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

This Ionian Sea cruise on Makedonia Palace is the kind of day that makes you stop saying regular beach plans. You spend hours moving through that 50 shades of blue look, with multiple islands and iconic stops stacked into one trip.

I especially like that you get real swimming time at several famous beaches, not just a quick drop-off and a photo. I also like the onboard energy, led by Captain Costa, where the crew keeps things lively on the top deck. The main drawback is the trade-off of speed and crowds, the boat can feel packed and some beach stops are short.

Key things to know before you go

• Big-picture day trip with 6 named stops across Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Ithaca
• Swimming at multiple beaches including Egremni, Afales (Ithaca), and a possible Jackie Kennedy beach swim on Skorpios
• Lunch is included (gyros pork, Greek salad, bread), but drinks are not
• Crowd and queue reality: boarding is one thing, lining up for lunch is another
• Top-deck fun factor with Captain Costa and crew interaction, including singing and dancing

Makedonia Palace and the Ionian Sea’s 50 shades of blue

Start the day in Lefkada and you’ll quickly get what this cruise is all about. The Ionian Sea changes color as you move, and the boat format turns views into something you keep getting, not something you only see at one viewpoint.

Makedonia Palace is a large ship, and that matters. It gives you comfort for a long day, but it also means seating, shade, and the best spots can fill up fast. If you like to choose where you relax, plan to be proactive.

The best moments are usually the beach stops when you step off and the water is exactly the color you were hoping for. Even a 20 minute visit to a famous place can feel worthwhile when the photo views come with actual access to the shoreline.

Price, what’s included, and when $60.46 feels fair

At $60.46 per person, you’re paying for an all-day boat ride, guided stopovers, and included lunch. You’re not just buying sightseeing, you’re buying time on the water plus access to several major beaches that would be a pain to string together by bus and ferry.

That value gets better because lunch is included. You’ll get traditional Greek gyros with pork, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Drinks are not included, so if coffee, soft drinks, or water matters to you, plan on paying extra.

One more value point: each stop includes time built in, and most are free of admission. That means you’re spending your money on the cruise experience itself, not entrance tickets.

How the full day works, and what “short stops” means for your plan

This is about an 8 to 9 hour day. It starts at 9:15 am and ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not juggling transfers or ending the day somewhere inconvenient.

Here’s the stop rhythm and what it implies:

• Porto Katsiki (about 20 minutes): fast photo time and a quick look
• Egremni Beach (about 1 hour): proper swim and sun time
• Fiscardo Harbor (about 1 hour free time): wander time on Kefalonia
• Ithaca, Afales beach (about 45 minutes): another swim and relax window
• Papanikolis Cave (about 15 minutes): short WWII story stop for photos and info
• Skorpios (about 30 minutes): island tour and possibly a swim at Jackie Kennedy beach depending on circumstances

That schedule is the point of the tour. You’ll see a lot, but you won’t live in one place long enough for a slow, no-rush beach day. If you hate rushing, this might feel like a lot. If you love a packed itinerary, it’s a strong fit.

Also, plan for time lost around getting off the boat. One of the most common friction points I’d steer you toward is the landing and reboarding window. At several beach stops, getting off can take longer than you expect, so it helps to arrive ready, not hunting for your stuff at the last second.

Porto Katsiki: 20 minutes for cliff drama and beach photos

Porto Katsiki is one of Lefkada’s most famous beaches, and the cruise gives you about 20 minutes there. That’s short, but it’s the right length for what the stop is: quick wow views and a snapshot session before the boat moves on.

What to do with your time:

• Take your photos early, then switch to shoreline time so you still feel like you were there.
• Bring footwear you’re comfortable walking in. Some beach access is not exactly flat and easy.

Since this is a brief stop, this is not the place to expect a long swim workout. If your ideal day is swimming for hours, save your energy for Egremni and Afales later.

Egremni Beach: one hour of real swim and sun

Egremni is the stop that feels like it has the most “beach day” energy. You’ll get about 1 hour here, and you step off directly onto the beach. That matters because it reduces the hassle factor. You’re not waiting around for a secondary transfer, and you can get into the sand and water fast.

What makes it special is the combination of time and setting. This is the kind of beach where you can actually do the classic routine: swim, float, then sunbathe without constantly checking the clock.

Two practical tips:

• If you want shade, think ahead, because on a big boat day, shade on land might be limited depending on where you end up.
• If you’re sensitive to waves or depth, take a careful entry at first. Famous beaches can look calm from above, then feel different once you’re in.

Fiscardo Harbor on Kefalonia: one hour to wander, not just look

After Lefkada, you get a different vibe at Fiscardo Harbor on Kefalonia. You’ll have about 1 hour of free time to explore.

This stop isn’t mainly about swimming. It’s about getting your legs moving and doing that waterfront wander thing. Fiscardo’s harbor feels like a postcard, and one hour is enough to see the main area, grab a drink if you want one, and enjoy the boats and shoreline views.

The limitation is simple: one hour goes quickly. If you want a longer stroll, you’ll feel the time constraint. But as a break from nonstop beach-to-beach, it’s a good reset.

Afales beach in Ithaca: 45 minutes of turquoise water

Ithaca is the surprise sand-and-water moment in the schedule. You’ll have about 45 minutes at Afales beach, with time for swimming and sunbathing.

