Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Princess offers several small ships that accommodate about 680 guests. Most of the staterooms on the ships have balconies and offer the same food, activities and atmosphere as the ship's larger counterparts. While the length of time varies on larger cruise ships, trips on the smaller ships generally last about seven days. The cruises take passengers through the Greek Isles starting at Athens and moving through the Ionian Sea. Other islands visited include Mikonos, Santorini and Katakolon, the birthplace of many ancient Olympians.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is a company based in Germany, and each ship in its fleet caters to between 164 and 420 passengers. Guests can choose from luxury ships to ships that specialize in expeditions to destinations throughout the world including the Greek Isles. Because the ships are smaller, it is possible for these ships to get to more remote locations. Each ship comes with exclusive programs and activities, food options and individualized attention and service. One of Hapag-Lloyd's cruise vessels, the Europa, was the only ship in the world to receive a 5-Star rating from the Berlitz Cruise Guide during the 2000s.
Louis Cruise Line has nine ships in its fleet traveling to destinations throughout the Mediterranean as of 2011. All of the ships have renovated rooms, and each has its own identity and theme from the Orient Queen with its Eastern influences to the Louis Cristal that is described as a luxury cruise liner. Although these are smaller cruise ships, each offers similar amenities, cuisine options and service as any other cruise ship. Itineraries include those starting in Athens and moving through the Greek Islands. Shore excursions are available in each port to further explore the history of Greece and its culture. Ports of call include Myknos, Crete, Santorini and Patmos, among others.
Silversea specializes in small cruise ships that focus on intimacy among its guests. Its cruise ships accommodate between 132 and 540 guests and travel to popular destinations as well as to smaller ports that large cruise ships cannot access. Silversea's cruises through the Greek Isles start in Athens, making stops in Crete, Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece and Kusadasi, Turkey before ending in Istanbul, Turkey. Most of the suites on the ships include a private veranda and include services such as champagne on arrival, robes and slippers and a refrigerator in the suite. Activities are plentiful and include shopping, classes, fitness centers, movies and demonstrations.