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The Italy and Greece cruise is the most popular Eastern Mediterranean itinerary — and for good reason.
These are Europe's two most-visited Mediterranean countries, their coastlines face each other across the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and the port infrastructure on both sides is excellent. You can wake up in Santorini and go to sleep heading toward Naples, all without packing a suitcase.
But here's what the cruise line brochures won't tell you: not all Italy-Greece itineraries deliver equal time in both countries. Some "Italy and Greece" cruises spend four days on the Italian coast and squeeze Greece into a single port call at Mykonos. Others do the opposite. The difference between a well-balanced itinerary and a misleading one comes down to reading the actual port schedule — not the marketing headline.
This guide breaks down every major route pattern, compares the cruise lines that serve this corridor, and helps you find the itinerary that matches whether you're more excited about Rome and the Amalfi Coast or Santorini and the Greek islands. For a broader look at cruising Greece, see our comprehensive Greece Cruise Guide 2026.
The main itinerary patterns
Italy-Greece cruises follow three basic route structures. Understanding which one you're booking matters more than which cruise line you choose:
Pattern 1: Rome round-trip (7–8 days)
Departs Civitavecchia (Rome's cruise port), sails south past Naples, crosses to Greece (usually Santorini and/or Mykonos), often stops in Dubrovnik or Kotor (Croatia/Montenegro), and returns to Rome. This is the most common mainstream itinerary — Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC all run variations.
The reality check: you typically get 1–2 sea days, 2–3 Italian ports (Naples, sometimes Sicily), 2 Greek ports, and 1 Croatian/Montenegrin port. It's a sampler of everything, depth of nothing. But for travelers who want the widest variety in the shortest time, it works.
Pattern 2: One-way Venice/Ravenna to Athens (or reverse, 7–10 days)
This is the better option for most travelers. Sails from Venice or Ravenna down the Adriatic coast, stops at Kotor and/or Dubrovnik, crosses to Greece (Corfu, then south through the Ionian to the Aegean), and finishes in Athens. The reverse routing (Athens to Venice) works equally well.
The advantage: you cover ground instead of backtracking, you get a natural geographic progression, and the port distribution is typically more balanced (3–4 in each country). The logistics require flying into one city and out of another, but an open-jaw flight solves this easily.
Pattern 3: Athens round-trip with Italian excursion (7–10 days)
Less common but increasingly available from Celestyal and some Viking itineraries. Departs Athens, sails west to the Ionian islands, crosses to southern Italy (often Bari, Catania, or Naples), then returns via Greek ports. This gives Greece the most time and treats Italy as the side trip rather than the other way around.
For travelers whose priority is Greece with a taste of Italy, this pattern delivers the best balance.
Best cruise lines for Italy and Greece
Royal Caribbean
The highest-volume operator on this route. Their 7–8 day Eastern Mediterranean itineraries from Rome are the most-booked Italy-Greece option. Ships are huge (3,000–5,000+ passengers), entertainment and dining options are extensive, and pricing is competitive ($900–1,800 per person). Best for families and first-time cruisers who want the full mega-ship experience. The downside: when one of their ships pulls into Santorini alongside two other mega-ships, the port experience suffers.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Similar routes and pricing to Royal Caribbean, with a more relaxed atmosphere (no fixed dining times, casual dress code). NCL runs both Rome round-trips and Venice-to-Athens one-ways. Their newer ships (Prima class) are well-designed. A good choice for travelers who want mainstream pricing with fewer rules.
Celebrity Cruises
A step up in quality from Royal Caribbean and Norwegian at a 20–30% premium. Their "Edge" class ships are architecturally striking, the food is noticeably better, and the onboard atmosphere is more refined without being stuffy. Celebrity runs excellent Venice-to-Athens and reverse itineraries with good port distribution. Best for couples and food-focused travelers on a moderate budget ($1,200–2,500 per person).
MSC Cruises
The European-headquartered line runs extensive Italy-Greece routes, often departing from Italian ports beyond Rome — Genoa, Bari, and Venice are all options. MSC tends to be slightly cheaper than Royal Caribbean and has a distinctly European onboard feel (less American-focused entertainment, more international passenger mix). Good value, especially for European and budget-conscious travelers.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Smaller ships (930 passengers), longer port times, and enrichment programming that takes the history and culture of both Italy and Greece seriously. Their "Iconic Western Mediterranean" and "Greek Odyssey" routes often combine Italian and Greek ports with excellent shore excursion programs. Pricing starts around $2,500 per person for 7 days — significantly above mainstream but the experience is fundamentally different. Best for travelers 50+ who prioritize learning and cultural immersion over onboard nightlife.
