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

The best part of this Lefkada cruise is the sheer variety packed into one day: white cliffs, turquoise swimming stops, a Kefalonia harbor, a wartime submarine cave, and a look at Skorpios. You cover a big slice of the Ionian Sea without arranging several separate trips.

I like the chance to swim at Egremni and Afales, and I like the lively personality of Captain Costa, who turns the return journey into a music-filled party. The main drawback is the scale of the boat. With room for up to 500 people, finding a seat and getting ashore can take patience.

Key points at a glance

• Six distinct stops: See Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, Fiscardo, Ithaca, Papanikolis Cave, and Skorpios in one long day.
• Swimming is central: You get beach time at Egremni and Afales, plus a possible stop near Jackie Kennedy Beach.
• Captain Costa brings the energy: Music, singing, and dancing can turn the ride home into a cheerful group event.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Expect pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread, with cold and hot drinks sold separately.
• Arrive early for a better seat: The boat can feel crowded, and shade is limited on parts of the upper deck.
• Good value for island coverage: At $60.46, the cruise gives you a full day on the water and several hard-to-reach coastal views.

One boat, six Ionian sights

Makedonia Palace is designed for people who want to see a lot of the Ionian Sea in one day. The cruise lasts about eight to nine hours, beginning at 9:15 a.m. and returning to the same meeting point.

That length matters. You are not signing up for a quiet two-hour sail. This is a full-day outing with repeated boarding, beach stops, announcements, lunch, swimming, and free time ashore. The payoff is variety. In one trip, you reach parts of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and the waters around Skorpios.

I would choose this cruise if your priority is scenery and coverage. I would not choose it if you want a small boat, long stays at each beach, or a calm, private atmosphere.

Porto Katsiki gives you the first big view

The first stop is Porto Katsiki, one of Lefkada’s best-known beaches. You get about 20 minutes for photographs rather than a full beach visit.

That short stop works well as an introduction. The setting is made for a quick look and a camera, with pale cliffs and clear water creating the kind of view that explains why Lefkada is famous. You should think of Porto Katsiki as a scenic pause, not a chance to swim or settle in.

Keep your camera ready and listen for the return-to-boat instructions. With several hundred people moving around, even a short photo stop can take time if everyone waits until the last minute.

Egremni Beach is the main swim stop

At Egremni Beach, the boat stays for about one hour. You get off directly onto the beach via the safe landa, then have time to sunbathe or swim.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day. Egremni is known for its long pale shore and clear water, and reaching it by boat avoids treating the beach as only a distant viewpoint. An hour gives you enough time to get wet, sit on the sand, and enjoy the setting before returning aboard.

The practical catch is the transfer. Getting a large number of people off the boat can take longer than expected, cutting into beach time. If swimming matters most to you, move toward the exit area when the crew gives the signal rather than waiting for the crowd to thin.

The water and conditions may not suit every child or weak swimmer. One direct concern raised about the trip is that some beaches can be wavy and deep. Keep a close eye on children and treat the stop as open-water swimming, not a supervised pool.

Fiscardo offers a short taste of Kefalonia

The cruise then reaches Fiscardo Harbor on Kefalonia, described as the diamond of the Ionian Sea. You get around one hour and 15 minutes of free time to explore.

This is the only proper town stop, so it gives the day a useful change of pace. After beach stops and open water, you can walk around the harbor, look at the boats, and get a feel for Fiscardo before returning to the ship.

The time is enough for a quick wander, but not for a relaxed exploration of the wider area. Some people may wish they had longer here, especially because Fiscardo is the stop with the most opportunity for a meal, a drink, or a town walk.

Remember that the included lunch is served as part of the cruise, so Fiscardo is not necessarily the place to plan a full restaurant meal. Use the stop for a walk and a drink if that suits you, but keep an eye on the boarding time.

Afales Beach brings you to Ithaca

The Ithaca stop is at beautiful Afales Beach, with about 45 minutes for swimming and sunbathing. This is another water-focused stop, and the color of the sea is the main attraction.

Afales adds a different island to the route without requiring a separate excursion. The stop is shorter than Egremni, so I would make a quick decision when you arrive: swim first, take photos second, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view from the boat.

The day includes several beach stops, but they are not interchangeable. Porto Katsiki is mainly for pictures, Egremni gives you the longest beach break, and Afales offers a shorter Ithaca swim. Knowing that difference helps you manage your energy and avoid expecting a full beach day at every stop.

Papanikolis Cave connects scenery with wartime history

Papanikolis Cave is a 15-minute stop for photographs and information. The cave is associated with the submarine commanded by Captain Papanikolis, which used it as a hiding place during the Second World War.

This is a brief but worthwhile change from the beach schedule. The story gives the cave a human purpose, rather than leaving it as just another dramatic rock formation. Fifteen minutes is enough for a look and a few photographs, though not for a long visit.

Listen carefully to the information here. With a large boat and announcements that may be harder to hear from some sections, your position on deck can affect how much you catch.

Skorpios depends on the island owner’s presence

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

There is an important condition: the swimming stop happens only if the current owner is not at the island. If he is there, you should expect an island tour and commentary rather than a beach landing.

