The best Greek islands cruises will be a different ideal to each person, but a priority to most will be to get away from the stresses of our every day existence, coping with family, work, financial and home worries. The Greeks love to go cruising, which of course should come as no surprise, as they are all part of one of the greatest sea-faring nations on earth.

For many people it is enough to just book a day cruise, others see themselves enjoying a longer Greek cruise. Of course, there are many travellers who fill their vacation times with nothing but Greek cruises, either on a larger cruising vessel used by the Greek cruise lines or on a yachting charter that can be booked in advance and enjoyed at your leisure, whilst discovering all that the Greek islands have to offer, therefore taking a special place in your memories for all time.

Others might dream of a Greek island honeymoon cruise, shared with their beloved new spouse, on a smaller, more intimate ship kept special for the rest of their lives.

You don't have to discover cruising on a huge international ocean going liner, with 2500 twin berth cabins and 1500 crew, although this is the choice of many.

Greek islands cruises may take you to some of the most beautiful and fascinating ports in the world, including Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Olympia and more. You'll find beautiful beaches, white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches on every Greek cruise, plus magnificent antiquities and ruins of ancient civilizations.

Shoppers also love Greek cruises, as the country's relatively low cost-of-living translates into rock-bottom prices. Although, since the introduction of the euro and it's more recent gain in strength, prices do seem to be on the up.

The prime Greek cruise season lasts from May through November and the majority of Greek cruises generally sail for 7 to 14 days. Some Greek cruise ships may include a few other ports in the Mediterranean such as Istanbul or Venice.

A Greek Caique In Full Sail

However, you do have extremely comfortable cabins and great yogurt and honey breakfasts with fresh fruit, freshly-squeezed juices, wholesome cooked lunches and dinners prepared with good local produce and domestic wines.

Not forgetting the great company of like-minded cruisers.

All meals are usually served on deck whilst bobbing up-and-down in the harbour of one of the thousands of small villages scattered around the coasts of the islands. And, of course, you get your own skipper, engineer and crew, which is a kind of very personal service; you are normally the best of friends by the end of the holiday. Ask nicely, and they'll even let you take the helm.

These kinds of Greek islands cruises are very impersonal and quite often, considered my many to be informal and for some, very romantic. Your choice, will I'm sure, will be determined by the depth of your pockets, but none the less, it will be extremely enjoyable.

Your cruise price would usually include your cabin, all meals (including the midnight buffet!), entertainment, parties, and of course, all transportation between all the ports on your itinerary. On most ships, alcoholic beverages and optional shore excursions are not included in the basic price.

Think of a cruise ship as a floating resort on par with many international five star hotels. On-board activities begin at dawn and go into the small hours of the night. The scenery constantly changing, and every port is filled with new and exciting opportunities for exploration.

Generally, larger ships have the greatest choice of activities. You may wish to lounge on deck by the pool with a good book, sign up for exercise or cooking classes, swim, play bingo or bridge, gamble in the casino, take in a Broadway-style floor show or a magician's act, enter a talent show or a putting contest, take a dance class, get a massage or attend a lecture.

Greek islands cruises range from 3-night weekend escapes to custom built cruises which will take you anywhere for as long as you want. Many people decide after cruising on the larger ships for a while, that they want something a little less formal and opt for mid-sized ships offered by the likes of Swan Hellenic or Oceania cruise lines.

Cruise lines usually offer both a cruise-only price and an air/sea price that includes connecting airfare, transfers between the airport and ship and baggage handling. In some instances, only the cruise-only fare is available.

Quite often, Greek islands cruises offer excursions, which refer to anything you do off the ship, in port. At every stop, you'll have the option of exploring the area on your own or as part of a group with a planned itinerary. You might hike a a mountainside hike to an Acropolis, go fishing in the Aegean, tour the ruins in the city of Athens, or take a sightseeing tour on many of the Greek islands cruises.

