Gilded Mediterranean – Rome, Santorini & Istanbul

About this cruise

A trip this long changes your rhythm entirely, and that's very much the point. 11 nights from Civitavecchia (Rome) on July 27, 2026, visiting Souda (Chania), Santorini, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Mykonos and Naples. The itinerary clusters several port calls together. Fast-paced for a few days, then the sea days hit and you can catch your breath. 3 countries (Greece, Türkiye and Italy) across the Eastern Mediterranean, each with its own character. You get around 11 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Celebrity Ascent launched in 2023, so everything on board is still new. You can tell. One of the underrated parts of a longer cruise: you actually get to know people. The couple from dinner, the group at trivia, the bartender who remembers your drink. A July departure puts you in the best summer conditions: long days, warm nights, plenty of sun. 11 nights of not thinking about anything except where to eat next. That's the pitch.