That uncertainty is part of the nature of this stop. You see a private island linked to famous names, but access is controlled and the plan can change. Keep your expectations flexible. The value comes from seeing Skorpios from the water and hearing about its past, not from assuming you will step ashore.

Captain Costa keeps the long return lively

The atmosphere on Makedonia Palace depends heavily on the crew, and Captain Costa is a major part of it. He is described as witty and energetic, with singing and dancing taking place on the top deck during the afternoon.

That can be a real strength. A long cruise with several transfers might otherwise feel like a schedule to endure. Music and interaction give the return trip a social, celebratory feel, especially if you enjoy joining a mixed-age crowd.

It is not for everyone. Some people want a quiet ride, and the entertainment can feel like too much if you prefer a small, peaceful sailing. The boat attracts a broad mix of ages and nationalities, so expect a public party atmosphere rather than a private excursion.

The boat is large, and that changes the experience

The maximum capacity is listed as 500 people. That number tells you more than any phrase about a spacious cruise. The boat may feel crowded, especially at boarding, during lunch, and when everyone tries to leave for a beach stop at once.

Arrive early. One useful target is at least 20 minutes before departure, though even that may not guarantee a preferred seat. Parts of the upper deck have limited shade, and smoking is allowed on the boat, which can affect where you choose to sit.

Announcements may also be difficult to hear from some parts of the vessel. Stay alert for the crew’s instructions, especially before returning from a beach or harbor. If you are traveling with children, older relatives, or anyone who needs shade and easy movement, think carefully about the boat’s size before booking.

The large vessel does have advantages. It can carry a wide range of people, offers a social atmosphere, and gives you access to a route that would be hard to arrange independently in one day. The tradeoff is personal space.

Lunch is simple, and drinks cost extra

The included meal is traditional Greek-style food: pork gyros, Greek salad, and two pieces of bread. Drinks, including hot and cold options, are not included. Alcoholic beverages also cost extra.

This is useful as a basic meal during a long day, but you should keep your expectations modest. The food is practical rather than a special culinary event. The vegetarian option may be disappointing, so anyone avoiding meat should consider bringing additional food if permitted and practical.

The food queue can become disorganized, with several lines feeding into one. Go when service begins if you want to avoid the worst rush. You can also use the onboard food and drink service, but budget separately for beverages.

At $60.46 per person, lunch helps the overall value, even if it is not the reason to book. The real value is the boat route and the number of places reached in one day.

How the $60.46 price works for you

The price is fair for an eight to nine-hour cruise with six scheduled points of interest, two proper swimming opportunities, town time in Fiscardo, and lunch. You also avoid arranging separate transport between Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and the waters around Skorpios.

The price looks less attractive if your ideal day means a quiet boat, long time at one beach, or a carefully prepared meal. Extra spending may include drinks, and you may want to buy food if the included meal does not suit you.

I see this as a strong value for a first visit to Lefkada when time is limited. It is less compelling for someone staying long enough to visit each beach slowly or who already has access to a smaller private boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

You are likely to enjoy Makedonia Palace if you want:

• A full day of island scenery for one fixed price
• Several chances to swim in clear Ionian water
• A lively boat atmosphere with music and dancing
• A quick look at Fiscardo and Ithaca
• A mix of beaches, history, and famous private-island views
• A family-friendly booking in the broad sense that all ages can participate

You may want another option if you need guaranteed shade, dislike smoking, prefer quiet sailing, or find crowds tiring. The trip is also a poor match if your children are not comfortable with wavy or deep open water.

The cruise is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. It is advertised for all ages and nationalities, but the long day and crowded boat still matter more than the broad age label.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

This cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time, but changes or cancellations made later are not accepted.

Wear swim clothes beneath easy layers, bring sun protection, and carry a towel. Since shade can be limited, a hat and cover-up are useful. Keep valuables simple during the beach stops, since you may be moving between the boat and shore several times.

The cruise begins at 9:15 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point. Build your day around the full duration rather than planning another fixed activity afterward.

Should you book Makedonia Palace?

Book it if you want maximum scenery in one day and enjoy a sociable boat with a bit of organized fun. The route is the main attraction: Porto Katsiki for pictures, Egremni and Afales for swimming, Fiscardo for a short walk, Papanikolis Cave for its wartime story, and Skorpios for its famous ownership and coastal views.

Skip it if crowding, limited shade, smoking, or queueing will spoil your day. Arrive early, accept that some stops may feel short, budget for drinks, and treat lunch as basic fuel. With those expectations, the $60.46 fare offers a convenient and memorable way to see the Ionian Sea from Lefkada.

FAQ

How long does the Makedonia Palace cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight to nine hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 9:15 a.m.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity returns to the original meeting point.

Which beaches are included?

The route includes Porto Katsiki, Egremni Beach, and Afales Beach on Ithaca. Swimming is scheduled at Egremni and Afales, while Porto Katsiki is mainly a photo stop.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

No. Hot, cold, and alcoholic drinks are not included in the price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.