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

The best part of this Lefkada cruise is its range. In one long day, you see dramatic beaches, a Kefalonian harbor, Ithaca’s turquoise Afales Beach, a wartime cave, and Skorpios, the former Onassis island. Six very different stops make this a strong choice when you want a broad taste of the Ionian Sea without arranging several boat trips.

I especially like the chance to step straight onto Egremni Beach from the boat, and I like the lively mood created by Captain Costa, whose singing and dancing turn the return trip into a proper party. The tradeoff is clear: Makedonia Palace is a very large boat, and with up to 500 people aboard, seats, shade, beach access, and lunch queues can become a squeeze.

Key points before you book

• Six Ionian Sea stops in one day: You visit Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Fiscardo, Ithaca, Papanikolis Cave, and Skorpios.
• Beach access from the boat: At Egremni, you can leave the ship by a safe landing area and walk straight onto the sand.
• A full 8 to 9 hours on the water: The schedule gives you plenty to see, but the day may feel long if you dislike large group cruises.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Expect pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Cold, hot, and alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• Captain Costa brings the fun: Singing and dancing are part of the cruise atmosphere, especially later in the day.
• Arrive early for a better seat: Several people found the boat crowded, with limited shade and smoking allowed onboard.

One boat, six Ionian highlights

At $60.46 per person, this is an ambitious day for the money. You are not paying for a small, quiet sailing trip with long stays at each beach. You are paying for transport between several famous Ionian sights, beach stops, lunch, and onboard entertainment.

That distinction matters. The cruise works best as a sampler. You can see parts of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Skorpios in one outing, then decide which places deserve a longer return visit. You will not get a deep visit at every stop, though. Most time is measured in minutes, not hours.

The start time is 9:15 a.m., and the cruise returns to the same meeting point after roughly 8 to 9 hours. This is a full day, so I would not pair it with another major activity. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and patience for boarding and disembarking. You should also arrive early if sitting in a preferred spot matters to you.

Porto Katsiki: a quick first look

The first stop is Porto Katsiki, one of Lefkada’s best-known beaches. The boat stays for about 20 minutes, mainly for photographs rather than a swim.

That short stop gives you a useful first glimpse of the island’s famous coast. Porto Katsiki is the kind of place best appreciated from the water when your schedule is tight. You can take pictures, enjoy the cliffs and bright sea, and avoid spending the morning organizing a separate beach visit.

Do not expect time to get properly settled on the beach. Twenty minutes passes quickly, especially when a large group is moving around. Keep your camera ready and listen carefully for instructions about when to return to the boat.

Egremni Beach and the value of a proper swim stop

Egremni receives about an hour, making it the first stop where you can really slow down. The boat uses a safe landing area, allowing you to get off directly at the beach rather than dealing with a long transfer.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day. You can sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the famous Lefkada water without arranging land transport. The beach itself is a major reason to choose this cruise, especially if you want to experience more than a quick photo stop.

There is one practical catch: moving a large number of people from ship to shore can take time. If you want every possible minute in the water, be ready to leave the boat as soon as disembarkation begins. The beach conditions may also feel less suitable for young children, since the water can be wavy and deep. Families should judge their swimming comfort carefully.

Fiscardo Harbor gives you a taste of Kefalonia

The cruise then crosses to Fiscardo on Kefalonia, often described as the diamond of the Ionian Sea. You get about 1 hour and 15 minutes of free time, the longest land-based break of the day.

Fiscardo is a pleasant change after the open water and beach stops. You can walk around the harbor, take photographs, and get a short taste of Kefalonia. This is not enough time for a broad island visit, but it is enough to stretch your legs and see why the port is included on a coastal cruise.

I would keep your plans simple here. With a fixed departure, you do not have time for a long meal or a distant walk. Some people would prefer more time in Fiscardo, and I understand that view. The stop is useful, but it can feel brief if you want to explore beyond the harbor.

The short visit also shows the central compromise of this tour. You cover a great deal of ground, but each place gets only a small portion of your day. If one destination matters most to you, a dedicated excursion will usually give it more attention.

Afales Beach on Ithaca

Ithaca’s Afales Beach is the next swimming and sunbathing stop, with about 45 minutes available. The appeal here is the water. Expect a scenic bay and clear turquoise sea that invites a swim rather than a long walk ashore.

This is a good chance to cool off after the busy movement around Fiscardo. You can stay focused on the simple pleasures: swim, sit in the sun, and look back at the coast from the water.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a refreshing stop, but not a leisurely beach afternoon. Watch the clock. You will need to allow time to return to the boat, and the larger the group, the more slowly boarding may go.

Papanikolis Cave and its wartime story

Papanikolis Cave is a short 15-minute stop for photographs and information. The cave is linked to the submarine Papanikolis, which used it as a hiding place during the Second World War.

