Greek Island Cruises from Southampton

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Cruise Lines Offering Greek Island Cruises from Southampton

Many cruise lines offer cruises to the Greek Islands, including Celebrity Cruises, NCL Cruises, and Princess Cruises. The Greek Islands are the perfect stop off point on a Mediterranean cruise, and with our cruise deals, you can save big on a cruise from Southampton.

Go For An All Inclusive Greek Island Cruise from Southampton

When you save money through our cruise deals, you can put the savings towards going on an all inclusive cruise and make your 2028 cruise a truly incredible cruise experience. Book ahead and benefit from early booking savings on our 2027 cruises.

What Does the Route Look Like?

No ship sails from Southampton straight to Greece, and honestly, that's part of the charm. Itineraries break up the voyage with calls at ports such as Cádiz, Gibraltar, Cartagena or Sicily, so your first Greek port typically comes a week or more into the voyage. Some itineraries also call at Kusadasi in Turkey, the gateway to the remarkable Roman ruins of Ephesus. In effect, you get a grand tour of the Mediterranean with Greece as the centrepiece. Every itinerary is different, so check the port list on each sailing above.

Greek Ports You Could Visit

Port calls vary from cruise to cruise, but these are the names you'll see most often on itineraries from Southampton.

Santorini

The one on every bucket list. There's no cruise berth here, so every ship anchors in the volcanic caldera and tenders passengers ashore. From the old port, a cable car or a steep flight of steps takes you up to the clifftop town of Fira. Head to Oia for the famous blue domes, or try a glass of Assyrtiko, the island's crisp white wine grown in volcanic soil.

Mykonos

Whitewashed lanes, bougainvillaea, the famous windmills and the waterfront bars of Little Venice. Depending on the call, ships either dock a short ride from town or anchor and tender in. Go ashore early to wander the old town before the day heats up.

Piraeus, for Athens

Ships dock in Piraeus, the port for Athens, putting the Acropolis and the Parthenon within reach on a day call. The Plaka district below the ancient citadel is a lovely spot for lunch. It's one of the most history-packed port days in cruising.

Heraklion, Crete

Home to the Palace of Knossos, the centre of Minoan civilisation and the legendary setting of the Minotaur myth, plus a handsome Venetian harbour and superb Cretan food.

Rhodes

Ships dock within walking distance of the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Knights of St John. One of the easiest and most atmospheric port days in Greece.

Corfu

Greener and more Venetian in feel than the Cyclades, with elegant arcades, two hilltop fortresses and olive-covered countryside.

Which Cruise Lines Sail to the Greek Islands from Southampton?

A handful of well-loved lines make this voyage, mostly between spring and autumn, and the line-up changes a little each year.

P&O Cruises offers Greek Island round trips from Southampton of around 19 to 21 nights, with Aurora and Arcadia among the ships sailing these routes. Both are adult-only ships on most departures, although P&O has announced that a small number of sailings from December 2026 will also welcome families, so check the individual cruise if a child-free ship matters to you.

Cunard sails from its Southampton home port to the Eastern Mediterranean on selected voyages, with Queen Anne calling at Greek ports on itineraries of around 18 to 19 nights. Occasionally you'll also find one-way voyages that end in Piraeus, and our Cruise Concierge team can help arrange flights home if one of those catches your eye.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines takes its smaller ships on longer, port-rich Mediterranean voyages from Southampton that include Greek ports on selected itineraries.

Availability genuinely does vary by season, so the listings above are always the most accurate picture of what's sailing. If you can't see the itinerary you want, give our Cruise Concierge team a call and they'll search across every line we sell.

When Is the Best Time to Go?

Sailings to the Greek Islands from Southampton run mainly from spring through to autumn. May, June and September tend to hit the sweet spot, with reliably warm sunshine, seas warm enough for swimming and ports that aren't at peak capacity. July and August bring the hottest weather, often above 30°C in the islands, which is glorious on deck but worth bearing in mind for days spent exploring ancient sites in the midday sun. Late September sailings offer gentler heat and quieter islands, and shoulder-season departures can offer better value too.

Good to Know Before You Sail

A few pointers worth knowing before you book. Santorini is a tender port for every cruise line, and some Mykonos calls use tenders too, so allow extra time getting ashore and back. If mobility is a consideration, speak to us before booking and we can check the arrangements on your chosen sailing. Pack for two climates, because the Bay of Biscay in May is a very different place to the Aegean in July. Layers for sea days, sun protection for port days. Greece uses the euro and English is widely spoken in the main cruise ports. Entry requirements for UK passport holders can change, so check the latest FCDO travel advice before you travel, particularly if your itinerary includes ports outside the EU such as Kusadasi in Turkey. And with several sea days on these itineraries, it's worth weighing up a drinks or Wi-Fi package when you book.

Short on Time? Fly to Greece and Cruise from Athens Instead

If two to three weeks is more holiday than your annual leave allows, you can still get your Greek Island fix. Fly cruises departing from Athens put you in the heart of the islands within hours of leaving the UK, with island-hopping itineraries of a week or so. Our Cruise Concierge team can package flights, transfers and hotel stays around your cruise, and you could add a night or two in Athens before you sail.