Last updated: . This update separates the August 2023 itinerary from cable-car and port information checked for this revision; historical tour listings remain planning examples. Date information added October 28, 2026.
This is our family’s August 2023 cruise itinerary and recollections. Port schedules, shore excursions, transport, and venue details change; confirm current arrangements with the cruise line and local operators.
For our August 2023 family trip to Greece, long inter-island journeys gave us pause. Some Athens-to-Santorini ferry options we found took 10 hours or more. We were traveling with a gaggle of kids, so we looked for another way to visit the amazing country of Greece as a family.
The ferry prices we found during planning were another concern. Some options were around $100 per person at the time; fares change, so check current routes and prices. As a family of seven, ferry transfers, frequent hotel changes, and moving our luggage did not make sense for us.
We researched various Airbnbs, which demanded high prices in the summer months of our visit. Economically, we didn’t know how to visit Greece as a family.
A private yacht was another option we considered for seeing the islands without changing hotels. Our quotes were $30,000 plus fuel, which was beyond our budget. Those were quotes we received while planning this trip, not current prices. We kept looking for a way to visit Greece that worked for our family of seven.
Ultimately, we settled on a Greek cruise with Celebrity Cruise Lines. We have a wonderful travel agent, Deb, that we use almost exclusively when we want to travel by cruise. Cruising is a world of its own, with the need to understand the timing, the boats, the dock restrictions, the room accommodations, and more. It’s not a world we are all that familiar with, so we find using a travel agent to be immensely helpful in this situation. If you are also new to cruising, consider using a travel agent (or comment below for Deb’s info!).
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*
Our original family cruise video: Greece With Kids: Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes & Santorini.
Summer lined up with our children’s school break and brought warm weather on our trip. Our August visit was very crowded, and crowd levels and weather vary by date and port.
Ferry schedules, lodging, restaurants, and attractions can have different seasonal hours. Check the specific places and dates on your itinerary before booking.
Late May and mid-September may suit some family schedules, but weather and operating dates vary. Check the providers for your travel dates.
We went in late August. It was gorgeous and absolutely packed with people. I’ll be honest: At the time I wrote this, we had zero desire to return to Greece, and much of that feeling came from the crowds. In Santorini, the port area and ancient narrow streets were wall-to-wall people. Forget trying to get a picture; we could barely even see the city itself among the crowd of people.
However, Rhodes felt quieter to us and was perfectly magical. We loved the ancient city wall, vibrant markets, and awe-inspiring history. We also loved our quick stop in Athens and craved the amazing Greek food we had there. There can be some give and take when visiting Greece.
1. No packing up. The biggest perk of a cruise, Greece or not, is seeing multiple places without packing up and moving your stuff. Your hotel moves for you, and your room stays the same. Any parent knows what a time suck it is to set up and take down your home base when traveling, especially with little kids. Pile on the emotional energy required to figure out check-out times, luggage storage, transportation coordination, and the kids’ emotional well-being, and it’s exhausting!
We’ve traveled to nearly 50 countries with our five kids, most of which was accomplished through slow travel as we traveled full-time. Settling in for 3-4 weeks is much easier than settling in for 3-4 days, which is often required to fit into school breaks.
As our kids have gotten older, we’ve done some “fast” travel when we’ve switched lodging every one or two nights. The kids get worn out quickly from the packing (even with only carry-ons) and the constant changes. During our whirlwind Eurail train trip, we all got excited when we could stay in a hotel for three nights in a row. We’ve done it, but it takes some serious energy and dedication.
2. The on-board entertainment. In addition to being your floating hotel, a cruise ship can also be your mobile resort full of entertainment. With kids, we’ve done mid to large ships with at least pools and kid clubs available. One massive plus about a cruise journey is the ability to stay aboard the ship and entertain the family easily. Our kids loved the kids club on the Greek cruise and would beg to go as soon as we returned to the ship. This gave the adults some time to relax by the pool or nap before dinner.
On some ships, older kids may meet new friends and have more room to explore than on a land-based trip; what is possible depends on the ship and each family’s rules.
