Cruise itinerary
9-Night Southern Europe Cruise from Istanbul
9 nights · Southern Europe · 10 ports of call
9-night Southern Europe cruise aboard Norwegian Viva, departing Istanbul and calling at Kusadasi, Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Katakolon and Valletta and 3 more.
- Free advisor
- No booking fees
- 10,000+ sailings
At a glance
- Ship
- Norwegian Viva
- Cruise line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Duration
- 9 nights
- Region
- Southern Europe · Mediterranean
- Departs
- Istanbul
- Returns
- Civitavecchia
How NestCruise works:we're advisor-led, not a booking engine. No fares are listed and there are no booking fees — tell an advisor your dates and party and they price your exact Norwegian Viva sailing, typically within 24 hours.
Where this voyage takes you
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Istanbul
Depart 17:00
The city straddling Europe and Asia along the Bosphorus, once Byzantium and then Constantinople. Ships dock near the historic peninsula, within reach of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the covered Grand Bazaar's labyrinth of stalls.
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Grand Bazaar
- Day2
Kusadasi
Arrive 13:00 · Depart 21:00
A resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast that serves as the cruise gateway to ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. Pigeon Island guards the harbour, and the marble Library of Celsus lies a short drive inland.
- Ephesus ruins
- Library of Celsus
- Pigeon Island
- Day3
Piraeus
Arrive 09:00 · Depart 19:00
The ancient harbour of Athens and Greece's principal cruise port. Ferries fan out to the Aegean islands from its quays, while the Acropolis, the Plaka district and the National Archaeological Museum sit a short metro ride inland.
- Gateway to Athens
- Acropolis
- Aegean ferries
- Day4
Mykonos
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 22:00
A Cycladic island in the Aegean known for whitewashed houses and a lively summer scene. Ships anchor off the main town, where windmills overlook the sea, the Little Venice quarter meets the waves and sandy beaches stretch along the south coast.
- Windmills
- Little Venice
- Chora town
- Day5
Santorini
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 16:00
The crescent rim of a flooded volcanic caldera in the Greek Cyclades, its whitewashed villages strung along cliffs high above the sea. Fira and Oia draw crowds for sunset views, while the caldera's dark beaches and the ancient site of Akrotiri lie below.
- Oia sunset
- Fira town
- Caldera cliffs
- Day6
Katakolon
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 16:00
A small port on Greece's western Peloponnese coast, best known as the gateway to ancient Olympia. The sanctuary where the original Olympic Games were held lies a short drive inland, among ruined temples and the old stadium.
- Ancient Olympia
- Olympic stadium
- Temple of Zeus
- Day7
Valletta
Arrive 11:00 · Depart 21:00
Malta's fortified harbour capital, built by the Knights of St. John on a peninsula between two deep ports. Honey-coloured limestone defines St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master's Palace and the bastions overlooking the Grand Harbour.
- Grand Harbour
- St. John's Co-Cathedral
- Upper Barrakka Gardens
- Day8
Catania
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 17:00
A port city on the east coast of Sicily, built in dark volcanic stone beneath Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano. Its baroque centre, rebuilt after earthquakes, is known for the elephant fountain, a fish market, and Etna excursions inland.
- Mount Etna
- Baroque centre
- Fish market
- Day9
Salerno
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 18:00
An Italian port at the head of its own gulf, just south of the Amalfi Coast. Its long seafront and walkable medieval centre make it a quieter base for reaching Pompeii, Paestum's Greek temples and the cliffside towns of Amalfi and Positano.
- Amalfi Coast gateway
- Paestum temples
- Seafront promenade
- Day10
Civitavecchia
Arrive 06:00
The deep-water port serving Rome, roughly 80 kilometres up the coast. Ships dock here for shore excursions to the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Roman Forum, while the town itself keeps a working harbour and a Michelangelo-designed fortress.
- Gateway to Rome
- Fort Michelangelo
- Vatican excursions
Upcoming departures
- 13 Jul 2026
- 7 Sep 2026
- 23 Jun 2027
- 18 Aug 2027
Upcoming sailings of this itinerary — a NestCruise advisor confirms current availability and your fare.
9-Night Southern Europe Cruise from Istanbul FAQ
Which ports does this cruise visit?
This 9-night Southern Europe cruise calls at Istanbul, Kusadasi, Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Katakolon, Valletta, Catania, Salerno and Civitavecchia.
How many days are spent at sea?
This is a port-intensive itinerary with no full days at sea.
Where does this cruise depart from?
It departs from Istanbul and ends in Civitavecchia.
How long is this cruise?
9 nights aboard Norwegian Viva.
When does this itinerary sail?
Upcoming departures include 13 Jul 2026, 7 Sep 2026, 23 Jun 2027 and 18 Aug 2027. A NestCruise advisor can confirm current availability.