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A Journey of Aegean Allure & Ancient Echoes

7 nights May 17, 2027

The A Journey of Aegean Allure & Ancient Echoes is a 7-night Europe cruise aboard EXPLORA II, operated by Explora Journeys. Departing Istanbul on May 17, 2027, the voyage visits 7 ports. Fares start from $5,440 per person.

from $5,440 pp

Continues on Explora Journeys's site

See prices

Itinerary

Istanbul
Istanbul photo
Istanbul photo
Istanbul photo
Day 1 May 17, 2027 Istanbul Departs 23:55 A shore excursion on your MSC Mediterranean cruise can be the opportunity to discover İstanbul which stands astride two continents, Europe and Asia. As if its spectacular geographical location were not enough, it can also boast of being the only city to have played capital to consecutive Christian and Islamic empires, a role that has shaped the region’s history for more than 2500 years and bequeathed to İstanbul a staggering wealth of attractions. Most cruise visitors spend all their holiday time in Sultanahmet, home to İstanbul’s main sightseeing attractions: the church of Aya Sofya, the greatest legacy of the Byzantine Empire; the Topkapı Palace, heart of the Ottoman Empire; and the massive Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque). Here also are the ancient Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (housed in the former Palace of İbrahim Paşa), the eerily lit Yerebatan Sarnıcı, a fascinating Byzantine underground cistern, and the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the largest covered bazaar in the world. The monumental architecture, attractive parks and gardens, street-side cafés, and the benefits of a relatively traffic-free main road combine to make this area pleasant for both sightseeing and staying on an MSC Mediterranean cruise excursion. İstanbul’s Ottoman-era Grand Bazaar gets more than its fair share of souvenir-hungry visitors. The area around it, however, is relatively little explored, which is a shame as it holds some very worthwhile attractions, from the historic Cembirlitaş Hamamı, one of the best Turkish baths in the country, to the city’s very best mosque, the hilltop Süleymaniye Camii. The best single reason to head across to the Asian shore of the city is to experience a Bosphorus cruise. The views from the Bosphorus are superb, with domes and minarets dominating the skyline of the Old City, and skyscrapers the business districts beyond Beyoğlu. Go to Istanbul Cruises visiting Istanbul

Istanbul → Athens (Piraeus), Greece · approximate route

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 89-day span: $4,670 · range $4,670–$6,450

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $5,440

$777 / night

Fare rows

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,440

$777 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,680

$811 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,840

$834 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,960

$851 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,760

$1,108 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,040

$1,148 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,320

$1,331 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,360

$1,480 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Retreat Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $11,640

$1,662 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Serenity Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $17,840

$2,548 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cocoon Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $20,680

$2,954 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $51,760

$7,394 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 21, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Price history

30 days
All cabin grades (15) Detailed cabin specs available at booking.
Name Supplier code Type
Not listed
Cove Residence CO Suite
Cocoon Residence CR Suite
Deluxe Penthouse DP Suite
Grand Penthouse GP Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite GT Suite
Owner's Residence OR Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite OT1 Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite OT2 Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite OT3 Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite OT4 Suite
Penthouse PH Suite
Premier Penthouse PP Suite
Retreat Residence RR Suite
Serenity Residence SR Suite

Ship

EXPLORA II
Your ship EXPLORA II 5★ 63,900 GT 922 guests Built 2024 Exquisitely designed with the guest and relaxed, home-like comfort in mind - and in partnership with the world’s foremost superyacht and luxury hospitality designers - the innovative ship will seamlessly blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship and vibrant design. With 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences, guests will enjoy feeling closer to the sea and in port thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows and personal private terrace. Suites will start at 35 sqm (377 sq ft) which makes them among the most spacious for the luxury cruise category. Fourteen decks will provide ample indoor public space, maximizing guest choice and create areas of quiet seclusion and privacy. Generous outdoor decks will boast more than 2,500 sqm (26,909 sq ft) delivering stunning views of the sea, with 64 private cabanas across 3 outdoor pools. A fourth pool, with a retractable glass roof, will allow swimming and poolside relaxation in any weather. Combined with various indoor and outdoor whirlpools on the ship’s promenade deck, the ship has been designed with water as a real focal point of the onboard experience - helping our guests discover their ocean state of mind. Tailored to suit personal preferences, flexible dining times at nine distinct restaurants will provide unrivalled variety at sea. Each venue will celebrate global culinary talents, with a focus on provenance and wholesome ingredients sustainably sourced from local partners. To make sure guests are spoilt for choice, several indoor and outdoor bars and lounges will also be in place to unwind and relax. The wellbeing experience onboard was inspired by our love for the sea, with a spacious indoor/outdoor spa and fitness area on board. From treatment rooms to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, group workout classes to personal training appointments, tailor-made programs make keeping well while on holiday effortless and enjoyable. Bespoke wellness experiences at each destination will make relaxation and rejuvenation easily accessible both onboard and ashore. Go to EXPLORA II Cruises on EXPLORA II
Deck plan for Deck 3

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from $5,440 pp

Continues on Explora Journeys's site

See prices