All inclusive cruise-Mykonos Delos&Rhenia beaches(free transport)

The Aegean rewards a flexible day. This Mykonos cruise combines Delos ruins with swimming off Rhenia, then adds a generous Greek buffet, drinks, and hotel or port transport. It gives you three very different sides of the islands without juggling ferries or taxis.

I like the chance to visit Delos before or after a refreshing swim, depending on the sailing time. I also like the food, which is repeatedly praised for its traditional Greek flavors, fresh vegetables, spreads, and generous portions. The main concern is the rough sea, especially on windy afternoons, when the boat can pitch hard and less confident passengers may feel unsafe or seasick.

Key points to know before booking

• Delos and Rhenia in one outing: Ancient ruins come first in spirit, turquoise water and quiet swimming come next.
• Greek food is a major strength: Expect a buffet of locally styled dishes, plus water, soft drinks, beer, and house wine.
• The boat may not match the promotional photographs: The vessel can be an older sailboat, and its comfort depends greatly on passenger numbers and wind.
• Maximum capacity is 25 people: Some departures have been much smaller, but crowded boats can limit seating and room to stretch out.
• Weather matters more than the brochure suggests: Mykonos is famous for strong winds, and the return can be wet, bumpy, and uncomfortable.
• Delos entry costs extra: The archaeological site fee is not included, with one passenger reporting a €20 charge.

A six-hour route with two very different islands

This is not simply a boat ride with a quick photo stop. The appeal comes from the contrast between Delos and Rhenia.

Delos is one of the Aegean’s most important archaeological sites. It was a major religious and trading center in the ancient Greek world, and its ruins spread across a broad, open site. You may see foundations of houses, temples, streets, mosaics, and remnants of a settlement that once drew people from across the islands.

The stop can feel short. Several passengers wished for more time, especially after seeing the museum or realizing how much ground there is to cover. If ancient sites are important to you, treat the Delos visit as an introduction rather than a complete archaeological tour.

Rhenia offers a sharp change of pace. The uninhabited island has quiet coves and clear Aegean water, making it the natural place for swimming and snorkeling. The boat stops in a bay, and you can get into the water from the vessel. This is a fine break after walking around hot ruins.

Do not expect a fully arranged beach day. The boat may anchor near shore, but reaching a sandy place to lie down is not guaranteed. One couple found that the boat was too crowded for comfortable sunbathing, and the swimming area offered more for swimmers than for people hoping to stretch out with a towel.

Delos is the cultural heart of the trip

Delos gives the cruise its real sense of purpose. Mykonos is known for nightlife, restaurants, and polished holiday style. Delos takes you somewhere older and quieter, where broken columns and worn stone make the scale of the ancient world easier to grasp.

The site is open and exposed, with little shade. Bring a hat, water, and shoes suited to uneven ground. The tour includes a buffet lunch on board, not a meal at Delos, so you should be ready to walk before returning to the boat.

The amount of time on the island depends on the day’s schedule and conditions. Some departures allow about an hour, while the overall trip is listed at roughly six hours. That is enough to see key areas, but not enough for a slow, thorough visit.

Entry is not included. A reported charge of €20 per person caught some people by surprise, so budget for a separate archaeological-site fee. Children under 18 may enter free, but proof of age can be required. A photograph of identification may be useful if you are bringing younger passengers.

There is also a schedule wrinkle. The experience may run in the morning, with one 9:00 departure allowing an early visit to Delos before larger boats arrive. Another version is scheduled to leave around 16:00 or 16:30, continue toward sunset, and pass by Delos rather than stopping for a full visit. Confirm the exact version before you pay, especially if Delos is your main reason for booking.

Rhenia supplies the swimming break

Rhenia is where the day becomes more relaxed. The island is uninhabited, and its clear water gives you a classic Aegean swimming stop without the beach crowds found on Mykonos.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied. The water is described as very clear, though you should keep expectations modest. This is mainly a beautiful swimming stop, not a specialist snorkeling trip with abundant underwater sights.

Water temperature varies by season. Some people found the swim refreshing, while others considered it too cold. The stop works best for you if you enjoy getting into the sea rather than simply viewing it from the deck.

A towel is not included. Bring your own beach towel, and pack a dry layer for the ride back. The boat can spray passengers when the wind rises, particularly those sitting forward.

The food may be worth part of the price

At $138.78 per person, this is not a bargain boat transfer. The value depends on how much you want from the day.

If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat outing, food, drinks, and a visit to Delos, the package can make sense. Lunch is prepared on board and served buffet style. The food includes Greek specialties, vegetables, spreads, and other traditional dishes. It is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience.

Drinks are included too: bottled water, complimentary soft drinks, beer, white wine, and house wine. That makes the price easier to accept than a bare-bones sailing trip where every drink costs extra.

The meal is not a formal restaurant service. It is a casual boat buffet, and one very negative account described the food as cheap and basic. That experience differs sharply from the many strong comments about fresh, tasty, authentic cooking, so I would view the meal as a pleasant feature rather than the sole reason to book.

The late departure version includes a light dinner on board instead of a conventional lunch. Check the timing so you know which meal to expect.

The boat is part of the gamble

The tour is described as a sailing experience, but the vessel can vary. Some passengers found the boat comfortable and spacious with a small group. Others said the boat was older, smaller than expected, or different from the photographs used in the promotion.

