Greek Island Glow


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £1854 pp £1748 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £2165 pp £1974 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £2363 pp £2164 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £4561 pp £4302 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.

Itinerary

Take a look at the shore excursions available for this itinerary.

Piraeus

It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.

11 May 2025

Summary

Santorini

Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants.

12 May 2025

Summary

Rhodes

Early travelers described Rhodes as a town of two parts: a castle or high town (Collachium) and a lower city. Today Rhodes town—sometimes referred to as Ródos town—is still a city of two parts: the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that incorporates the high town and lower city, and the modern metropolis, or New Town, spreading away from the walls that encircle the Old Town. The narrow streets of the Old Town are for the most part closed to cars and are lined with Orthodox and Catholic churches, Turkish houses (some of which follow the ancient orthogonal plan), and medieval public buildings with exterior staircases and facades elegantly constructed of well-cut limestone from Lindos. Careful reconstruction in recent years has enhanced the harmonious effect.

13 May 2025

Summary

Bodrum

14 May 2025

At Sea

15 May 2025

Mykonos

Although the fishing boats still go out in good weather, Mykonos largely makes its living from tourism these days. The summer crowds have turned one of the poorest islands in Greece into one of the richest. Old Mykonians complain that their young, who have inherited stores where their grandfathers once sold eggs or wine, get so much rent that they have lost ambition, and in summer sit around pool bars at night with their friends, and hang out in Athens in winter when island life is less scintillating. Put firmly on the map by Jackie O in the 1960s, Mykonos town—called Hora by the locals—remains the Saint-Tropez of the Greek islands. The scenery is memorable, with its whitewashed streets, Little Venice, the Kato Myli ridge of windmills, and Kastro, the town's medieval quarter. Its cubical two- or three-story houses and churches, with their red or blue doors and domes and wooden balconies, have been long celebrated as some of the best examples of classic Cycladic architecture. Luckily, the Greek Archaeological Service decided to preserve the town, even when the Mykonians would have preferred to rebuild, and so the Old Town has been impressively preserved. Pink oleander, scarlet hibiscus, and trailing green pepper trees form a contrast amid the dazzling whiteness, whose frequent renewal with whitewash is required by law. Any visitor who has the pleasure of getting lost in its narrow streets (made all the narrower by the many outdoor stone staircases, which maximize housing space in the crowded village) will appreciate how its confusing layout was designed to foil pirates—if it was designed at all. After Mykonos fell under Turkish rule in 1537, the Ottomans allowed the islanders to arm their vessels against pirates, which had a contradictory effect: many of them found that raiding other islands was more profitable than tilling arid land. At the height of Aegean piracy, Mykonos was the principal headquarters of the corsair fleets—the place where pirates met their fellows, found willing women, and filled out their crews. Eventually the illicit activity evolved into a legitimate and thriving trade network. Morning on Mykonos town's main quay is busy with deliveries, visitors for the Delos boats, lazy breakfasters, and street cleaners dealing with the previous night's mess. In late morning the cruise-boat people arrive, and the shops are all open. In early afternoon, shaded outdoor tavernas are full of diners eating salads (Mykonos's produce is mostly imported); music is absent or kept low. In mid- and late afternoon, the town feels sleepy, since so many people are at the beach, on excursions, or sleeping in their air-conditioned rooms; even some tourist shops close for siesta. By sunset, people have come back from the beach, having taken their showers and rested. At night, the atmosphere in Mykonos ramps up. The cruise-boat people are mostly gone, coughing three-wheelers make no deliveries in the narrow streets, and everyone is dressed sexy for summer and starting to shimmy with the scene. Many shops stay open past midnight, the restaurants fill up, and the bars and discos make ice cubes as fast as they can. Ready to dive in? Begin your tour of Mykonos town (Hora) by starting out at its heart: Mando Mavrogenous Square.

16 May 2025

Summary

Mykonos

17 May 2025

Summary

Piraeus

18 May 2025

Summary

*This holiday is generally suitable for persons with reduced mobility. For customers with reduced mobility or any medical condition that may require special assistance or arrangements to be made, please notify your Cruise Concierge at the time of your enquiry, so that we can provide specific information as to the suitability of the holiday, as well as make suitable arrangements with the Holiday Provider on your behalf.

