Sun-Dappled Shores – Athens, Istanbul & Corfu

About this cruise

You sail from Trieste on August 10, 2026 and spend 9 nights visiting Katakolon, Piraeus (Athens), Kusadasi, Istanbul, Corfu and Bari. It's a well-tested route and there's a reason people keep booking it. 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, Türkiye and Italy, 3 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. Most ports give you about 9 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Fantasia keeps you well fed. 5 places to eat, with 2 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. It's peak season, so the weather is at its best and the ship will be full. That's part of the fun. 9 nights of not thinking about anything except where to eat next. That's the pitch.