Sun-Kissed Odyssey – Santorini & Barcelona

About this cruise

This one leaves Barcelona on September 5, 2026 and spends 8 nights visiting Valletta, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Piraeus (Athens) at a pace where every day has something going on but there's always time to just sit and watch the water too. You finish in Piraeus (Athens). 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 Malta, Türkiye and Greece, 3 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. Most ports give you about 11 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Celebrity Xcel joined the Celebrity Cruises's lineup in 2025. Still has that new-ship feel. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. You'll probably start planning the next one before this one's even over.