Table of Contents
Intro
I had the privilege to travel on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas for a cruise around the Greek islands for 7 nights. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) are known for their prestigious ships that offer the luxury onboard with unlimited food, world class entertainment and comfortable living spaces.
Ever since cruising on my first ever Transatlantic cruise in 2022, I have fallen in love with visiting many different countries from the comfort of my moving hotel on water.
Embarking on this sailing adventure is like no other. From the ancient wonders of Ephesus to the sun-soaked beaches of Mykonos, this voyage promises a week of cultural immersion, breathtaking landscapes, and unparalleled luxury. I will share with you my itinerary of this unforgettable 7-Day Greek Isles Cruise navigating the seas and exploring the gems of Rome, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Capri.
This particular 7-day cruise is a perfect way to experience the beauty and culture of the Mediterranean Sea. It includes some of the most popular Greek Islands.
Here is my 7-day Itinerary for anyone going on Greek Islands cruise.
Port Stop Locations
Day 1: Rome, Itlay
Day 2: Cruising
Day 3: Santorini, Greece
Day 4: Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
Day 5: Mykonos, Greece
Day 6: Cruising
Day 7: Naples/Capri, Italy
Day 8: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Itinerary
Travel Day
Journey to Rome
The departure port for the Greek Islands Cruise is Civitavecchia, Rome. Our journey began by taking a Ryanair flight from Manchester, UK→ Rome, Ciampino the night before. The return flights cost £940 x2 ppl including checked luggage. It is quite pricey at this time of year (August) and usually more costly travelling in school holidays. From the airport to the city of Rome it will cost 31 euros in a marked taxi.
I would recommend you stay overnight in the city to ensure you are close to the touristy sites and not too far from the departing port. The hotel I chose was as cheap and cheerful, Hotel California which is centrally located and close to many favourable iconic spots in Rome.
Once settling into your hotel you will want to eat out at an authentic hearty Italian restaurant. The place to go is Cipassio which I would highly recommend. As this was a surprise cruise for my mum, I shared the news with her after our main course. You have to try the cacio e pepe which is a cheese and pepper pasta dish… chef’s kiss!
To end the evening, enjoy the nightlife in Rome by wandering the cobbled streets, visiting the Parthenon, Trevi Fountain and indulging in a gelato.
Itinerary Day 1
Embarkation Day from Civitavecchia
09:30 am - Train ride from Roma Termini to Civitavecchia
Taking a train is the cheapest way to get to the cruise port. I would advise buying tickets in advance online. It only cost about £10 per person for the 48 min journey. Alternatively, you can take a 150 euro Uber or 25 euro bus. That particular day I had heard that there was a lot of traffic on the roads due to an accident so, always checking local travel updates.
10:56 am - Arriving in Stazione Civitavecchia
Once you arrive at the station and exit, directly across the road there will be a queue of people with suitcases in line for the shuttle bus to the cruise terminal. These ‘port mobility’ buses fill up pretty quickly but come every 10 minutes. It costs €3 per person. Some people saw the growing queue and decided to walk to the ship which would have taken them 25-30 minutes. This is always an option.
11:40 am - Boarding the Ship
Once at the Terminal at your allocated slot, drop off our luggage with the staff and go straight to the security queue. All in all, it should take 15 minutes. Thankfully for us it was a smooth process and the excitement began as we checked in and made our way on board the ship. Once on board make it your priority to register at your muster station, familiarise yourself with the safety instructions and finally settle into your cabin. We spent our first few hours checking our standard balcony cabin 7580, grabbing a free ice cream, eating in the buffet restaurant and chilling on the balcony until the sail-away party. Finding out how to pick the best cruise cabin for you is very valuable when booking a cruise.
20:00 pm - Dinner Ready
Take in the first of many beautiful sunsets from your balcony, port window or up on the top deck before heading out to your first evening meal. At the Main Dining Room (MDR) there are usually a delightful selection for a 3-course meal with excellent customer service. Later, enjoy the night in the Schooner bar listening to reggae music by some fantastic onboard artists.
Itinerary Day 2
Sea Day
09:00 am - Morning!
