While my family typically chooses either guided land adventures or laid-back beach vacations, this summer we decided to take a National Geographic Expedition on the Ancient Mediterranean itinerary. This trip, on board the National Geographic Orion, took us from Athens to Zadar over a 7-night, 8-day expedition.
While I've taken eight guided tours and over 30 cruises, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect with this type of trip. We really loved it, however, and it was a fantastic option for a trip with our 21-year-old and our 20-year-old.
Wondering what life is really like on one of these exciting, educational experiences? Read about the day-by-day itinerary as we ventured from Athens (by way of the Lavrio port) to Zadar, Croatia, with stops in Greece, Albania, and Croatia.
Disclosure: We paid full price for our experience. This post may contain affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
National Geographic Orion Greece, Albania, & Croatia Cruise Review: Day-by-Day Expedition Itinerary
When you select this itinerary, you'll have the option to either do the northbound or southbound journey, depending on dates. In my opinion, it doesn't matter which way you do the trip. Select the dates that work for you.
There weren't as many families on board this ship as I'd expected. It was mostly couples and groups of older friends. However, the families that were on board were a lot like ours, with older kids. The educational and expedition-driven itinerary lends itself more to families with older kids. I’d especially recommend this itinerary for families with teens, college-age kids, or adult children who enjoy active sightseeing and learning about the destinations.
Wondering why choose an expedition cruise rather than a traditional cruise? There are lots of benefits to an expedition ship, including:
- Focus on education, including lectures from the ship's experts
- A smaller ship means you can travel in places that other ships can't, including the Corinth Canal
- Fantastic service on board the ship
However, if you are looking for the traditional cruise experience, with things like casinos, busy pool decks, and large-scale shows, this may not be the best option.
What to Know Before Choosing This National Geographic Expedition
Things you've already established in the article:
- Excursions are selected shortly before departure.
- Some days everyone does the same activity; others have choices.
- Excursions vary significantly in physical intensity.
- Zodiacs are used often.
- Days can be busy and hot.
- There are onboard lectures/programming, but destination activities are the centerpiece.
Day-by-Day Experience on the Ancient Mediterranean National Geographic Expedition
A few days before our expedition, we received an email with a survey listing the expeditions we could choose from. We had to submit our preferences before the journey, and at the end of the first day, we received our schedule. Everyone in my family submitted their preferences right away, and we got all of our top choices
Day 1: Embarkation
My family opted to arrive a day before the expedition to recover from jet lag and provide us with a buffer for delays. We are so lucky we did that, because two of our three checked bags were delayed for about 22 hours.
National Geographic Expeditions offers pre- and post-cruise tour options. The pre-tour was in Athens, and our excursion left from their host hotel. While we didn't do the pre-tour, we decided to book our own overnight at that hotel, the NJV Athens Plaza (this may vary, depending on the expedition).
We were asked to have our luggage in the hospitality room at the hotel by 1 pm, and we were going to leave for our expedition at 3 pm. Guests could also choose to be picked up at the Athens airport on the first day of the expedition.
We dropped off our luggage and headed out to explore more of Athens before our gathering time. Then we boarded the buses and headed to the Lavrio Cruise port (about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic).
Once at Lavrio, we went through security and walked to the ship, a short distance away. We were immediately brought into the lounge to have our photos taken on board and have some snacks and drinks. Then we went to our staterooms.
Bags were already delivered to the staterooms, and we had about an hour and a half to unpack the bags and freshen up before the mandatory safety drill.
After the safety drill, we returned to the lounge for a welcome from our captain and the officers/expedition guides on the ship. Then we had a buffet dinner in the restaurant before the Expedition Leader announced that we were docked by the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Seeing the Temple as the sun set was the perfect end to our first day.
Day 2: Corinth Canal & Delphi
Most mornings of our trip started with an optional movement and stretch class on the sundeck. I never attended those, however, because we had busy enough days.
