EXPLORA II

A Journey through Golden Shorelines & Enchanting Scenery

8D7N - Athens - Venice

From the Aegean to the Adriatic: Athens to Venice by Luxury Cruise

This Athens to Venice cruise is a 7-night Explora Journeys voyage on EXPLORA II, sailing from 26 July to 2 August 2027. It visits the Greek islands of Paros, Rhodes and Syros, then Dubrovnik and Hvar in Croatia, with one day at sea, before ending in Venice. Dining, drinks, Wi-Fi and onboard gratuities are all included.

Think of it as a summer week between two seas. The Aegean half is all light and whitewash: the beaches and fishing harbours of Paros, the medieval walls of Rhodes and the marble squares of Syros. Then EXPLORA II rounds the Peloponnese and turns north into the Adriatic, where pale stone towns line the coast.

A Venetian thread runs through the whole voyage. Venetians built the harbour castle at Naoussa on Paros and settled the hilltop quarter of Ano Syros, and a Venetian governor gave Hvar its theatre in 1612. In Dubrovnik the ship stays until 23:00, so you see the city walls glow in the evening light. And the journey ends where that thread begins, in Venice, the city that once ruled much of this coast.

Explora Journeys Itinerary

Istanbul - Athens

8D7N

Athens to Venice Route Map

Departure — Piraeus (Athens), Greece Arrival — Fusina (Venice), Italy

01 / 08

  1. Day 1Piraeus (Athens), Greece

    Departure

    Monday 26 July 2027 · Boarding 12:00–17:00 · Departs 20:00

    Your cruise begins at Piraeus, the port of Athens, with boarding between 12:00 and 17:00. Arrive in the city a day or two early and you can climb to the Acropolis in the cool of the morning, then visit the Acropolis Museum and have lunch in Plaka. Once on board, unpack, find your way around EXPLORA II and take a drink out to your terrace as the ship sails at 20:00.

  2. Day 2

    Paros, Greece

    Tuesday 27 July 2027 · 09:00–20:00

    Paros has the classic Cycladic whitewash and blue domes, at a gentler pace than its busier neighbours. In Parikia, the main town, the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the "Church of a Hundred Doors", traces its origins to the 4th century. Head north to Naoussa, a fishing harbour guarded by the ruins of a small Venetian castle, or cross to Antiparos to see its cave. With the ship in port until 20:00, a beach afternoon fits in easily.

  3. Day 3

    Rhodes, Greece

    Wednesday 28 July 2027 · 09:00–20:00

    The cruise port sits just outside the walls of Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk the Street of the Knights to the Palace of the Grand Master, built by the Knights of St John, who ruled the island for over two centuries. Then find the rose-coloured Suleiman Mosque from the Ottoman era that followed. At Mandraki harbour, two bronze deer stand where legend places the Colossus. For a longer outing, the clifftop acropolis of Lindos is about an hour away.

  4. Day 4

    Syros, Greece

    Thursday 29 July 2027 · 09:00–18:00

    Syros feels a world away from nearby Mykonos. Its capital, Ermoupoli, grew rich as a 19th-century trading port, and it shows in marble-paved Miaoulis Square, the grand Town Hall designed by Ernst Ziller and the Apollo Theatre, nicknamed "La Piccola Scala". Walk to Vaporia for its merchants' mansions above the sea, then climb to Ano Syros, the medieval Catholic quarter on the hill. The ship sails at 18:00, so start early.

  5. Day 5At Sea

    Day at Sea

    Friday 30 July 2027

    Between Syros and Dubrovnik, EXPLORA II rounds the Peloponnese and sails north through the Ionian Sea into the Adriatic. This is the week's only sea day, and it falls at the right moment, between the Greek islands and Croatia. Swim in one of the ship's heated pools, spend an hour in the spa's thermal area, which your fare includes, and linger over lunch. The ship reaches Dubrovnik at noon tomorrow, so there is no need for an early night.