Nothing can beat waking up to blue skies and the ocean welcoming you with its sea breeze! Don’t forget to start your day right with a yummy big breakfast at the Windjammer buffet. People either love or hate sea days but whilst you don’t get to visit a new city, there is so much to see and do on the ship. Sun lounge, run laps, spa sessions, mini golf, swimming, musicals, karaoke and eating amazing food are some of the things you can get up to.
11:30 am - North Star
We had a booking at the Odysessy of Seas Sea North Star which cost £15 extra pp. It was totally worth it with epic views of the ship and the ocean from up above. Book early in advance or even have the opportunity to book when on the ship. Note: it is a free extra if docked at a port. If you are lucky you may also see dolphins and turtles at the side of the ship like we did! The staff are very kind and offer to take everyone’s photos at the top. The rest of the sea day is best soaking up the sun at sea. Bliss!
19:30 pm - Evening
In the evening get dressed up for the ‘Formal Day’ dinner at the MDR. Typically there is one formal night a week which you can fully take part in or avoid like the plague. I just love dressing up. The atmosphere is amazing seeing everyone dressed up in suits and formal dresses. In the MDR I had salmon, mash, crème brûlée. Don’t forget to head to the Royal Theatre later to watch the talented performers; magicians, musicians and dancers. At this location, you will find world-class performers. The great thing is they put on a few shows a night to give everyone an opportunity around dinner reservations.
Itinerary Day 3
Santorini
13:00 pm - Hello Santorini
Santorini is a bucket list island that will welcome you with its postcard-perfect views of white-washed buildings and cobalt-blue domes. The ship will dock further out at sea and transport passengers by tenders ashore to Skala. Disembark as soon as possible to beat the crowds and get ther earlier tender boats out.
14:10 pm - Speedboat to OIA
When ashore, below the cliff-perched town of Fira, tickets can be bought at a booth that says “Transfer to Oia by speedboat return to Fira” by Dakoutros Bros. This is behind the very long queue for the cable car up to Fira. Alternatively you can walk up the hundred of steps if that is how you want to start your day. Later in the day we do come back to Fira at the top of the cliff.
The boat will wait until it is full to capacity. We waited approx 20 mins and then we were off. The price of this speedboat trip and return to Fira is 30euros pp. The speedboat took a scenic 30 mins from Fira to Ammoudi Bay. Once arriving at Ammoudi Bay, you will be instructed to walk a short but steepish incline up winding hill to the private coach waiting to take you to Oia village. They will give you the times of the return coach to Fira from Oia which departs every hour.
15:40 pm - Exploring Oia
Explore the narrow streets of Oia by discovering charming boutiques and tasting local ice-cream. From the drop off point walk 2 minutes to the Church of Panagia, which is a stunning building. Then take some photo’s in front of the blue-domed Church before wandering through more beautiful cobbled streets. There was a queue at this famous spot but nothing as long as I had seen when researching. See how many evil eye charms and merchandise you see because we saw a lot! The white washed buildings with the blue sea backdrop was such a dream coming to life for me! Definiatly try some gelato. We had to as it cooled us down in the heat. Follow the path to the Castle of Oia and see what you discover along the way.
17:50 pm - Oia to Fira
Head back to the drop-off/meeting point for the coach to take you to Fira. This ride is only 15 minutes and takes you to the other side of Santorini. This part of Santorini is more desolate and has a lot of farmland. Fira sits high up with a stunning view of the cruise ship in the distance. Once dropped off you will get the chance to explore what Fira has to offer. Pre-booking is a must if you want a guaranteed eating spot especially when cruise ships are in port. Necktar Lounge is a great place to reserve a booking as it has an ideal cliff edge view overlooking the water facing the sunset. It was 10 euros pp to reserves which was not deducted from the total bill. However, it has changed its requirements to a 50 euro reservation (deducted from the final bill) and 100 euro minimum spend at sunset times. I guarantee you though, you will eat amazing Greek food and watch a breathtaking sunset in Santorini.
20:30 pm - Heading back to the ship
As soon as the sun goes down, pay for the bill and set off back to the ship. Just note that most people from the cruise line will be doing the same and heading to the cable car queue. We found the queue to be wrapping around a lot of street corners. It was just too long for us to wait so we took a fun alternative, the steps down past the donkeys to the ship. This is the same route you can take up to Fira which I mentioned previously. This takes 22 mins down and as you can imagine a lot easier going down than up. Just prepare to dodge and weave between the donkeys and their poop. Some people opt to have a donkey ride, we did not.
