Ocean Discovery – Katakolon (Olympia), Iraklion & Rhodes

About this cruise

The kind of trip where you lose track of what day it is, and nobody cares. 11 nights from Venice on October 21, 2028, visiting Katakolon, Heraklion and Rhodes, with additional stops along the Eastern Mediterranean. 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. The Eastern Mediterranean route takes in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Croatia, 4 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. 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 Lirica keeps you well fed. 5 places to eat, with 4 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. 11 nights is long enough to build a routine on board: favourite restaurant, favourite deck chair, favourite people. It starts to feel like a floating village. A proper voyage for people who like to take their time and hate rushing through destinations. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 11-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.