About Athens
Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world -- built around its namesake deity's temple, the Parthenon, which still stands today.
But Athens feels far from an ancient city. While it has done an excellent job at preserving sites like the Acropolis (where the Parthenon is located) and Greek Orthodox churches, it has evolved into a hip and modern metropolis and homeport for ships sailing the Greek Islands. The city's recently overhauled Metro system also provides a cheap, safe and easy way to get around for sightseeing if you have extra time before or after your cruise.
Aside from major landmarks, even once-dingy neighborhoods like Plaka and Thissio have been restored, boasting fresh pastel-colored painted facades and chic restaurants, bars and shops.
Syntagma Square -- Athens' central square -- also has been reborn as a tree-filled haven from which to take in the city's gorgeous neoclassical Parliament building and catch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (Yes, that means you get to watch those men in frilly skirts, elaborate waistcoats and bobbled shoes do their high-kicking thing.)
Athens, once (in some parts, still) one of the most frenetic and traffic-polluted cities in the world, now owns a real buzz and is well worth spending a few days in if your cruise starts or ends there.
- More about Athens (Piraeus)
- Why go to Athens?
- Athens Cruise Port Facilities
- Good to Know
- Currency & Best Way to Get Money
- Language
Find Cruises to Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 1: Athens
Day 2: Rhodes
Day 3: Kusadasi
Day 4: Istanbul
Day 5: Volos
Day 6: Mykonos
Day 7: Santorini
7 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItineraryCruise Itinerary
![7 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Norwegian Cruise Line)]()
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Day 1Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 2Rhodes
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Day 3Kusadasi
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Day 4Istanbul
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Day 5Volos
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Day 6Mykonos
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Day 7Santorini
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Day 8Athens (Piraeus)
Ship DetailsNorwegian Spirit - Norwegian Cruise Line
Pros
Lively ship that's been continually updated and refreshed.
Cons
Activities on smaller ship more limited than on line's larger vessels.
Bottom Line
Excellent value for the high quality of food, service and itineraries
ReviewsNorwegian Spirit Reviews
View All PricesLoading...Fare IncludesWhat’s included in My Cruise Fare?
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CabinRoom with bed and private bathroom
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Port Taxes & Fees
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Service Gratuities
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Most Onboard Entertainment
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Kids Club
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Shore Excursions
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Wi-Fi
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Spa Services
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Select DiningMain dining room and/or buffet
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Specialty Alternative Dining
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Room Service
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Butler Service
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Basic DrinksStill water, coffee, and tea
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Soft DrinksSoda and Juice
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AlcoholBeer, wine, and spirits
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Specialty Coffee DrinksIncluding smoothies and blended drinks
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Specialty Fitness Classes
** inclusions in your cruise fare are based on Cruise Critic’s editorial expertise and not provided by the individual cruise lines. When you book with one of our cruise partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees. Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates, prices, or amenities included in the fare. Inclusion items in the fare may change at any time and fees may apply for additional items.
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Day 1: Rome
Day 3: Kotor
Day 4: Dubrovnik
Day 5: Corfu
Day 6: Santorini
Day 7: Mykonos
Day 8: Athens
Day 10: Naples
Day 11: Florence
11 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItineraryCruise Itinerary
![11 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Norwegian Cruise Line)]()
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Day 1Rome (Civitavecchia)
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Day 2Cruising
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Day 3Kotor
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Day 4Dubrovnik
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Day 5Corfu
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Day 6Santorini
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Day 7Mykonos
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Day 8Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 9Cruising
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Day 10Naples
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Day 11Florence (Livorno)
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Day 12Rome (Civitavecchia)
Ship DetailsNorwegian Getaway - Norwegian Cruise Line
Pros
Getaway makes the most of outdoor spaces like the Waterfront with its South Beach vibe.
Cons
Fees add up for wow-factor experiences, such as upscale restaurants and dinner theater.
Bottom Line
Getaway offers an abundance of dining and entertainment options with a Miami flair.
ReviewsNorwegian Getaway Reviews
View All PricesLoading...Fare IncludesWhat’s included in My Cruise Fare?
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CabinRoom with bed and private bathroom
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Port Taxes & Fees
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Service Gratuities
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Most Onboard Entertainment
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Kids Club
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Shore Excursions
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Wi-Fi
-
Spa Services
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Select DiningMain dining room and/or buffet
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Specialty Alternative Dining
-
Room Service
-
Butler Service
-
Basic DrinksStill water, coffee, and tea
-
Soft DrinksSoda and Juice
-
AlcoholBeer, wine, and spirits
-
Specialty Coffee DrinksIncluding smoothies and blended drinks
-
Specialty Fitness Classes
** inclusions in your cruise fare are based on Cruise Critic’s editorial expertise and not provided by the individual cruise lines. When you book with one of our cruise partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees. Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates, prices, or amenities included in the fare. Inclusion items in the fare may change at any time and fees may apply for additional items.
