Atlantis Greek Isles, Egypt & Croatia Cruise
This is the centerpiece of our 2026 summer: a ten-day Atlantis cruise aboard Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, sailing from Athens across the Mediterranean and Adriatic before finishing in Trieste, Italy.
Our experience
The revised itinerary takes us from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini, then south to Alexandria, Egypt, with opportunities to explore Cairo, before returning to the Greek island of Crete at Heraklion and continuing north to Dubrovnik and Zadar in Croatia.
Atlantis cruises are known for bringing together LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world, and Scarlet Lady adds Virgin Voyages' adults-only, relaxed approach to cruising.
For us it's the rare trip that combines whitewashed Greek islands, ancient Egyptian history, Venetian-influenced Adriatic cities, and the easy joy of exploring several countries without unpacking every few days.
Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady is adults-only and was designed without traditional cruise formalities such as strict dress codes and conventional buffet dining. The itinerary also changed before sailing: planned stops in Kuşadası and Istanbul were replaced by Alexandria, Egypt, and Heraklion, Crete, while the other ports remained on the itinerary.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Mykonos — whitewashed lanes, windmills, beaches, and a long evening ashore.
- Santorini — caldera views, cliffside villages, and the famous white-and-blue architecture.
- Alexandria & Cairo — a gateway to Egypt, with the cruise offering opportunities for excursions toward Cairo and its major historic attractions.
- Heraklion, Crete — the capital of Crete and a base for exploring the island's Minoan history.
- Dubrovnik — Croatia's famous walled old city on the Adriatic.
- Zadar — Roman-era history, waterfront promenades, and the celebrated Sea Organ.
- Trieste — the cruise's final port, an elegant Italian city at the northern edge of the Adriatic.
Our pro tip
For a port-packed cruise like this, our plan is to pre-book the biggest shore excursions — especially anything involving Cairo from Alexandria — while leaving smaller and more walkable ports for wandering.
Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a light evening layer should cover most days. On Scarlet Lady, dining works differently from a traditional cruise ship, so it's worth planning the restaurants you most want to try rather than expecting a conventional buffet-and-main-dining-room setup.
If you're spending extra time in Santorini, look for a Santorini sightseeing or sunset experience on Klook.
For Dubrovnik, check Dubrovnik tours and activities on Klook.