Our breakfast buffet opened at 7 a.m., as was usual. Then, we all found our best observation spot as the ship got into position to navigate through the Corinth Canal. To prepare, we had two pilots on board. During that time, the bridge and bow decks were closed, so most of us went on the observation deck to watch our ship travel through the canal.
It was so interesting to see, and hard to believe when looking at a map that a ship, even one of our smaller size, could travel through it. The crossing took about 30 minutes or so total, and then the rest of the day's program started.
First up, we had a mandatory Zodiac briefing to learn how to board and disembark these boats. We used them in several locations throughout the expedition. Next, our photo instructor gave an Introduction to Smartphone Photography. After that, there was a Mythology session with our cultural historian.
We had a buffet lunch in the outdoor cafe after the sessions, then prepared for our afternoon in Delphi. This was one of the times when we didn't have a specific expedition to opt into. However, we were offered an alternate activity on board - the MoKa Honey Stories tour.
For the Delphi tour, we were offered three options on board: a fast group who would walk fast during the tour, an average group, and a slower group. Our group chose the faster group. We loaded up with water and sunscreen, and boarded our coaches from Itea to Delphi.
One of our four local guides (we had four local guides during our Greece visit) guided us through the museum and to the stadium at Delphi. As I expected from my past visit, it was very hot, and shade was somewhat limited. But it's such a beautiful place and an amazing part of Greek history.
After our afternoon in Delphi, we headed back to shower and get ready for the evening. After our briefing for the day and an overview of the next day's activities, we had our Captain's Welcome and Captain's Welcome Dinner. For every dinner beyond the first night, we could view the menu outside the lounge during the day and select our entree.
After dinner, our National Geographic Photographer Paolo Verzone offered a session called "On Assignment: The Making of a National Geographic Cover Story".
Day 3: Kefalonia, Greece
Our Kefalonia day was split into two. The morning included a visit to Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave, and everyone on the ship had the same excursion. The afternoon offered a choice of excursions.
We docked off the coast of Sami, Kefalonia, early. A sunrise hike was offered for anyone looking for more adventure. Then, after a 7:30 am breakfast, we disembarked the ship in groups in Zodiacs for our morning tours of Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave. We left in small groups, each led by one of our four Greek local guides.
The cave, in particular, has slippery stairs, so it was important to wear shoes with a good sole. Sneakers worked great for us. For the lake, we boarded small ships, and a local rowed us through the cave while narrating the history. Swimming isn't allowed in the cave.
The cave involved walking down (and then up again) many small steps as we were led down into the beautiful cave, which was discovered when an earthquake revealed the entrance. Some guests opted to go only part of the way because visiting the entire cave required a lot of exertion.
Then we were back on the motor coaches, then on the Zodiacs, to return to the ship. Lunch was served, and then we waited for our calls for excursions.
On this particular day, we had several excursion options. We could walk around Sami on our own (the Archaeological Museum of Sami was free with our ship badge), do water activities from the ship, or take a shuttle to Antisamos Beach. My family opted for the Antisamos Beach afternoon.
When we arrived at this popular beach, we had several options. We could spread out our beach towels, or rent a set of beach chairs and an umbrella from one of the local cafes. We chose to rent the chairs, and they were included with a 40 Euro purchase. Prices varied based on chair location.
Antisamos Beach is a pebble beach, with crystal-clear turquoise water. It's clearly popular with locals. If you do choose this option, I'd recommend water shoes that you can take into the sea, because the hot pebbles can be painful on bare feet.
Overall, we were at the beach for about 3 hours. Then, we headed back on the shuttle and then the Zodiac.
For guests who wanted to return early, our wine specialist offered a Wine 101: Intro to Wine Tasting seminar on the ship. Then we had our cocktail hour, recap, and briefing before dinner. That evening's program also included a movie night showing of Mamma Mia.
Day 4: Corfu, Greece and Sarandë, Albania
Day four started with a 7 am breakfast at the outdoor cafe, before we all headed out (by gangway this time) for a Corfu Old Town Walking Tour. Our local guides each led a smaller group through the old town, before letting us have some free time to explore.
