With our newest ‘Cruise and Land’ program, Istanbul, the Three Continents & Athens , you can indulge in an enchanting voyage to explore Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Greek Islands, and Turkey. Enjoy the world’s renowned sites with our meticulously planned (optional) shore excursions for a truly insightful look into each dream destination. You’ll embark on a journey full of fascinating historic and cultural attractions.
Special Inclusions:
Book This Package
Tour Features
•
Air transportation from NYC, including fuel surcharge, (only included with Air/Land/Cruise plan) OTHER GATEWAYS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
•
5-night accommodations at selected hotels: 3 nights Istanbul & 2 Athens
•
7-day/6-night cruise, inside cabin with two lower beds and private facilities (Category IB)
•
Onboard the M/V CRISTAL including: - Captain's Welcome Cocktail Reception & Farewell Dinner - Full entertainment program & midnight snack buffet daily
•
6 included meals consisting of: - 5 buffet breakfasts at hotels - 1 lunch at authentic restaurant in Istanbul - PLUS Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily during cruise
•
Assistance at the hotel in Istanbul and Athens by local representative
•
Full day tour in Istanbul including lunch
•
Half day city tour of Athens
•
All transfers per itinerary (Land/Cruise Only rates do not include airport transfers at arrival and departure city)
•
Travel bag, one per person
•
Document holder and luggage tags
•
Hotel taxes and service charges
Day 1 Tue Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.
Day 2 Wed Istanbul
Morning arrival into Istanbul Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel by your local Central Holidays representative. Balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 Thu Istanbul
Today discover Istanbul and its history spanning 5,000 years. Tour includes the Hippodrome, the magnificent Blue Mosque and the glorious St. Sophia Basilica. Enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine during a lunch stop at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the lavish Topkapi Palace and end your day in the colorful Grand Bazaar. (B,L)
Day 4 Fri Istanbul
Full day at leisure to explore Istanbul on your own or join an exciting optional sightseeing tour of the historic Spice Market, followed by a cruise along the Bosphorus. Your Central Holidays representative will gladly assist you with Selection of additional tours. (B)
Day 5 Sat Istanbul/Cruise
Morning and early afternoon at leisure for some additional sightseeing or last minute shopping. Afternoon embarkation on the M/V Cristal to begin the fascinating 3 Continents Cruise. (B,D)
Day 6 Sun Mykonos
Morning at sea. Arrive in the early afternoon at the island of Mykonos, known for its white-washed buildings, harbor side cafes and shops. An optional excursion to Delos, legendary birthplace of the Sun God Apollo is available. Sail later in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Mon At Sea
Full day cruising southbound while enjoying the exhilarating beauty of the Mediterranean, relaxing and taking advantage of the many facilities and amenities on board ship. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Tue Ashdod (Israel)
Early morning arrival in Ashdod. You may choose between two full day optional excursions. One visits Jerusalem to see the Knesset and the Museum of Israel. Then, to Gethsemane Garden and other sites associated with Jesus and Christian tradition. In the Old City, visit the Temple Mount and its Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque. The second excursion visits Nazareth and other sights including St. Gabriel Church and Mary's Spring. Drive through ancient Tiberias and Capernaum, by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The Mount of the Beatitudes will be your final landmark. Your ship will sail in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Wed Port Said/Alexandria (Egypt)
Early morning arrival in Port Said. If planning to take an optional shore excursion, you may disembark and meet your ship later in Alexandria. The first tour goes to Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx and also includes a mini cruise on the Nile. The second excursion includes Saladin Citadel and the storied Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, Memphis and Sakkara and the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Thu Crete/Agios Nikolaos (Greece)
Morning at sea. This afternoon arrive at Agios Nikolaos, a quaint port town in Eastern Crete. A pleasant optional excursion is available, called A Taste of Crete. Drive by the gorgeous natural Bay of Elounda, then to Kritsa, a charming village with splendid displays of blooming flowers, fruit trees and plants. The excursion continues to a local Olive Oil Farm, where olive oil, wine & raki are still produced using traditional methods. Enjoy Cretan traditional music and dances by local performers. Return to Agios Nikolaos and your cruise vessel. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Fri Athens
Early morning arrival in Piraeus, where you are met by your Central holidays representative and transferred to your hotel in Athens. The balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight experience on your own the Athenian dining scene and the city's exciting nightlife. (B)
Day 12 Sat Athens
Morning tour includes Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Stop at the Panathenian Stadium, where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896. On the Acropolis, visit the glorious Parthenon and conclude the tour by a visit of the new Acropolis Museum. Afternoon is at leisure and in the evening, join the Athenians in the Plaka district for good food, fun and merriment. (B)
Day 13/Sun/Athens/USA (or extend your stay)
This morning transfer to Athens Airport for your return flight to the USA, arriving the same day. (B)
US Departures for 2010
Now that you have chosen your package, the following chart below shows “Land Only” rates. To add your airfare, go to Book your Package, select "Flight + Land", select your departure date and departure city and you will add our most competitive airfares to your land price.
