Study Cruise: The Cyclades and the Dodecanese
With French elegance and a spirit of discovery aboard Le Dumont d'Urville
Interested in this voyage?
Personal advice, no call centre - a reply within 24 hours.
Aegean Sea & Greek Islands from/to Athens
Seven nights as a round trip from Athens take you aboard Le Dumont d'Urville along the Greek islands of the southern Aegean, accompanied by the Smithsonian Journeys educational programme. The route links Patmos and Santorini with Mykonos and Nafplio, with lectures from renowned Smithsonian experts on board. Marina, Zodiacs and the Blue Eye underwater lounge open the islands from the water. 184 guests, premium all-inclusive, an enriched island loop.
Route highlights
- Athens (Lavrion): Acropolis and Parthenon as the opening of the island voyage.
- Patmos: UNESCO World Heritage around John's Cave of the Apocalypse.
- Amorgos: A steep Cycladic isle with the cliff-side Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery.
- Santorini caldera: At anchor inside the volcanic crater of the Minoan eruption around 1620 BC.
- Delos: Uninhabited sanctuary of Apollo, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
- Mykonos: Windmills above Little Venice, the white-and-blue postcard image of the Cyclades.
- Nafplio: The first capital of independent Greece, beneath the Venetian Palamidi fortress.
Early booking advantage: Voyages in 2027 fill quickly - premium cabins are often reserved 18-24 months in advance. An early booking enquiry is non-binding and secures your preferred cabin category.
The Route
Lavrion (Athens)
7 nights
Nafplio
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Lavrion (Athens) · Embarkation
Lavrion (also Lavrio) sits at the south-eastern tip of Attica, some 60 kilometres from Athens, and is today one of Greece's foremost sailing harbours. Most Cyclades passages set off from its modern marinas, as the Meltemi wind sets in more favourably here than in the Saronic Gulf. Lavrion mattered in antiquity too: the silver mines of Laurion funded the Athenian fleet that defeated the Persians at Salamis in 480 BC. A few kilometres to the south, Cape Sounion rises above the sea, crowned by the Temple of Poseidon, whose marble columns glow golden at sunset.
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Patmos
On Patmos, the apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation in the Cave of the Apocalypse. The UNESCO-protected Monastery of Saint John the Theologian rises above the white-and-blue Chora - one of the most important Christian sites in the eastern Mediterranean.
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Bodrum
Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) was the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (the Mausoleum). Today the town is Turkey's most stylish yachting destination, with whitewashed hotels, a Cycladic-feeling old town and the Crusader castle on the harbour.
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Amorgos
Amorgos is the easternmost of the Cyclades and perhaps the most dramatic, its steep mountain flanks plunging straight into a deep blue sea. Pressed into a cliff face 300 metres high, the monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa gleams dazzling white above the water; founded in 1088, it is still home to a handful of monks. On the coast below lies the bay of Agia Anna, immortalised by Luc Besson in his 1988 film The Big Blue. High above it all stands the Chora, a labyrinth of whitewashed lanes and old windmills that seems to have forgotten time.
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Kreuzen in der Caldera von Santorini
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Adamas, Milos
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Delos
Delos is one of the most sacred sites of antiquity: in Greek mythology the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and once the religious and commercial centre of the Aegean. Today the uninhabited island is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a unique open-air archaeological park.
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Mykonos
Mykonos is the most international of the Greek islands - whitewashed cube houses, blue domes, windmills and a nightlife that lasts until morning. Little Venice with its captains' balconies right above the sea is one of the most photographed scenes in Greece.
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Nafplio
Nafplio was the first capital of independent Greece from 1827 to 1834, and remains one of the country's most elegant towns. Above the old quarter stands the Venetian fortress of Palamidi, reached by a famous flight of steps, while out in the harbour the little island castle of Bourtzi lies at anchor like a ship of stone. The neoclassical lanes, bright with bougainvillea and lined with cafés, seem to breathe history. Two World Heritage Sites lie close by: the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, celebrated for its perfect acoustics, and the citadel of Mycenae with its Lion Gate.
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Athen · Disembarkation
Climate & best time to sail
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 23 | 18 | 14 |
| Sea °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
| Rain mm | 48 | 41 | 41 | 29 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 52 | 60 | 70 |
Long-term monthly normals · Reference: Athens / Aegean Sea
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont d'Urville has sailed since 2019 as the fourth Explorer ship. 184 guests, Blue Eye Lounge, Zodiac fleet. Named after the explorer who claimed Adélie Land for France in 1840.
In the eastern Mediterranean, Le Dumont d'Urville links Greek islands with the Turkish coast - a route through 3,000 years of maritime history.
The Ship
Cabins
Owner's Suite
The most exclusive suite on board, located on Deck 6. Separate bedroom, balneo bathtub, panoramic views, butler service and personalised attention from the crew.