This is the stop that often feels like the “you’re really on vacation” payoff. By the time you reach Ithaca, the earlier photography moments start to blur together, and the water time feels more meaningful.

Again, don’t overplan. You only have 45 minutes, so keep it simple:

• Swim first if that’s your priority, then stretch out on land after.
• If the water is busy, pick your spot and keep your expectations flexible.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who needs calm, shallow swimming, the tour can be a mixed bag. Some beaches can be wavier or deeper than you might expect from a quick view, so choose swim time thoughtfully.

Papanikolis Cave: a short WWII story stop for photos and facts

The Papanikolis Cave stop is only about 15 minutes, but it adds a historical flavor without turning the day into a museum tour. This cave is known for submarine ties connected to Captain Papanicolis and hiding during World War II.

This is a quick photo and information pause. It’s ideal if you like having a reason behind the scenery, even briefly. It’s also ideal if you don’t want to spend your vacation time reading a long script.

Practical move: have your camera ready and treat it like a photo pull-over, because you won’t get long to linger.

Skorpios Island and Jackie Kennedy beach: tour time and a conditional swim

Skorpios is a more structured stop. You’ll get about 30 minutes, which includes an island tour and information. The island has ties to Aristotle Onassis in its past ownership, and it’s currently associated with owner Ribilovlev.

A big reason this stop gets attention is the possibility of swimming at Jackie Kennedy beach. You’ll have a swim stop if the owner Ribilovlev is not at the island.

That conditional part is key. You might get the swim. You might not. Either way, Skorpios is worth it for the island tour portion and the sense of place.

If swimming at Jackie Kennedy beach is a must for you, keep expectations flexible. Plan for the tour time as the guaranteed part, and treat the swim as a bonus.

Lunch onboard: gyros pork, Greek salad, and the queue challenge

Lunch is included, but drinks are not. You’ll get gyros pork, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. That’s a solid Greek lunch base, and it helps you avoid the typical “tour prices” feeling where food costs a lot more on top of the tour price.

The practical problem is how the lunch lines can work. The onboard setup can turn lunch into a stressful wait, with multiple queues feeding into one food area. On a crowded ship, timing and organization matter, and this is the part of the day where you feel the boat size the most.

My advice to make lunch work for you:

• Eat a bit earlier if you get the chance, before the busiest wave hits your area.
• If you’re picky about veggie options, bring a small backup snack if that’s your style. Lunch includes veggie options, but the quality can be hit or miss.

Also, since drinks aren’t included, you may want to have a plan for water and any hot or cold beverages you like during the ride.

Crowds, seating, shade, and smoking rules you should plan around

A large boat plus a full schedule means crowding can be real. I’d treat seat finding as part of your strategy, not something you’ll leave to luck.

You can also run into shade limits. On the top deck, there may not be enough shade for long stretches, especially in the afternoon. If you get sun-sensitive, bring what you need: hat, sunscreen, and a layer if wind on deck is chilly for you.

One more practical note: smoking on board is allowed. That means you might want to keep distance from smoking zones when you’re trying to relax.

Captain Costa and the crew vibe on the top deck

This cruise has a fun factor that goes beyond scenery. Captain Costa and the crew make interaction part of the day, with entertainment that can include singing and dancing on the top deck in the afternoon.

That matters because it changes how you experience a long day. When the itinerary is packed, you need energy onboard to keep fatigue from winning. This is one cruise where the mood can turn a “just getting through the stops” day into something you’ll actually talk about later.

If you’re the kind of person who likes friendly chaos and doesn’t mind mixed ages, this vibe is a plus. If you want quiet and solitude the entire day, you may struggle on a ship this size and with this much activity.

Who should book this cruise from Lefkada, and who should rethink it

This is a strong choice if you want a one-day sampler of the Ionian Sea: multiple islands, famous beaches, and swimming time, all with lunch included.

It’s also a good pick for groups with mixed ages and backgrounds, since the cruise runs for all ages and all nationalities. It’s even service-animal friendly, and it’s near public transportation.

I’d rethink it if:

• You hate crowds and want tons of personal space for 8 to 9 hours.
• You’re counting on long beach time at every stop. Several stops are intentionally short.
• Your kids need calm, shallow swimming. Some beaches in the route can be wavy or deeper than you expect.

Should you book Makedonia Palace from Lefkada?

Book it if your priority is variety plus water time. You’ll get multiple iconic stops, real swimming at key beaches, and an onboard atmosphere led by Captain Costa that makes the day feel like more than a checklist.

Consider skipping if you’re the type who needs quiet, shade, and smooth logistics at every meal. This tour is fun and popular, but it can feel crowded, and lunch lines can be chaotic.

My decision checklist:

• If you’re happy with short stop times and you want to see a lot, it’s a yes.
• If you need slow and uncrowded, you’ll probably be happier with a smaller boat or fewer stops.

FAQ

How long is the Makedonia Palace Ionian Sea cruise?

The duration is about 8 to 9 hours.

What time does the tour start in Lefkada?

The start time is 9:15 am.

What is included in the lunch?

Lunch is included and includes traditional Greek gyros pork, Greek salad, and 2 pieces of bread. Drinks are not included.

What beaches and stops are included on the route?

You’ll stop at Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, Fiscardo Harbor, Ithaca (Afales beach), Papanikolis Cave, and Skorpios.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour offers a mobile ticket.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes, it requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.