmer is recommended of course, as you are living on board.
How are they responsible?
How are they responsible?
These are small ships, and so have much less of an impact on the marine environment or indeed the air than giant cruise ships. See our responsible cruising guide for more details.
Small ship cruises in Greece stop off at small islands not only because they can physically access them (larger ships cannot) but also because they have a rich cultural and natural heritage and are still not too affected by mass tourism. There are no international chains here; expect tavernas, shops and bars run by local families. With few tourists visiting these out of the way spots, spending your euros here can be a big boost to the village economy. You can experience local festivals, from the grape harvest on Santorini to the Dekapendavgoustos religious festival celebrated all over Greece 15 August; it is particularly wonderful to experience these in small towns in the Peloponnese or Dodecanese. You are encouraged to spend as much time in the heart of the Greek communities as you are within your boat community on these trips.
Small ship cruises in Greece stop off at small islands not only because they can physically access them (larger ships cannot) but also because they have a rich cultural and natural heritage and are still not too affected by mass tourism. There are no international chains here; expect tavernas, shops and bars run by local families. With few tourists visiting these out of the way spots, spending your euros here can be a big boost to the village economy. You can experience local festivals, from the grape harvest on Santorini to the Dekapendavgoustos religious festival celebrated all over Greece 15 August; it is particularly wonderful to experience these in small towns in the Peloponnese or Dodecanese. You are encouraged to spend as much time in the heart of the Greek communities as you are within your boat community on these trips.
More about Greece cruising
Our Greek cruising highlights show the fragility of these islands, their precious reefs, the modern cultural heritage and ancient archaeology...
Take in Greece at a leisurely pace with the whole family, and leave plenty of time for jumping straight into the sea. Our Greece family cruising guide shows you the best swimming spots.
