Cruise Program

Greek Odyssey - Oceana P&O Cruise

Join your ship in elegant Valletta and enjoy exploring Oceana before arriving in Athens (tours from Piraeus). Here, the iconic Acropolis gracefully dominates every view of the city and the pedestrians-only historic centre links all the most significant ancient sites while Athens’ vibrant café life and relaxed lifestyle clusters around it.

Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Mykonos and the ancient wonders of Olympia (tours from Katakolon), site of the Olympic Games in classical times. Next we visit the beachside town of Sarande on the stunning Albanian Riviera, with its national parks, idyllic bays and rich history.

Enjoy one more relaxing sea day while sailing to Valletta, before flying home. 

Main stops of your itinerary:

Malta - Malta 

The fortifications at Malta’s Grand Harbour speak volumes about her past, indeed her reputation for valour during the Second World war earned her the George Cross and there aren’t too many islands you can say that of! 

Athens - Greece 

The Acropolis – ‘High City’ - will always be the top attraction from Athens cruise port Piraeus.

With its 2,500-year-old Parthenon, temple to Poseidon and Athena, Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus, it quite literally stands out as an oasis of calm in the frenetic Greek capital.

As part of the major revamp the city had for the 2004 Olympics, 400 modern buildings were cleared from the ancient meeting place next to the Acropolis, the Agora, which was then restored and linked by walkways to the Acropolis, Hadrians Arch, the Academy of Plato and the Monastery of Daphne.

Other nearby ancient sites include the Roman Tower of the Winds and the Hill of the Muses where Socrates is said to have drunk hemlock. Below the Acropolis is the fun place to shop or barter, eat moussaka or Greek salad, drink wine or ouzo and, of course, to people-watch: the 3,000-year-old Plaka. 

Mykonos - Greece 

One of the most visited Greek islands; Mykonos is a jewel in the Aegean Sea, famed as a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination. It is one of the most visited islands in the Aegean, yet still retains much of its picture postcard beauty. Mykonos effortlessly strikes a balance for visitors with a mix of lively bars and restaurants in the most populous areas, with nearby areas of tranquillity, outstanding natural beauty and rich history.

The Town of Mykonos is a hive of activity with some of the most famous landmarks such as Little Venice, famous for its picturesque medieval two and three storey houses which stand like a colourful wall against the sea. Mykonos is also world famous for its beaches. Kalafati Beach is a prime example with golden white sand lapped gently by a crystal clear sea. 

Katakolon - Greece

The small Greek port of Katakolon was developed in the 19th century to serve the thriving local trade in currants. Today it is your starting block for Olympia – birthplace of the Olympic Games.

A pretty town on the banks of the River Alpheios, Olympia lies only a short drive away from the port and its historic stadium – where the first Olympic torch was lit in 776 BC and is a fascinating site to explore.

You can still see the marble starting blocks used by early athletes in the 45,000-seat arena, as well as the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the gigantic Temple of Zeus - its gold and ivory statue of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

If you have already visited Olympia, you could spend your day exploring the lush wine country north of Katakolon and sampling the local vintages. 

Sarande - Albania

The attractive small town of Sarande is the gateway to southern Albania. Lying on a beautiful horseshoe bay, between the mountains and the Ionian Sea, it’s just opposite the island of Corfu.

Part of the Albanian Riviera, Sarande has a stylish main promenade lined with trendy hotels and restaurants. Above the town is the old castle of Lekures at ‘The Pass of Six’, where you’ll find an outdoor restaurant within the castle, offering panoramic views over Sarande Bay below.

Nearby on the Ksamili Peninsula lies the Graeco-Roman site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of pre-Greek civilisations, a Roman city and a Byzantine Port, and has fallen under the influence of the Normans, Venetians and Ottomans. Needless to say, the remains here are spectacular! Close by you’ll also find the 12th century Mesopotamian Monastery and the intriguing Blue Eye spring.