It may not sound a great idea to head for a Greek Island Cruise, when you finally get to the port of departure, because of the flying to Athens can be rather tiring. 

If we want to book at a large cruise line, you can just make one phone call to a stateside toll-free number and that’s all.

But, perhaps anyone who's cruised on large ships through Greece knows, that the main flaw of it is that the few hours you're allotted on each island is never enough time to swim in the Aegean, lie out in the Mediterranean sun, and dine in outdoor tavernas. Most cruise ships stop at the big islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes. When they are there, crowds of people go ashore, filling the narrow streets and thronging the historical sites.

What you gain on a big ship in terms of not choosing your own route, are amenities and services. Which option you'd prefer depends on how independent you are and how much you value comfort.

Most ships sail to the larger, usually crowded islands of the Cyclades, as well as Mykonos and Santorini, or the Dodecanese, including Patmos and Rhodes. They usually visit Athens if they don't depart or debark there, calling at the port of Piraeus, 20 minutes from the city.

These ships offer shore excursions that take you by bus to the major sites, such as the Parthenon and the Archeological museum in Athens.

Many of the lines changed their summer schedules and pulled out of the Eastern Mediterranean, trying to sail in the Western Mediterranean. These lines are Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Star Clippers. Though many of them are eager to return.

Some cruises (like Costa Cruises) has dropped Turkish ports and replaced them with Volos and Patmos-which is good if Greece is the destination you long to visit.

Some cruises (like First European) carry mostly European passengers (only 20 percent are Americans), and they do not drop any Greek ports—but they, like others, do not call at Egypt and Israel ports. The newer ships have climbing walls and Internet cafes—many of the bells and whistles of American lines. (All prices are per person, double occupancy.)

If you chose Greek Island Cruise only because you want to extend the Greek experience onboard, you may take up the cruise like Royal Olympic. It's the only Greek-owned major passenger line. You can enjoy taverna food on some dinner menus, as well as less-authentic activities, for instance, a toga party on deck.
Or you may choose a more educational cruise that emphasizes guest lecturers, for example, Swan Hellenic.
When someone thinks about cruises, they often imagine the balmy beaches of the Caribbean or Hawaii. But there are lots of other destinations that people do not often consider great places to go on cruises, as such voyages are not just for beach side relaxing, but can become an exploration in all different types of climates, and even some mainly beach places that you would not usually think of.

The Greek islands are a beautiful vacation site, and while they are certainly not without people's vacation agendas, they are not very often considered as cruise option. However, they are a magnificent spot to not only to rest and enjoy the sea and beaches, but they are also a treasury of wealth cultural inheritance and incredible ancient architecture. The Greek people are hardworking and welcoming, and if you spend a day wandering among the sea side villages you may meet different people and cognize a little bit more about yourself as well. In addition, the fantastic traditional Greek food is an extra benefit of such a trip.