Athens: VIP Swimming Cruise to three islands

Three islands, one long day at sea. This Athens Riviera cruise combines easy hotel pickup with swimming stops at Agistri, Metopi, and Aegina, plus a Greek buffet, drinks, sun beds, and music on the ride home. I like the generous schedule, especially the long stop at Agistri, and I like that the fare includes transport, lunch, wine, beer, coffee, soft drinks, fruit, meze, and one cocktail.

The main caution is the word VIP. One recent account praised the private areas and attentive service, while another found the ship old, the reserved section poorly maintained, and the food disappointing. At $229 per person, this is good value if you use the included food, drinks, transfers, and deck space. It is less convincing if you expect a polished yacht or a quiet, intimate sailing.

Key points at a glance

• Hotel pickup from 22 Athens locations: Pickup and return are included from a long list of central Athens, Riviera, and Glyfada hotels.
• Three proper water stops: You get about two hours at Agistri, 40 minutes at Metopi, and 105 minutes at Aegina.
• Food and drinks are built into the fare: Expect a Greek buffet, meze with ouzo, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, filtered coffee, and one cocktail.
• A real deck day: Luxury sun beds, beanbags, a private outdoor deck, and a lounge room give you several ways to spend the cruise.
• A long ride home with music: The return through the Saronic Gulf includes drinks, dancing, a DJ, and sunset views.
• Service can shape the experience: Jordan earned special praise for patience and kindness, but the condition of the ship may not match every VIP expectation.

What the $229 price really buys you

At first glance, $229 is a serious price for a nine-hour boat trip. I would not compare it with a simple ferry ticket. You are paying for a full day with hotel transfers, fast-lane boarding, a private area, staff service, a covered outdoor deck, a lounge room, sun beds, lunch, snacks, drinks, and entertainment.

The included drinks matter more than they may seem. Wine, beer, soft drinks, filtered coffee, fresh fruit, meze, and a cocktail can add up quickly on a Greek island day. You also avoid the usual chain of taxis, ferry tickets, beach purchases, and restaurant decisions. For someone who wants the day handled from start to finish, the package has sound value.

I would still set your expectations carefully. This is a large cruise ship experience with a DJ, shared entertainment, and a set schedule. The VIP sections provide more comfort and service, but they do not necessarily turn the vessel into a private yacht. One account from May 2024 described a private cabin, a separate outdoor section, regular drink service, appetizers, lunch, dessert, and fruit. Another account from August 2024 had the opposite impression, citing broken loungers, old furniture, poor air conditioning, unpleasant smells, and weak food.

That contrast suggests that maintenance and the day’s setup can matter greatly. I would book for the route, swimming, and inclusive package first. Treat the VIP label as a useful comfort upgrade, not a guarantee of five-star ship design.

Morning pickup and the run out from Athens

Pickup is available from 22 hotels, including the Royal Olympic, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Divani Palace Acropolis, The Stanley, Grand Hyatt Athens, Fresh Hotel, A for Athens, and Palace Hotel Glyfada. The long list is useful if you are staying in central Athens or along the southern coast, but you need to check the exact pickup time in your confirmation.

The cruise sails at 9:45. The first sightseeing cruise lasts about 105 minutes, so the morning begins with a substantial ride out toward the islands. This is not just dead time. You can settle into the deck, find your preferred seating, and watch Athens recede as the boat heads into the Saronic Gulf.

The ship has several zones. The private sun deck includes luxury sun beds, while the outdoor deck has weather protection. A private lounge room includes sofas, an armchair, and separate Wi-Fi. If the sun becomes too strong, the indoor space gives you a break without ending your day on the water.

Fast-lane boarding is included, which helps on a day with a fixed route. You will want to arrive ready for a long day outside. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something dry for the ride back. The rules prohibit nudity, jumping, fire, fireworks, weapons, sharp objects, explosive materials, pets, and intoxication.

Agistri: the longest island stop

Agistri receives about two hours, making it the most generous stop of the day. You have time for a swim, a walk, photographs, and a little independent exploring rather than a quick look from the rail.

Agistri is a strong first stop because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the cruise. The clear water is the main event. You can swim, sit on the shore, or simply enjoy the scenery from the boat if you would rather not get wet. The schedule also allows you to combine activities, which is helpful for mixed groups. One person can swim while another walks or shops.

I like this stop more than a route that gives you three rushed island calls. Two hours is long enough to make the island feel like a place, not just a photo background. Still, you should not expect a full island tour. The time is designed for a short visit, swimming, and scenic views, not for seeing every corner of Agistri.

The main practical point is to watch the clock. Swimming days have a habit of turning an hour into ten minutes. Since the ship follows a set schedule, you need to return when instructed rather than stretching your time on shore.

Metopi: a short, beautiful water break

After another 20-minute cruise, the boat reaches Nisis Metopi for about 40 minutes. This is the shortest stop, and it is best understood as a water and photography break.

Metopi gives you another chance to swim in the Saronic Gulf. The stop is less about a long shore visit and more about the setting: open water, scenic views, and a fresh place to cool off. If you have already swum at Agistri, you can use this pause for photographs or a relaxed drink.

Forty minutes passes quickly. I would not plan a substantial walk here. Have your swim gear ready and listen for the return-to-boat instructions. This stop works well as a change of pace between the longer island calls, but it may feel brief if you want more time on land.

Greek food on the Saronic Gulf

Lunch is served aboard the ship during a 30-minute meal period. The experience includes a Mediterranean-style Greek buffet, Greek meze with ouzo, fresh fruit, and drinks. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and filtered coffee are included, and one cocktail is also part of the package.

The food service adds real value because it keeps the day moving. You do not need to spend one of your limited island stops hunting for lunch. You can eat, refill your drink, and keep enjoying the water.

