Explore Ionian Sea with its 50 shades of blue on Makedonia Palace

The best part of the Makedonia Palace cruise is the sheer variety packed into one day. You get cliff-backed beaches, clear Ionian water, a Kefalonian harbor, an Ithacan swimming stop, a wartime cave, and a look at famous Skorpios Island. It is a scenic sampler rather than a quiet sailing trip.

I like the chance to swim from the boat at Egremni Beach and Afales Beach, and I like the easy access to Fiscardo without arranging separate ferries. The main drawback is the size of the group: with up to 500 people aboard, finding a seat, boarding the beaches, and getting lunch can feel hectic.

Key points to know

• Porto Katsiki is a quick photo stop, giving you a dramatic view without using much of the day.
• Egremni Beach gets about an hour, with passengers landing straight from the boat by a safe gangway.
• Fiscardo provides the only real town visit, but one hour and 15 minutes can feel short.
• Captain Costa supplies much of the entertainment, with music, jokes, singing, and dancing on the upper deck.
• Lunch is simple Greek fare, usually pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread, while drinks cost extra.
• Arrive early for a better seat, since the boat can feel full well before the 9:15 a.m. departure.

One boat, six Ionian stops

At about $60.46 per person, this is an ambitious full-day cruise through the Ionian Sea. The route covers parts of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and the waters around Skorpios. You will not get a long, restful stay at every stop, but you will see far more in one day than you could manage independently without coordinating several boats.

The pace is brisk. The cruise lasts roughly eight to nine hours, and each stop has a clear purpose. Some are for swimming, some for photos, and Fiscardo is for a short walk and a look at one of the Ionian’s prettiest harbors.

I would think of this as a large social excursion with swimming and sightseeing, not a small-group yacht outing. If you enjoy meeting people, music, and a lively deck, that atmosphere may be part of the appeal. If you want quiet water, personal space, or long visits ashore, the boat’s size may work against you.

Porto Katsiki: a fast introduction to Lefkada’s cliffs

The first stop is Porto Katsiki, one of Lefkada’s best-known beaches. The boat pauses for about 20 minutes, giving you time to take photographs and absorb the steep coastal setting.

This is not a beach visit in the usual sense. You should expect a view from the boat rather than a long swim or sunbathing session. That short stop makes sense early in the day because the cruise saves its longer beach time for Egremni.

Have your camera ready before the boat arrives. Twenty minutes passes quickly, especially if many people are moving around the deck or waiting for a clear view. If you prefer sightseeing to swimming, this is one of the most efficient parts of the cruise.

Egremni Beach: an hour for sand and swimming

Egremni receives about one hour, making it the first proper beach stop. You get off the boat directly onto the beach using a safe gangway, then have time to swim, sunbathe, or walk along the shore.

The water is one of the main reasons to book this route. The Ionian Sea is famous for its changing blue tones, and Egremni gives you a chance to enjoy those colors from water level rather than only from the boat.

The transfer ashore can be slow when a large number of people are leaving at once. That matters because the advertised hour includes the time needed to unload and reload the boat. Keep your beach gear easy to reach, and do not wait until the last minute to return.

Conditions can also be lively. One lower-rated experience found some of the beach stops wavy and deep, so this is not automatically ideal for young children or weak swimmers. The cruise is open to all ages, but you should judge the sea on the day and keep a close eye on children.

Fiscardo: the day’s best chance to walk ashore

The boat reaches Fiscardo on Kefalonia for about one hour and 15 minutes. This is the most substantial town stop, and it adds a welcome change from beaches and open water.

Fiscardo is often called the diamond of the Ionian Sea, and its appeal comes from the harbor setting, waterfront buildings, and compact streets. Here, you can stretch your legs, look around the port, and get a taste of Kefalonia without committing to a separate island trip.

Still, do not expect a full afternoon in town. You have enough time for a quick walk and perhaps a drink, but not for a leisurely exploration of every corner. Some people would prefer more time here, while others like the fact that the cruise keeps moving.

This is also a useful reality check about the tour’s pacing. The itinerary gives you several memorable places, but it does so through short visits. You are collecting impressions rather than settling into one destination.

Afales Beach on Ithaca: the strongest swimming stop

The Ithaca stop takes place at beautiful Afales Beach, where the boat pauses for about 45 minutes. The water is turquoise and suited to swimming and sunbathing, though the available time is limited.

I like this stop because it offers a quieter kind of pleasure than Fiscardo. There is no town schedule to follow and no major sight to queue for. You can simply get into the water, enjoy the color, and let the boat’s route do the work.

The same practical caution applies here as at Egremni. The sea can be wavy and deep, and the boat may have many people trying to get ashore or back aboard. Bring only what you need to the beach, and keep track of the return time.

If swimming is your main goal, pay attention to the stop lengths. You have more time at Egremni than at Afales, but neither is a long beach day. The value comes from sampling several coves rather than spending hours at one.

Papanikolis Cave and its wartime story

Papanikolis Cave is a 15-minute stop for photographs and information. The cave is known for its connection to the Second World War, when a submarine associated with Captain Papanikolis used it as a hiding place.

This is a brief but worthwhile change of subject. After the beaches, the cave adds a piece of naval history and gives you something to look at beyond sun and sea. Fifteen minutes is enough for a short explanation and photographs, but not for a detailed historical visit.

