Join us for a Rail-Cruise to the fabulous Greek Islands - and Istanbul where we have an extended stay so you can fully enjoy the amazing sights and sounds of this superb city. Aboard Louis Lines’ flagship vessel, Cristal you will find a casual and friendly atmosphere, warm Greek hospitality and attentive service. During your cruise there will be a variety of activities and fun activities, but it’s entirely up to you to decide how you wish to spend your time on board. Either way, the English-speaking staff will always be there to attend to ensure you enjoy a memorable holiday. The cruise itinerary offers a complete Greek island destination experience combined with an extended visit to Istanbul - an undoubted jewel of the middle east. The holiday starts with a scheduled early-morning BA flight from Heathrow Airport to Athens. We then transfer to Louis Lines’ flagship vessel, the Cristal, for our 7-night cruise, visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos & Rhodes in Greece, Agios Nikolaos in Crete, Kusadasi & Istanbul in Turkey. There are optional shore excursions (at additional cost) at each port of call to explore the locations in more depth. The Cristal stays overnight in Istanbul to allow more time to discover its delights. At the end of the cruise we visit Athens’ legendary Acropolis (admission not included) before continuing to the airport to join our return BA flight to Heathrow.

Itinerary: Day 1 - Friday - London Heathrow to Athens
06:15: Join the early morning flight from Heathrow to Athens. Transfer to the port of Piraeus to join the Cristal. 17:00 Cristal departs Piraeus and sails towards Istanbul, Turkey.
Day 2 - Saturday - Istanbul, Turkey
15:00: Istanbul with its blend of East and West has resulted in some of the most magnificent architecture in the world such as Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace with its treasures of the Ottoman Empire.
Day 3 - Sunday - Istanbul, Turkey
18:00: A second day in Istanbul - Cristal departs at 18.00hrs.
Day 4 - Monday - Mykonos, Greece
15.00 - 23.58: Beneath its sophisticated surface, lies a quiet essentially Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbour.
Day 5 - Tuesday - Patmos, Greece
07.00 - 10.30: This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is near the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The Monastery of St John, built on one of the island’s highest points, houses priceless icons and manuscripts.
Day 5 - Tuesday - Kusadasi, Turkey
14:30 - 20.30: A tour to nearby Ephesus - where history truly comes to life - should not be missed. Walking towards the ancient harbour, on a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces like the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheatre where St Paul preached.
Day 6 - Wednesday - Rhodes
07:00 18:00: The beautiful “Island of Roses” has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages.
Day 7 - Thursday - Agios Nikolaos, Crete
07:00 - 12:00: Agios Nikolaos, the capital of Lassithi, is a picturesque town in the eastern part of the island built on the peaceful bay of Mirabello. It is named after the charming Byzantine chapel of St Nikolas, built during the 7thcentury, with its bell tower, drum and dome.
Day 7 - hursday - Santorini, Greece
17:00 - 21:00: The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Thira has white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafés and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs, which are accessible by cable-car or mule.
Day 8 - Friday - Piraeus, Greece
06:00: Disembark after breakfast and join the coach for the transfer to Athens International Airport. En route to the airport we will visit the Acropolis, site of the legendary Parthenon (entry not included). We continue to the airport to join your BA flight to Heathrow.
Day 8 - Friday Athens - London Heathrow
19.05 Flight departs Athens International - lands at Heathrow 21.00.

The Cistal
The flagship of the Louis Line fleet, Cristal weighs 25,611 tonnes, has 480 staterooms and 9 passenger decks. Several stateroom categories are available, all equipped with shower, WC, wash basin, air conditioning, telephone and TV.
Onboard facilities include:
3 Lounges & Disco, 2 Restaurants, 2 Casual Dining Rooms, Bar, Terrace Bar, Pool Bar, Casino, Internet Corner, Duty Free & Travel Value Shops, Photo Gallery, Beauty Salon, Wellness Centre, Swimming Pool, Whirlpool Bath, Telephone, Fax, Satellite phone, Doctor on Board.

INCLUDED: Return BA flights from Heathrow to Athens • Transfers in Athens • 7-night cruise aboard the Cristal (price is per person sharing an inside twin/double bedded stateroom - upgrades available) • All meals on board (breakfast, lunch & dinner each day) • Entertainment
NOT INCLUDED: Local travel to/from Heathrow Airport • Porterage Services • Optional Excursions • Gratuities aboard the Cristal • Travel Insurance
Tips/Gratuities: £5 per person per day will be added to your onboard account to cover gratuities. You may alter the debit and pay gratuities at will, if preferred.
Deposit: £150pp.

Staterooms

DECK PLAN