A Grand Charter Sailing Ship

All cruises now require proof of citizenship. On some itineraries, a certified copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or government-issued photo I.D. are sufficient, on others a passport is required. Visas may also be required on the more exotic itineraries. Your Greek islands cruises advisor will advise you on documents you will need depending on your itinerary.

Greek islands cruises are perfect as a holiday with kids! Large cruise ships are now designed with kids-only facilities, counselors, daytime activities and nighttime baby-sitting. Children of all ages are welcome on most ships. Your cruise representative can advise you of the dwindling number of ships that are not kid-friendly.

A Typical Outside Cabin On Large Cruise Ship

In fact, on select sailings a number offer singles cruises with their own on-board host to organize exclusive singles cocktail parties, mixers, games, group excursions, single-mingle dining and more! You'll never have to feel alone on Greek islands cruises... unless that's what you're looking for!

Cruisng is now a really popular choice of holiday! More than ten million people will cruise in the next year, and cruising routinely earns the highest ratings in customer satisfaction amongst all holiday categories. Once you try it, you may become hooked.

If you are at all uncertain about the idea of cruising, why not consider cheap cruises to the Mediterranean, Greek islands or Eastern Mediterranean. Cheap last minute cruises are available from European & Mediterranean cruises.

Alternatively, a short three day cruise would suit you better as a first timer, perhaps. If you think that's an option you'd like to pursue take a look at Mediterranean Cruises- Louis Hellenic Cruises These are discounted European & Mediterranean cruises with Louis Hellenic Cruises

Sometimes, depending on the cruise, you will have a full day at sea. This normally means a full day spent sailing between two ports. Most Greek Islands cruises include one or more days at sea.

Things to be aware of when booking your Greek islands cruises

• Firstly, if you need to fly a long distance to reach your port of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or two days in advance of your Greek islands cruises. This will give you time to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most Greek cruise lines offer pre-cruise hotel packages.

• The Greek Islands summer can reach very high temperatures of up to, and including, 40 degrees centigrade so take great care and cover up. Being on the sea, the winds can make it seem much cooler, and whilst they may bring some comfort, this is the time when you have to be extra vigilant about getting burnt.

• Remember to drink plenty of bottled water, especially if you enjoy alcoholic drinks. Alcohol and the hot sun don't go well together, but providing you take care about getting into the shade occasionally and maintaining a healthy level of water intake, you will have a great time, we are sure.

• Take cash or travellers cheques as well as plastic, the credit cards can become de-magnitised and if that happens it will leave you very inconvenienced and who knows, embarrassed.

• Seems obvious, but make sure your passport is up to date and store it safely in preparation for your journey. Carry a copy of your passport page with your photo, and a copy of your driving license (in addition to the originals). Whilst the copies will never be accepted in the same way as the originals, it will make things a whole lot easier in resolving the problem of losing them; better to be safe than sorry.

• Greek Islands Cruises Tour Guide

  Don't forget comfortable shoes, its essential, as you will probably do a lot of walking and site seeing. Also, if you can, carry them with you at all times, as you never know when you might be called upon to do some walking; like when the taxi driver runs out of fuel and you have a deadline to get back to your departing ship (this actually happened to us and we were wearing 'flip-flops').

• Take enough of any medication you are using. It's also a good idea to take a letter from your doctor confirming the medication you require; it just makes it that much easier if you need to get replacement prescription for prescribed drugs.

• It is wise to take a warm top and a rain proof cover of some kind. You will be extremely unlucky if you discover rain on your Greek island cruise, but you will be drier.

• Pack your toiletries wisely, sun screen, tissues, insect repellents, moisture lotion, condoms; you know the score!

• An illness, an accident or an unexpected situation can arise before or during any type of vacation. Such an event might cause you to cut short your cruise or cause your trip to be cancelled altogether. Unfortunately, most cruise lines impose penalties for cancelling a cruise within 60 days of departure, up to and including loss of the entire cruise price. A few lines penalise for cancellations as much as 90 or 120 days in advance of departure.