Istanbul to Athens with Oceania Allura: My Port by Port Highlights

Arriving in Istanbul: why the right hotel matters

Because we were landing in Istanbul in the early evening, I wanted a hotel that made everything easy:

• Central location so we could walk to somewhere interesting straight away
• Easy access to the port for the next morning’s transfer
• Good views and a sense of place, not just an anonymous bed for the night

The InterContinental was ideal for this. We had stunning views and were only a short walk from Hagia Sophia, which immediately helped us feel connected to the city.

It was a beautifully warm evening, so we did exactly what I always hope to do on arrival:

• Wandered down a busy shopping street,
• Enjoyed wonderfully sticky Turkish ice cream (dondurma),
• Nibbled on baklava and Turkish delight,
• People‑watched and dodged the tram as it rattled past.

It felt like a proper “we’re really here” moment and a lovely prologue to the cruise.

Bozcaada – island calm and the legends of Troy

Our first stop after leaving Istanbul was Bozcaada, a small Turkish island that acts as a gateway to Troy.

Even if you have read the myths a hundred times, standing near the site of Troy itself still feels goosebump‑worthy. The island gives you a softer, more local contrast:

• Quiet streets and a gentle harbourfront
• A slower pace that eases you into cruise life

It is one of those places that might not be on your radar before you sail, but lingers in your memory afterwards.

Izmir & Ephesus – even better the second time

From Izmir, we visited Ephesus. I have been before, and I can honestly say: it doesn’t matter. So much has been restored and renovated since my last visit that it felt almost like seeing it for the first time again.

There is so much to take in:

• The Library of Celsus, as dramatic and photogenic as ever
• The grand theatre & the terraced houses
• The marble streets, columns and houses that give you a real sense of a living city

My tip would be:

Even if you have “done Ephesus”, go again. Breathe it in slowly. There is more detail and more restoration every time, and it is definetly worth revisiting.

Nafplio – an unscheduled gem

Nafplio was not a scheduled stop on our original itinerary, and it turned out to be one of my favourites.

Because the Aegean swell was lively in parts, the Captain and team had to juggle the ports to make sure we stayed safe. Nafplio sits in a very sheltered bay, which meant we could tender safely ashore and avoid another full unscheduled sea day.

The town itself is gorgeous:

• Storybook streets with colourful buildings and little shops
• A pretty waterfront and a small fort sitting out in the bay
• A lovely place to sit & people watch with a cool drink in hand

This is one of those moments where cruise travel shows its “live” side:

• Safety has to come first, so sometimes itineraries change.
• Oceania handled it brilliantly, moving things around so that we didn’t end up with more than one unexpected sea day.

And honestly, I never mind when that happens. It simply gives you another reason to come back and do a different journey next time.

Chania, Crete – an unexpected reunion

Chania on Crete was another bonus for us. Again, it was not on the original itinerary, but when we heard the day before that we would be heading there and docking right by the town, I did what any good Travel Counsellor does: I got on my phone.

I contacted friends who live on Crete and we arranged to meet in the harbour.

We spent a lovely few hours:

• Wandering around the Venetian waterfront ad enjoying a coffee waterside
• Catching up over local food and drinks,
• Enjoying those harbour views away from the busiest tourist corners.

There is something very special about dropping into someone’s “local” world like that, and it is a side of cruising that people don’t always talk about: if you know people in port, or even just have recommendations in advance, a cruise call can feel very personal.

Santorini – how to handle the queues

I have been to Santorini before and it is as stunning as everyone says: that caldera view, the white‑washed buildings, the contrast of sea and cliff.

On this visit, though, four other ships had arrived before us. The result:

• A three‑hour queue for the cable car up to Fira,
• And the steps were temporarily unavailable when we visited due to a rockfall so no donkeys either..

So, while you can absolutely still go up, it really pays to have a strategy:

• Either be prepared to go very early, before the queues peak,
• Or head up later in the afternoon once the first wave of visitors has gone,
• Or opt for one of the small boat trips that take you around the island or to other spots in the caldera,
• Or simply enjoy the small harbour area with a drink and a view, without feeling you have to battle the crowds that day.

It is still Santorini – still jaw‑droppingly beautiful – but it is good to go in with realistic expectations on a busy day.

Athens – rooftop pool and Acropolis views

We finished in Piraeus for Athens, and Athens did what Athens does best: it greeted us with serious heat.

We had a long wait for our flight home, so rather than spending hours wilting in an airport, we decided to treat ourselves and pay to use a hotel rooftop pool with views of the Acropolis. It was the perfect final chapter:

• A few quiet hours by the pool, with maybe a cocktail or two
• A last look at that iconic skyline
• Time to decompress and reflect on the cruise before heading to the airport

If we had had more time, I would absolutely have added a few nights in Athens at the end. It is a city that really rewards a proper stay.

Would I recommend this route?

Yes, wholeheartedly.

This itinerary gave us:

• A mix of Turkey and Greece, history and island charm
• Big names like Ephesus and Santorini
• Pretty, slightly less obvious stops like Nafplio and Chania
• And a real sense of being looked after when the weather made things more interesting

My own cruise was 7 nights, and Oceania are currently offering a similar 9‑night version of this route in 2027.

In my next blog, I will move on to the bit everyone asks about with Oceania: the food. I will share how dining works on Allura, what we thought of Polo Grill, Red Ginger, Toscana and the Terrace Café, and a few simple tricks for getting the restaurant reservations you really want.