Our inaugural Pillars of Pride cruise to ancient Greece and Turkey explores the iconic stories of antiquity from an often untold LGBTQ+ lens. This all-inclusive, 5-star cruise round-trip Athens also features a full day tour of Santorini with an afternoon at leisure, a special visit to the ruins of Ephesus, and a full overnight docked at Mykonos with opportunities to enjoy nightlife at this legendary LGBTQ+-friendly destination. Extend your journey with the Athens Pre-Program and/or Delphi Post-Program Options.
Program Details
- Discover multicultural Chania, located on the western coast of Crete.
- Be on deck as the ship cruises into the port of Santorini, beneath which some believe to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis, to tour the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri and more.
- Dock in Rhodes at the wall of Rhodes Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters.
- Arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey, and drive to Ephesus, a vast archaeological site of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins.
- Visit UNESCO-inscribed of Delos—legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo—and walk along the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo.
- Explore the island of Mykonos—where according to ancient legend, its craggy hills and clefts were formed from the petrified bodies of giants defeated by Hercules—with the option to experience its legendary nightlife at leisure.
- Interact with local residents and learn more about modern LGBTQ+ life in an exclusive Island Life® Pillars of Pride forum.
- Cruise the Aegean Sea en route to Athens with a day at leisure to enjoy special onboard lectures and activities.
Day 1 - Depart home city
Day 2 - Athens, Greece/Embark Le Bougainville
Day 3 - Chania, Crete
Day 4 - Santorini
Day 5 - Kusadasi, Turkey for Ephesus
Day 6 - Rhodes
Day 7 - Delos/Mykonos
Day 8 - Day at Sea
Day 9 - Athens/Disembark ship/ Return to home city
Le Bougainville
Exclusively Chartered, Five-Star Luxury Small Ship
Le Bougainville, launched in 2019, ushers in a new generation of 5-star small ships, combining revolutionary design and a new standard of luxury for unparalleled cruising. Dock in smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships, where authentic cultural experiences and majestic scenery await you.
Athens Pre-Program Option
Begin your journey with 2 nights in the ancient city of Athens to explore the the sites with an LGBTQ+ focus, including the Acropolis; the Parthenon; the Acropolis Museum; the Temple of Poseidon; and Plaka, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Enjoy accommodations in an ideally located luxury hotel.
Delphi Post-Program Option
Extend your tour with a 2-night LGBTQ+ itinerary that features a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Thebes, a tour of Delphi, and a visit to the Delphi Archeological Museum. Also see the Treasury of Athens, the Temple of Apollo, and the Stadium along the Sacred Way. Spend two nights in two carefully selected luxury hotels.
The Pre- and Post-Program Options are available at additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.
