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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15 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItinerary
Cruise Itinerary
Ship DetailsCelebrity Constellation - Celebrity Cruises
Pros
Officers and crew are friendly and accessible
Cons
From drinks to the spa to dining, there's an upsell
Bottom Line
Constellation sailings are a great value for the money
ReviewsCelebrity Constellation 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 2: Taormina
Day 4: Santorini
Day 5: Athens
Day 6: Mykonos
Day 7: Rhodes
Day 10: Naples
10 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItineraryCruise Itinerary
![10 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Celebrity Cruises)]()
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Day 1Rome (Civitavecchia)
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Day 2Taormina (Messina)
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Day 3Cruising
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Day 4Santorini
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Day 5Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 6Mykonos
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Day 7Rhodes
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Day 8Chania
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Day 9Cruising
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Day 10Naples
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Day 11Rome (Civitavecchia)
Ship DetailsCelebrity Edge - Celebrity Cruises
Pros
Beautiful and innovative with outstanding accommodations and extensive dining choices
Cons
Expensive upcharge restaurants, spa and drinks; nighttime entertainment lacks variety
Bottom Line
A hip-at-heart ship that may challenge the expectations of experienced cruisers
ReviewsCelebrity Edge 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
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Room Service
-
Butler Service
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Basic DrinksStill water, coffee, and tea
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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: Venice
Day 3: Katakolon
Day 4: Santorini
Day 5: Kusadasi
Day 6: Mykonos
Day 7: Athens
Day 9: Corfu
10 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItineraryCruise Itinerary
![10 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Celebrity Cruises)]()
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Day 1Venice
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Day 2Cruising
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Day 3Katakolon (Olympia)
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Day 4Santorini
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Day 5Kusadasi
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Day 6Mykonos
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Day 7Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 8Chania
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Day 9Corfu
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Day 10Cruising
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Day 11Venice
Ship DetailsCelebrity Constellation - Celebrity Cruises
Pros
Officers and crew are friendly and accessible
Cons
From drinks to the spa to dining, there's an upsell
Bottom Line
Constellation sailings are a great value for the money
ReviewsCelebrity Constellation 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
-
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 3: Khasab
Day 5: Salalah
Day 10: Aqaba
Day 11: Safaga
Day 15: Haifa
Day 17: Limassol
Day 18: Rhodes
Day 19: Kusadasi
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 3Khasab
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Day 4Cruising
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Day 5Salalah
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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 15Haifa (Tel Aviv)
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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 Jade - Norwegian Cruise Line
Pros
Venues are spread evenly throughout the ship, limiting congestion
Cons
Standard cabins are a bit on the small side
Bottom Line
Recent refurbishments have the ship looking and feeling like new
ReviewsNorwegian Jade 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
-
Kids Club
-
Shore Excursions
-
Wi-Fi
-
Spa Services
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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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7 NightCruise to AthensHide Cruise InfoItinerary
Cruise Itinerary
![7 Night Cruise to Athens (Piraeus) Route (Oceania Cruises)]()
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Day 1Athens (Piraeus)
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Day 2Mykonos
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Day 3Santorini
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Day 4Rhodes
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Day 5Kusadasi
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Day 6Lesbos
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Day 7Istanbul
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Day 8Istanbul
Ship DetailsSirena - Oceania Cruises
Pros
Cozy, small ship with excellent cuisine
Cons
Standard cabins are small; weak enrichment program
Bottom Line
Port-intensive itineraries in an upmarket setting
ReviewsSirena 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: Venice
Day 3: Katakolon
Day 4: Santorini
Day 5: Kusadasi
Day 6: Mykonos
