Celestyal

Celestyal is a Greek line, and it sails the Aegean as a local would. Its ships are mid-sized, small enough to call at the islands without overwhelming them, and its itineraries are busy with ports. A short sailing from Athens might take in Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos and Crete, with a call at Kusadasi on the Turkish coast for the ruins of Ephesus.

On board, the Greek character is plain to see in the cooking, the music and the crew, and the atmosphere is friendly and informal rather than polished. The short itineraries of three or four nights combine easily with a stay on the mainland, which is how many travellers use them. In winter the line moves part of its operation to the Arabian Gulf.