21:00 pm - Waiting game to board
Getting down to the bottom you will then queue again for the tender boats to get onboard. However, for us there were endless queues with a backlog of those coming down on cable cars and those on foot. The whole process can be slow especially with selfish queue jumpers, but the ship obviously has to wait for you if 80% of passengers are still queueing to get back. When we went, the captain must have ordered more boats to help transport passengers over because we noticed more boats coming over to help speed things up. Once on board, you will be grateful for your cozy cabin after such a wholesome day.
I would love to return and spend longer on this island next time rather than just half a day and maybe see the sunrise also.
Itinerary Day 4
Ephesus
08:30 am - Hello Kusadasi, Turkey
Pull into Kusadasi, Turkey port whilst eating breakfast on the balcony. This was ordered the night before on a menu card and left outside our door. A wonderful way to start the day. We could see the Kusadasi sign on the mountains as we got closer to the port.
09:45 am - Best of Ephesus P&O Excursion
At Ephesus you have the option to explore independently or book onto an excursions. The “Best of Ephesus” tour (£90pp) is a great one to do with a knowlegable guide. For all RC excursions you have to meet the group in the royal theatre and get your stickers to identify the group you are in. You will then be shown to your coach where the tour starts. The guide was great at talking us through the full itinerary of the trip and areas we were passing by.
11:20 am - House of Virgin Mary
Firstly you will arrive at the House of Virgin Mary located in a secluded hilltop chapel, nestled in the heart of history and spirituality. It is said that this hilltop chapel marks the very spot where Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her final years under the watchful care of the disciple John. In an orderly fashion, you will walk through the chapel which has a tranquil ambience.
Beside the chapel, a freshwater spring is available for all. It is said to have healing properties and I can confirm it was very refreshing. A nearby wishing wall is where pilgrims inscribe their heartfelt prayers on paper, attaching them with colourful ribbons that flutter in the gentle breeze, creating a visual tapestry of hopes and dreams. From this panoramic viewpoint, you can overlook the ancient city of Ephesus and the charming town of Selçuk.
12:30 am - Ephesus Archaeological Site
The next stop brings you to the Ephesus archaeological site dating back to the 10th century BC. You will disembark off the coach near a market stall and walk through the ancient city. Take in the most prominent Mediterranean hubs of culture, trading and religion for hundreds of years is surreal. Look out for the well-preserved Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre. The theatre is huge and has great acoustics. Try and spot the cool carving of the goddess of Nike which apparently inspired the company we now know to be called Nike. We gained an insight into how Ephesus used to be thriving back in the days of the Roman Empire.
14:10 pm - Basilica Of Saint John
Hopping back onto the coach, you will next stop at the 6th-century Byzantine church built by Justinian over the believed site of the disciple John. In the 14th century, a devastating earthquake hit and left only a few pillars and walls behind. We managed to see what had remained.
14:20 pm - The Temple of Artemis
As one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, this marble temple consisting of 127 columns was considered to be the most beautiful in the world at the time. Originally built around the 7th century BC, it was rebuilt and expanded several times after flooding and arson. After its destruction by invading Goths in 262 AD, the site lay in disrepair, and materials were re-used in other buildings until the temple was rediscovered in 1869. Now the site is marked by a single column rebuilt from piecemeal fragments. Try and get the photos of that.
14:40 pm - Lunch
As lunch is included, you will stop at the luxurious Pine Bay Holiday Resort for a buffet lunch with other tours from the ship. There is a great selection but the horrendous queuing system was a shambles. Eventually, when you do get your food you will appreciate the Turkish cuisine that is served up. Afterwards go an explore a little of the hotel…you will be impressed.
15:40 pm - Back at Port
To conclude the tour you will get dropped back at the port in great time. The tour bus stops in front of a Turkmen carpet store where you will be ushered inside as part of an agreement they have. In the shop there is a short tour of how the carpets are weaved by hand and dyed. At the end of the tour, carpets and rugs were available for purchase. However, you are not obliged to stay so you can leave and see the rest of the Kusadasi port. There are many souvenir, clothing and shoe shops to look around. The vendors can be quite aggressive with their sales but don’t be put off.
