Duration
8 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
8 Ports
2 May
Setting sail from Istanbul
This is one of those destinations that really does live up to the hype! Istanbul is the place where East meets West, where Asia Minor reaches out across the Bosphorus and almost touches Europe. In its earlier incarnation as Constantinople, the city was the eastern bastion of the Byzantine Empire, holding out for centuries before finally capitulating to the Ottomans in 1453, and it remains a bristling, bustling cultural melting pot, the skyline dotted with magnificent minarets and domes.
Don't miss
Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, the Golden Horn, the Suleiman Mosque, the spice market, the shopping, the museums and galleries and… so much more!
3 May
Bulgaria: Nessebar
The main attraction in Nessebar is the pretty old town, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus and full of Byzantine churches in varying states of decay. In summer the crowds can be a little overbearing, but the cobbled streets are sufficiently charming to make a visit worth your while.
4 May
Romania: Bucharest
Once known as the ‘Paris of the East’, it’s fair to say that modern Bucharest bears some pretty ugly architectural scars from the 22-year dictatorship of the late Nicolae Ceauşescu. Looks aren’t everything though, and Romania’s capital has emerged from the ashes of communism as a feisty, dynamic city.
5 May
Ukraine: Odesa
Founded by Catherine the Great in 1794, the sunny port of Odesa has a rich and storied history as a cosmopolitan playground for Russian high society, reflected in the city’s gloriously faded neoclassical architecture. Famous sights include the Potemkin Steps, so called after featuring in the classic 1925 film ‘Battleship Potemkin’.
6 May
At sea
7 May
Russia: Sochi
Sochi’s sub-tropical climate and spectacular setting, where the Caucasus mountains meet the Black Sea coast, mean that this has long been a popular summer beach destination, which made it all the more surprising when the city was chosen as the venue for the Winter Olympics in 2014!
8 May
Georgia: Batumi
The balmy Black Sea port of Batumi is Georgia’s most popular beach resort, and a great introduction to this intriguing country. Significant investment over the last few years has resulted in a glut of eye-catching new buildings, along with a delightfully spruced-up seafront boulevard.
9 May
Turkey: Sinop
Named after a mythical Amazon queen, the pretty town of Sinop is situated on a rocky promontory that guards the Black Sea’s finest natural harbour. You can explore the ruins of the city walls and the old fortress, or simply relax at one of the many seafront cafés and restaurants.
10 May
Arriving in Istanbul
Our tip
Try and go for an authentic Turkish experience with a bath in a hamam. Discuss your options with the receptionist. Cagaloglu Hamami is the most spectacular.
Your home from home
Star Pride, Legend and Breeze are hugely popular little vessels, for good reason.
What we love
These small ships accommodate 312 guests in large all-suite accommodation, following the completion of the Star Plus refurbishment programme in 2021. There's a choice of restaurants and comfortable lounges and plenty of deck space, while the ship's marina ensures you can enjoy the complimentary watersports when anchored in hidden bays and tiny coves.
Capacity | 312 Guests |
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Crew | 190 International Staff |
Style | This is laid-back luxury at its best with relaxed informal days, refined yet comfortable evenings and a friendly and welcoming crew. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Our recommended hotel in Istanbul
We love the intimate Four Seasons at Sultanahmet, but – top Mundy tip! - it is so small that it’s often fully booked, so don’t hang about.
See more of Turkey
Take a few extra days and travel to Cappadocia for the extraordinary Star Wars scenery, rock caves and churches.