Map

What's Included with Virgin Voyages

	Use of swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness centre and leisure facilities where available
	Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in a choice of included dining venues
	Use of swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness centre and leisure facilities where available
	Port taxes
	Adult only cruises
	Gratuities included on-board
	Return flights included from a choice of UK airports (fly cruise bookings only)
	Theme nights and deck parties
	Sailaway and deck parties, and character meet and greets

	Accommodation
	Entertainment throughout the day and evening
	Complimentary shuttle service from ship to port where available
	Themed events and discos
	WiFi included on-board
	Tea and coffee in seleted venues
	24-hour room service
	Selected complimentary drinks in selected venues

Explore Resilient Lady

The Wake

Pink Agave

Summary

Inspired by Mexico’s red-hot culture and sexy food scene, the experience at Pink Agave goes far beyond the usual taco. Shareable, social, and spicy — it transports you to the vibrant streets of Mexico City on an immersive odyssey of local cuisine. With the largest selection of tequila and mezcal at sea, and DJ beats to amp up the energy, we won’t judge if you order one of everything… and end up dancing on tables by the end of the night.

Razzle Dazzle

Test Kitchen

Extra Virgin

The Social Club

Summary From fairground staples like pretzels and hotdogs to modern takes on milkshakes and floats, The Social Club is perfect for playing a good game of air hockey, shuffleboard, foosball, and more.

Gunbae

Summary

If you're into hands-on meat grilling and soju drinking, our Korean BBQ is *the* perfect spot to do all that. Every meal at Gunbae begins with a Korean drinking game that includes a complimentary shot of soju. And since we all have that one friend who insists on being the meat master, this is the time to roast the master while the master roasts the meat. GUNBAE!

The Pizza Place

Summary Here you have complete control over your pie — from the dough to the cheese, a little cracked pepper, a little ricotta, and any other topping you want… Or you can just choose from the class menu and lounge on the hammocks outside.

Lick Me Till... Ice Cream

Summary

With six home (er... ship) made flavors to choose from, our scoop shop is the perfect stop for a mid-day or late-night snack. Vegan? Don't worry — we got you covered.

Sun Club Cafe

Summary Inspired by one of the most iconic dishes of the Hawaiian islands, we offer marinated tuna, chicken and salmon over greens or rice bowls. Fresh, tasty and healthy, they’re high in lean protein and healthy fats while giving you a sunny dose of veggies or whole grains.

The Dock House

Summary An effortlessly elegant yet cozy counterpart to the view-focused scene outside. The Dock House delivers bright flavors with live acoustic sounds. Enjoy some flame-grilled skewers or bites like house-made pita and dips from the roving Mezze cart.

The Dock

Summary Featuring the same Mediterranean-inspired menu as its indoor counterpart. The Dock brings you the ultimate in lounging with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.

Noodle Around

Bento Baby

Summary Head to The Galley and start your day with a Japanese breakfast, or end if with a bento box. Or actually, have a bento box for lunch, too (because you can do that, here).

The Sweet Side

Summary The Sweet Side of The Galley houses pastries in the morning (for the sweet-toothed breakfast lovers among us) and desserts later on. It's a non stop sweet fest, so leave your rude friends by the pool.

Well Bread

Summary Well Bread has fans, and we call them "Bread Heads". So make a little bread head and grab a pastry for breakfast or a flatbread in the afternoon or evening down at The Galley.

Diner & Dash

Burger Bar

Hot off the Press

Let's Taco Bout It

The Galley

Summary Modeled after popular food halls where you can taste a variety of options - The Galley, designed by Softroom - is your go-to for a quick bite, meal or pick-me-up throughout the day. Featuring a mix of more than eight shops and food-truck style carts, each spot will have a unique concept with signature dishes that change to suit the time of day. The Galley (takes a deep breath before reading an impressively long list) boasts a dedicated bakery and pastry shop, a panini shop, a burger grill, a taco shack, a sushi bar with bento boxes, a noodle bar, a soup and salad stand, and a 24-hour American diner. And exhale.

The Daily Mix

Summary This healthy joint in The Galley features yogurt and oatmeal dishes for breakfast and turns to soups and salads in the afternoon and evening. So if you're looking to mix it up in a healthy way, you know where to go.