Corfu is absolutely beautiful, and was one of my favorite stops on the trip (the other being Dubrovnik). During our free time, we explored some of the local shops, where my daughter purchased a handmade necklace. Then, we sat at a cafe at the Liston where we enjoyed some drinks while soaking up the local ambiance.
After that, we headed back to the ship for lunch and then to our first stop in Albania. This is where we had to say bye to our four local Greek guides. As we crossed into Albania, our time zone changed backward one hour, giving us some extra time on board. During that time, we had an optional presentation by our onboard geologist.
When we arrived in Sarande, Albania, we disembarked by gangway. Several group tours were offered, including a tour of Butrint and Lekursi Castle and an organic farm and wine-tasting tour. My family selected the third choice - Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle.
We boarded a coach to Blue Eye, which is a natural spring. The actual spring is a long walk from the parking lot, but there's an optional train that can take you. Our excursion included the train ride, which was a cute children's train. I'd definitely recommend purchasing tickets because that walk looked long and very hot.
The spring itself is a quick visit, but we had some free time to explore along the spring. There were also several cafes and a gift shop. It's a beautiful spot, and while it was busy, it was still very easy to see the spring. No swimming is allowed at Blue Eye.
After our meeting time, we boarded the bus and headed up to Lekursi Castle. There, a local performer entertained us, and we enjoyed local Albanian delicacies. The castle offered beautiful views and was a nice, local place to relax before going back to the ship.
After recap, briefing, and dinner, our National Geographic Expert offered an optional lecture.
Day 5: Durres, Albania
On day 5, we woke up in Durres, Albania. That day, our family split into two groups: one visiting Divjake-Karavasta National Park, and the other going on a Highlights of Kruje excursion.
My daughter and husband traveled to the National Park, where they took a bus ride to meet the open-air Jeeps (each with a local guide). They ventured throughout different sections of the National Park, including wetlands, a boardwalk, and a swamp. At points, they stopped, and the guides set up telescopes and provided binoculars.
They saw Dalmatian pelicans, flamingos, egrets, and other native birds, and learned about local conservation efforts. Then, they left the Jeeps and boarded small boats to go through the waterways and stop on an island to observe wildlife. After the boat ride, they boarded buses and were taken to a restaurant, where they tried local delicacies, including a fresh, whole fish.
My son and I went to Kruje, where we walked up to the gorgeous Kruje Castle. While the castle is beautiful, the views are really the standout. First, we explored the Ethnographic Museum with a local guide.
Next, we went to the adjacent Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to the war hero who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. After that tour, we had lunch at a nearby scenic restaurant. Our lunch included delicious local delicacies, including lamb, along with local entertainment.
We had some free time to shop at the local bazaar. Shops at the bazaar offered traditional souvenirs, textiles, and rugs. Then we gathered as a group and took the bus back to the ship.
At about 4 pm, they offered a large tea time buffet with appetizers, cakes, and other pastries. Everything was excellent, but my favorite was the Tres Leches cake.
This was my favorite night on board the ship. After dinner, we were treated to the Crew Show, a talent show hosted by our Hotel Director. The crew is so much fun and so talented, and it was really a great show.
Day 6: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 6 was what I was looking forward to the most. We docked in Dubrovnik, Croatia, right at the old city. From this docking location, we had to take the Zodiacs in for our excursions.
There were several options that day. They included an Old Town and city walls walking tour, a hike to Srdj Hill (with a cable car ride back), a traditional cooking class, an Old Town and monastery walking tour (less strenuous than the city walls tour), and a Dalmatian coastal highlights tour.
My daughter and I selected the Dalmatian Coast Highlights Tour. After our Zodiac ride, we walked a short distance through the old city to our motorcoach. There, we drove to our first stop in the village of Orasac for an olive oil pressing demonstration and local food tasting.
Everything was so delicious and fresh at this local farm and home (not a restaurant), and we even bought a small bottle of the olive oil to bring home (cash only in Euros). While it wasn't as flashy as some downtown Dubrovnik tourist destinations, it really felt like a local, genuine stop.