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Day 1: Istanbul
Day 2: Mykonos
Day 3: Athens
Day 4: Paris
Day 5: Santorini
Day 7: Dubrovnik
Day 8: Split
Day 9: Koper
Day 10: Venice
9 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItinerary
Cruise Itinerary
![9 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Norwegian Cruise Line)]()
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Day 1Istanbul
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Day 2Mykonos
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Day 3Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 4Paris
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Day 5Santorini
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Day 6Cruising
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Day 7Dubrovnik
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Day 8Split
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Day 9Koper
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Day 10Venice
Ship DetailsNorwegian Spirit - Norwegian Cruise Line
Pros
Lively ship that's been continually updated and refreshed.
Cons
Activities on smaller ship more limited than on line's larger vessels.
Bottom Line
Excellent value for the high quality of food, service and itineraries
ReviewsNorwegian Spirit Reviews
View All PricesLoading...Fare IncludesWhat’s included in My Cruise Fare?
-
CabinRoom with bed and private bathroom
-
Port Taxes & Fees
-
Service Gratuities
-
Most Onboard Entertainment
-
Kids Club
-
Shore Excursions
-
Wi-Fi
-
Spa Services
-
Select DiningMain dining room and/or buffet
-
Specialty Alternative Dining
-
Room Service
-
Butler Service
-
Basic DrinksStill water, coffee, and tea
-
Soft DrinksSoda and Juice
-
AlcoholBeer, wine, and spirits
-
Specialty Coffee DrinksIncluding smoothies and blended drinks
-
Specialty Fitness Classes
** inclusions in your cruise fare are based on Cruise Critic’s editorial expertise and not provided by the individual cruise lines. When you book with one of our cruise partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees. Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates, prices, or amenities included in the fare. Inclusion items in the fare may change at any time and fees may apply for additional items.
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Day 1: Dubai
Day 2: Abu Dhabi
Day 10: Aqaba
Day 11: Safaga
Day 15: Jerusalem
Day 16: Haifa
Day 17: Limassol
Day 18: Rhodes
Day 19: Kusadasi
Day 20: Athens
22 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItinerary
Cruise Itinerary
![22 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Norwegian Cruise Line)]()
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Day 1Dubai
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Day 2Abu Dhabi
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Day 3Abu Dhabi
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Day 4Cruising
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Day 5Cruising
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Day 6Cruising
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Day 7Cruising
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Day 8Cruising
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Day 9Cruising
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Day 10Aqaba (Petra)
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Day 11Safaga
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Day 12Safaga
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Day 13Suez Canal
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Day 14Suez Canal
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Day 15Jerusalem (Ashdod)
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Day 16Haifa (Tel Aviv)
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Day 17Limassol
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Day 18Rhodes
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Day 19Kusadasi
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Day 20Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 21Cruising
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Day 22Naples
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Day 23Rome (Civitavecchia)
Ship DetailsNorwegian Dawn - Norwegian Cruise Line
Pros
Tons of dining, bars and activities keep everyone entertained; refurb is modern, not tacky
Cons
Less-than-perfect ship has confusing layout and occasional maintenance issues
Bottom Line
Enthusiastic crowd has a fun time onboard, despite upcharges and an older ship
ReviewsNorwegian Dawn Reviews
View All PricesLoading...Fare IncludesWhat’s included in My Cruise Fare?
-
CabinRoom with bed and private bathroom
-
Port Taxes & Fees
-
Service Gratuities
-
Most Onboard Entertainment
-
Kids Club
-
Shore Excursions
-
Wi-Fi
-
Spa Services
-
Select DiningMain dining room and/or buffet
-
Specialty Alternative Dining
-
Room Service
-
Butler Service
-
Basic DrinksStill water, coffee, and tea
-
Soft DrinksSoda and Juice
-
AlcoholBeer, wine, and spirits
-
Specialty Coffee DrinksIncluding smoothies and blended drinks
-
Specialty Fitness Classes
** inclusions in your cruise fare are based on Cruise Critic’s editorial expertise and not provided by the individual cruise lines. When you book with one of our cruise partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees. Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates, prices, or amenities included in the fare. Inclusion items in the fare may change at any time and fees may apply for additional items.
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Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Monaco
Day 3: Florence
Day 4: Naples
Day 5: Malta
Day 7: Athens
Day 8: Kusadasi
Day 9: Istanbul
Day 12: Rhodes
Day 13: Limassol
18 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItinerary
Cruise Itinerary
