CME Cruise Conference

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - As the capital of Greece and one of Europe’s most bustling cities, Athens is powered by 5,000 years of history. At night, the city of Athens glows from afar, light reflecting off the ancient ruins. Today travelers flock from around the world to experience its history while on cruises from Athens. After all, the art, theatre, architecture, and philosophy of Athens had ripple effects through the fabric of entire civilizations.

Thessaloniki, Greece - The fascinating past and enchanting present come together on your Thessaloniki cruise from the moment your ship docks. Greece’s second-largest city is also considered its cultural capital, which makes Thessaloniki a perfect venue for leisurely strolls past Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman monuments, statues, and churches. In the city’s high-octane Ladadika district, Greek music, dancing, and dining come together in one happy trio. If your preferred location ashore from your Greece cruise is beachside, long stretches of sand with varying degrees of amenities are just a short distance from the city in the resort towns on the beautiful blue waters of the Thermaikos Gulf.

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey - The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus impress even those familiar with the world's other ancient cities. Though excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Check out the the Celsus Library — built in 117 A.D., the site is made up of towering columns highlighted by the statue of the goddess of wisdom. Cruises to Ephesus will give you a taste of Turkish life by strolling the seafront promenade and the bustling city center. Walk Marble Street, paved with actual marble slabs, which takes you from downtown to the Temple of Artemis — you can still see one lone remaining column from this wonder of the ancient world.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Limassol, Cyprus - A strategic garrison for Richard the Lionhearted during the Third Crusade, Limassol provides many archaeological sites, as well as an array of contemporary designer shops for exploring. The island of Cyprus is also home to two ancient kingdoms - Kourion and Amathus.

Rhodes, Greece - The crusader Knights of St. John made Rhodes their headquarters. Explore the massive fortress of the Palace of Grand Masters, and peer into tiny rooms of the Inns which once housed the knights. See where the towering Colossus of Rhodes once stood -- it could be seen for miles at sea!

Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete - Sail into the stunning port of Heraklion, a charming seaside city that was once ruled by Arabs, Ottomans, and Venetians. Behind the striking fortified walls that line its waterfront, you’ll discover medieval monuments, ancient palaces, and a trove of archeological wonders that span back millennia. As the capital of Crete, Heraklion is also an important commercial port full of modern museums, a bustling culinary scene, and a walkable historic center. This heavenly port makes it easy to enjoy the wonders of Greece including fresh seafood, azure blue waters, and breathtaking sunsets.

Nafplio, Greece - Nafplio (or Nafplion) was the first capital of Greece after independence. Today Nafplion is a lovely seaside town about a 2.5 hour drive southwest of Athens on the Peloponnese Peninsula. Many visitors to Greece use Nafplion as a base for visiting the many ancient archeological sites nearby. Cruise ships love Nafplion because of its picturesque harbor, which is dominated by three citadels -- the vast Palamidi Fortress, the Akronafplia Fortress, and the Bourtzi Fortress. Cruise ships anchor in this wonderful harbor and passengers take a tender ashore.