Lavender Lullaby – Corfu & Athens

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 7 nights from Istanbul on December 2, 2026, visiting Corfu, Bari, Piraeus (Athens) and Izmir. With 4 port days and 2 at sea, there's room for each stop to breathe. Crossing 3 borders through the Eastern Mediterranean: Greece, Italy and Türkiye. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Orchestra takes the food seriously, with 5 restaurants to choose from. 3 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Istanbul has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. The timing adds to it: swapping cold weather for sunshine and sea air is the whole pitch for a winter cruise. You start in Istanbul and come back with stories from Greece, Italy and Türkiye.