Greece cruising holidays guide

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.

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.

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.