Shore Things

The Manor

The Red Room

Summary

There’s a lot that’s special about The Red Room. It’s the first transformational theater at sea, featuring different modes which enable a variety of unique and engaging experiences.

Proscenium Mode: The most common theatre layout where Sailors won’t be more than 50 feet from the stage.

Alley Stage: Sailors face each other with the action separating them.

Flat Floor: With Sailors in the middle of the action with the show happening all around and direct access to a bar.

The Groupie

Summary

Have your best lead, diva, vocalist look on point for when you plan a night with friends in this modernist take on a Japanese style karaoke room. With song choices that span decades, genres, and octave abilities, these bookable private sessions require having your go-to tracks chosen, singing voice warm and invited friends ready for a private dance and song battle to remember.

Voyage Vinyl

The Social Club

Summary

The Social Club is the perfect hangout spot for those young in spirit. The Social Club’s full retro arcade pays homage to the epic childhood video games of yesteryear – like Pacman, Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and other various vintage arcade games. Sailors can also play classic games like air hockey, bar-top shuffleboard, foosball and board games. Yup - you’ve guessed it’s all included. The Social Club is also home to The Social Club Diner where Sailors can grab classic carnival bites, and The Loose Cannon, our nautically themed cozy seaside drinkery. Inner children are permitted to run wild here.

The Casino

Summary

Inspired by the sleek and futuristic elements of James Bond and 70’s-glam technicolor, the Casino has something for everyone. There are different zones of experiences for Sailors to indulge in: Tournament, Ocean, Adventure and Asian. Each zone offers games that fit with the theme, from traditional slot machines to table games like Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. But, if they’re not a gambler, they can grab a drink at the Casino Bar and let our dealers teach them how to play during port days so they have the confidence to play when we’re off in international waters.

The Dock Bar

Summary Outside at The Dock Bar, we offer the same libation list as inside at The Dock House Bar, where the star of the show is our premium rosé program. But that's not all - we have a selection of sparkly cocktails and spritzers to cool you off if the incoming sea breeze isn't enough. So re-think your siesta and move the ZZZs from your cabin to our shady (or sun-facing) lounges.

Richard's Rooftop

Sip

Summary Whether you’re craving a posh early breakfast, an indulgent high tea in the afternoon, or an effervescent nightcap to enjoy while gazing at the moon, our curated champagne lounge was specially designed to satisfy all your bubbles, caviar, and other glamorous needs.

Grounds Club

Summary It's early. You're still a bit blurry and coffee is the only thing you can focus on right now. Luckily, The Grounds Club isn't far, exclusively pouring one of the most satisfying and tasty brews you've ever had - from direct-trade pioneers, Intelligentsia Coffee. It's just like your favourite coffee shop with the best almond milk, double shot, latte you can't start your morning without...but with ocean views.

Draught Haus

Summary Casual yet discerning beer-connoisseur-approved, our stylish Draught Haus features a variety of beers on tap, a wide range of artisanal bottles, boiler makers, and shot cocktails. Sip on artisanal brews while drinking in endless ocean views from a cozy window seat, stop for one of our “All Day Breakfast” shots before heading out, or just grab a growler and bring your expertly curated craft beer with you.

On the Rocks

Summary Focused on aged spirits poured over ice, On the Rocks is the perfect place to make bold choices. Kick-starting the evening with live musical performances, dare to add a twist to your favorite cocktail, stir it up while trying a different flavor, or challenge our mixologists to shake things up and round out the night with a spirited masterpiece crafted on the spot, just for you.

The Loose Canon

Onboard Shopping

Scarlet Night

Events on Board

Summary

LOLA’S LIBRARY

Created by No Ceilings Entertainment. Part cocktail soirée and part immersive cabaret, follow our cast of characters as they take you through an eclectic book collection.

WE FANCY

Come as the fanciest version of you for a night of collective exuberance, featuring glamorous, global beats. Be prepared to travel around the world via music, and for a WOW moment not to be missed.

PERSEPHONE

Created by Kaleidoscope Entertainment. This immersive experience is a modern theater-styling meets classic Greek history. See the ancient Greek tale Persephone in a new way.

ANOTHER ROSE

A one-of-a-kind experience produced by Randy Weiner, and developed exclusively for us, this acrobatic love story is equal parts cabaret and immersive theater.

