Athens
Europe Fall Sea
Travel
September 22 - September 30, 2026

Classic Greece Aboard Emerald Azzurra

Reserve Your Space View Tour Terms and Conditions
Denis Feeney, Giger Professor of Latin and Professor of Classics, Emeritus

Study Leader

Denis Feeney, Giger Professor of Latin and professor of classics, emeritus, will serve as Princeton study leader for this journey.

Professor Feeney was educated at Auckland University and Oxford, where he obtained a doctorate in 1982. He held academic positions in both Britain and the United States before joining the Princeton faculty in 2000. After twenty-one years of distinguished teaching and service in the Department of Classics, he retired and became an emeritus professor in 2021.

Feeney teaches and publishes on Latin literature and on Roman culture more broadly, with a special focus on Roman religion and time. In addition to articles on Latin literature (particularly on his favorite Latin poets, Catullus, Virgil, Horace, and Ovid), he has written four books.

The Gods in Epic (Oxford, 1991) investigated the problem of how gods were represented in (especially Latin) epic. Literature and Religion at Rome (Cambridge, 1998) looked more broadly at the problem of the interaction between the literary and religious systems of Rome, framing the issues in terms of a dialogue between the way scholars tend to read Greek culture and Roman culture more generally. Caesar’s Calendar (California, 2007) examined Roman constructions of time, in terms of synchronism, historical vs. mythical time, and calendrical time. Professor Feeney’s most recent book, Beyond Greek: The Beginnings of Latin Literature (Harvard, 2016), is about why Rome developed a literature in the Latin language when it shouldn’t really have done so.

About the Journey

Discover the highlights of the ancient world on this Greek adventure featuring three nights in Athens followed by a four-night Aegean cruise aboard the luxurious Emerald Azzurra.

Begin the journey with a rooftop welcome reception offering incredible nighttime views of the Acropolis, then tour Athens’ top sites. Delight in a full-day visit to the iconic archaeological site of Delphi and marvel at the Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Embark the 50-cabin Emerald Azzurra, built in 2022, and cruise to Delos, mythological birthplace of Apollo. Swim in the azure waters of Mykonos with time to explore its beautiful cobblestone streets at night.

Stop in Kusadasi, Türkiye, to explore Ephesus, where the Greco-Roman world comes alive at Europe’s most complete classical metropolis. Wander the impressive ruins at Knossos in Crete and indulge in a local wine tasting before cruising to Piraeus to conclude the journey. For those wishing to continue the adventure, a post-program extension to the Peloponnese Peninsula will be offered.

Please note: Princeton travelers will be joined by those from the Archaeological Institute of America, Harvard, and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Accommodation

Athens Capital Hotel Athens, Greece
Nestled in Athens's upscale Kolonaki district, the Athens Capital Hotel is an unrivalled launching point to discover the cradle of Western civilization. Step out onto historic Syntagma Square, and explore the high-end boutiques, trendy bars and art galleries of the neighborhood. From the hotel’s rooftop terrace and pool, sip a house cocktail as you soak in one of Athens’ most enchanting views of the Acropolis, or savor the best of Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant.

Emerald Azzurra
Discover why the editors of Cruise Critic picked Emerald Azzurra as their “Best New Luxury Ship” in 2022. Reaching an impressive 360 feet in length with only 50 cabins, the new Emerald Azzurra offers spacious, sleek surroundings and a collection of modern amenities including the  infinity-style pool and onboard Wellness Center.