I would keep expectations practical. The meal is a buffet rather than a carefully plated restaurant lunch. One account praised the appetizers, lunch, dessert, and fruit plate, while another called the food poor. Dietary restrictions should be provided in advance, as requested by the operator. If food is a major reason you are booking, ask for current details before paying.

Ouzo with meze is a pleasant Greek touch, but pace yourself. The day is long, the sun is strong, and alcohol is available throughout the cruise. The rules also prohibit intoxication, so the best approach is to enjoy the drinks slowly and keep enough water in the mix.

Aegina and the Perdika question

The afternoon stop lasts about 105 minutes and is listed as Aegina. The route description also names Perdika, so the exact shore location may be presented as Aegina or the Perdika area. Check the final route details if that distinction matters to you.

This is the second substantial island stop. You have time for a walk, shopping, photographs, sightseeing, and another swim. After Agistri and Metopi, Aegina gives you a different kind of break because the schedule specifically includes shopping and exploring, not only water time.

Aegina is useful for anyone in a group with different interests. Swimmers can get back in the sea, while others can stay on land. You might also prefer to use this stop for local purchases rather than carrying souvenirs around all day. The 105-minute window is long enough to browse without making the shore visit the entire purpose of the cruise.

The limitation is the same as at Agistri: this is an overview, not a full island excursion. Optional excursions may be available, but they are not included. If you want a guided visit beyond the scheduled stop, budget extra and confirm what is offered.

The sunset return with DJ and drinks

The ride back includes about 105 minutes of cruising through the Saronic Gulf, followed by another 105-minute sightseeing cruise in the schedule. The return section is where the trip shifts from island visits to onboard entertainment.

The ship’s DJ provides music while you watch the sun go down over the sea. Drinks continue, including beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. There is also a dance show listed as part of the return program. If you want a quiet ferry ride, this may feel too lively. If you enjoy music and a social deck atmosphere, it gives the final hours a clear purpose.

I like the timing of this part. You have already had your main swim stops and meal, so you can choose a sun bed, beanbag, lounge seat, or covered deck and let the scenery do the work. The private outdoor area and separate lounge room are especially useful here. The weather may change, and a covered option keeps the ride comfortable.

The cruise returns to the same broad group of hotel areas, including central Athens, the southern coast, and Glyfada. One account praised the transport as excellent and said the schedule was followed closely, with arrival back around 6:30 p.m. Exact timing can vary, but the planned day is long and structured.

Service, seating, and the meaning of VIP

The strongest positive detail about the service is personal attention. Jordan was singled out for being kind and patient with all passengers, and that sort of calm help matters on a boat day with boarding, swimming, meals, and several stops.

The package also includes exclusive private areas and service staff. You can request a meeting with the captain and a private bridge tour, which is a nice extra for families or anyone interested in how the ship operates. A discount at the ship shop is included as well.

The private sun deck is likely the most useful VIP feature. A good lounger changes the feel of a nine-hour day, especially when you want to dry off after swimming or watch the sunset without standing. The lounge room adds another escape from wind and sun.

Still, inspect the language carefully. The experience promises private sun beds and a private area, but a past account reported broken loungers and worn furnishings. Conditions may have changed, but I would not choose this trip solely for luxury interiors. The best case is a comfortable base on a fun, inclusive swimming cruise. The weaker case is a dated vessel where the VIP space does not feel special enough for the price.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full sea day without arranging ferries, taxis, meals, and beach plans yourself. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy swimming but also want food, drinks, music, and options for people who prefer to stay dry.

It is also a good match for a short Athens stay. You can see several Saronic Gulf locations in one day without changing hotels or building a complicated island itinerary. The included hotel transfer is particularly useful if you are staying at one of the listed properties.

I would be more cautious if you want solitude, a small sailing boat, a highly polished luxury vessel, or a quiet cultural tour. The route is long, the schedule is fixed, and the DJ and dance segment make this a social cruise. Wheelchair users should not book, as the activity is not suitable for wheelchair access.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. You must provide each participant’s full name, gender, birth date, nationality, and passport or ID number for port regulations, along with dietary information.

Final call: good value for the right kind of sea day

I would book this cruise if I wanted three swimming stops, a full lunch and drinks package, hotel transport, and a sunset party in one day. The long Agistri and Aegina stops give the route more substance than a simple sail-by excursion, and the ability to swim, shop, walk, or rest makes it workable for mixed groups.

I would not book it expecting a pristine private yacht. The price makes sense when you use the transfers, food, beverages, reserved seating, and long day on the water. If you mainly want a quiet boat, basic swimming, or independent island time, a cheaper ferry and self-guided plan may suit you better.

FAQ

How long does the Athens VIP swimming cruise last?

The cruise lasts nine hours. The boat sails at 9:45, and the schedule includes morning travel, three island or water stops, lunch, and a sunset return toward Athens.

Which islands and locations does the cruise visit?

The route includes Agistri, Nisis Metopi, and Aegina. Perdika is also named in the trip description, so check the final route details if you need the exact afternoon shore location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from 22 listed locations, including several central Athens hotels, southern Athens hotels, and Palace Hotel Glyfada. Your confirmation provides the exact pickup time and details.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a Greek or Mediterranean buffet lunch, Greek meze with ouzo, fresh fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, filtered coffee, and one cocktail from the available selection.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming is scheduled at Agistri, Nisis Metopi, and Aegina. You can also use the stops for walking, shopping, sightseeing, photographs, or relaxing.

Are private areas included?

Yes. The package includes a private sun deck with luxury sun beds, a private outdoor deck with weather protection, a private lounge room with seating and Wi-Fi, and an exclusive private area with service staff.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.