STAY & CRUISE

The Stay & Cruise fare offers accommodations (bed and breakfast) as follow:

• Hotels in Athens - 4 stars hotel B&B accommodation: The President Hotel or similar
• Hotels in Miami - 3 stars hotel B&B accommodation (American breakfast): Ocean Five Miami Hotel, Hotel Hilton Downtown or similar
• Hotels in New York - 4 stars hotel B&B accommodation (American breakfast): The Shelbourn Sonesta/M Social Hotel Times Square or similar.
• Hotels in Istanbul - 4 stars hotel B&B accommodation: Avantgard Sisli Hotel Collection or similar

• ATHENS
  

• After breakfast, guests are invited to join their tour guide in the hotel lobby and embark on a bus panoramic tour of the historic center of Athens.
  The tour includes key landmarks such as Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium. Guests will then explore the city's most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Acropolis—during a fully guided tour. They will explore the iconic site, accompanied by insightful commentary from the tour guide.
  
  As the journey continues, guests are encouraged to stroll through the narrow streets of Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens. Here, they can indulge in the flavors of a popular Souvlaki wrap. After this culinary delight, guests will rejoin their bus, which will transport them to Piraeus port for embarkation.
  The morning excursion begins at the hotel and concludes at Piraeus Port, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all guests.

• MIAMI
  Guests will embark on a captivating journey to discover the magic of Miami on this fascinating city tour, immersing themselves in its rich history along the way. The adventure unfolds in the Art Deco district of South Beach, a city renowned for providing an exceptional setting embraced by photographers, filmmakers, actors, supermodels, and fashion designers.
  
  As the tour progresses, guests will traverse one of the bridges leading to the towering skyscrapers of Downtown, venture into the Financial District, and experience the vibrant culture of Little Havana, immersing themselves in the true essence of Miami's Cuban heritage. The exploration continues through the beautiful surrounding neighborhoods of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, each offering a unique glimpse into the city's diverse and captivating character.
  
  The duration of this enriching experience is approximately 4 hours, with hotel pick-up scheduled between 8:30 am and 9 am. The tour concludes at Miami Port, perfectly timed for guests to embark on their next adventure. Let the magic of Miami come to life for our guests, creating lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the city's dynamic tapestry.

• NEW YORK
  Departing from the hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Guests will head southbound and will pass by The New York Public Library
  and the Empire State Building up to the Flatiron district. The tour will follow with the Washington Square Park, with a look at some of trendiest
  neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, Soho and Lower Manhattan, passing by City Hall, down to Manhattan southwest point at Battery Park,
  where it is possible to spot the Statue of Liberty and New York Bay. Guests will make our back northbound passing by the World Trade Center, arriving
  in Chinatown and Little Italy. Finally they will leave Manhattan to reach Dumbo in Brooklyn, ending the tour. Duration approx 3 hours with hotel pick up scheduled for 8:30 am - 9 am Tour will end at Brooklyn Port (around 11:30 - 12:00) for embarkation.

• ISTANBUL
  Half Day Istanbul - Ortakoy & Dolmabahce Palace Tour: Resembling both a small center of daily life and a coastal borough, Ortakoy is one of the must see places for everyone visiting Istanbul. You will see the beautiful Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque; a Neo-Baroque building, right on the waterfront that has recently undergone major renovation works. Reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of a neighbourhood where Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews historically lived side by side, you can also see the Etz-Ahayim synagogue, which is located close to the Bosphorus Bridge and the Greek Orthodox church of Aya Fokas (St Phocas). In the same area is one of Istanbul’s oldest hamams, built by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1556, and the influential education establishments of Galatasaray University, Kabataş Private High School for Boys and Esma Hatun Seaside Mansion. Ortakoy presents you an adorable view along with its square and streets paved with rough cobblestone, various cafes standing on both the coastline and on cute cross streets on which the Ortaköy Bazaar is situated 600m waterfront length, which is the longest for a property on the Bosphorus, Dolmabahce Palace was built in 19th century and is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. The palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid and it took 13 years to build the palace. It was completed in 1856, served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire until 1922. It is an ostentatious blend architectural styles including Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and modern Ottoman, dripping in luxury. The tour does not include internal visits except to the Dolmabahçe Palace ("Harem" and "Selamlik" sections). Guests in wheelchairs will only be able to visit the ground floor of Dolmabahçe Palace, which has a ramp at the entrance but no lift to visit the upper floors. As Dolmabahce Palace is closed to visit on Mondays, the tour is not available on Mondays. This tour is not including lunch.

