Next, spend an afternoon exploring Kusadasi, a popular beach destination on Turkey's western coast. You'll then sail toward Greece and stop for a day at Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago; the medieval Old Town was built by the 14th-century Knights of St. John.

The cruise proceeds from Greece to Alexandria, Egypt, where the ship will stay docked overnight. You'll be free to explore this Mediterranean city, founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great. While Alexandria's greatest treasures (think of the ancient library and the Pharos lighthouse) were destroyed in fires and earthquakes, the city boasts various other worthwhile attractions like Qaitbey Fort; the Corniche, the seaside promenade stretching the length of the city; and the Kom el Shokafa Catacombs.

Church bells in Santorini, Greece (Bob Jacobson/Corbis) [enlarge photo]

After a day and a half in Egypt, you'll sail back north to Greece and disembark in Fira on the picture-perfect island of Santorini. Stroll along the hilly, narrow streets lined with outdoor cafes and whitewashed houses. There is speculation that Santorini might be the lost continent of Atlantis. And the recent Minoan excavations in Akrotiri, south of Fira, may support that idea. You'll sail back from Santorini to Athens to catch your flight home.

Note that you can customize your trip with optional guided tours available at each stop. Add-ons range in price from $67 per person for a tour of the Old City and Philermos on the island of Rhodes to $129 per person for a Highlights of Istanbul tour with lunch.

You can also choose to upgrade your accommodations. Add $50 per person for a night at the 395-room Stanley Hotel in Athens and seven nights in a superior inside cabin; add $250 per person for a night at the 242-room Divani Palace Acropolis and seven nights in a standard outside cabin; add $350 per person for a night at the 265-room Royal Olympic Hotel and seven nights in a superior outside cabin.

While there is no option to extend your stay after the trip, you can add pre-tour nights in Athens at the Oscar & Oscar Inn for $99 per person per night. For more tips on what to do in the area, visit the official websites of the Greek National Tourism Organization, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, and the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office.

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