Louis Cruises has three ships that travel to Patmos. The Aquamarine departs from Athens, Greece, for a three-day or a four-day cruise and stops in Patmos for five hours. Splendours of Greece and Turkey is a seven-day cruise this cruiseline offers, onboard the Cristal. It also departs from Athens and stops in Patmos for three hours. In each case, tender boats take passengers from the cruise ships to the island, weather permitting.
Pacific Princess departs from Athens for a 12-night cruise called Holy Land: Venice to Athens. It features a 12-hour stop at Patmos and offers three different tours during that time. Visitors have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of Revelation, the Monastery of St. John, the Nunnery of Zoodohou Pigi, and the Simandris House, a 300-year-old house with a large collection of antiques. These tours aren't recommended for anyone with limited mobility, as visitors have to navigate steep steps and uneven surfaces. Hat, sunglasses and sun protection are recommended and the cruise line suggests you wear conservative clothing.
The Seabourn Odyssey departs from Venice and offers three tours that stop in Patmos. Passengers can choose either a 14 or a 21-night cruise. In addition to visiting the Grotto of Revelation, to view the walls of icons and paintings depicting St. John's visions, and the Monastery of St. John, visitors go to the Christodoulos chapel, which is covered with frescoes. They also make a stop at the old treasury which houses a collection of jeweled chalices, crowns, crucifixes, and old manuscripts. After strolling through the streets and viewing houses that date back to the 16th century, visitors will end their trip in a local tavern where they can sample ouzo and enjoy traditional dances.
The Silver Spirit sails from Istanbul on a seven-night cruise that stops in Patmos for 10 hours. Visitors can join one of two guided tours of the island or hire a private coach with an English-speaking guide for either four or eight hours, or they can explore on their own.
The MV Aegean Odyssey leaves from Istanbul for a 16-day cruise called The Holy City of Byzantium. It stops in Patmos for 10 hours. After touring the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John, visitors are free to spend the evening as they like. The cruise includes lectures by three professors to enhance visitors' understanding of art and history.