Next, we boarded a bus to the small town of Ston. We could walk the walls there or spend some free time in town. My daughter and I opted for free time, did some shopping, and then had a drink in a local cafe.
Then, we got back on the bus and drove to a boat, where we went to an oyster farm. We saw how the oysters were harvested and did a tasting right from the sea. We also had a delicious lunch of a mussel stew, which was one of my favorite things that I tried on the trip. It was so relaxing to sit on the boat, chat with our new friends, and try these fresh, local delicacies.
After heading back, we had the option to go back to the ship or to explore the city. I was very hot and very done at that point, so I went back on the ship. My daughter met up with my husband and son (who had done the hike), and walked around the city.
Our afternoon and evening schedule in Dubrovnik was very flexible. Guests could choose to either enjoy a casual BBQ dinner in the outdoor cafe, or eat dinner in Dubrovnik. We ate on board, and it seemed most guests did, too. It was extremely hot. After dinner, the ship offered a trivia night in the lounge.
Day 7: Vis Island, Croatia
Our last full day on board the National Geographic Orion took us to Vis Island in Croatia. We had several excursion options for this morning, including a kayaking tour, a military tour, and a Bisevo Island Tour. Our family all chose the Bisevo Island Tour.
Because a large group had chosen that tour, we were divided into two groups. Thankfully, we were in the second group because the first group left early, at 6:45 am. Our group departed at 7:30 am. We took Zodiacs to the pier on Vis Island, where we switched to a second boat.
Our Expedition Leader, Shawn, recommended that anyone with back issues skip this tour, and I can see why. That second boat was a little rough, with some banging as we hit the waves. My family found it fun, but I could see how someone with back issues wouldn't have enjoyed it.
Once we arrived at Bisevo Island, we switched to a wooden boat, which took us into the cave. The Blue Cave is always blue, but it does change tones. The entrance, which was created by explosives, is a little low, and we all had to duck as we entered. It's popular, but they do limit the number of boats going in, so you can really get a good look as you go around. Swimming isn't allowed.
Once we left the cave, we headed back to the dock on the island. We were then led to golf carts, which took us up to the Bisevo Island visitors center. There, we learned about the island and tried some local wine. Then, we loaded back onto the speedboats.
All the tours ended before lunch, and then the ship left Vis for Zadar, our final stop. We had lunch on board, then had some time to give our photo instructor a few personal photos for the group slideshow. During our farewell cocktails that evening, we got to watch the slideshow before our Captain's Farewell Dinner.
While our agenda didn't include any time in Zadar (if we wanted to visit before flying out), the Orion received permission to dock in town. So, after dinner, most of us headed out of the ship to explore this vibrant town.
My family just walked around a bit and shopped, but you could have spent most of the night there. But we still needed to pack before going to sleep. The ship stayed at this downtown dock position until early in the morning, when we docked at the port to disembark.
Day 8: Disembarkation
Disembarking was very easy. We all had several options for where to go as we disembarked. We could go to the hospitality room in Zadar, where we could store our bags. That's where the post-trip excursions left from.
Or, two airport options were offered: either Zadar Airport or the Split Airport. I found better flight options out of Split, so that's where we headed. The ride wasn't too bad, and the Split Airport is small and easy to navigate.
While our flight home wasn't the easiest, with a five-hour delay at our layover airport, London Heathrow, the ship's logistics were very well planned.
Overall, we loved this itinerary and our time on board the National Geographic Orion. It was a great blend of relaxation and touring time, and there were so many different excursion options. Traveling with adult kids made everything even better because we could each choose our own excursions if we wanted.
As a luxury vacation, a lot of things were handled for us, making the logistics much easier. I especially liked sailing on the expedition ship because it was a great way to see so much in a short time. Since we were sleeping while much of our traveling was taking place, we really maximized our time.
You can learn more about the National Geographic Expedition options on their website.
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