Listen carefully to the announcement if you want the story. On a big boat, sound is not equally clear in every part of the deck. Several aspects of the cruise work better when you stay aware of where the crew is speaking.

Skorpios: a famous island viewed from the water

The final listed stop is Skorpios, once owned by Aristotle Onassis and now owned by Dmitry Rybolovlev. The boat circles the island and provides information before stopping for swimming at Jackie Kennedy Beach, but only if the owner is not on the island.

That condition matters. The swimming portion is not guaranteed, so you should regard Skorpios primarily as a scenic and informative cruise-by. If access to Jackie Kennedy Beach is possible, the stop lasts about 30 minutes.

The island’s private ownership gives this part of the route a different feel from the public beaches. You are seeing a famous place from the sea rather than walking freely across it. That limitation is not a fault in the cruise, but it is something to understand before booking.

Captain Costa keeps the long day moving

Captain Costa is one of the cruise’s strongest features. He is described as witty and energetic, and he gets people from different age groups and nationalities singing and dancing on the top deck.

That entertainment can make a long day feel shorter. The experience is not just transportation between beaches. It has a party-boat element, with the captain and crew creating a shared mood as the route continues.

The tone will not suit everyone. If you prefer quiet reading, birdwatching, or a low-key sailing trip, the music and social energy may become tiring. The upper deck can also have limited shade, and smoking is allowed on the boat, which may bother people who want fresh air without smoke.

The crew’s safety work receives positive notice, but announcements may not be easy to hear from every section of the vessel. Stay alert when the boat is preparing to leave a beach, and ask a crew member if you miss an instruction.

Lunch is included, but plan around the queue

The price includes a basic Greek lunch: pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Drinks, including hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages, are not included.

That meal helps make the $60.46 price reasonable, especially when you add the number of destinations and the full day on the water. Still, keep your expectations modest. This is practical excursion food, not a restaurant meal.

The main problem is organization. With a large group, the lunch queue can become crowded, with several lines feeding into one serving point. I would avoid waiting until the busiest moment if the crew gives you a choice about when to eat.

The vegetarian option has also been described as disappointing. If you have strong dietary needs, bring food you know you can eat. The supplied information confirms the standard pork gyros meal, but it does not promise a detailed range of alternatives.

Buying drinks aboard is another added cost. Since the cruise lasts most of the day, budget for beverages rather than treating the advertised price as the final amount.

A 500-person boat changes the experience

The maximum group size is 500, and that number explains several practical details: early arrival matters, beach unloading takes time, lunch becomes crowded, and announcements may be hard to hear from some areas.

I would arrive well before the 9:15 a.m. start if having a seat is important to you. One account described the boat as already feeling full after arriving 20 minutes early. The top deck may offer the best views, but it may also have limited shade.

Seating is not the only concern. On a nine-hour day, your comfort depends on having somewhere to sit, some protection from the sun, and a place away from smoke if smoking bothers you. Consider bringing a hat, sun protection, and a light cover-up, all of which are useful for an exposed boat deck.

The large size does have advantages. It allows the cruise to carry a broad mix of ages and nationalities, and it can create a lively group atmosphere. You are unlikely to feel isolated. The tradeoff is personal space.

Who gets the best value from this cruise?

I would recommend the Makedonia Palace to you if you want to see several Ionian highlights in one day and do not mind a busy boat. It is especially useful if you are based in Lefkada and want a simple way to reach sights connected with Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Skorpios.

It suits social people who enjoy music, group energy, and a captain who treats the trip as entertainment as well as transport. It also suits visitors with limited time, since the route covers beaches, a harbor, a cave, and a famous private island in one outing.

I would hesitate if you want a peaceful, premium boat trip. Families with small children should think carefully about the waves, deep water, exposed deck, and short transfers. The cruise is open to all ages, but that does not mean every stop is equally easy for every child.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 1,518 ratings suggest that the overall formula works for many people, especially those who value scenery and atmosphere. The lower scores point to consistent concerns rather than one-off surprises: crowding, smoking, short stops, limited shade, and an awkward lunch queue.

Should you book Makedonia Palace?

Book this cruise if your priority is maximum scenery in a single day. For about $60.46, you receive a long route, several beach stops, a Fiscardo visit, a simple lunch, and Captain Costa’s lively entertainment. That is strong value for a sightseeing day, provided you accept the group size.

Skip it if your ideal Ionian outing means a quiet deck, generous time in one harbor, or a carefully prepared meal. Arrive early, pack sun protection and backup food, keep your swim items handy, and treat every stop as a short taste rather than a full visit. With those expectations, the cruise can be an enjoyable and affordable way to see the Ionian Sea’s many shades of blue.

FAQ

How long does the Makedonia Palace cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours and begins at 9:15 a.m. It returns to the original meeting point at the end of the activity.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $60.46 per person.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, Fiscardo Harbor on Kefalonia, Afales Beach on Ithaca, Papanikolis Cave, and Skorpios Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes traditional Greek pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread.

Are drinks included?

No. Cold, hot, and alcoholic beverages are not included in the price.

How much time is spent at Egremni Beach?

The boat stops at Egremni Beach for about one hour. You can get off directly onto the beach using the safe gangway, then swim or sunbathe.

Is the boat suitable for children?

The cruise is open to all ages, but some beach stops can have waves and deep water. You should consider those conditions carefully if traveling with children.

How large can the group be?

The cruise can have a maximum of 500 passengers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.