Astoria Grande is expanding its deployment in 2026 with the debut of additional itineraries that sail beyond the Black Sea.
Operating out of Russia, the 1996-built vessel is scheduled to embark on longer voyages to destinations in Southern Europe and Africa, including Greece, Italy, Malta and Egypt.
The new cruises are part of the ship’s summer season and sail roundtrip from the vessel’s homeport in Sochi.
After an initial sailing in May, the Astoria Grande is set to return to Southern Europe in July with a ten-night voyage to the Greek Islands.
Also sailing to Turkey, the itinerary includes visits to Istanbul, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Volos and Amasra.
The former AIDAcara will return to Greece in late August, offering a similar itinerary that visits the same ports, except for Volos, which will be replaced by an overnight stop in Kavala.
In October, the Astoria Grande debuts in Italy and the Western Mediterranean, with two 14-night itineraries that also sail to Malta and Greece.
Focusing on Sicily, the first cruise features an overnight visit to Catania, in addition to calls to Istanbul, Mykonos, Katakolon, Valletta, Piraeus and Amasra.
The second itinerary sails to the Western Mediterranean, with planned stops in Istanbul, Kavala, Piraeus, Zakynthos, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Heraklion and Amasra.
The 1,186-passenger ship will also offer a special cruise to Egypt and Turkey in early November, which features overnight stays in Istanbul and Alexandria, as well as visits to Marmaris, Alanya, Izmir and Amasra.
A final ten-night cruise to Greece is scheduled for early December, with the ship visiting Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Nafplio and Amasra.
In addition to its new itineraries to Southern Europe and Egypt, the Astoria Grande continues to offer cruises in the Black Sea in 2026.
The Astoria Grande is also scheduled to offer cruises to Turkey that feature scenic cruising at Greece’s Mount Athos.
Miray Cruises is also planning to sail to the Black Sea this year, with a series of seven-night cruises onboard the Gemini scheduled between July and September.