17:00 pm - Back Onboard
Make sure to arrive back onboard in good time and if you are lucky, your cabin attendant would have made up your room leaving towel animals as decor like they did for us. After a lovely time in Ephesus enjoy the onboard activities and evening dining at the MDR followed by an evening show.
Itinerary Day 5
Mykonos
08:30 am - Mykonos
As we sail into Mykonos, set your alarm for 6 am to catch the stunning sunrise views! Fuel up for the day with a delicious breakfast at the buffet before heading off the ship. It is very accessible to grab a water taxi from Mykonos’ old town to the new town for just €6 each (round trip)! The journey takes about 20 minutes, and the booth is conveniently located right in front of the taxi rank. While walking is an option, many people recommend the water taxi due to limited sidewalks for pedestrian safety.
09:00 am - Exploring Mykonos
Mykonos, has a vibrant energy, romantic atmosphere and pristine beaches, providing a perfect contrast to the historical richness of Ephesus. Weave through the quiet, cobbled alleyways and soon approach the lively waterfront of Mykonos Town. Look out for those iconic windmills! Hold onto your hats – it gets quite windy here. You are sure to notice a personal photographer capturing ladies in their flowing dresses in front of the iconic windmills. A perfect backdrop. The heat intensifies as you stroll down the bustling Main Street, “Axioti.” A few scoops of ice cream at ‘I Scream’ is a perfect way to cool down! Find a peaceful spot on the rocks, a renowned “Romantic sunset” location near Agios Haralampos church, and simply soak in the stunning scenery.
10:35 am - Mykonos Beach Time
Walk further along to Mykonos Bay Hotel which is a beautiful white-washed building offering comfortable lounge chairs for the day at €30. Here you can spend the day lounging by the seafront with spectacular views over the ocean. Maybe dip your toes in the crystal clear water but don’t be fooled, it is icy cold! The great thing about this hotel is that you also have access to their private swimming pool. The music, the vibes and the attentive waiters make this a great way to spend most of your day in Mykonos.
Mykonos Bay hotel address:
Mykonos Bay Hotel
84 600 Mykonos
Greece, EU
13:50 pm - Leaving the Beach club
After a relaxing time, head back on foot to the town. This is your chance to see the independent shops and quaint boutiques in the town before heading back to the ship. Every corner has a laid-back charm. Catch a glimpse of the stunning little Venice on your route back to the ship. You will get the return taxi boat back to the old port.
16:00 pm - Back on Board
If you get back to ship earlier than most cruisers, you can make the most of the free activities. You must pre-book which I did for 4:30pm. Head to the Ripcord by iFLY experience which is usually €15 on the sailing ship but free if the ship is docked. This is a great reason to return back to the ship earlier. I have tried iFLY in Manchester but being on a ship doing a skydiving simulator was a must for me!
18:00 pm - Sailaway & Dinner
Watch the sailaway from Mykonos, finish your evening at the MDR and to top it off, end it your day in the theatre watching a show.
Itinerary Day 6
At Sea
A day at sea aboard the Odyssey of the Seas allowed us to indulge in the ship’s amenities. From the FlowRider surf simulator to gourmet dining experiences, the ship offered a world of entertainment. Evenings were spent enjoying Broadway-style shows and fine dining under the stars.
11:00 am - Captains Corner & Kitchen Nightmares
It was great meeting the Captain who shared personal experiences of navigating the ship. It was great to be able to ask questions and receive genuine answers from the captain. The Kitchen Nightmares was a cooking competition between the leads of all the departments on the ship. Very funny to watch especially with the head chef Gary, who I had seen on my first ever transatlantic cruise.
20:00 pm - Dinner
We dressed up for speciality dining at Izumi sushi! This is worth the money if you love sushi as the food is on point as well as the customer service. You definitely leave that restaurant full and content.
21:00 pm - Battle of the Sexes show
This was a fun adults evening game show where the sexes battled at doing certain tasks. It was full of laughs and made for a great night of entertainment.
Itinerary Day 7
Naples
Naples, our next port of call, has so many options of places to see – Capri, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast or Naples itself. We chose to book ‘Capri on your own’ with the cruise line. This means transportation over to the island is sorted. You can save money and book this independently at the ticket office when you reach however, if you are late back to the ship, it won’t wait for you.
