Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

37° 56′ N 23° 38′ E

Peering through blooming pink bougainvillea to a blue domed church on the island of Fira, Santorini, Greece
ExpeditionsUi Arrow rightSailing the Greek Isles aboard Sea Cloud

Sailing the Greek Isles aboard Sea Cloud

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Highlights

Ship Sea Cloud under full sail
  • Experience the Cyclades while under full sail aboard a romantic tall ship

  • On UNESCO World Heritage-listed Delos, the mythological birthplace of twin gods Artemis and Apollo, visit the Temple of Apollo, an important archaeological site

  • At Tinos, see the active pilgrimage site of Panagia Evangelistria and terraced hillsides

  • Explore the cliffside Panagia Hozoviótissa monastery in Amorgós and ride a cable car down from a clifftop in beautiful Santorini

  • Explore Athens on a two-day pre-voyage extension or Crete on a three-day post-voyage extension

Day by Day

There are 39 islands in the Cycladic archipelago and thousands of years of history here to absorb. Numerous half- and full-day explorations are offered ashore as we move from island to island. Our historian, naturalist/certified photo instructor, and local guides provide insight and perspectives that bring depth to your experience. Alternatively, Sea Cloud offers a gracious setting for reading, relaxation, and glorious views.

Multiple routes available

Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.

2023 Expedition


Starts at

Piraeus, Greece

Ends at

Piraeus, Greece

Download Itinerary

Days 1-2

U.S. / Athens, Greece / Piraeus / Embark Ship

Depart on an overnight flight to Athens. Transfer to Piraeus and settle into your accommodations aboard Sea Cloud. Cast off and enjoy your first Greek sunset at sea. Dinner will be served on the ship tonight.

Meals Included: Dinner

Days 1-2

U.S. / Athens, Greece / Piraeus / Embark Ship

Depart on an overnight flight to Athens. Transfer to Piraeus and settle into your accommodations aboard Sea Cloud. Cast off and enjoy your first Greek sunset at sea. Dinner will be served on the ship tonight.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3

Sailing the Aegean

Our first morning on board is spent at sea, bound for the Cyclades and reveling in the blue magic of the Aegean horizon from our classic tall ship. Relax on deck with a book or journal. Watch the crew dance across the rigging to trim four masts’ worth of sails by hand. Attend interactive discussions led by our team of experts as they introduce the region’s history and ecology.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Sailing the Aegean

Our first morning on board is spent at sea, bound for the Cyclades and reveling in the blue magic of the Aegean horizon from our classic tall ship. Relax on deck with a book or journal. Watch the crew dance across the rigging to trim four masts’ worth of sails by hand. Attend interactive discussions led by our team of experts as they introduce the region’s history and ecology.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Tinos

Drop anchor at the island of Tinos, a sculptor’s haven dotted with villages full of terraced hillsides, Venetian-era dovecotes, and quarries renowned for their superb green marble. Explore the picturesque village of Pyrgos, generously adorned with carved marble facades. And visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria. Built around a miraculous icon, it’s Greece’s holiest shrine–and thousands of pilgrims make their way here every year to pray.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Tinos

Drop anchor at the island of Tinos, a sculptor’s haven dotted with villages full of terraced hillsides, Venetian-era dovecotes, and quarries renowned for their superb green marble. Explore the picturesque village of Pyrgos, generously adorned with carved marble facades. And visit the Church of Panagia Evangelistria. Built around a miraculous icon, it’s Greece’s holiest shrine–and thousands of pilgrims make their way here every year to pray.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Delos / Exploring

Designated a UNESCO site in its entirety, uninhabited Delos is an outstanding archaeological gem. In myth, it’s the birthplace of the twin Greek immortals Artemis (goddess of animals and the hunt) and Apollo (god of healing, music, and light). Spend a morning surveying the Terrace of the Lions and exquisite Temple of Apollo, among the many incredible ruins preserved here. The afternoon invites an impromptu stop at a neighboring island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Delos / Exploring

Designated a UNESCO site in its entirety, uninhabited Delos is an outstanding archaeological gem. In myth, it’s the birthplace of the twin Greek immortals Artemis (goddess of animals and the hunt) and Apollo (god of healing, music, and light). Spend a morning surveying the Terrace of the Lions and exquisite Temple of Apollo, among the many incredible ruins preserved here. The afternoon invites an impromptu stop at a neighboring island.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Amorgós

The easternmost island of the Cyclades, Amorgós is a bit less frequented than many, but no less impressive. After dropping anchor, take in the beautiful domed churches and windmills of the main city, a scenic enclave perched in the mountains. Explore the Panagia Hozoviótissa monastery, clinging tenaciously to a cliff face above the sea. Like so many others in this region, it was built a millennium ago to protect a precious religious relic.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Amorgós

The easternmost island of the Cyclades, Amorgós is a bit less frequented than many, but no less impressive. After dropping anchor, take in the beautiful domed churches and windmills of the main city, a scenic enclave perched in the mountains. Explore the Panagia Hozoviótissa monastery, clinging tenaciously to a cliff face above the sea. Like so many others in this region, it was built a millennium ago to protect a precious religious relic.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Santoríni