Princess Cruises
A solid middle-ground option between mainstream and premium. Princess runs well-established Mediterranean itineraries with good port time and decent dining. Their 10–14 day options are particularly well-suited for Italy-Greece combinations because the longer duration allows more balanced coverage of both countries. Pricing: $1,100–2,200 per person for 7 days.
Windstar Cruises
The small-ship option for Italy-Greece. Windstar's sailing yachts (148–342 passengers) run routes between Italian and Greek ports that include stops mega-ships can't make — Monemvasia, Hydra, Giardini Naxos (Sicily). The sailing yacht experience is genuinely romantic. Pricing: $2,500–4,500 per person for 7 days.
The ports you'll visit: Italy side
Most Italy-Greece cruises include 2–4 of these Italian ports:
Rome/Civitavecchia — The primary embarkation port for most itineraries. Civitavecchia is 90 minutes from central Rome. If your cruise departs late afternoon, you can spend the morning in Rome. Better yet, arrive 2–3 days early and explore properly. The city deserves far more than a drive-by.
Naples — Gateway to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri. Most ships give you 8–10 hours, which is enough for either Pompeii (a must) or a dash to the Amalfi Coast, but not both comfortably. Naples itself has extraordinary food — the original Neapolitan pizza is worth the trip alone.
Venice — Many one-way itineraries start or end here. Cruise ships now dock at Marghera (the mainland port) rather than sailing past St. Mark's Square as they once did. Budget a few days in Venice before or after your cruise — it's one of the world's most extraordinary cities and seeing it only from a ship is a waste.
Sicily (Messina, Catania, or Taormina) — Some itineraries include a Sicilian port, giving you access to Mount Etna, Taormina's ancient theater, or Messina's baroque architecture. Sicily is a highlight if your route includes it.
Bari — Occasionally included on Venice departure itineraries. A charming southern Italian city with an excellent old town, but not a primary draw.
The ports you'll visit: Greece side
Depending on the itinerary, you'll visit 2–5 Greek ports. Here's what each offers from a cruise perspective:
Athens/Piraeus — Either your embarkation point or a full-day port call. The Acropolis is the must-do. With 8+ hours, add the Plaka neighborhood and the National Archaeological Museum.
Santorini — The marquee port call. Santorini from a cruise ship is spectacular but logistically challenging — large ships anchor offshore, you tender to the old port, then cable car or walk 588 steps to Fira. On busy days with multiple ships, the process eats hours. Still, seeing the caldera from the water is unforgettable.
Mykonos — Better cruise logistics than Santorini (ships can dock). Mykonos town is walkable and photogenic. Four to six hours is enough to explore the town, hit Little Venice, and find a waterfront lunch.
Corfu — Common on Venice-to-Athens routes. Corfu's Venetian old town (UNESCO site) feels like the perfect blend of Italy and Greece — appropriate for a cruise connecting both countries. Walk the Liston arcade, visit the Old Fortress, wander the narrow streets.
Rhodes — Included on longer itineraries. The medieval Old Town is right at the port — one of the most convenient cruise stops in the Mediterranean.
Heraklion/Crete — Gateway to Knossos and one of Greece's best archaeological museums. Crete is too big and diverse for a single port day, but you'll get a meaningful taste.
Katakolon (Olympia) — Ancient Olympia is a powerful site, especially if you're interested in Greek history. The port exists solely to serve the archaeological site.
How to choose the right itinerary for you
The right Italy-Greece cruise depends on what you actually want from the trip:
If Italy is your priority, Greece is the bonus:
Book a Rome round-trip with a heavy Italian port schedule. Look for itineraries that include Naples, Sicily, and either Venice or an Amalfi Coast port, with 1–2 Greek stops as the Mediterranean crossing. Royal Caribbean and MSC run the most Italy-weighted options.
If Greece is your priority, Italy is the bonus:
Book an Athens-departing itinerary that includes a stop in southern Italy (Naples or Bari) as part of a primarily Greek island route. Celestyal's extended itineraries and some Viking routes follow this pattern. Alternatively, book a Venice-to-Athens one-way, which naturally increases your Greek ports as you sail south and east.
If you want a genuine 50/50 split:
A 10-day one-way itinerary (Venice to Athens or reverse) comes closest to equal coverage. You'll typically get 3–4 Italian/Croatian ports and 3–4 Greek ports, with 1–2 sea days. Celebrity, Viking, and Princess run the best versions of this balanced approach.
If you want depth in both countries:
Consider a cruise as only part of your trip. Spend 3–4 days in Italy independently (Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast), then board a Greece-focused cruise from Rome or Bari, and finish with 2–3 independent days in Athens or the islands. This "cruise sandwich" approach gives you the depth that a cruise alone can't deliver.
