Just booked a November Viking cruise Istanbul - Ephesus - Troy - Rhodes - Crete -Athens. 8 days and 7 nights.
Has anyone done this? Any shore excursions I should definitely book ? Am mostly interested in local flavor and seeing historical sites. Thanks!
I’m doing the Viking Mediterranean Odyssey in April 2028 and the cruise buddies we met on our Grand European River Cruise are joining us on this cruise! I’ll follow your trip if you update on CC because we will hit some of the same ports!
We did Athens to Rome but Crete, Athens and Ephesus were on our cruise.
We did a private tour in Ephesus so we could see the Terrace Houses. Highly recommend a private tour, one reason is that you can skip the carpet shop if you wish. We did go to the carpet shop, found it very interesting and purchased a beautiful rug that I really enjoy. It wasn’t any more expensive to do the private tour than it was to do Vikings tour that included the terrace houses but it’s so nice to be on a tour with just your party.
In Crete we did the palace of Knossos. It wasn’t as spectacular as Ephesus but if you like ruins it was worth it.
We did the 4 day classic Greece extension which was so good! Highly, highly recommend this! Delphi was amazing! It’s a haul but I would recommend that tour which I think Viking has as part of their excursions. Depends on if you have been to Athens or are spending any extra time there.
My sister went to Cappadocia in Turkey. Stayed at one of the cave hotels and did a balloon ride which she loved.
Maybe that’s too much information 
. This is definitely a cruise that’s on my bucket list.
We also went in November, the weather was perfect!
Following with interest - I’m hoping to persuade H to do this one very very soon.
I made a last minute decision to do it. Basically woke up and decided “why not”!
Note that the cost is quite reasonable in November – around 2900 for the lowest cabin per person, if that persuades your H. – but they are filling up fast! And chatgpt says it is a great time to go if you mostly want to see antiquities rather than nightlife and the beach – fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures!
Thank you! Great info!
Will do!
I’ve heard the balloon ride there is not to be missed -
It’s like you know him! Very good possibility that we might actually go, thanks for the tip!!
And I just sent you a DM.
And…updating that I am probably going to have to cancel / postpone this trip. Ruptured my Achilles tendon last week and I doubt I will be ready for a looong flight (I’m in California) and ancient ruins/walking in four months.
I have a few days to cancel. 
Oh dear - so sorry about the injury. Saw this thread since friends have suggested the itinerary for a group trip in 2027. If you had to cancel… did you opt for refund or reschedule?
I was able to cancel before the deadline so I just lost $100 each for my DH and myself . Achilles can take a very very long time to heal completely (sometimes around a year) so I didn’t want to risk a reschedule .