Ocean Discovery – Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephesus) & Santorini

About this cruise

This one leaves Istanbul on August 18, 2027 and spends 10 nights visiting Kusadasi, Santorini and Mykonos, with additional stops along the Eastern Mediterranean at a pace where every day has something going on but there's always time to just sit and watch the water too. You get off in Civitavecchia (Rome), which is a good excuse to tack on a few days on land. Every single day is a port day. 10 stops with no sea days in between. You're busy from start to finish. Crossing 4 borders through the Eastern Mediterranean: Türkiye, Greece, Malta and Italy. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 11 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Norwegian Viva joined the Norwegian Cruise Line's lineup in 2023. Still has that new-ship feel. By night three you start recognising faces; by night ten you're swapping numbers. That's the magic of a longer sailing. 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. It's peak season, so the weather is at its best and the ship will be full. That's part of the fun. 10 nights of not thinking about anything except where to eat next. That's the pitch.