If your cruise ship is large enough, there can be nightly entertainment such as magic shows, theater productions, dance parties, and more. If you are someone who might pay to go to these kinds of events anyway (like myself), this will satisfy your desire for entertainment without extra cost.
3. Savings on your food bill. With many mouths to feed, we rack up large food bills wherever we are. On our August 2023 trip, eating out in Greece cost our family at least $100 per meal. Being able to eat a large breakfast on board, explore, and return for the included lunch and dinner was a big plus for us. We could still buy snacks or local favorites without relying on restaurants for every meal.
4. Avoid planning fatigue. Being the main travel planner and executor in my family, burnout from planning and keeping up with schedules does surface from time to time. I love the simplicity of a cruise itinerary that is printed and put on my bed each night. I don’t need to do hours of research and can instead sit back and enjoy the schedule provided by the cruise itself.
1. So many people. The top reason why many people avoid cruises in the first place is the sheer amount of people crammed into one boat. It can feel claustrophobic, for sure. Eating can be challenging without reservations at specialty restaurants, and the buffet can get old quickly after 6-7 days. Additionally, the ports in Greece are small and often require a tender boat. This means getting up early to get a tender boat number, waiting in line, waiting to get back to the boat, and waiting to access some of the hot spots.
2. A short stop can feel limited. For us, cruise crowds and brief port visits sometimes made it hard to get the experience we wanted. The Ephesus excursion described below felt commercial to us, especially the rug-shop stop where we felt pressured to buy. Private guides gave my parents more control over how they spent their time in port.
For us, a few hours in port gave only a small glimpse of a city. When this article was written, we lived in Lisbon and knew how different a short port visit felt from getting to know a place over time. A short stop may be enough for some islands, but it was a limited way for us to experience a city.
Some Greek islands are small enough that a few hours in port may feel worthwhile. My parents, who traveled with us, arranged private tours in each port through GetYourGuide that matched the hours our ship was in port. We traveled in private vehicles with local guides and saw a lot more of Greece that way. I’d recommend considering a private tour if it fits your schedule. The listings below are examples from our 2023 planning; confirm current dates, pickup locations, routes, and return times with the operator and cruise line.
3. Environmental impact. I worry about cruise ships’ effects on the ocean, and we felt some guilt about taking this trip. I was especially concerned about how ships handle waste, but I cannot speak to the practices of every vessel. Check the cruise line’s current environmental information if this is an important factor for you.
4. Lack of flexibility on dates. Cruise dates are set in advance, leaving less room to change travel days. A missed port can disrupt plans, but what happens depends on the circumstances and the cruise line’s terms. Review the itinerary and current booking conditions before traveling.
This is our actual itinerary in 2023, with notes on what we did or liked in each port.
Tendered 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
We booked a GetYourGuide self-guided scavenger hunt here that was initially fun but burned out quickly as the heat and day wore on. Thessaloniki is a mainland city rich in history. We liked seeing ancient Roman ruins, attending church, and learning about the White Tower. The boardwalk next to the ocean is also a lovely walk.
Watch the same original family cruise video: Greece With Kids: Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes & Santorini.
Tendered: 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Having shown our kids My Big Fat Greek Wedding in preparation for this trip, we were excited to see Aunt Tia’s homeland. I wholeheartedly recommend the movie; our kids loved it! Mykonos is gorgeous and maybe my favorite island. Wander the gorgeous blue and white streets and explore at your own pace, keeping your ship’s return time in mind. We had a wonderful lunch and did some shopping, although we found the prices insane and didn’t buy much.
We also booked a tour to Delos Island to see the ancient city. The kids kinda hated it, but it was fascinating for the adults. On the route we took, we found little shade and no water available; by the end we were scrambling for water and even shared some with the museum cats. We wished we had brought more. Check current conditions and plan water for the route you choose. You can hike here to the top of the city/mountain, so bring appropriate footwear and clothing. An umbrella can be used for the sun as well. Everyone should have plenty of sunscreen and hats.
Docked: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Ephesus was a huge draw for us, and we can’t wait to return to Turkey. It’s an amazing country! Ephesus could be explored for days and days. It’s mind-blowingly cool. If you are a fellow Christian, you will love standing in the theater where Paul stood and hearing the fantastic acoustics.
