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More Greek Cruises

By , About.com Guide

The Seabourn Cruise Line is offering a number of seven-day cruises between Athens and Istanbul, including various Greek ports. This line is consistently well-reviewed, offering small ships and deluxe service. This is not a choice for the budget-conscious, but upscale travelers see it as an excellent value. For those looking to enjoy an exceptional at-sea experience, this is worth serious consideration. I like the looks of their combo cruise, Turquoise Coast & Greek Isles + Aegean & Adriatic Odyssey. In addition to a cumbersome cruise title, this 14-day cruise fits in visits to Athens, Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Mycenae via Nafplion, a cruise through the Corinth Canal (wake me when this part's over), a visit to Delphi, and a stop at Corfu, sprinkled with a few Turkish and Croatian destinations. That's enough Greece to definitely make this a worthwhile cruise, and their signature "Caviar in the Surf" can't hurt, either. It starts at $8458 per person, double occupancy.

Tauck Tours offers small-ship tours of Greece. If their tours are as well-designed and inclusive as their website, we have nothing to worry about. The 15-day Cruising Ancient Seacoasts cruise offers Corfu, Katakolon/Olympia and Santorini.

Trafalgar Tours offers a variety of tour packages featuring Greece, plus combination trips including Turkey, Israel, and other destinations. The 9-day Athens and the Aegean air-land-cruise combo starts at just $1310 per person, a terrific value for the budget-conscious though the amenities may not be enticing. But if you choose the best possible available hotel category, it will still only add about $600 to the total price.

Tifys Yachting provides crewed luxury vessels for customized trips. This is definitely a more upscale option, but could make for an unforgettable trip.

The Zeus Cruise Collection offers short cruises on sailing ships throughout the Greek islands. If a traditional big-ship cruise is not for you, this may be your best bet, and may even cost you less than the more standard cruise offerings. I like the looks of their Cycladic Pearls Cruise[/a] - seven nights, lots of islands, and prices that start as low as US $990 per person.

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