In 2023 we did a cruise out of Athens and loved our pre-cruise time in Athens. So this year we looked for crusies departing from Athens and stopping at ports that were new to us. Additionally this cruise ends in Istanbul, Turkey a city we loved when we first visited in 1978. I wonder if anything has changed!!! Thus our 2025 plan is again a combo-cruise which will give us a few extra days in Athens and Istanbul.
Our combo-cruise vacation requires a lot of flying. We leave out of SFO with a stop-over in Philadelphia before taking a over-night flight to Athens, Greece. Arriving in the morning after a red-eye flight and 10 hours of time difference means good accomodations is essential. This trip we have decided on Athens Gate Hotel. The Athens Gate Hotel has some fantastic views and is locate in an area we are familar with that has lots of great dining locations. On our last Athens visit we mostly walked the area around the Acropolis. This visit we would like to see more of Athens and have booked a 72hr pass on the HopOn-HopOff bus.
After three days in Athens to recover from our jet-leg we take a short Uber ride to the port and the Sun Princess. Sail away is not until 7p so we are in no hurry to leave the Athens Gate.
The Sun Princess is largest ship we have ever sailed on. This cruise ship is the first of Princess cruises' Sphere class and the largest ship ever built in Italy. The Sun Princess can accommodate 4,300 guests. It is always fun to checkout a new ship. There appears to be mixed reviews on the changes on a Sphere class ship so we have to do our own assessment.
At the top of this page is a map of our itinerary. Every port we are visiting is named and includes the day of when said port is visited. Below is the day-by-day arrival and departure times.
Mykonos, Greece=>Viator: Half-Day Highlights of Mykonos tour: A guided walking and driving tour of the best of Mykonos. Drive to several island hotspots like Kalafatis Beach and the charming village of Ano Mera. Then, take a walking tour to explore the white-washed buildings of Mykonos Town and see important landmarks including the windmills and the church of Paraportiani.
Ephesus, Turkey=>Ephesus, St. John's & Virgin Mary Shrine tour: A guided walking tour of Ephesus and its major sights celebrates the historical significance of this ancient city. Visit The House of the Virgin Mary, considered by the Vatican to be a Holy Place. Set in the Solmissos Mountains, the shrine is nestled among lush foliage; a curative steam flows through the grounds. Walk among the ruins of the Basilica of St. John, built over the tomb of St. John, where frescos and mosaics still remain and graceful columns hint at the structure's former grandeur. Next pass through the arched Magnesian Gate at Ephesus and begin a slow, downhill walk to the ruins of the Roman provincial capital, where your guide will highlight such pivotal sights as the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, the beautiful Celsus Library and the dramatic Great Theater. Back at port, shop for souvenirs and view a Turkish carpet-weaving exhibition.
Not many excursions on this cruise. Most of these ports are new for us so we are opting for walking tours. We may get guided walking tours driven by a phone app or simple do our own exploring. Our objective is to have more time on this cruise to explore all of what a Sphere class ship has to offer.
After the cruise we are spending a few days in Istanbul to experience this historic gateway city. Its unique geographical location, spanning both continents, has historically and continues to make it a major trade and cultural crossroads. While in Istanbul we are staying at the World Heritage Hotel. The hotel is located in the heart of the old city with views of the water and Blue Mosque.
This map of Istanbul gives a better picture of why Istanbul is referred to as the gateway city. The letter "A" on the map indicates where our cruise ship will dock. The cruise port is situated along the Bosphorus Strait, a vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and dividing the continents of Europe and Asia.
The letter "B" on this map is where our hotel is located, also referred to as the Historical Peninsula. Notice the "old city/historical peninsula" is physically separated from the cruise dock by a waterway called the "Golden Horn". In this area there are many attactions very close, so convenient. Hope we have enough time!!!