Cradle of Empires – Istanbul, Athens & Rome

About this cruise

Block out 31 nights from September 25, 2027 and let this sailing from Southampton do its thing. The route covers Guernsey Island, Cádiz and Málaga, with additional stops along the Western Mediterranean and there's plenty of room to breathe between each stop. Expect a run of consecutive ports, 20 stops total, with the busiest days packed close together. The sea days around them feel earned. Crossing 7 borders through the Western Mediterranean: United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Türkiye, Greece and Malta. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. People come back from this cruise talking about Piraeus (Athens): The Acropolis beckons from the harbour. Roughly 11 hours ashore per stop. No need to rush. Sky Princess takes the food seriously, with 8 restaurants to choose from. 4 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. With more nights comes more time for the ship's rhythm to kick in: morning coffee in the same spot, evening shows, late-night conversations on deck. Families and groups will find plenty to do: waterslides, shows, multiple pools, and something for every age. And September is a good call. Still warm, less crowded, and usually cheaper too. 20 ports, 7 countries, one suitcase. That's the appeal.