4-day Iconic Aegean cruise
This is by far the most popular cruise and justifiably so: no other cruise of this duration includes so many popular ports of call.
The itinerary is basically that of the 3-day Iconic Aegean cruise, extended to include a full day in Rhodes, often referred to as the island of the Knights of St. John, who built the beautifully preserved medieval town of the island (a World Heritage Site). There is a lot more to it, however: famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the island has been incessantly inhabited since the Neolithic times. One can see traces of its turbulent history all over, enjoying the alloy produced from the presence of so many different cultures and peoples.
The cruise can be easily combined with weekend international flights and a couple of overnights in Athens, offering a complete and filling 7-day travel experience in Greece.
4-day cruise ports of call & itinerary map
Years 2024-2025
| Port | Day | Arr. | Dep. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavrio (Athens), Greece | Monday | 13:00 | |
| Mykonos, Greece* | 18:00 | 23:00 | |
| Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey | Tuesday | 07:00 | 13:00 |
| Patmos, Greece* | Tuesday | 16:30 | 21:30 |
| Rhodes, Greece | Wednesday | 07:00 | 18:00 |
| Crete (Heraklion), Greece | Thursday | 07:00 | 12:00 |
| Santorini, Greece* | 16:30 | 21:30 | |
| Lavrio (Athens), Greece | Friday | 06:00 | |
| * Disembarkation by tenders (boats), weather permitting. - Embarkation/disembarkation possibility also from/to Kusadasi. Information on the port of Lavrio | |||
4-day cruise sailings & ships
Year 2024
Cruise departures operated by the ‘Celestyal Discovery’ cruise vessel
- April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- May 6, 13, 20, 27
- June 3, 10, 17, 24
- July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- August 5, 12, 19, 26
- September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- October 7, 14, 21
Year 2025
Cruise departures operated by the ‘Celestyal Discovery’ cruise vessel
- May 5, 12, 19, 26
- June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- July 7, 14, 21, 28
- August 4, 11, 18, 25
- September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- October 6, 13, 20, 27
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Travelled in July, 2019
Great cruise and the included excursions and drink package made the cruise a great value
- G. Tsigaridis - Canada
Travelled in September, 2018
Given the short duration (4 days) of the cruise, we visited numerous islands as well as Turkey. The entire cruise experience was very well organized and thoughtfully planned. I had visited all but one of the cruise stops ten years ago and was surprised to see how Mykonos (many international shops) and Santorini (a very large number of people) had changed. The food was fine and the overall experience was pleasant.
- C. Amsel - Matyland, USA
Travelled in September, 2018
Fabulous time aboard this lovely ship. May be a bit smaller than the usual cruise ships but that did not detract from the quality. Friendly efficient crew, amazing and plentiful selection of good food and drinks, efficient boarding and disembarkation. Great variety of islands visited. Excellent value for money - we definitely recommend and would not hesitate to do it again!
- L. Thompson, UK
Travelled in June, 2018
My wife and I had initially looked for a larger cruise ship to do this short Med cruise but didn't find any other, and so finally consented to buying our tickets, and to make sure, we went for a suite. We had actually joked about the cruise prior to taking it, but were we wrong.
The cruise was probably the best part of this Greece holiday, the staff were excellent, the service impeccable, the food delicious, the attention always to detail. It's true, it is not the modern day cruise ships with all the frills, but we found nothing wrong with this and it was very well organized, including tours. Highly recommended does not even start. Well done to everyone, especially to our waiter/entertainer Ronnie - the culprit for making my wife and I gain weight during this trip, actually we loved him and he spoiled us mad.
The cruise was probably the best part of this Greece holiday, the staff were excellent, the service impeccable, the food delicious, the attention always to detail. It's true, it is not the modern day cruise ships with all the frills, but we found nothing wrong with this and it was very well organized, including tours. Highly recommended does not even start. Well done to everyone, especially to our waiter/entertainer Ronnie - the culprit for making my wife and I gain weight during this trip, actually we loved him and he spoiled us mad.
- P. Camilleri - Malta
Travelled in October, 2017
Wonderful! Not sure why we got an upgrade to a suite, but we certainly appreciated it. The tours were well organized and the guides were very knowledgeable. The food was okay - I would have liked more Greek cuisine, but I understand why they made it more international. The only negative thing I can say is that in 2017, when every tiny hotel offers free WiFi, Celestyal Cruises needs to get with the times. Charging a hefty fee for an hour's use is not what people expect. I'd have been happy with WiFi only in the lobby area, but somewhere!