Venture into remarkable Santoríni—an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone that erupted 2,600 years ago to bury the resident Minoan culture in ash. Sail directly into the caldera and then drive through windswept vineyards to reach spectacular high views from the town of Oía. Tour the Archaeology Museum and excavations at Akrotiri, an important Minoan town preserved under volcanic ash like Pompeii, with well-built houses, streets, waterworks, pottery, and art. Later, the adventure continues aboard Sea Cloud.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Santoríni

Venture into remarkable Santoríni—an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone that erupted 2,600 years ago to bury the resident Minoan culture in ash. Sail directly into the caldera and then drive through windswept vineyards to reach spectacular high views from the town of Oía. Tour the Archaeology Museum and excavations at Akrotiri, an important Minoan town preserved under volcanic ash like Pompeii, with well-built houses, streets, waterworks, pottery, and art. Later, the adventure continues aboard Sea Cloud.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Sífnos / At Sea

In the morning, set foot on a rugged island known for its flavors, its beaches, its 227 churches, and its poets. A quaint harbor and scenic upper chora (village) invite exploration, and tempting local comestibles can be found at a waterfront taverna. This is also a fine place for a brisk walk or a lazy stroll along the beach. As afternoon arrives, we prepare to hoist Sea Cloud's sails once more and depart for Piraeus.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Sífnos / At Sea

In the morning, set foot on a rugged island known for its flavors, its beaches, its 227 churches, and its poets. A quaint harbor and scenic upper chora (village) invite exploration, and tempting local comestibles can be found at a waterfront taverna. This is also a fine place for a brisk walk or a lazy stroll along the beach. As afternoon arrives, we prepare to hoist Sea Cloud's sails once more and depart for Piraeus.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Piraeus / Disembark / Athens

Enjoy a farewell breakfast on board before disembarking Sea Cloud and transferring to the airport for your flight home—unless you’ve opted for our three-day post-voyage extension in Crete. A two-day pre-voyage extension in Athens is also available, should you want that upfront intro to the region.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9

Piraeus / Disembark / Athens

Enjoy a farewell breakfast on board before disembarking Sea Cloud and transferring to the airport for your flight home—unless you’ve opted for our three-day post-voyage extension in Crete. A two-day pre-voyage extension in Athens is also available, should you want that upfront intro to the region.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Download Itinerary

NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins.  Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details. 

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Ships

Ship Sea Cloud under full sail

Sea Cloud

Guests

58

Cabins

30

Return to the golden age of sail aboard this hand-sailed, four-masted ship

Traveling aboard Sea Cloud, a historic four-masted barque, is an overall multisensory experience of the rarest kind—and this is true wherever you choose to explore. The sheer opulence—antique furnishings, marble fireplaces, gold fixtures, exquisite accoutrements—of Sea Cloud is a testament to the efforts of the ship’s original owners, businesswoman and socialite heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and finance tycoon E.F. Hutton, who spared no expense in tasteful decoration. Whether you’re passively watching the athletic young crew scrambling high in the rigging, lolling in what Marjorie Merriweather Post called the “Blue Lagoon,” or learning to capture the sun on the sails with your Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, life aboard Sea Cloud is either the point or the perfect interlude between explorations.

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Expedition Extensions

the temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power. It was completed in 438 BC although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC.

Athens Pre-Voyage Extension

4 Days

From

$1,780

/ per person

Explore
View of historical building

Crete Post-Voyage Extension

4 Days

From

$2,730

/ per person

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Expedition Team

Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.

Captain Andrew Cook with guests and Staff on the Bridge of National Geographic Venture, Baja California, Mexico

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Staff serving drinks on the ship Sea Cloud

FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED

Guests toast to the sunset on the ship National Geographic Quest/Venture

CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES

A  young traveler enjoys the sun setting and casting a spectrum of warm hues across the sky on the ship National Geographic Orion, Java Sea

BRINGING THE KIDS

Family fun!

Expedition leaders take guests to explore daily by skiff in the Amazon

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Guests from the Lindblad Expedition ship National Geographic Explorer take the Polar Plunge off ice floe in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Southern Ocean.

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Explore the beautiful Cyclades as the ancients did, sailing from isle to isle under the power of the wind. The legendary tall ship Sea Cloud offers the chance to stand on deck and watch the orchestrated frenzy of crew members climbing aloft in the rigging to handset 30 sails. Our expedition visits iconic landmarks as well as hidden gems that are largely unknown to all but locals and discerning travelers. Visit small harbors and go on guided walks to learn firsthand about the history and contemporary life along these sun-drenched shores.

From

$13,080

/ per person

Does not include flight

Book Now
duration
9 Days

View our brochure for more details

Talk to an Expedition Specialist

+1.800.397.3348

From

$13,080

/ per person

Book Now
duration
9 Days

View our brochure for more details

From

$13,080

/ per person

Book Now
duration
9 Days

View our brochure for more details