(And Hoping To Take The Big Small On)
This started, as many of my travel daydreams do, with me looking something up for work and ending up far too invested for my own good. This time it was a Greek island cruise with Celestyal Cruises, and before long I was comparing 3-night and 4-night sailings, wondering whether I could make the dates work, and imagining myself and the Big Small wandering around Greek harbours in the sunshine.
Why I Fell Down The Celestyal Cruises Rabbit Hole
And looking to take the Big Small with me.
Early disclaimer: I love Greece.
I have loved every holiday I’ve taken to Greece. I love its rich history and the feeling that there is always something new to learn. I love the food. I love the wine. I love sitting in a harbour with absolutely no plans beyond deciding what to order for lunch.
I just, simply, love Greece.
So when I saw one of our newer partnerships with Celestyal Cruises, I didn’t just fall down the rabbit hole—I jumped in head first.
Within about twenty minutes I had multiple tabs open, was comparing itineraries, looking at ports, checking dates, and mentally planning holidays that I absolutely don’t have room in my diary for.
One of the things I enjoy most about being a travel agent is that I get to do this sort of research all the time. Sometimes it leads to recommendations for clients. Sometimes it leads to me adding yet another trip to my own ever-growing wish list.
This was definitely one of those moments.
What Is Celestyal Cruises?
If you’ve not come across Celestyal Cruises before, they’re a cruise line with strong Greek roots and a real focus on the destinations they visit.
A sunset view of the Acropolis in Athens 
Santorini’s dramatic caldera, blue-domed churches and unforgettable sunsets make it one of the highlights of any Greek Islands cruise. 
From the Palace of Knossos to the Venetian harbour, Heraklion combines ancient history with modern Cretan life. 
Wander through Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with medieval streets, cafés and historic landmarks. 
Discover peaceful Patmos, home to beautiful harbours, traditional villages and the historic Monastery of Saint John. 
Step back over 2,000 years at Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved ancient cities, just a short drive from Kusadasi. 
Explore Mykonos’ iconic whitewashed streets, Little Venice and famous windmills before returning to your Celestyal cruise.
Rather than trying to compete with the enormous floating cities that dominate parts of the cruise industry, Celestyal focuses on Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean aboard smaller ships. For me, that gives the experience more of a floating hotel feel, with the destinations taking centre stage.
But what appealed to me particularly was how destination-focused their sailings are. There’s a real emphasis on getting ashore and experiencing the places you’re visiting rather than treating them as brief stops between sea days. Whether you want to explore ashore with tours of historic sites or simply spend an afternoon with good food, a glass of wine and a harbour view, there seems to be plenty of flexibility built into the itineraries.
For anyone who loves history, culture, food, island hopping or simply seeing several destinations in one holiday without repeatedly packing and unpacking, I can completely see the appeal. I mean, I’m sold.
Why Greece Works So Well By Cruise Ship
One of the challenges with Greece is that there are so many islands.
A lovely problem to have, admittedly.
But if you’ve ever tried planning a Greek island hopping holiday independently, you’ll know it can involve a surprising amount of ferry schedules, transfers, hotel changes and logistics.
Cruising takes a lot of that away, particularly if cruising the Celestyal way.
You unpack once.
You wake up somewhere different, and with some cruises you visit more than one island a day. Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete and beyond. Lunch on one island, and dine out at sunset at another.
Why I Think It Could Work For A First-Time Cruiser
If you’re interested in cruising but not quite sure where to start, I think mini cruises are a really good option. They give you enough time to get a feel for life onboard, but not so long that it feels like a huge commitment while you’re still working out whether cruising is for you. A Greek island-hopping cruise in particular offers the opportunity to visit a number of iconic destinations, from the whitewashed streets of Mykonos to the dramatic views of Santorini, without the need to juggle ferry schedules, hotel changes and luggage transfers. For anyone wanting to experience several Greek islands in one trip, it feels like a wonderfully easy way to do it.
3-night destination packed cruise onboard Celestyal Discovery sailing the jewels of the Greek islands & Ephesus 
4-night destination packed cruise onboard Celestyal Discovery sailing the jewels of the Greek islands & Ephesus featuring a full day in Rhodes 
7-night round trip from Athens that showcases the history, culture and incredible beauty of the Adriatic region. Witness the wonder of nature in Kefalonia, with a trip to Melissani Cave and its mystical underground lake 
The Mediterranean is renowned for its rich history, culture, stunning scenery, delicious local dishes and welcoming people. And on this 14-night cruise, you’ll experience it all
What I like about the short Celestyal sailings in particular is that they seem to get the balance right: enough time on the ship to enjoy unpacking once, waking up somewhere new and settling into the rhythm of cruise life, but still plenty of time ashore and lots of different destinations along the way. You can test the waters, quite literally, and get a little taste of Greek island hopping without it feeling like a big leap. And with excellent dining, drinks, and (if I were you) gorgeous sea views from your balcony.
If the thought of a mini-cruise interests you either as a seasoned cruiser or to see what cruise life might be like, there are always options available (from the UK or abroad). Whether you’re thinking about sailing with Celestyal or if you’re wanting to explore other options – get in touch with some dates and I’d love to help you work out what is available.
The mini cruises I’m looking at
Of all the itineraries I looked at, it was actually the shorter Greek island cruise options that grabbed my attention first.
Celestyal offers both 3-night and 4-night Greek Island cruises, and I think they sit in that very tempting space between a long weekend and a proper adventure.