- W. Bustard - New Mexico, USA
Travelled in October, 2017
The biggest disappointment was the food. Service was great, clean ship, but the food was not good.
- V. Sachdeva, Canada
Travelled in August, 2017
we liked very much and we enjoy a lot
we like but some activities don´t have any one.
the yoga was to high level.
the staff were very nice.
we like but some activities don´t have any one.
the yoga was to high level.
the staff were very nice.
- D. Xavier - Portugal
Travelled in July, 2017
Absolutely first class. The food was superb and my wife's intolerance to cow's milk was well catered for. The trips ashore were very well organized and we did appreciate the avoidance of the mid-day sun. We will certainly use Dolphin-Hellas again
- R. Shewan - UK
Travelled in June, 2017
A beautiful experience. We were able to visit so many beautiful greek islands in a short amount of time. No stress just perfection.
- A. Gonzalez - New York, USA
Travelled in April, 2017
We were very pleased with the cruise. Excursions were very informative and guides were very knowledgeable. The dining staff were most accommodating and went out of their way to accommodate my celiac disease and inability to eat any food with gluten!
- A. Martin - Ontario, Canada
Travelled in September, 2016
My wife and I were very satisfied with the cruise. Cabins were exceptionally kept clean, staff was outstanding. Food and dinning room staff were excellent.
- J. Mariasine - Ontario, Canada
Travelled in September, 2016
Amazing ship, excellent food on board and good organisation. Extremely enjoyable cruise around several Greek Islands!
- M. Neri - London, UK
Travelled in August, 2016
Very nice trip on Celestial Cruises overall .
The food was excellent and the staff very professional.
The entertainment on board was very nice as well, also all other amenities.
Everything was very well organized and well prepared.
I would like to mention one drawback, however: the timing of the excursions was terribly early in the morning, and we barely slept few hours every night as we had to wake up so early.
As you know, with so much entertainment at night on board, it makes it impossible to go to bed early !!!!
The lack of sleep somehow ruined much of the fun on the cruise.
The food was excellent and the staff very professional.
The entertainment on board was very nice as well, also all other amenities.
Everything was very well organized and well prepared.
I would like to mention one drawback, however: the timing of the excursions was terribly early in the morning, and we barely slept few hours every night as we had to wake up so early.
As you know, with so much entertainment at night on board, it makes it impossible to go to bed early !!!!
The lack of sleep somehow ruined much of the fun on the cruise.
- K. Najjar - New Jersey, USA
Travelled in July, 2016
- K. Missailidis - Georgia, USA
Travelled in September, 2015
We would give the cruise 4 stars. Our only complaint was in the gymnasium, the treadmills were out of action. The staff, the food & entertainment were all very good. The cabin was adequate for what we paid. We would probably not choose this particular cruise again as there was not enough time to visit all the places unless you were prepared to get up early.
- C. Coggins - Dunstable, UK
Travelled in June, 2015
food was only available for short periods and the variety and quality was not so good. staff at the food courts were also not friendly and sometimes even rude for late arriving customers. There should be a snack facility round the clock.
Tender boats coupons were given to tour operators after the excursion teams and general passenger was left to disembark last.
- H. Shahid , Indiana, USA
Reply by DH on July, 2015:
Dear Mr. Shahid,
Thank you for your feedback, we appreciate your taking the time to send us your comments. We regret you had a not fully satisfying experience on board the Celestyal Olympia, we will make sure your comments are received by the cruise line. We would only like to comment on the last issue, the tender boats. The islands where tender boats are used, namely Mykonos and Santorini, receive a disproportionate number of guests. On the same day that Celestyal calls in, there are at least 3-5 other cruise boats from other companies, each with several thousand guests on board. The whole procedure takes very long and unless the specific order is followed - excursion teams, tour operators (who usually organize their own excursion teams), rest of the passengers - none of the excursions would be able to run properly.
We hope you have enjoyed your cruise nonetheless, and look forward to welcoming you to Greece again in the future.