  6. Day 6

    Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Saturday 31 July 2027 · 12:00–23:00

    EXPLORA II arrives at midday and stays until 23:00, so you see Dubrovnik at its best, in the warm light of evening. Enter the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the Pile Gate and stroll the Stradun, its polished main street. Walk the city walls for views over terracotta roofs and the
    sea, kayak beneath the ramparts, or take the short boat ride to Lokrum island. Then stay inside the walls for dinner.

  7. Day 7

    Hvar, Croatia

    Sunday 1 August 2027 · 08:00–16:00

    Hvar Town wraps around a harbour of palms and yachts, watched over by the Fortica, a hilltop fortress with sweeping views of the Pakleni Islands. St Stephen's Square, the largest in Dalmatia, holds the cathedral and the Arsenal, where a theatre founded in 1612 ranks among Europe's oldest public
    theatres. Swim off the Pakleni Islands, or visit the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain, first farmed by Greeks from Paros. The ship sails at 16:00.

  8. Day 8Fusina (Venice), Italy

    Arrival

    Monday 2 August 2027 · Arrives 08:00 · Leave the ship 09:15–10:30

    EXPLORA II docks at Fusina, Venice's cruise terminal on the mainland edge of the lagoon, at 08:00. You leave the ship between 09:15 and 10:30, and the historic centre is a boat or road transfer away. If you can, stay on: Venice deserves a night or two for St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the
    quieter canals. Ask your CRUISELECT advisor about a hotel stay in Venice or Explora's optional post-journey package.

Explora Journeys

Inclusion

  • Meals & Beverages

    Nine distinct culinary experiences, including In-Suite Dining, Unlimited beverages including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits, specialty coffees, teas and soft drinks, available anytime, including in-suite, One in-suite welcome bottle of champagne on arrival, One in-suite bottle of wine and one in-suite bottle of spirit of your preference on arrival

  • Transfers

    Shuttle services from port to city centre (where required / available)

  • Supporting Staffs

    Authentic and intuitive service from our team of hospitality experts, Onboard gratuities

  • Access

    Access to Ocean Wellness – The Spa thermal area, Group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities

Explora Journeys

Facilities

  • Service around the clock

    Authentic, intuitive service from a team of hospitality experts, with an industry-leading guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to 1. Concierge services are on hand 24 hours a day.

  • Wi-Fi by Starlink

    High-speed complimentary Wi-Fi in every suite and public space. In some navigation areas it may be slower or unavailable.

  • Ocean Wellness

    Access to the thermal area of Ocean Wellness – The Spa on deck 5: steam room, hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall and heated marble loungers. Group wellness, fitness and mindfulness activities and rituals are included too.

  • Housekeeping

    Twice-daily housekeeping, including evening turndown, and a shoeshine service.

  • Shuttles into town

    Shuttle services from port to city centre, where required and available.

  • Pools and whirlpools

    Five pools: Astern on deck 5, Atoll on deck 10, The Conservatory under a retractable glass roof on deck 11, the adults-only Helios on deck 12, and the hydrotherapy pool in the spa. Two indoor and three outdoor whirlpools sit on decks 11, 12 and 14.

  • Fitness

    The Fitness Centre and Fitness Studio on deck 10, a 250 m running track on deck 12, and Open Air Fitness and a 14.2 × 11 m sports court on deck 14. In-suite fitness is available too.

  • Boutiques

    The Journey, Buccellati, Rolex, Panerai and Piaget boutiques and a Cartier watch store, all on deck 4.

  • Accessible suites

    Ten suites have accessibility features: one Grand Penthouse on deck 9 and nine Ocean Terrace Suites on decks 8 to 10, all close to the lifts. Features vary by suite, so share your needs when you book.

  • Services on board

    A Medical Centre on deck 3, Guest Services and Destination Experiences on deck 4, Future Journeys Ambassadors on deck 5, and guest launderettes on decks 9 and 10.