They’re also ideal if you simply fancy a long weekend doing something a little different: smaller ships; plenty of time on land in different destinations that are just beautiful; and some surprisingly attractive pricing – starting at just £309pp
| – | 3-Night Iconic Greek Islands | 4-Night Iconic Greek Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Nights | 4 Nights |
| Ports Visited | Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Crete, Santorini, return to Athens | Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, return to Athens |
| Greek Islands Included | Mykonos, Patmos, Crete, Santorini | Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini |
| Historic Highlights | Patmos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Santorini | Patmos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Rhodes Old Town, Santorini |
| Best For | First-time cruisers, long weekends, couples | Families, first-time cruisers, island lovers |
| Pace | Fast-paced sightseeing | Slightly more relaxed |
| Sea Time | Minimal | Minimal |
| Island-Hopping Factor | High | Very High |
| Ideal If You Want To… | Try cruising without committing to a full week | See more of Greece while still keeping it short |
| Starting from… | £308pp in July 2026 | £399pp in July 2026 |
Cruising with Sarahnity Travel
I’ve put together a sample personalised travel itinerary for this cruise so you can see how I plan holidays for my clients.
Rather than simply sending over booking confirmations, I create an interactive travel guide that brings everything together in one place. Flights, hotels, cruise information, port guides, restaurant recommendations, suggested excursions, maps, travel tips and anything else that’s helpful for your trip all sit alongside your booking details.
Every itinerary is built around the holiday you’ve booked, so no two are ever the same. As plans are confirmed, your itinerary evolves too, leaving you with a personalised guide that’s easy to access on your phone, tablet or computer before and during your holiday.
Take a look at this sample itinerary to see how it all comes together.
Cruising with Celestyal – What’s included?
One thing I always think is worth looking at properly with any cruise is what is actually included. Every cruise line does things slightly differently, and the various fares, drinks packages, dining options and add-ons can sometimes make it feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Celestyal has tried to simplify this with its Celestyal One fare, which applies to bookings as one clear price structure. I like that approach, especially for anyone who is new to cruising, because it makes it easier to understand the basics before deciding whether to add anything extra.
What Celestyal One Includes
With Celestyal One, the fare includes your daily meals in the main restaurants, selected drinks such as filter coffee, tea, water, juice and soft drinks in the main restaurants with meals, complimentary Essential WiFi, onboard activities and entertainment, port fees and gratuities. In other words, the main holiday essentials are covered before you start thinking about extras.
If you want to add premium dining, speciality coffees or alcoholic drinks, those can be paid for separately onboard or through Celestyal Pay, which works more like a pre-paid food and drink tab. I love that flexibility and Celestyal offer generous bonuses when you pre-purchase money on your tab – something I would definitely recommend.
Read more about what is included in Celestyal One here
For more information, availability and booking
If this has sparked your curiosity, I’d love to help you explore whether a Celestyal cruise is the right fit for you. Whether you’re looking at one of these shorter Greek Island sailings, a longer itinerary, or simply want to compare a few different cruise lines, I’m always happy to talk through the options.
Every holiday I book includes the same personalised planning and digital travel guide you’ve seen throughout this article, tailored to your own trip and the way you like to travel.
Whether to look more at availability for a Mediterranean cruise, something more exotic or any other holiday needs – just fill in the short form below with as much information as possible about your travel dreams, and I will get in touch with you within 24 hours.
So… will I book it?
Every time I find myself looking at Celestyal’s sailings, I come back to the same thought… it could be a brilliant little adventure with Big Small. Four nights feels manageable, the ports offer plenty to explore without feeling rushed, and I love the idea of introducing her to cruising in a way that doesn’t involve a long flight or committing to a week or two away.
One thing I haven’t really touched on is the family offering onboard. These smaller ships don’t have the extensive children’s facilities you’ll find on some of the larger cruise lines, and activities can vary depending on the sailing and how many younger guests are onboard. Personally, that doesn’t put me off. If it was just Big Small and me for four nights, I’d be perfectly happy spending our time exploring ashore, enjoying the ship together and taking things at our own pace.
Even if we don’t end up booking this year, it’s definitely reminded me that cruises don’t have to mean two weeks in the Caribbean or months of planning. Sometimes a shorter itinerary can be the perfect way to experience somewhere new, whether you’re travelling as a family, as a couple, or simply fancy trying something different.
And if nothing else, I’ve had great fun putting together the sample itinerary. Hopefully it’s given you a flavour of not only what Celestyal offers, but also how I help bring every part of a holiday together. Whether it’s a four-night Greek Islands cruise, a family beach holiday or a tailor-made adventure further afield, I love creating personalised travel guides that make holidays feel easier, more organised and even more enjoyable.
Now… I just need to find a gap in the diary to see if Big Small and I can make it happen!
P.S. A quick note on Celestyal’s Middle East itineraries
Some may already know that in addition to their Mediterranean sailings, Celestyal also had some fabulous cruises in the Middle East. Like many travel companies operating in that region, Celestyal has had to adjust to respond to the recent conflict.
The situation continues to evolve and cruise lines will always prioritise passenger safety when planning routes.
For now, their Middle East offerings are on hold, but I hope to be sharing those itineraries again before too long. I’m already getting a lot of enquiries about trips to Oman, Dubai and Jordan!
* Sarah @ Sarahnity Travel is an Independent Travel Agent affiliated with Inteletravel whom hold ABTA P7384. Inteletravel are appointed agents with suppliers that hold ATOL. Some promotions and links are to other Affiliate services (e.g. Amazon, Expedia, Viator and Get Your Guide) where you will make bookings directly with those platforms and I may receive a small commission for any purchases or bookings made through those links. Please note that all prices quoted are generated from a live booking system and are therefore subject to change until deposit/payment is received and booking confirmed.
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