Sincerely,
Your DH team
Dear Mr. Shahid,
Thank you for your feedback, we appreciate your taking the time to send us your comments. We regret you had a not fully satisfying experience on board the Celestyal Olympia, we will make sure your comments are received by the cruise line. We would only like to comment on the last issue, the tender boats. The islands where tender boats are used, namely Mykonos and Santorini, receive a disproportionate number of guests. On the same day that Celestyal calls in, there are at least 3-5 other cruise boats from other companies, each with several thousand guests on board. The whole procedure takes very long and unless the specific order is followed - excursion teams, tour operators (who usually organize their own excursion teams), rest of the passengers - none of the excursions would be able to run properly.
We hope you have enjoyed your cruise nonetheless, and look forward to welcoming you to Greece again in the future.
Sincerely,
Your DH team
Travelled in June, 2015
The trip to the islands was fabulous. Kids had a wonderful time.
We wanted to get off the cruise at Santorini, and return back to Pireaus. We had to pay for the JET to return us to the mainland. Extra cost of $ 260 that was not figured into the cost of the trip. Rooms werent that big in the boat. I am not a cruise person. Rather of flown, but the costs would of been prohibited. Food on the boat was average... nothing spectacular. They should of broken the eating times for everyone. We waited for hours to eat. They only had 2 shifts to eat. The time allocated for Mikonos was short. You couldnt see or spend any money. The stay was too short and not satisfactory. The passengers could not disembark and return without taking a tether. I found this to be disrupting, The waters should of been dredged along the routes.
- J. Burlotos - Pennsylvania, USA
Reply by DH on July, 2015:
Dear Mr. Burlotos,
Thank you for your kind remarks and for taking the time to submit your feedback. We really appreciate it. We are delighted that we assisted successfully in materializing such an important trip.
We grab the opportunity to comment on the cruise policy, as these comments - yours and ours - will be seen by other potential guests, too: the cruise lines are not allowed to operate as ferry companies. In other words, their license is for circular trips, not for trips that start at one location (for example, Piraeus) and end elsewhere (in this occasion, Santorini). Consequently, if a passenger wishes to disembark at one of the ports of call, one can do that (nobody can keep a person on board against one's will) but must pay the cruise fare in full. Granting a discount on the cruise fare to offset the cost of buying extra tickets for the return portion of the trip, though reasonable, is in the eyes of the law a practice of unfair competition as the cruise passengers are thus encouraged to use the cruise ships as an open jaw ferry service. The ferry companies already lose on the tickets that one would otherwise have to buy to go to the island. We do not side with either opinion, just laying out facts for people to know.
We thank you once more and remain at your disposal!
Your Dolphin Hellas Team
Dear Mr. Burlotos,
Thank you for your kind remarks and for taking the time to submit your feedback. We really appreciate it. We are delighted that we assisted successfully in materializing such an important trip.
We grab the opportunity to comment on the cruise policy, as these comments - yours and ours - will be seen by other potential guests, too: the cruise lines are not allowed to operate as ferry companies. In other words, their license is for circular trips, not for trips that start at one location (for example, Piraeus) and end elsewhere (in this occasion, Santorini). Consequently, if a passenger wishes to disembark at one of the ports of call, one can do that (nobody can keep a person on board against one's will) but must pay the cruise fare in full. Granting a discount on the cruise fare to offset the cost of buying extra tickets for the return portion of the trip, though reasonable, is in the eyes of the law a practice of unfair competition as the cruise passengers are thus encouraged to use the cruise ships as an open jaw ferry service. The ferry companies already lose on the tickets that one would otherwise have to buy to go to the island. We do not side with either opinion, just laying out facts for people to know.
We thank you once more and remain at your disposal!
Your Dolphin Hellas Team
Travelled in May, 2015
Everything worked very well. All the timings were excellent. Clean cabin and ship in general. Nice staff. Good food at the buffet and great setup. The a la carte restaurant was not better, as expected. It was great experience.
- R. Lopez - Montreal, Canada
Travelled in June, 2014
- R. Murali - Montreal, Canada
Travelled in June, 2014
The booking was done by Dolphin Hellas and it was a very pleasant experience. The cabin chosen by Dolphin Hellas , for us was, perfect. We availed all the shore excursions and they were perfect for our interest
- R. Prasad - Kolkata, India
Comments and ratings about the 4-day Iconic Aegean cruise:
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