Firstly, I should point out that I have visited various Greek Islands, however, next year I would love to do something completely different, ie. cruising (not the large cruise ships, but smaller, more intimate cruise ships, with less passengers and long port stays). My wife & I are both beach persons, and swim most days at home. Next year, after visiting relatives, we want to do a cruise (as mentioned above)to places like, Sicily, Corsica, etc/or the Adriatic and the islands near Crotia. Someone mentioned to me the possibility of going along the Turkish coastline in gulet?
Would love to hear from anyone who has done a cruise of this nature.

Check into Windstar Cruises, Star Clippers, Regent Seven Seas and/or Silversea. Windstar has smaller masted sailing ships (approx. 300 guests maximum), teak decks, casual elegance, open dining along with a water sports deck off the back of the ship with jet skis, kayaks, etc. They take zodiacs into the smaller coves and inlets in the Mediterranean after mooring in smaller harbors. They can go into places that the larger ships can't go.

The other suggestion is Star Clippers. They are a small ship specialty cruise line that appeals to the sailing crowd and sailboat owners. They have excellent itineraries with several port calls around Greece and into the Adriatic Sea and Croatia regions. Again, they have the smaller ships that can go into the smaller ports and focus on the region instead of the major ports.

Best Regards,
Julia

Check this:

http://www.bluecruise.org/

http://www.turizm.net/bluecruise/index.html

http://www.alphayachting.com/cruises.html

http://www.cruisingholidays.co.uk/gr...ises/index.htm

Julia, your information is exactly what I was after. I appreciate your help. I have copied everything you have said, and especially the websites you have given.

Many thanks

I have cruised on both Star Clippers and Regent in the Med.

While Star Clipper was an adventure, the experience is very casual with small cabins and a definite ahoy matey atmosphere. Also, the ship really rocks in rough seas, as expected.

We loved Regent for the huge cabins, great food and service and sophisticated ambiance, as well as the longer hours in ports and also ports of call that are not packed with the mass market lines.

Have done both the Windstar line and the Regent. Loved them both for their size. Windstar was a true "sailing ship" but luxury. However everything was extra - (coke, wine, etc) Regent was a luxury small cruise ship - a lot to offer - stocked the bar with whatever you wanted, wine was complementary with dinner (good wine too)2 bottles of "hard liquor" on arrival - only got to one - how much can you drink in a week! Loved the food on both. Windstar was like a very large yaucht with very nice size staterooms. We opted for a balcony on the Regent and so enjoyed that. Bathroom was so large on the Regent, it had a tub/shower combo - nice touch. Can't say that on either the port stays were exceptionally long. The Windstar sailed from Lisbon to Morocco, to Spain. A couple of the ports of call were 2 day stops. The Regent was in Tahiti where it was basically one to another island but then they had their own private island where we snorkled for the entire day. Good luck on your choices.