Cabin layout
Prestige Suite with Balcony
Elegant suites on Decks 5 and 6. Separate living and sleeping areas, two dressing rooms, generous balcony. Round-the-clock butler service.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Suite with Balcony
Spacious suites on Deck 6 with a separate bathtub and shower, sitting area and a private balcony. Butler service included.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Cabin
Outside cabin with a large panoramic window on Deck 3. Ideal for solo travellers or couples. All on-board amenities included.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Cabin with Balcony
Comfortable outside cabins on Decks 3 and 4 with a private balcony. Convertible twin or double beds, shower bathroom.
Cabin layout
Prestige Cabin with Balcony
The most popular category: premium cabins on Decks 4-6 with a private balcony, sitting area and convertible beds. Unobstructed views of the destination.
Cabin layout
Deck plan · Le Dumont d'Urville
Cabin prices
Prices per person in double cabin (suites: based on double occupancy), all-inclusive. Subject to availability.
| Category | Price p.P. | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Stateroom - 3 | € 6.090 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 4 - 4 | € 6.710 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 - 5 | € 7.030 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 - 6 | € 7.400 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 3 - 3 | € 10.150 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 4 - 4 | € 10.150 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 5 - 5 | € 10.150 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 10.150 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 Suite - | € 13.590 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 Suite - | € 14.270 | Available | Enquire |
| Privilege Suite Deck 5 - 5 | € 14.960 | Available | Enquire |
| Privilege Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 14.960 | Available | Enquire |
| Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 16.400 | Available | Enquire |
| Owner's Suite - 6 | € 21.330 | Available | Enquire |
Prices as of: 14.08.2026
Standard inclusions of the ship voyage
On board
- Schiffsreise in der gewählten Kabinenkategorie
- Vollpension an Bord: Frühstücksbuffet, französische Brasserie-Küche zum Mittagessen, mehrgängiges Abendessen
- Große Auswahl an Getränken in Markenqualität (Mineralwasser, Softdrinks, Wein, Bier, Champagner, Kaffee, Tee, ausgewählte Spirituosen)
- Inhalt der Minibar
- 24-Stunden-Roomservice
- Unbegrenzter WiFi-Zugang an Bord
- Ein Landausflug pro Person und Anlaufhafen
- Vorträge und Begleitung der Naturforscher und Lektoren an Bord
- Abendunterhaltung, Vorträge und Shows
- Zugang zu Fitnessbereich und Sauna
- Nicht-motorisierte Wassersport-Aktivitäten (Kajak, Stand-up-Paddle)
- Bei Expeditionsreisen: Zodiac-Anlandungen und Ausfahrten
- Hafen- und Sicherheitsgebühren
Not included
- An- und Abreise zum Schiff (Flüge, Bahn)
- Flughafentransfers
- Reiseversicherung
- Trinkgelder für Crew (übliche Empfehlung 8 bis 10 Euro pro Person und Tag)
- Premium-Spirituosen und ausgewählte Edel-Weine
- Zusätzliche, optionale Landausflüge
- Spa- und Wellness-Anwendungen
- Persönliche Ausgaben (Wäscheservice, Boutique)
- Tauchgänge
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this voyage?
Send us a non-binding enquiry via the form on this page. Our team replies personally within 24 hours with availability, cabin options and a tailored offer. No enquiry fee, no upfront payment.
What is included in the price?
The base price per person (twin cabin) includes the cabin in your chosen category, full board, all port fees and the onboard programme. Flights and transfers are quoted separately. 7 nights from EUR 5.830 p.p. With Ponant, selected wines and beverages at meals are included.
How many guests sail on the Le Dumont d'Urville?
A maximum of 184 guests - extraordinarily intimate compared to standard cruise ships. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures personal attention throughout the voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes - all itineraries are subject to weather, port availability and the captain's decisions. This is part of the charm of small-ship cruising: flexibility allows for unexpected discoveries.
Are there specials for early bookers or solo travellers?
Yes. Early bookers receive discounts for timely booking. Solo travellers often benefit from a reduced or waived single supplement. Simply mention your preferences in the enquiry.
Is my booking protected?
Yes. As a German tour operator, ivent-sailing provides a travel protection certificate (Reisesicherungsschein) under German law. Your payment is fully insured.
What about flights and transfers?
We arrange flights and transfers on request as part of your personal offer. This allows us to find the best connections for your specific departure date and home airport.
Are there shore excursions?
Yes. All cruise lines offer shore excursions - from guided cultural tours to nature experiences. The concepts vary by fleet. We are happy to provide details on available excursions for your chosen voyage.
What water sports and activities are available?
Depending on the ship and route: snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, diving, and Zodiac landings (on expedition voyages). Many ships have a marina platform for direct access to the water. We will be happy to tell you exactly what is available on your voyage.
When is the best time to sail this voyage?
The best time to sail this route is May to October.
Non-binding enquiry
Your enquiry reaches a person familiar with this voyage and ship.