THE MISS BEHAVE SHOW

Created by Amy Saunders. Win and lose points during our never-the-same-show-twice game show. Our crew will keep you entertained while guiding you to a Grand Prize finale like you’ve never seen before.

FESTIVAL STAGE ACTS

Taking a cue from festival-style performances, our rotation of comedians, magicians, and specialty artists will keep you entertained with their unique style of theatrics and exhibition.

Red Bar

Sun Club

B-Complex

Training Camp

The Athletic Club

The Perch

Summary Located at the top of the ship on Deck 17 — right above the Athletic Club — The Perch is our charming and serene outdoor space devoted to the pursuit of Vitamin Sea and personal connection. Every morning starts with sunrise yoga, and when the day draws to a close, The Perch transforms into a space for intimate, social gatherings where you can connect with other Sailors with a sunset backdrop and a glass of champagne.

The Runway

Summary Our signature, Virgin-red running track forms a (255 meters-ish) halo-like vision over the ship, allowing you to sweat, strut or stroll. Because for some of us, the only kind of running we do is… from our problems. And don't forget the SPF — The Runway is outside and the sun, unlike our problems, will catch up with you no matter how fast you run.

Redemption

Summary

If your vacation isn't complete without the ultimate form of self-care, our spa will be your second home. Its Thermal Suite includes a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated marble hammam benches — so many ways to reveal a new version of you. From the first quartz bed at sea to massages so good they'll make you question life itself (plus a myriad of rejuvenating treatments that will revitalize your body and soul), we call it Redemption for a reason.

Aquatic Club

Summary With smooth curves and nautical details, we've created a pool deck with the sophisticated glam of a contemporary yacht. Whether you're looking to sunbathe in one of our daybeds or let last night's choices melt away in the pool, you can detox and recover… or start the party all over again. Don't be surprised if paparazzi mistake you for celebs — we're not legally responsible for how good you look on this ship.

Well Being Pool

Summary Conveniently situated between Gym & Tonic and our MyBeast strength bars, the Well-being pool is the perfect place to cool off and hydrate after you’ve worked up a sweat… or as you work on enjoying every drop of your favorite daytime cocktail.

Group Workouts & Classes

Catamaran Net

Summary There is also a great catamaran net for those who wish to sit back and watch it all happen from the comforts of the largest daybed at sea.

The Tune Up

Summary The Tune Up boasts a variety of luxurious manicures and pedicures ranging from organic and invigorating soaks to more lavish decorative nail art. And if you're looking for Medi-spa services like Botox, fillers, or IV therapy, you'll check in with us here and be taken to your therapeutic services.

Dry Dock

Summary Coif, tease, dye, or curl your way to the mermaid locks of your seafaring dreams. From instant highlights, blowouts, and conditioning treatments to a brow bar, lash services, and full drag-overs, the glam whizzes at Dry Dock are there to enhance your natural beauty and have you looking as good as you feel.

Stubble & Groom

Summary If your 'do is overdue for a trim, Stubble & Groom is the perfect place to refresh your look and refine your style. From Whisky with your Whiskers and authentic shaves to express haircuts and hip fades, this mid-century-styled haven nods to the British traditions of hanging out at barbershops to look and feel shipshape. Dapper up your 'do, kick your feet up, and put an extra pep in your step with a man-ly pedi at a place that feels like you've been going to for years — but with an ocean view.

Squid Ink

Summary

Historically traced back to sailors eternalizing their epic voyages and nautical milestones, tattoo art has always celebrated creative self-expression, tales of adventure, and unforgettable life experiences. Inspired by this maritime tradition and the power of its message, we’ve teamed up with World Famous Tattoo Ink, Soho Ink, and Freshly Inked Magazine to continue this legacy with rock ‘n’ roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea, at our very own tattoo studio on board.

Gym & Tonic

Summary After working up a sweat at B-Complex, relax with a wellness beverage at Gym & Tonic. A juice bar with numerous wellness offerings - including a full bar - Gym & Tonic has a myriad of drinks to help you wind down after giving your all...or some of your all. From made-to-order shakes and fresh or cold press juices to our Reset Cocktails that are healthy in spirit (while putting the spirit in healthy), there's no wrong way to thank yourself for taking care of your mind, body and soul.