2027 Peloponnese Cruise

Welcome aboard

Arrive in Corfu and make your way to the port to board Running on Waves. After settling into your cabin, meet the crew and explore the ship’s open decks, lounge areas and onboard facilities.

Depending on your arrival time, take a walk through Corfu Old Town. Its narrow lanes, shaded squares, Venetian fortifications and arcaded Liston promenade reflect the island’s position between Greece, Italy and the wider Adriatic.

Evening

The voyage begins with a welcome and safety briefing, followed by the first dinner on board.

Spend the evening getting to know the ship and the other guests as Running on Waves leaves Corfu and begins its journey towards the Albanian coast. Corfu Old Town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Albanian Riviera

Morning

Wake as the ship approaches Saranda, a coastal city overlooking the narrow channel between Albania and Corfu.

After breakfast, go ashore to explore the waterfront independently or join an optional excursion into the surrounding region.

Afternoon

One of the main destinations near Saranda is Butrint, an archaeological site surrounded by woodland, wetlands and the waters of Lake Butrint.

The site preserves layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian history, including a theatre, city walls, religious buildings and an ancient acropolis. Other possible destinations include the beaches around Ksamil, the Blue Eye spring or viewpoints above the city.

Evening

Return to Running on Waves for dinner and time on deck. The ship leaves Albania and continues south towards Kefalonia. Butrint is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Caves, mountains and harbour towns

Morning

Begin the day beside Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands. Steep mountains, forested slopes and colourful coastal settlements create a landscape that changes quickly as the ship approaches the shore.

Breakfast is served on board before a day of swimming, coastal exploration or an optional excursion.

Afternoon

One of Kefalonia’s best-known natural landmarks is Melissani Cave, where small boats cross an underground lake illuminated through an opening in the cave roof.

Other possible stops include Drogarati Cave, Myrtos Beach or the waterfront settlements of Assos and Fiskardo. Guests remaining near the ship can swim, snorkel, kayak or relax on deck.

Evening

Return to Running on Waves for dinner. As the ship leaves Kefalonia, spend the evening watching the island’s mountainous coastline disappear behind the stern.

The Ionian Sea’s best-kept secret

Afternoon

Running on Waves continues towards Atokos, a small privately owned island with an undeveloped coastline and clear water.

The stop is centred on the sea: swim directly from the ship, snorkel near the rocky shore or explore the bay by kayak. With no large town or busy port, Atokos offers one of the quietest settings of the voyage.

Evening

Return to the ship for dinner and a relaxed evening on deck. Running on Waves continues towards Zakynthos.

The motherland of Homeric hero Odysseus

Morning

Wake near Ithaki, an island closely associated with the story of Odysseus and shaped by green hills, quiet bays and small waterfront villages.

After breakfast, go ashore or explore the coastline according to the day’s programme. Possible stops include Vathy, the island’s main harbour, or one of the smaller villages set around the protected bays.

Sea caves and limestone coastline

Morning

Begin the day beside the pale cliffs and vivid blue water of Zakynthos. Breakfast is served on board as the ship approaches one of the island’s coastal anchorages.

The northern coastline is shaped by natural caves, rocky arches and secluded coves carved into the limestone.

Afternoon

Weather permitting, explore the area around the Blue Caves, where sunlight reflects from the pale rock beneath the surface and creates changing shades of blue.

Swim, snorkel or take a kayak closer to the shoreline. There may also be time to go ashore and discover the island’s villages, viewpoints and waterfront tavernas.

Zakynthos is also home to protected nesting areas of the loggerhead sea turtle. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and activities depend on local environmental regulations.

Evening

Return to Running on Waves for dinner and an evening at sea as the ship heads east towards mainland Greece.

Delphi and the Gulf of Corinth

Morning

Wake in the Gulf of Corinth as Running on Waves approaches Itea, a coastal town surrounded by mountains and olive-covered landscapes.

After breakfast, go ashore independently or join an optional excursion to Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

Afternoon

Set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi was regarded in the ancient world as a religious centre and the home of the Oracle of Apollo. The site includes the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, the stadium and the Delphi Archaeological Museum.

The programme may also include Galaxidi, a nearby maritime town known for its traditional houses, quiet streets and waterfront lined with cafés and small boats.

A charming, historic Greek coastal town with neoclassical architecture, and peaceful harbors

Evening

Visit museums, explore churches (like Agios Nikolaos), enjoy fresh seafood at seaside tavernas, and swim in clear waters. 

Return to the ship for dinner and watch the surrounding mountains frame the Gulf of Corinth as Running on Waves continues towards the canal. Delphi is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most famous waterway in Greece

Morning

One of the voyage’s most distinctive passages begins as Running on Waves approaches the Corinth Canal.

Step onto the open deck to watch the ship enter the narrow waterway between steep rock walls. The canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, allowing smaller vessels to pass between the Ionian and Aegean sides of Greece without sailing around the Peloponnese. You'll also have a chance to sign up for navigation lessons and find our what the captain needs to сlick on the bridge to get through such a channel.

Aegina offers finest pistachios in the world, olive groves and some of the most significant monasteries and temples of Greece

Afternoon

After leaving the canal, the ship continues towards Aegina, an island in the Saronic Gulf within easy reach of Athens.

Go ashore to walk along the harbour, explore the streets of Aegina Town or join an optional visit to the Temple of Aphaia. There may also be time for a final swim, depending on the anchorage and sailing schedule.

Evening

Return to Running on Waves for the final dinner of the voyage. Spend the evening on deck as the ship leaves Aegina and begins its last passage towards Athens.

End of the voyage

Morning

Running on Waves arrives in Piraeus, the port of Athens. Enjoy a final breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew and the guests who have shared the journey.

Disembarkation marks the end of the cruise, but the trip can be extended with additional time in Athens. Explore the historic centre, visit the Acropolis or continue your journey through mainland Greece.

Eight days after leaving Corfu, the voyage concludes on the Aegean side of the country after travelling through two countries, the Ionian Islands, the Gulf of Corinth and the Corinth Canal. The published cruise dates and duration are 29 August to 5 September 2026, eight days and seven nights.