Rates (except cruise portion) indicated on the website are subject to currency fluctuations. The correct price is available by either booking your reservation online or through our Call Center at 1-800-935-5000.
Once we have received your deposit, the price is guaranteed from any future fluctuations in the rate of exchange.
Dates
City
Type
2 Star
3 Star
4 Star
5 Star
Rates for 2010
*
*
Aug. 10, 2010
Land & Cruise
$1,362
$1,399
$1,655
Aug. 24, 2010
Land & Cruise
$1,362
$1,416
$1,750
Sep. 7, 21, 2010
Land & Cruise
$1,362
$1,416
$1,801
Oct. 5, 19, 2010
Land & Cruise
$1,362
$1,416
$1,801
City
2 Star
3 Star
4 Star
5 Star
Istanbul
Athens
Special Airfares are available for this selected packages.
Cabin Upgrade: Supplements (in double) Per Person Outside 2 Lower Beds Cat XA & XB $ 121.00 to $ 134.00 p.p Superior Cabin Cat XC $ 233.00 to $ 259.00 p.p Deluxe Cabin Cat XD $ 328.00 to $ 364.00 p.p
FREE CRUISE for children under 16 years of age if sharing cabin with two adults.
Plus applicable airport taxes and fees. Port Taxes $ 222.00 p.p. No fuel surcharge for cruise portion
Price is per person based on double occupancy and may vary according to hotel selection. Rates for Single/Triple/Children and additional nights in Athens are available. A SELECTION OF OTHER HOTELS IS AVAILABLE.
On board our classic cruise ships you will be pampered by our crew. All staterooms are equipped with shower, WC, wash basin, air conditioning with individual thermostat control, safety boxes, telephone with direct dial , radio and TV. Facilities. 3 Lounges & Disco, 1 Restaurant, 2 Dining Rooms, Bar, Terrace Bar, Pool Bar, Casino, 2 Conference Rooms which can be connected, Internet Corner, Duty Free & Travel Value Shops, Photo Gallery, Shorex Office, Reception-Cruise Office, Beauty Salon, Wellness Center, Swimming Pool, Whirlpool Bath, Telephone, Fax, Satellite Telephone, Doctor on Board. Technical Data: Gross Tonnage: 25.611 - Length: 531.5 feet - Breadth: 83.99 feet Draught: 20.01 feet - Cruising Speed: 18 knots - Passenger Decks: 9 - Elevators: 4 Stabilizers: Yes - Electric Current: 110-220V AC - Classificaton Society: DNV
Amenities
When at sea, relax on one of our spacious sun decks, read your favorite book, play a game of cards in our library, take dancing lessons or enjoy a daily work out at the fitness center followed by a complete make over in the beauty salon or our full service health spa. A refreshing swim in the pool will prepare you for our Shore Excursion Program that offers a variety of interesting tour options ashore. Take in the sights and sounds of foreign lands. Clear blue skies, unspoiled scenery, fascinating archaeological sites, friendly vibrant people, delicious food, captivating music and dances will entertain your mind, body and soul. At sunset the lights come on and the atmosphere onboard changes completely! Enjoy the company of newfound friends, try your luck in the casino, enjoy the show and then hit the dance floor in the disco till early morning hours! Children's Activites. Onboard there are menus, activities and a variety of entertainment designed to suit every family member from kids to grandparents In our nboard Duty Free and Travel Value shops, you will find an extensive selection of international brands and designer products.
Dining
From early morning to late at night, there will hardly be a moment that you will not be tempted by something delicious and appetizing. Aromas from an outdoor fresh pasta station or a teatime buffet full of tasty sandwiches and pastries are bound to break your resolve. Our cuisine combines the exquisite variety of the Mediterranean with other popular flavours from around the world, creating a culinary harmony that suits every palate. All our food is produced onboard and we are sensitive to modern dietary concerns, using healthy preparation methods and fresh ingredients. So eat to your heart’s content in our well designed restaurants with pleasing sea views!