• ISTANBUL
  Full Day Istanbul - Istanbul Classics & Old City Tour.The tour includes professional guide, transfers and entrance fees): This walking tour will take you to Istanbul’s most important sites, including The Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern & Grand Bazaar. Istanbul’s Hippodrome was once the heart of Constantinople’s political and sports life and was the largest of its kind. Although very little of it remains today, it nevertheless is a significant historic site. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an historic mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. Hagia Sophia is a magnificent architectural landmark, a monument that was important for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Hagia Sophia has always been one of the most impressive and important buildings ever constructed not only for its architectural feat but for the historical significance having been both a church and a mosque. Basilica is the largest underground cistern in Istanbul and is one of the magnificent ancient buildings of İstanbul, located in the southwest of Hagia Sofia. One of the largest and oldest covered bazaars in the world, Grand Bazaar, a mindboggling labyrinth of 4000 tiny shops selling jewellery, antiques, carpets, leatherwear and souvenirs. To take a well-deserved break from shopping, we recommend you to stop by one of the many famous coffee houses. This tour includes a total of about 2.5km walking on uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with inclines and a total of 35 steps; this tour is unsuitable for wheelchair users or guests using walkers. Guests of limited mobility are requested to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability before taking part. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it at least two days before their arrival. Guests are required to remove their shoes to enter to Blue Mosque. Popular locations may be crowded, and queues must be expected; we recommend staying with your guide all the time. On Sundays or public holidays, the visit to the Grand Bazaar will be replaced with a visit to the Arasta Bazaar. This tour is including lunch

• ISTANBUL
  Airport-Port Panoramic Tour - All Istanbul's beauties and impressives views while passing by bus:
- Bosphorus Bridge: This bridge, connecting the European and Asian continents, is one of the symbols of Istanbul.                                                                                         
- Ortaköy Square and Mosque: This magnificent palace located on the shores of the Bosphorus is one of the important historical and architectural structures of the European side.
- Ortaköy Square and Mosque: Ortaköy Square and the adjacent Ortaköy Mosque, located on the shores of the Bosphorus, offer a stunning view.
- The Galata Tower: an iconic medieval landmark located in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built in the 14th century as part of the Genoese fortifications, the tower has served various purposes throughout its history, including as a watchtower, prison, and fire observation tower. Today, it is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions, offering panoramic views of the city from its observation deck. The Galata Tower stands as a symbol of Istanbul's rich history and architectural heritage.
- The Maiden's Tower: located in the Bosphorus Strait, is an iconic symbol of Istanbul. It has a rich history dating back to ancient times and has served various purposes throughout its existence, including as a lighthouse, defense tower, and quarantine station. Today, it stands as a popular tourist destination offering stunning views of the city and the Bosphorus.
- The Princes' Islands: also known as Adalar in Turkish, are a group of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul. They offer a tranquil escape from the bustling city, with their charming ambiance, picturesque landscapes, and historic buildings.

 
This tour will be done for the passengers who book Airport – Port transfer. Therefore the tour is only panoramic and the highlights mentioned on the description will be seen only from outside and far. You can explore the beauties of Istanbul's European side among your transfer to Galataport. There are no stops nor inside visit among the tour.

 

The Stay & Cruise package includes:

• 7 nights cruise
• 2 nights Hotel stay with breakfast included. In New York, there is also the possibility to choose a 3-night stay.
• Transfers: For stays before the cruise: Airport/Hotel and Hotel/Ship. For stays after the cruise: Ship/Hotel and Hotel/Airport.
• 1 excursion to discover the top attractions of the city
  
  

For specific details about each destination, call our MSC Contact Centre

Do you already have a booking? To book your hotel package call us.

Valid on on the cruises from the following embarkation ports and ships:

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• Piraeus (Athens) on MSC Sinfonia (Winter 2024-25 & Summer 2025)
• Miami on MSC Seascape and MSC Seaside (Winter 2024-25)
• New York on MSC Meraviglia (Winter 2024-25)
• Istanbul on MSC Sinfonia (Winter 2024-25)