08:30 am - Naples to Capri
Meet the group nice and early at 8:30 am off the ship after breakfast and make your way over to the ferry ticket office with the group. No need to worry about the tickets as the tour guide does this for you. Taking the 09:10 am ferry, it takes 40 minutes to get to Capri. The guide will give you options to explore yourself, pay for a bus-only tour (30 euros pp) or a bus and ferry tour (40 euros pp) when we decided to get. I would recommend getting the bus and ferry tour to see as much as you can in the time given to explore the island.
10:30 am - Grotto Azzura & Faraglioni Rocks
The ferry tour is prompt and gives a very informative and enjoyable tour around the natural beauty of Capri. You will see the blue cave up close, go through the Faraglioni Rocks arch and around the famous coast. The duration for this tour is 1hr.
11:45 am - Anacapri
Next the tour guide will meet you as you get off the ferry and direct you to the mini-buses. The buses go to Anacapri town which is the highest part of the island. We were given 2 hours to explore. I saw the chairlift Seggiovia Monte Solaro and knew we had to take it for the views. There is usually a queue but it moves relatively quickly and takes a leisurely 10 minutes to get to the top. Take lots of pictures of the panoramic views at the top!
A minibus will take you back to Marina Grande where you will have some time before returning by jetfoil to Sorrento.
13:10 pm - Anacapri to Capri
After spending 20 minutes at the top, we set off back down. You can easily spend a whole day at the top wandering around the shops, open cafe’s and restaurants. When back in Anacapri, walk around the little cobbled streets which sell some really cool and unique handicrafts, shoes and Capri’s famous perfumes. The bus the drives further down the hill to more shops and restaurants in the heart of Capri.
I needed to eat a lemon sorbet and get a picture overlooking the coast.. so that is what I did! Nothing more refreshing than that tangy goodness on a sweltering hot day in Italy! Do not miss your ride back down which will take you to Capri Marina Grande lower down the hill.
16:00 pm - Back to Naples
The guide should get you on the 4pm ferry back to Naples. It was so quiet at the port when we got back and although it was a natural thing to panic, we were rest assured that we would make it back in good time with the peace of mind it was with a cruise excursion.
21:00 pm - Last Meal
Once on board, unwind and enjoy one last MDR meal and evening show in the royal theatre. A lovely end to the day.
Itinerary Day 8
Rome
07:00 am - Return to Rome
Returning to Rome, disembark with hearts full of memories. The Odyssey of the Seas has seamlessly woven together the allure charm of history, island life, and the luxury of a modern cruising. To conclude with a sense of gratitude for the unforgettable week at sea enjoy your last breakfast at the Windjammer buffet before heading off the ship.
09:00 - Shuttle Please
The queue for the shuttle to the train station can be super long as this is the popular option. After waiting 30 mins or so you should be on your way to the station. Some people walk to the station but this is not the most popular option with a lot of luggage in tow.
10:52 am - Civitevecchia- Termini
Make sure to pre-book tickets as they sell out on popular days. We did pre-book on Omio and got the 10:52 train which took 1h26 mins to get back to Rome Termini.
12:30 pm - Metro to Vatican
To see some more of Rome, you can take the metro (which is a great way of getting around the city), to the Vatican City (Ottoviano Metro stop). This was one of the other things to check off our list. It can slow you down pulling your suitcases on the cobbles streets of Rome but do not let that ruin the fun. Take it all in once you reach the Vatican City by sitting down by the steps viewing St Peter’s Square. My mum and I loved it. Why not visit the Vatican museums and sistine Chapel.
14:00 pm - Taxi
I would recommend getting a marked taxi when looking to head back to the airport. After an Uber had cancelled a pickup, we hailed a taxi that took us to the airport which was convenient and cost us 40 euros for the 40-minute journey. The great things is that there are set prices printed in every marked taxi so that prices are standardised. We were back in plenty of time for our 18:45pm flight!
This 7-night Greek Islands itinerary is sure to give you some guidance for when you embark on this travel experience yourself.
YOU WILL REALISE LIKE MYSELF THAT ROYAL CARIBBEAN ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS IS NOT JUST ANY VACATION BUT A BLEND OF RELAXATION AND ADVENTURE.