Read more: Italy and Greece Trip: Planning Guide
Pricing: what you'll actually pay
Here's what a 7–10 day Italy and Greece cruise costs in 2026, per person based on double occupancy:
Interior cabin, mainstream line (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC): $900–1,500 for 7 days. $1,200–2,000 for 10 days. Add $100–200/day for excursions, drinks, and extras.
Balcony cabin, mainstream line: $1,400–2,200 for 7 days. $1,800–3,000 for 10 days. Worth the upgrade — a balcony in the Mediterranean is a fundamentally better experience than an interior cabin.
Premium line (Celebrity, Princess): $1,400–2,800 for 7 days. Better food, more refined experience, slightly smaller ships.
Viking, Windstar (premium/small-ship): $2,500–5,000 for 7 days. Includes more excursions, longer port times, and smaller crowds at each stop.
Booking tips for the best price:
Book early (6–12 months ahead) for the best cabin selection. Watch for "wave season" sales in January–March when lines release promotional pricing. Consider booking a guarantee cabin (the line assigns your specific cabin) for 10–20% savings. One-way itineraries are sometimes priced lower than round-trips because they require travelers to book separate flights — use the open-jaw strategy for your transatlantic flights.
Best time to cruise Italy and Greece
The season runs April through November, but the sweet spots are:
May–June: Best overall. Warm weather in both countries (22–30°C), manageable crowds at ports, and seas are calm before the summer meltemi wind builds in the Aegean. Italy is gorgeous in late spring — not yet the sweltering heat of August.
September: The other prime window. Crowds thin, temperatures are perfect, Italian food is at its seasonal peak (grape harvest, early truffle season), and Greek seas are still warm (24°C). Slightly more rain risk than May–June but generally excellent.
July–August: Hottest, most crowded, most expensive. Both Italian and Greek ports are overwhelmed with cruise passengers and independent tourists simultaneously. If you must cruise in peak summer, a premium or luxury line with smaller ships helps avoid the worst congestion.
October: Good value with warm-enough weather in Greece (southern islands still swimmable). Italy can be rainy. Works well for travelers prioritizing Greece over Italy.
April and November: Cheapest but weather is inconsistent in both countries. Some ports may have reduced services. Best for budget-focused travelers who accept the trade-off.
FAQs about Italy and Greece cruises
How many days do you need for an Italy and Greece cruise?
Seven days is the minimum for a meaningful combined experience, but 10 days is the sweet spot — it allows 3–4 ports in each country without feeling rushed. A 14-day cruise is ideal if budget and time allow.
Which cruise line is best for Italy and Greece?
For value: Royal Caribbean or MSC. For food and quality: Celebrity. For cultural enrichment: Viking. For small-ship intimacy: Windstar. For families: Royal Caribbean or Disney.
Can you cruise from Rome to Athens?
Yes — many lines offer Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus) one-way itineraries, typically 7–10 days. This is one of the best ways to combine both countries because you cover ground instead of backtracking. You fly into Rome and home from Athens, or vice versa.
Is it worth doing a cruise to see Italy and Greece?
For a first taste of both countries with zero logistics, yes — a cruise is hard to beat for convenience. But neither country can be truly experienced from a cruise alone. The strongest approach is combining a cruise with independent time: a few days in Rome before and Athens after creates a richer trip than the cruise ports alone can deliver.
What ports do Italy and Greece cruises visit?
Italian ports typically include Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, and sometimes Venice, Sicily, or Bari. Greek ports include Piraeus (Athens), Santorini, Mykonos, and sometimes Corfu, Rhodes, or Crete. Many itineraries also stop in Croatia (Dubrovnik) or Montenegro (Kotor) as a geographic bridge between the two countries.
Is Venice to Athens a good cruise route?
It's arguably the best Italy-Greece route available. The one-way routing covers ground naturally, Adriatic ports (Kotor, Dubrovnik, Corfu) make logical stops along the way, and you arrive in Athens positioned to continue exploring Greece. The only logistical consideration is booking open-jaw flights — flying into Venice and home from Athens.
Plan your Italy and Greece trip
- Italy and Greece Trip: Complete Planning Guide — combining both countries
- Greece Cruise Guide 2026 — comprehensive Greece cruise guide
- Best Greek Islands Cruise Guide — Greek islands by cruise
- Flights to Greece from USA — getting to your embarkation port
- How to Plan a Trip to Greece — step-by-step guide
- Best Time to Travel to Greece — timing your trip
- Greece Vacation Packages — package options
- 3 Days in Athens — for pre/post cruise stays
🎒 Building a custom Greece itinerary after your cruise? Take our quiz for personalized island recommendations, or try our AI Trip Planner for a complete custom itinerary.