This stop adds a bit of history to a day otherwise built around swimming and scenery. The time is brief, so think of it as a narrated photo opportunity rather than a full historical visit. Keep your eyes open during the approach and listen for the explanation from the crew.

The cave is also a reminder that the Ionian Sea is more than bright water and beaches. Its coves and inlets have served practical purposes, including wartime shelter. That small detail gives the cruise more texture.

Skorpios and the Jackie Kennedy Beach condition

The final major stop is Skorpios, the island once owned by Aristotle Onassis and now owned by Dmitry Rybolovlev. The cruise circles the island and provides information, then may stop for swimming at Jackie Kennedy Beach.

The swimming stop depends on a specific condition: if the current owner is not on the island. That means you should treat the beach swim as possible, not guaranteed. Even without landing, the island tour offers a look at one of the Ionian Sea’s most famous private properties.

This is a good example of why the cruise is best understood as a flexible sightseeing day. Some parts depend on access and conditions beyond the crew’s control. You get the view and the explanation, but you should not build your expectations around one particular beach stop.

What the large Makedonia Palace is really like

Makedonia Palace is built for a large crowd, not a small circle of quiet passengers. The maximum capacity is listed as 500 people, and that scale affects nearly every part of the day.

The upside is stability and broad appeal. The ship can carry families, couples, and mixed-age groups, and the onboard mood can become very social. Captain Costa is a major part of that atmosphere. His humor and interaction encourage singing and dancing, especially on the top deck in the afternoon. If you enjoy a cheerful, open party atmosphere, this can be the most memorable part of the cruise.

The downside is personal space. Finding a seat may be difficult if you arrive late, and some areas of the upper deck offer little shade. Smoking is allowed onboard, which can be uncomfortable if you are sensitive to smoke. Announcements may also be hard to hear from every part of the ship, so pay attention and stay aware of meeting times.

I would arrive well before 9:15 a.m. A seat near shade, away from smoke, or with a clear view is worth claiming early. You should also expect queues when the ship is loading and unloading people at the beaches.

Lunch, drinks, and the real price

The $60.46 price includes lunch, which is a useful saving on a long day at sea. The meal consists of pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Drinks are not included, and both hot and cold beverages cost extra. Alcoholic drinks also cost extra.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, boat access, lunch, and several beach visits. Covering Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Papanikolis Cave, and Skorpios in a single day gives the fare real weight.

Lunch is also the part I would approach with modest expectations. The included meal is convenient, but it may not suit every appetite or dietary preference. The vegetarian option has received particular criticism, and the food queue can become disorganized, with several lines merging into one crowded wait.

If you prefer control over what you eat, pack something of your own if permitted and buy drinks only if you want them. At the very least, know that the included lunch is functional rather than a reason to book the cruise. You are paying for the route and the access, not a polished restaurant meal.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Makedonia Palace to you if your priority is seeing a lot in one day. It suits confident swimmers, beach lovers, first-time visitors to Lefkada, and anyone who likes a social boat atmosphere. It also works well for mixed-age groups when some people want beaches and others want sightseeing.

The cruise is less suitable if you need quiet, shade, personal space, or long visits at one place. You may also want another option if smoking around you is a serious concern. Families should consider the wavy and deep water mentioned at the beach stops, and remember that the day is long.

The tour is open to all ages and nationalities, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The mobile ticket makes the basic arrival process simple, but the most important preparation is still practical: arrive early, carry sun protection, and listen for boarding instructions.

Weather, cancellation, and planning the day

This cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:15 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

That policy makes it sensible to book before your trip, especially since the activity is often reserved about 38 days in advance. Still, check the forecast as your departure approaches. A boat day is much more enjoyable when the sea is calm enough for comfortable movement and the beach stops can run as planned.

Since the boat returns to the original meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. Give yourself a quiet evening afterward. Nine hours of sun, swimming, music, and group movement can be tiring even when the day is fun.

Should you book Makedonia Palace?

Book this cruise if you want a big scenic overview of the Ionian Sea at a modest price. The beaches are the main prize, and the mix of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, the cave, and Skorpios is hard to match in one day. Captain Costa’s humor and music add genuine energy to the trip.

Skip it if your ideal boat outing means a small group, quiet decks, plentiful shade, or unhurried time in Fiscardo. You should also think twice if crowded queues, onboard smoking, or a basic included lunch would spoil the day.

For the right person, this is a lively and good-value sampler. Arrive early, claim your space, bring swimming gear, and treat the schedule as a fast-moving introduction rather than a series of full visits.

FAQ

How long does the Makedonia Palace cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours and starts at 9:15 a.m. It ends back at the original meeting point.

What beaches does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Egremni Beach for about one hour and Ithaca’s Afales Beach for about 45 minutes. It may also stop for swimming at Jackie Kennedy Beach on Skorpios if the owner is not on the island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Drinks are not included.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Cold, hot, and alcoholic beverages cost extra.

Can I cancel the cruise for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.