7 nights - Eastern Mediterranean with Istanbul - from/to Heraklion

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 7 nights from Heraklion on October 9, 2026, visiting Istanbul, Mykonos, Piraeus (Athens) and Souda (Chania). There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. Archaeological sites, ouzo by the water, and island-hopping through the Aegean. Most ports give you about 13 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, There are 11 restaurants on Mein Schiff 5, so you'd need to double up a few evenings to try them all in 7 nights. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 7-night sailing is a strong place to start.