Aegean Odyssey Cruise Review

Do you love small ship cruising and educational trips to Europe? If so, you might enjoy the Aegean Odyssey, a 378-passenger ship owned by Voyages to Antiquity. This cruise line specializes in cruises emphasizing archaeology, history, and culture. It’s an excellent destination-oriented cruise ship with almost all-inclusive fare.

Cruise Overview

Sailing primarily in the coastal waters of the eastern and central Mediterranean, the Aegean Odyssey offers cruise tours of 12 to 17 days. Many of these itineraries include pre- or post-cruise hotel stays. Moreover, shore excursions are included in the fare, alongside soft drinks, wine, or beer with dinner, and tips for the staff. The small ship also overnights in many ports, allowing more time for exploration or dining ashore. Consequently, solo travelers may appreciate that the cruise line waives the single supplement for some cruises.

You can embark on the cruise-only portion of an Aegean Odyssey “Isles of Greece” itinerary, sailing between Athens and Istanbul. This cruise includes stops at popular ports such as Mykonos, Nafplio, and Kusadasi, as well as local favorites like Samos, Rethymno, Delos, and Canakkale. The schedule is busy, including morning and afternoon tours on most days. In the evenings, guests can enjoy informational lectures along with light musical entertainment.

Who Will Enjoy and Appreciate This Cruise?

The informality, onboard activities, and attentive staff are somewhat reminiscent of a river cruise experience. Therefore, anyone who enjoys river cruises might find the Aegean Odyssey appealing. This cruise is well-suited for those who crave lifelong learning and prefer a relaxed atmosphere over casinos or elaborate production shows for evening entertainment.

However, the ship may not be ideal for those with mobility difficulties, as many tour operators do not provide wheelchair-accessible buses, and the excursions often require walking on uneven surfaces. Most guests tend to be retirees or seniors traveling with adult children, so the tours are not overly strenuous, maintaining a slow walking pace.

Young children may not find the Aegean Odyssey experience enjoyable compared to larger ships that offer youth programs.

Dining and Cuisine

The Aegean Odyssey features two main dining options–the Terrace Cafe and the Marco Polo Restaurant. Both venues offer complimentary local wines, beer, or soft drinks during dinner.

The Terrace Cafe & Grill provides both indoor and outdoor seating, with a focus on casual buffet dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Moreover, the menus cater primarily to North American and British tastes, including a selection of breakfast favorites, salads, and hot dishes for lunch. Guests can order omelets at the outdoor grill for breakfast, while pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers are available daily at lunch. Many dishes have a delightful Mediterranean twist, and dining outdoors while watching the sunset is a memorable cruise experience.

The Marco Polo Dining Room offers open seating for dinner and lunch most days for those who prefer not to partake in buffet dining. The menus feature a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, and desserts, ensuring that dinner is elegant and leisurely. Open seating, large tables, complimentary wine, and the presence of intriguing fellow travelers enhance the dining experience in both restaurants.

Guests are advised to maintain a casual dress code during the day, while evenings suggest ‘smart casual’ attire—polo shirts and slacks for men and coordinated outfits, dresses, or slacks for women. Many men choose to wear a sports jacket (with or without a tie) during dinner on certain nights, while dress at the Terrace Cafe in the evening can be more relaxed, especially for outdoor diners.

In addition to the two dining venues, the Aegean Odyssey also offers afternoon tea and late-night snacks.

Cabins

The Aegean Odyssey accommodates 378 passengers in a total of 198 cabins and suites. Among these, 45 are inside cabins and 153 are outside cabins, including 18 single accommodations, two wheelchair-accessible options, and 42 with private balconies. The cabins vary in price grades and bathroom configurations, with some featuring showers and others offering tub/shower combinations. Each cabin is equipped with a small flatscreen TV, safe, and hairdryer. Furthermore, while air conditioning can be adjusted by manipulating cabin vents, individual thermostats are not available. The rooms are bright, providing ample storage in closets, drawers, and bathroom shelves, with a clean, modern decor. Be aware that the electrical outlets are 220-volt, so guests from the USA will need to bring compatible adapters and converters.

Two Owner’s Suites and four Junior Suites are located on Lido Deck 8. These high-grade accommodations, along with some Category C and D cabins on the Bridge Deck and Belvedere Deck, respectively, are considered Concierge Class. The perks of these cabins include a private balcony, welcome champagne, a refrigerated mini-bar, complimentary bottled water, plush robes and slippers, premium bath amenities, and personalized concierge service. Furthermore, guests in Concierge Class cabins benefit from priority boarding for shore excursions.

Interiors

After its acquisition by Voyages to Antiquity, the Aegean Odyssey underwent significant refurbishment and resumed service in May 2010 with fewer cabins, more open space per passenger, and beautiful teak decks. The interiors are bright and contemporary, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The ship features three primary lounges: the windowed Observation Lounge on Deck 9, along with the Charleston Lounge and Ambassador Lounge on Promenade Deck 6.

The Observation Lounge offers a quiet space for individuals wishing to read, play cards, or simply enjoy the ocean view.

The Charleston Lounge buzzes with activity, hosting afternoon tea dances, evening cocktail hours, musical entertainment, and dancing. Consequently, it serves as a social hub for guests before and after dinner.

The Ambassador Lounge, the largest of the three, accommodates nightly shore excursion briefings and evening lectures by experts in the history and culture of the regions visited.

The Aegean Odyssey also features a well-stocked library with a diverse selection of travel and history books, novels, games, and maps.

While the ship does not provide WiFi, an Internet lounge with six computers is available for guest use.

Other amenities include a small gift shop, a modern fitness center, a beauty salon, and a spa offering massages, facials, and additional treatments.

Exteriors and Outdoor Decks

One notable enhancement from the Aegean Odyssey refurbishment is the expanded outdoor deck space, all elegantly covered in teak. The Lido Deck is home to a swimming pool and whirlpool, creating a spacious atmosphere complete with plenty of padded deck chairs and shaded areas for those seeking a refreshing breeze.

In addition to the indoor lounges previously mentioned, the Aegean Odyssey features an outdoor bar, the Lido Bar, which overlooks the swimming pool deck.