  • Ocean Grand Terrace Suites add

    Priority dinner reservations at select restaurants, complimentary pressing of garments within 24 hours of check-in, and one bag of laundry per suite, each once per journey.

  • Ocean Penthouses add

    Everything above, plus priority check-in and embarkation where available, and one more bottle of wine or spirit of your choice: three bottles in all.

  • Ocean Residences add

    Everything above, plus private butler service by Residence Hosts, an enhanced In-Suite Dining menu and in-suite breakfast, a full in-suite bar, unlimited laundry and pressing, priority Destination Experiences reservations, a VIP embarkation lounge where available, and round-trip airport transfers up to 80 km (50 miles) each way.

  • The Owner’s Residence adds

    Everything above, plus a dedicated Residence Manager as butler, Dom Pérignon on arrival, unlimited priority reservations at every restaurant, priority spa access and one treatment per guest, a private driver ashore once per journey, a hotel night before or after where available, and home-to-airport transfers up to 80 km (50 miles) each way.

Explora Journeys

Ship Details

461

Suites

14

Decks

248m

Length

1.25:1

Guests per host

Gross tonnage
63,900GT
Beam
32 m (~105 ft)
Height above waterline
56 m (~184 ft)
Speed
18 knots, 20.2 knots max
Suite sizes
35–280 sqm (377–3,014 sq ft)
Suites with accessibility features
10
Pools and whirlpools
5 pools, 5 whirlpools
Total public space
~16,600 sqm (~178,680 sq ft)
Outdoor public space
~6,250 sqm (~67,275 sq ft)
Outdoor public space per guest
~6.5 sqm (~70 sq ft)
Voltage in suites
110/220 V
Sailing since
2024

Explora Journeys

Ship Map & Sections

Suites
461, all ocean-front
Guest-to-host ratio
1.25 : 1
Length
248 m · 813 ft
Decks
14
Gross tonnage
63,900 GT
Pools
5, plus 5 whirlpools

Choose a deck on the ship to see what is on it.

9 / 11
Deck plan · Deck 5Forward
  • Public rooms
  • Pools & whirlpools
  • Open deck
  • Lifts & stairs
  • Crew & services
Ocean Wellness, The Spa on deck 5 of Explora II

Ocean Wellness · The Spa

Deck 5 · Restaurants, art & The Spa

Deck 5: Ocean Wellness Spa, restaurants and the Astern Pool

Deck 5 runs from Ocean Wellness, The Spa, at the forward end to the Astern Pool & Bar at the stern. In between are three restaurants, Anthology, Marble & Co. Grill and Sakura, along with Crema Café, the Astern Lounge, the Galleria d’Arte and the MSC Foundation.

On this deck

  • Ocean Wellness, The Spa713 m² · thermal area · 11 treatment rooms, 2 of them private spa suites
  • Future Journeys Ambassadors
  • AnthologyRestaurant · 70 seats, 22 of them outside · 294 m²
  • Crema CaféCafé · 70 seats · 415 m²
  • Marble & Co. GrillIncluded · 90 seats · 330 m²
  • Galleria d’ArteArt gallery · 304 m²
  • MSC Foundation
  • SakuraIncluded · 106 seats · 255 m²
  • Astern LoungeLounge · 69 seats · 302 m²
  • Astern Pool & BarPool and bar · 84 outdoor seats

Explora Journeys

Room Types

OWNER’S RESIDENCE

OWNER’S RESIDENCE

  • Deck 8
  • Total 280 sqm
  • 1 Suites

The full width of the stern, with a whirlpool terrace, dining for eight and your own Residence Manager.

COCOON RESIDENCE

COCOON RESIDENCE

  • Deck 6
  • Total 149 sqm
  • 2 Suites

The largest Residence after the Owner's, with a vast stern terrace and a whirlpool at its best view.