My family of seven booked a small group tour through the cruise company that included the interior apartments that had been uncovered. My parents spent a lot less on a private GetYourGuide tour. I’d go their route next time. They could go at their own pace, see what they wanted, and leave when they wanted. On the other hand, our guide didn’t even like kids, was snippy with the kids and us, and then hard-sold everyone at a Turkish rug shop later on. While the rug factory was kind of cool, they were hard-selling and were almost angry when we didn’t buy. It was not something we liked.
We liked walking around Kusadasi and getting Turkish ice cream. If a price is not posted, ask before ordering.
Docked: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rhodes was another favorite of our group. The old city is amazingly preserved. Again, we booked our own experience at the 9-D movie about Rhodes, which really brought the island and its history to life. The kids loved it! You can shop, wander, and enjoy the city.
Tendered: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Oh, Santorini… what a mixed bag. I was most excited about this stop, but unfortunately, I was highly disappointed. There are some important things to note here:
On our cruise, we tendered from the ship to the old port and took the funicular up the cliffs. Lines were long later, so my stepdad got in line at 6 a.m. for early tender numbers. We reached the island and rode the funicular, which cost extra, then walked for about 30 minutes in the cool morning to get that iconic Santorini picture. We saw amazing views and dozens of women in long, flowing gowns taking photos; it was hard to enjoy the scenery with so many people posing everywhere. For current fares and operating terms, check the cable car’s published fare list and official ticket page; its terms say timetables can change and service may be suspended in adverse weather.
We then walked back and met a private guide to tour the island. This was much nicer than only staying near the port, but it was still hot, dry, and kind of boring for the kids. The other port city (for ferry boats) was horribly packed with people and miserable. We saw the black sand beach only from a distance and were all excited to return to the boat.
When we returned to the boat, the funicular line looked overwhelming, and we were told the wait was about three hours. We chose to walk down the donkey path. The descent took us about 45 minutes on stairs carved into the cliff. Donkeys were also offered for rides then. Passengers ahead of us had warned us about their treatment. During our August 2023 walk, we saw donkeys bleeding under their restraints and being whipped; some appeared to have no water in the heat. Those are our observations from that day, not a report about current conditions or every animal. The Santorini Animal Welfare Association says it oversees a code of practice for donkeys and mules working in the Bay of Fira.
The path we walked was made of worn stone and felt VERY slippery. Even in proper footwear, I fell twice, and I saw others fall too. There was donkey poop, pee, and hay on the route, with many people trying to get back to the tender boats. It was honestly a horrible experience. My mom was separated from our group and got lost in the crowds. We couldn’t reach her and were trying our best to get the kids down without injuries. Everyone was soaked through with sweat in the sun. Ugh. I have no desire to go back to Santorini on a cruise journey!
Tendered: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
We did not get off the ship in Hydra. After the horrors of Santorini the day before and the kids’ absolute lack of desire to see yet another ancient ruin or do another tour, we stayed on board and enjoyed the pool instead!
These linked tours were examples in our 2023 planning, not a promise of current dates or cruise-port pickup. Check each operator’s current route, meeting place, schedule, and return time against your ship’s call.
Our original guide included these lodging ideas. Check each property’s current details and availability before booking.
Greece is packed with history and views to capture. Be sure to plan your cruise and make the best out of your stay with our tips and tricks.
Xoxo,
Leslie
This Charles Schwab Debit Card is a referral link. ATM rebates apply to eligible withdrawals under the account’s current terms; some charges, including dynamic currency conversion and point-of-sale transactions, are excluded. Read Schwab Bank’s current checking FAQ before relying on a rebate.
Catch great fare deals from Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Find a family-friendly hotel in Greece from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Greece while having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com.
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads.
Want to have a family photo shoot while traveling in Greece? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best travel memories in Greece as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
17 Crazy Cool Things To Do in Singapore With Kids
What to Know When Visiting Athens, Greece With Kids
Facebook
Pinterest
Youtube
8 Comments