The maximum capacity is 25 passengers per boat. That number matters. A boat with 8 to 10 passengers may feel friendly and roomy. A full boat can mean limited seating, less space to lie down, and a more social atmosphere than some couples expect.

The boat may not always sail under canvas. The captain decides whether sails are used, based on wind and safety. On calm days, the boat may use its engine, even though the outing is marketed as sailing.

The crew receives many compliments for friendliness, cooking, and handling the route. Dimitri, one captain named in the feedback, is praised for making passengers feel at home and adjusting the timing when possible. Female crew members were also praised for managing windy conditions with skill.

At the same time, the quality of the onboard experience appears uneven. There are reports of rude behavior from a captain, smoking, confusing communication, and a vessel that did not resemble the advertised images. Those complaints do not fit the many positive accounts, but they are worth considering when you are paying a premium.

Wind can turn a pleasant cruise into a rough ride

Mykonos is the Island of the Winds for a reason. Strong gusts can produce large waves, and the return from Rhenia may be much rougher than the outward journey.

Several people enjoyed the bumpy ride as part of the adventure. Others became nauseous, fell against the boat, or wished they had never gone. Sitting on the front of the upper deck gives you the biggest splash and strongest movement. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a more protected seat and consider an approved motion-sickness medicine.

The serious safety complaints deserve attention. Some accounts describe passengers being thrown from seats in heavy conditions, with bruises and foot injuries. Another account alleges that life jackets were not available. These details cannot be independently confirmed here, but they are serious enough that I would ask where the safety equipment is before departure and pay close attention to the captain’s instructions.

The captain has authority to change the route, ports, boat, or start time because of weather and safety. That flexibility is sensible, but it also means your planned day may not unfold exactly as expected.

If the forecast calls for strong wind, think carefully before booking. A strong swimmer is not automatically comfortable on a small sailboat in rough water. Families with young children, older passengers, and anyone with limited balance should be especially cautious.

Transport is useful, but confirm the fine print

Pickup and return transport are included to and from hotels and ports when you provide the location. This is helpful in Mykonos, where getting around can be expensive and port access can be confusing.

Pickups from beach bars, clubs, and similar places may cost extra. Bookings made under the Cruise Without Transportation offer do not include any transport at all.

Cruise ship passengers need to provide ship details and remain at the terminal unless told otherwise. This is important because a missed port call or late tender can put the whole plan at risk.

There have also been complaints about return transport and unexpected taxi charges. One group said it had to pay €20 to return to a cruise ship despite the advertised transport. Because this point is especially important for cruise passengers, confirm exactly where the included transfer ends and what happens if weather changes the port arrangement.

Meeting-point instructions have also caused confusion. The listed base is Mykonos Cruise, Zephyros Sailing, in Tourlos. Allow extra time to find the boat, and ask for clear landmarks and the exact pickup point before departure day.

Timing, paperwork, and practical planning

Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation. The operator requires all passenger information to be updated no later than 24 hours before departure. Without those details, the Port Authority may refuse boarding and the booking may be moved to another available time.

The advertised duration is about six hours, but the sunset version may begin at 16:00 or 16:30 and continue until sunset. Departure times can change for weather or safety reasons, so do not schedule an important dinner, ferry, or airport transfer immediately afterward.

Pack these basics:

• Sun protection and a hat
• A swimsuit and dry clothing
• Your own towel
• Water-resistant footwear for the boat and Delos
• Motion-sickness medicine if you need it
• Identification for children who may qualify for free Delos entry

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos day

I would choose this outing if you want several experiences in one package: archaeology, open-water scenery, swimming, Greek food, and drinks. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who do not mind sharing a boat with other passengers.

It is also a good fit if Delos matters to you but you want a more relaxed day than a basic archaeological excursion. The combination gives you a cultural stop and a swim instead of asking you to spend the whole day among stones.

I would be cautious if you need a calm, predictable boat ride. This is not the right choice for anyone who dislikes movement, cannot manage uneven footing, or wants a guaranteed beach with space to sunbathe.

Families should look closely at the weather forecast and ask direct questions about seating, life jackets, and the planned route. The boat’s maximum of 25 passengers may feel fine on one departure and crowded on another.

Should you book the cruise?

I would book it for the food, the Delos and Rhenia combination, and the chance to enjoy Mykonos from the water. The strongest days appear to offer a warm crew, a very good Greek buffet, clear swimming water, and a memorable look at the ancient site.

I would not book blindly. Confirm whether your departure includes a full Delos stop or only a pass-by, ask which boat is being used, clarify transport in writing, and check the wind forecast. At $138.78, the experience is worthwhile when the group is comfortable and the sea is manageable. In rough weather or with uncertain transport, the price becomes harder to justify.

FAQ

How long does the Mykonos cruise last?

The experience lasts about six hours. The afternoon version is scheduled to begin around 16:00 or 16:30 and continue until sunset.

Does the cruise include hotel or port pickup?

Yes, transport to and from hotels and ports is included when you provide the pickup location. Other locations, including beach bars and clubs, may involve an additional charge.

Is Delos entry included in the price?

No. The Delos archaeological-site entrance fee is not included. One reported fee was €20 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a buffet of Greek dishes prepared on board. The late departure version includes a light dinner on the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, and house wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swimming stop near Rhenia.

Is a beach towel provided?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

Can the route or departure time change?

Yes. The captain may change the boat, route, embarkation or disembarkation point, and departure time because of weather, sea conditions, or safety.