SERENITY RESIDENCE

SERENITY RESIDENCE

  • Deck 7 & 9
  • 4 Suites
  • Total 113 sqm

At the stern, with a wraparound terrace about as big as the rooms inside, a whirlpool and a daybed.

RETREAT RESIDENCE

RETREAT RESIDENCE

  • Deck 7,8,9
  • 6 Suites
  • Total 77 sqm

Right at the front of the ship, with views over the bow, a terrace whirlpool and a 2-metre king bed.

COVE RESIDENCE

COVE RESIDENCE

  • Deck 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • 10 Suites
  • Total 70 sqm

Your first step into the Residences: separate rooms and private butler service from Residence Hosts.

GRAND PENTHOUSE

GRAND PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Total 60 sqm
  • 10 Suites

Separate spaces to dine, relax, work and sleep, and a double sofa bed so the children can stay with you.

PREMIER PENTHOUSE

PREMIER PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 8, 9, 10
  • Total 52 sqm
  • 40 Suites

An entrance hall, separate rooms to live, dine and sleep, and glass doors onto a terrace with a daybed.

DELUXE PENTHOUSE

DELUXE PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6,7,9,10
  • Total 48 sqm
  • 10 Suites

A Penthouse zoned for living, with a large lounge, dining for four and, in some suites, a bathtub.

PENTHOUSE

PENTHOUSE

  • Deck 6,7,8,9
  • Total 43 sqm
  • 7 Suites

The first Ocean Penthouse: a proper lounge, a dining table for four and a sun terrace with a daybed.

OCEAN GRAND TERRACE SUITE

OCEAN GRAND TERRACE SUITE

  • Deck 6,7
  • Total 39 sqm
  • 70 Suites

The Ocean Terrace Suite layout with a bigger terrace, on decks 6 and 7, plus priority dinner bookings.

OCEAN TERRACE SUITE

OCEAN TERRACE SUITE

  • Deck 6,7,8,9,10
  • Total 35 sqm
  • 58-100 Suites

Explora's entry suite, with floor-to-ceiling glass, a walk-in wardrobe and a terrace with a daybed.

Explora Journeys

Available Departure Dates

July 2027
Explora Journey Explora II Istanbul to Athens Availability Date departures, July 2027
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2728293031
  • Available
  • Selected
  • Sold out

Why Book With CRUISELECT?

CRUISELECT is a travel agency specialising in luxury cruises and luxury train journeys. Book with us and a dedicated advisor curates your whole journey around your special requests, from the suite you choose to the anniversary you want to celebrate on board.

  • Curated Around You

    We only recommend ships and trains we have vetted ourselves. Your advisor then matches the route, suite and dates to the way you like to travel.

  • Your Special Requests

    A birthday on board, a dietary need or an accessible suite? Tell us once. We share each request with the operator before you travel and follow it through.

  • Direct Partner Access

    We work directly with Belmond, Orient Express, Explora Journeys, Aman and Four Seasons, so your advisor checks suites, dates and requests with the operators themselves.

  • Extra Benefits

    Booking with us can unlock onboard credit, amenities or a limited-time offer on selected cruises. Your advisor will tell you what applies to your dates. Terms and conditions apply.

How Do I Book a Luxury Cruise?

Booking with CRUISELECT takes four steps. Tell your dedicated advisor your dates, budget and special requests, and we curate a shortlist of cruises and luxury train journeys to suit. Once you choose, we secure your suite, pass each request to the operator and stay on hand until you are home.

  1. Consult

    Contact a CRUISELECT advisor with your dates, budget and who is travelling. Mention every special request, however small.

  2. Curate

    We shortlist the ships, trains and suites that suit you, and shape the itinerary around your requests. You review it and change anything until it feels right.

  3. Confirm

    When you are happy, we reserve your suite and pass your requests to the operator. You receive a clear booking summary, including payment and cancellation terms.

  4. Cruise

    Board with everything arranged. Your advisor stays in touch throughout the journey and is ready to plan the next one when you return.

Contact Us for Reservation