Athens by night $91This Tour is Available from:Athens
Athens by night with dinner Departure time: Between 7:25pm and 8:10pm Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Thursdays and Saturdays only. Duration: 4 hours Highlights: Scenic drive followed by dinner in the Plaka district, including a show at a typical Greek taverna.
Full day Argolis $151This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day Argolis with lunch Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am Schedule: From April to October: on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. From November to March: on Tuesdays and Saturdays only. Duration: 8 hours
Highlights: Lion's Gate, the tomb of Agamemnon, the Palace, Epidaurus and its theater.
Full-day cruise Hydra-Poros-Aegina $153This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day cruise Hydra-Poros-Aegina with lunch Departure time: Between 7:20am and 7:40am Schedule: Daily Duration: 8 hours
Highlights: Tome at leisure on the Island of Hydra. Visit of Poros on the Island of Aegina.
Full-day Delphi $157This Tour is Available from:Athens
Full day Delphi with lunch Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only. Duration: 8 hours
Highlights: Drive through Levadia and Arachova to Delphi, the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Visit the museum and Temple of Apollo.
Half-day ancient Corinth $101This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day ancient Corinth Departure time: Between 7:35am and 7:40am Schedule: From April to October only: on Mondays and Fridays only. Duration: 4 hours
Highlights:See the Ancient town of Corinth where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city include the Agora, the Apollo s Temple and the ancient port where St. Paul disembarked.
Half-day Cape Sounion $56This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day Cape Sounion Departure time: Between 2:10pm and 2:45pm Schedule: From April to October: Daily. From November to March: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Scenic drive along the coastal road followed by a visit of Cape Sounion, dominated by the Temple of Poseidon
Half-day tour of Athens $84This Tour is Available from:Athens
Half day Tour of Athens Departure time: Between 7:35am and 8:10am Schedule: Daily Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Roman Temple of Olympian Seuz, the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechteion, Acropolis Museum (museum will reopen sometime in 2009 - no offical date is available).
Full-day Bosphorus & Asia $120This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Bosphorus & Asia Departure time:9:00am Schedule:Daily Duration:9 hours
Highlights:Asian side driving via transcontinental Bosphorus Bridge. Beylerbeyi Palace and Camlica Hill. (Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays). Visit of the historical Spice Market also called the Egyptian Bazaar and cruise along the European and Asiatic shores of Istanbul. (Spice Market is closed on Sundays). Lunch is included
Full-day Bursa $155This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Bursa Departure time:9:00am Schedule:Thursdays and Saturdays only Duration:9 hours
Highlights:Green Mosque, Grand Mosque, Green Mausoleum, Bazaar. Lunch is included.
Half-day Byzantine Vision $68This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Byzantine Visions Departuretime:9:00am Schedule:Daily Duration:4 hours
Highlights:Hippodrome Square, St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. (St. Sophia is closed on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays).
Full-day Classical Tour $136This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Classical Tour Departure time:9:00am Schedule:Daily Duration:9 hours
Highlights: Hippodrome Square, St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. (St. Sophia is closed on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays). In the afternoon: Suleymaniye Mosque and Topkapi Palace. (Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays). Lunch is included.
Full-day Ephesus $622This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Ephesus Departure time:9:00am Schedule:Daily Duration:9 hours
Highlights:Early flight to Izmir. Drive to Ephesus. Visit the ancient city, the House of Virgin Mary and the Museum of Selcuk. Lunch is included.
Istanbul by nigt $126This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Istanbul by night Departure time:8:00pm Schedule:Daily Duration:3 hours
Highlights:Dinner followed by folkloristic show.
Half-day Ottoman Visions $68This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Ottoman Visions Departure time:2:00pm Schedule:Daily Duration:4 hours
Highlights:Suleymaniye Mosque and Topkapi Palace. (Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays).
Full-day Princess Islands $111This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Princess Islands Departure time:9:00am Schedule:Daily Duration:9 hours
Highlights:Cruise to the Princess Islands. Tour of the Buyuk Ada Island. Lunch is included.
Half-day Two Continents $62This Tour is Available from:Istanbul
Two Continents Departure time:2:00pm Schedule:Daily Duration:4 hours
Highlights:Asian side driving via transcontinental Bosphorus Bridge. Beylerbeyi Palace and Camlica Hill. (Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays).