In June 2026, we sailed seven nights on Celestyal Journey from Athens — Kusadasi in Turkey, then five Greek islands: Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos. The route’s biggest advantage over a mainstream line like MSC is access: Celestyal reaches smaller islands that bigger ships simply can’t dock at. Here’s everything we did, port by port, and what it actually cost.
For our full take on the ship itself, see our Celestyal Journey ship review.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Port | Arrival / Departure |
| 1 | Athens (Piraeus), Greece | Embarkation, 5:00 PM departure |
| 2 | Kusadasi, Turkey | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| 3 | Rhodes, Greece | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| 4 | Agios Nikolaos (Crete), Greece | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| 5 | Santorini, Greece | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| 6 | Mykonos, Greece | 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM (overnight) |
| 7 | Milos, Greece | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| 8 | Athens (Piraeus), Greece | Disembarkation, 8:00 AM |
Embarkation: Athens (Piraeus)
Boarding was the roughest part of the whole trip — not chaotic exactly, but slow. We were at the port by midday, dropped our luggage, and then waited in the terminal for our group number to be called — around an hour and a half of waiting before check-in even started. There’s no online check-in beforehand; everything happens on the day at the port. By around 2 p.m. we were finally onboard, with the cabin and luggage already waiting.
One useful note on onboard costs: an 18% service charge applies to every drink here and throughout the cruise, which made a round of beers and cocktails noticeably more expensive than we expected — around €10 for a beer, €12–13 for a cocktail.
Kusadasi, Turkey
We deliberately took it slow here rather than rushing off the ship first. Breakfast closes at 9:30 a.m., so plan around the meal schedule before heading ashore — we left the ship around 11 a.m.
The market is directly across from the port exit, and it’s a proper Turkish bazaar experience — vendors are persistent, and bargaining is expected unless you’re firm. Prices here were noticeably better than what we saw later in Greece, so if shopping is on your list, Kusadasi is the place to do it.
We visited Pigeon Island (Guvercinada Castle), a small fortress just a 15-minute walk from the ship and connected to the shore by a bridge, with entry costing around €10.
A small secret: we brought a few drinks onboard ourselves — beer bottles and wine in a tetra pack. Officially, the ship’s policy doesn’t allow bringing alcohol onboard, but in practice it’s rarely checked — the main thing is to avoid glass bottles.
Rhodes, Greece
The ship docks right alongside the medieval walls of Rhodes Old Town — about a 5–10 minute walk to explore. This was one of the most convenient port days of the trip: no transfer needed, just walk straight into one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe.
We also walked out to see the windmills near the harbour — it turns out the Greek islands are full of them, and Rhodes has its own pretty version by Mandraki. Beyond that, Rhodes has serious history to see: the fortress walls, the Street of the Knights, and the old town fortifications are worth dedicating real time to if history is your thing.
The Street of the Knights and the Old Town walls are worth a slow wander, though be warned the entire centre is essentially one long shopping street.
We had dinner in the ship’s restaurant that evening and were genuinely pleased with it.
Agios Nikolaos, Crete
Our favourite stop of the whole cruise. The port sits directly in the town centre — everything is within a two-to-seven-minute walk. We took a 40-minute toy-train tour around the town for €10, then spent the afternoon walking, shopping, and swimming at a small beach a short stroll from the port.
Lunch back onboard, an afternoon swim, then back out in the evening for ice cream and a slow walk through town. With the ship docked right at the centre and a relaxed full day ashore, this is the port we’d point to as the itinerary’s standout — easy, scenic, and unhurried.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini’s port, Athinios, sits well below the clifftop towns — to get up, you have three options: the cable car, climbing the steps on foot (around 600 steps), or by donkey — though we’d skip that one: it’s hot, bumpy, and not particularly comfortable for anyone involved.
Only two cruise ships were in port on our visit — ours, carrying around 1,800 passengers, and one other — which meant the cable car queue was nonexistent, a pleasant surprise compared to previous experiences here.
There is a public bus from Fira to Oia (around €2), but we never managed to find it, so we ended up booking a 3-hour, €40 per person excursion that covered both at a more relaxed pace. It included free time in Oia, a stop at a small black-sand beach (better for photos than swimming), and a visit to the highest point in Fira, where a traditional Orthodox church overlooks the caldera.
If you have time before heading back to the port, I’d recommend stopping at the Skala restaurant at the base of the steps — grab an ice cream or a light bite and enjoy the terrace overlooking the caldera. The view over the water from there is genuinely worth a few extra minutes.
Walking back down the steps from Fira to the port is a perfectly manageable alternative to the cable car if you’d rather skip the queue — just watch your footing and avoid the donkey trail underfoot.
Honest verdict: we weren’t impressed by the excursion itself, and Santorini overall felt seriously overpriced for what you get — everything from food to souvenirs to transport carries a premium simply because it’s Santorini. It’s beautiful, but extremely crowded, and if you’ve seen it before, the novelty wears off quickly.
Mykonos, Greece (Overnight)
Mykonos was the longest stop on the itinerary — docked from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. the following night, giving us a full day and evening. A free shuttle boat and bus combination connects the ship to town, no advance booking needed.
We spent the morning wandering Mykonos Town — the windmills, Little Venice, and the maze of whitewashed streets — then returned to the ship for dinner and a break before heading back out in the evening.
Mykonos at night is a different island entirely: lit up, music spilling out of bars, a genuinely lively atmosphere. Well worth the late return for anyone who enjoys that energy.
Milos, Greece
Another tender port, reached by shuttle boat. We’d planned ahead to rent quad bikes here, and it paid off — at €50 plus €11 for fuel, it was one of the best value experiences of the whole cruise. The first couple of rental shops near the port only offer cars; walk further into town for quad bikes and buggies.
Quads are restricted to the island’s central roads — straying onto restricted paths carries a €150 fine, though no security deposit is required, just a valid driving licence.
We covered the island’s highlights in around four hours, including the otherworldly white moonscape of Sarakiniko beach, stopping along the way to swim and explore rather than rushing. If you have the option, a buggy over a car is the way to see Milos properly.
Disembarkation
Cabins must be vacated by 7 a.m., and all passengers off the ship by 8 a.m. — strict, with no flexibility even for a late flight. Food service ends at 9 p.m. the night before, with only water and coffee available after that. Compared to MSC, we found Celestyal noticeably stricter on timing across the board.
Real Costs: Celestyal Journey Greek Islands Cruise
Cruise fare for two adults: $1,959 (Exterior Cosmos Cabin). Onboard credit included: €80 per person for drinks and bar snacks.
Port Fees and Taxes
| Port / Fee | Cost per person |
| Piraeus port tax | €5 |
| Milos port tax | €5 |
| Mykonos port tax | €20 |
| Santorini port tax | €20 |
| Rhodes port tax | €5 |
| Crete (Agios Nikolaos) port tax | €5 |
Shore Excursions and Extras
| Extra / Excursion | Cost |
| Pigeon Island entrance (Kusadasi) | €10 per person |
| Toy train tour (Crete) | €10 per person |
| Santorini excursion (Fira + Oia, 3 hours) | €40 per person |
| Quad bike rental (Milos) | €50 plus €11 fuel |
| Average beer (incl. 18% service charge) | ~€10 |
| Average cocktail (incl. 18% service charge) | ~€12–13 |
| Bottle of wine (restaurant) | from €20 |
For everything else to budget for on a cruise, see our guide to 11 cruise ship costs you need to budget for.
FAQ: Celestyal Greek Islands Cruise
Does Celestyal Journey dock directly in port, or use tenders?
It depends on the island. Rhodes, Crete (Agios Nikolaos), and Kusadasi dock directly, making them easy to explore on foot. Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos require a tender or shuttle boat to reach shore.
Is the Santorini cable car queue long from a cruise ship?
It varies considerably by day and how many ships are in port. We experienced no queue at all on our visit, though this is not guaranteed — arriving early in the port window improves your odds, and walking down the steps is always a backup option if the queue is long.
How much time do you get in Mykonos on this itinerary?
A full day and evening — the ship docks at 8 a.m. and doesn’t depart until 2 a.m. the following night, roughly 18 hours in total. That’s enough time to see the town by day and experience Mykonos’ nightlife as well.
Is Milos worth visiting on a Greek Islands cruise?
Yes, and it’s one of the islands larger cruise ships often can’t reach. Renting a quad bike or buggy is the best way to see it in a single day — affordable, flexible, and covers far more ground than walking.
How strict is the disembarkation process on Celestyal Journey?
Very strict. Cabins must be cleared by 7 a.m. and all passengers off the ship by 8 a.m., regardless of flight times. There’s no option to stay onboard later, even with a late departure.
What port taxes should I budget for on a Celestyal Greek Islands cruise?
Port taxes vary by island: Piraeus, Milos, Rhodes, and Crete are around €5 per person, while Mykonos and Santorini are €20 per person. These are typically included in the cruise fare but worth checking at booking.