Greece & Turkiye Hosted Sailing June 27 - July 5, 2027 on Explora II

Jun 27 - Jul 5, 2027

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Full Itinerary Daily Overview Pricing

Julie Defee

Sojourney Travel: Journey with Jules

Overview

Seven nights carry you across two countries and two continents, with six ports weaving together ancient history and island ease.

The journey begins in Athens, where philosophy took shape centuries ago and monuments still rise above the modern city.

Skíathos comes next, offering pine-fringed beaches and a slower island pace, before Kuşadası opens the door to Ephesus and its extraordinary ruins.

The Greek island of Lesvos follows with olive groves, quiet harbors, and a literary history that shaped Greek poetry.

From there, the ship sails the Dardanelles, the historic strait linking the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara, on approach to Istanbul.

Istanbul brings a shift in tempo entirely — spice markets, centuries of layered heritage, and a skyline split between two continents.

The route closes with Mykonos, where whitewashed lanes and lively energy send the trip off on a high note.

Trip Details

Exclusive Perks

Book your suite and receive $200 in onboard credit, with an additional $100 available if you reserve by September 25. Additionally, if reserved by September 25, the deposit is only 10%. Beyond these onboard credits and reduced deposit, you'll have...

Inclusions

Your Journeys Includes: 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...

Day 1 · Sun, Jun 27

Arrive Early To Athens

Athens is a city that wears its history openly but doesn't stop there. Alongside ancient ruins, you'll find contemporary art galleries, gelato shops, small boutiques, and a genuinely lively modern culture layered right on top of it all. The obviou...

Day 2 · Mon, Jun 28 · Piraeus, Greece

About Your Cruise Line - Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys represents the ambition and long-held dream of the MSC Group and the Aponte-Vago family to create a transformative luxury ocean travel experience and brand that redefines the luxury cruise category. The concept: Vibrant, cosmopolitan, relaxed European luxury at sea. Instead of cruises, we create journeys – of the mind, and across the oceans of the world, to destinations on and off the beaten track. On board: Spaces that offer guests relaxed luxury, creating a home...

About Your Ship - EXPLORA II

Discover EXPLORA II, a beautifully crafted haven, the epitome of vibrant, cosmopolitan European elegance – a floating home-away-from-home

Piraeus

8:00PM

Athenians don’t live in the past. Ahead of its time, Athens exudes glamour and a sense of possibility - housing galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques alongside a plethora of museums. And you can’t help but marvel at the archaeological wonders of...

Ocean Terrace Stateroom Options starting at $4,910 per person, double occupancy

Starting at $4,910

Jun 28 – Jul 5

4 room options

Our Ocean Terrace Suites are amongst the largest entry-level suites in the industry. Each one has floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private sun terrace featuring a dining table and a daybed, allowing guests to feel closer to the ocean as it carries ...

Additional Stateroom Options starting at $5,660 per person, double occupancy

Jun 28 – Jul 5

Day 3 · Tue, Jun 29 · Skíathos, Greece

Skíathos

8:00AM – 6:00PM · 10hr

We will tender in Skiathos, one of 24 islands along an ancient trade route in the Aegean on Greece’s east coast, Skiathos is part of the Sporades, Greek for scattered. Known for its sandy beaches and scented pine forests that fall right down to th...

Day 4 · Wed, Jun 30 · Kusadasi, Turkey

Kusadasi

9:00AM – 7:00PM · 10hr

Prepare for an exclusive explosion of history, culture and carpets as we dock in Kusadasi. Walk in Cleopatra's steps and pay homage to the Roman ruins of Ephesus. Journey through fields bursting with cotton, olives and peaches until the hills broa...

Day 5 · Thu, Jul 1 · Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece

Mytilene, Lesbos

8:00AM – 5:00PM · 9hr

Today we tender in lovely Lesbos, a lush, jade gem hidden in plain site — 6 milies from the Turkish coast — this Greek island is far from the maddening crowds. Life moves resplendently slow here and history hovers in millenniums. Step ashore and p...

Day 6 · Fri, Jul 2 · Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul

9:00AM – Jul 3, 2:00AM · 17hr

Today we will dock and embark on a European and Asian adventure packed with a wealth of charm and cultural diversity. Roam the ‘blue’ mosque of Sultan Ahmet, the Grand Bazaar, opulent Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia or sink into a serene Turkish Bath...

Day 7 · Sat, Jul 3 · Istanbul, Turkey

Rest and Enjoy The Ship

After your long day in Instanbul, revive yourself in the ships lush amenities. A day at sea aboard Explora II is yours to shape entirely. The ship's design leans into open air and natural light, so mornings might start with a coffee on your terrac...

Day 8 · Sun, Jul 4 · Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos

9:00AM – 10:00PM · 13hr

If you start early after we dock, you’ll have Mykonos to yourself. Stroll narrow streets famous for Cycladic architecture and getting lost; white-washed cubed buildings, alluring boutiques, orthodox churches and traditional windmills. Join glitter...

Day 9 · Mon, Jul 5 · Piraeus, Greece

Disembark in Athens

7:00AM – 9:30AM · 2hr 30min

You choose if this is the end of your Greek treasures and soulful shores journey or if you continue to explore all Athens has to offer.

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