Itinerary

Map of the Route for the 2026 Princeton Journey to Greece

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception

  • September 22 | Depart U.S.
    Depart on overnight flights to Athens, Greece.
    Meals aloft
     
  • September 23 | Athens, Greece
    Arrive Athens and transfer to the 5-star Athens Capital Hotel in the Kolonaki District, steps from Syntagma Square. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant with spectacular views of the Acropolis. 
    Athens Capital Hotel (R, D)
     
  • September 24 | Athens
    Visit the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, then savor a taste of Athens with lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the National Archaeological Museum or Benaki Museum, housed in the Benakis family mansion, then return to the hotel for dinner at leisure. 
    Athens Capital Hotel (B, L)
     
  • September 25 | Athens
    Venture to the iconic archaeological site of Delphi for a full-day excursion. The evening is free for individual pursuits and dinner at leisure. 
    Athens Capital Hotel (B, L)
     
  • September 26 | Athens
    Travel to Sounion to explore the Temple of Poseidon, then enjoy lunch with views of the Aegean. Embark the Emerald Azzurra in Piraeus and raise a glass at the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner.
    Emerald Azzurra (B, L, D)
     
  • September 27 | Delos / Mykonos
    Set out on a guided exploration of the UNESCO-designated island of Delos, mythological birthplace of Apollo. Then cruise over lunch to Mykonos for an unhurried guided tour with time to swim in the azure waters or wander the beautiful cobblestone streets, and options to visit the Ano Mera Monastery or learn about the ancient art of mosaic.
    Emerald Azzurra (B, L, D)
     
  • September 28 | Kusadasi, Türkiye
    Spend the morning exploring Ephesus, Europe’s most complete classical metropolis, and enjoy a Turkish lunch ashore. Then choose between a visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, or take some free time to explore Kusadasi independently. The remainder of the afternoon is at sea.
    Emerald Azzurra (B, L, D)
     
  • September 29 | Heraklion, Crete
    Visit the UNESCO-designated ruins of Knossos, a spectacular Bronze Age site known as Europe’s oldest city, visit the impressive Archaeological Museum, and partake in a local wine tasting. Then cruise to Piraeus and celebrate the adventure with the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner on board.
    Emerald Azzurra (B, L, R, D)
     
  • September 30 | Athens / Return to the U.S.
    Disembark the Emerald Azzurra for flights home or continue on the post-program extension to the Peloponnese Peninsula.
    (B)

Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Pricing

View Emerald Azzurra deck layouts.

  • Category D, Oceanview Stateroom, Emerald Deck, 183-205 sq ft, 1 window, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $7,990 per person sharing; $11,985 single occupancy
     
  • Category B, Balcony Suite, Observation Deck, 260 sq ft, 45 sq ft private balcony, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $9,990 per person sharing; $14,995 single occupancy
     
  • Category A, Balcony Suite, Panorama Deck, 260 sq ft, 45 sq ft private balcony, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $10,990 per person sharing
     
  • Category S, Deluxe Balcony Suite, Pool Deck, 305 sq ft, oversized 100 sq ft private balcony, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $11,990 per person sharing
     
  • Category T, Terrace Suite, Panorama Deck, 260 sq ft, 410 sq ft private terrace, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $13,990 per person sharing
     
  • Category Y, Yacht Suite, Observation Deck, 345 sq ft, 375 sq ft private terrace, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $14,990 per person sharing
     
  • Category SA, Owner's Suite, Pool Deck, 580 sq ft, 600 sq ft private terrace, flexible bedding (2 twins or queen): $17,990 per person sharing

Inclusions

Included in the program cost are: All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary • Group transfers for all participants on group arrival and departure dates • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and presentations • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides and drivers • Gratuities to shipboard personnel • Baggage handling • Port charges • Entrance fees • Welcome and farewell wine receptions • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with all group lunches and dinners and on board Emerald Azzurra • Filtered water on motorcoaches • Professional tour manager throughout the program

Not included: U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations • Private airport transfers or airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure dates • Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Excursions that deviate from the scheduled tour options • Airline baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, fax, Internet, and email charges • Room service • Other items of a personal nature

Reservations

Please view the tour terms and conditions, then register online or contact the Princeton Journeys team at journeys@princeton.edu / 609.258.8686 with questions.
 

Trip Details

  • Dates
    September 22 - September 30, 2026
  • Activity Level
    Moderate
  • Cost
    from $7,990 per person, double occupancy; from $11,985 per person, single occupancy
  • Deposit
    $1,000 per person
  • Contact
    journeys@princeton.edu