World School Cruise: Greek Isles & Italy

27 September - 4 October 2027 | 7 nights | Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas
Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus)

Imagine exploring ancient cities, volcanic islands and layers of Mediterranean history, then returning each evening to your own floating hotel… a relaxing place to rest, and one of the most comfortable ways to travel on the planet.

This 7-night World School Cruise brings homeschooling and world schooling families together to travel from Rome to Athens, with stops in Italy, Greece and Turkey along the way. There’ll be plenty to keep the kids engaged, from Roman history and Sicilian culture to the ancient (biblical) city of Ephesus and the dramatic landscapes of the Greek islands.

You can explore each destination together, choose excursions that suit your family, or take things at your own pace. And between ports, there’s time to relax, enjoy the ship and get to know the other families travelling with us.

Interior staterooms start from AUD $2,443.86 for 1 adult and 1 child, and AUD $2,982.72 for a family of 4 (about USD $2,073 / GBP £1,554). You’ll find the full price guide further down the page.

The cruise at a glance

• Dates: Monday 27 September - Monday 4 October 2027 (7 nights)

• Ship: Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas

• Route: One way from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to Athens (Piraeus), Greece

• Ports: Naples/Capri, Messina (Sicily), Santorini, Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Mykonos, plus one day at sea

• Who it’s for: Homeschooling and world schooling families travelling with kids

• Hosted by: Brad and Nicky Mumford of Dream Big Travels, a world schooling family of six

• What you book: Your cruise and cabin. Shore excursions are optional and each family chooses its own

• Price: Interior staterooms from AUD $2,443.86 for 1 adult and 1 child (about USD $1,698 / GBP £1,273). See the price guide below for families of 3 and 4. Royal Caribbean prices children aged 13 and over as adults

• Booking: Free four-day cabin hold, then a Royal Caribbean deposit to confirm

• Add on: Our Egypt World School Camp starts 10 October 2027

Day by day: Rome, Sicily, the Greek Isles, Ephesus and Athens

Day 1 · Mon 27 Sep · Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
We’ll meet at Civitavecchia and board Explorer of the Seas before we set sail at 5pm. Once we’ve found our cabins and had a chance to explore the ship, we can enjoy dinner together and celebrate the start of our Mediterranean adventure. There’s always a reason to celebrate on a cruise!

Day 2 · Tue 28 Sep · Naples/Capri, Italy
Our first stop is Naples, where families can choose the kind of day that suits them. Walk through the remains of Pompeii and imagine life in a Roman city, explore Naples’ historic centre and try its famous pizza, or head to Capri for a day of coastal views. There’s a lot to choose from, so you can focus on the experience your family is most excited about.

Day 3 · Wed 29 Sep · Messina, Sicily
Today we arrive in Sicily, an island with its own distinct culture, history and food. Families can explore Messina’s cathedral and central squares, or venture further afield to Taormina, with its ancient Greek theatre and views towards Mount Etna. Sicily feels quite different from mainland Italy, and experiencing that contrast is part of what makes this stop so special.

Day 4 · Thu 30 Sep · At sea
After two busy days ashore, we’ll have time to enjoy the ship together. The kids can race down the water slides, try the FlowRider or climbing wall, and have a go at ice skating. We can catch a show, swim, relax or organise a casual get-together with our group before the next stop.

Day 5 · Fri 1 Oct · Santorini, Greece
Good morning, Greece! We’ll wake up in Santorini, where villages perch high above the Aegean on the rim of a volcanic caldera. Families can take in the views around Fira or Oia, explore the island’s volcanic landscape, or visit Akrotiri, an ancient settlement buried by volcanic ash. If your kids are studying ancient history or geology, seeing these places in person can make those lessons feel wonderfully real.

Day 6 · Sat 2 Oct · Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Another country, another chapter in our world schooling adventure: today we’re in Turkey. From Kusadasi, families can visit Ephesus and walk its ancient streets, passing landmarks such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. It’s a remarkable way to explore the ancient world, and the area’s connections to early Christian history may be especially meaningful for some families. Biblical-history excursions may also be available.

Day 7 · Sun 3 Oct · Mykonos, Greece
We’re back in Greece, this time in Mykonos. Families can wander through Hora’s narrow lanes, spot the famous windmills, explore the waterfront or head to a beach. It’s a lovely chance to slow the pace, enjoy some local food and take in a different side of the Cyclades.

Day 8 · Mon 4 Oct · Athens (Piraeus), Greece
We’ll arrive in Piraeus early in the morning, bringing our cruise to a close. If you can, we recommend staying on in Athens to explore at your own pace, with places like the Acropolis and its museum waiting to be discovered.

This cruise also pairs beautifully with our Egypt World School Camp, which starts on 10 October 2027. And if you’re not ready to head home after that, we can help you explore late-October cruise options from Europe to the USA and connect with other travelling homeschool and world schooling families along the way. Simply book a time to chat with us here about what’s best for your family.

What is there to do on Explorer of the Seas?

There’s plenty to enjoy on board between the ports.

For the kids

• Join an Adventure Ocean session and make some new friends

• Try table tennis or pickleball

• Join in a family game show or themed night

• Watch a movie under the stars

• Have a go at a scrapbooking, jewellery-making or towel-folding activity

• Cheer on the family in a poolside competition

For the adults

• Fit in a workout or try a fitness class

• Take a quiet break in the Library & Card Room

• Join a dance class or enjoy live music in one of the lounges

• Catch a guest performance or game show

• Book a wine tasting, sushi-making class or specialty dining experience

• Unwind in the Vitality Spa or relax in the Solarium

For the whole family

• Try a new activity together, from ice skating to pickleball

• Enjoy poolside movies, music and evening events

• Make time for a relaxed coffee, meal or catch-up between port days

What’s included in the cruise fare?

Plenty is already included, so you’re not reaching for your wallet every time the kids want something to eat or do.

• Main Dining Room meals, plus the Windjammer, casual dining, snacks and grab-and-go options throughout the day (trust us, you won’t go hungry on a cruise!)

• Live entertainment and shows

• Swimming pools and many onboard activities

• Adventure Ocean kids’ programming

• Use of many of the ship’s sports and recreation facilities

Specialty dining, drinks packages, shore excursions and selected activities and experiences cost extra. Shore excursions aren’t part of your booking. They’re optional, and each family chooses and books their own. Activities and programming can vary by sailing.

What makes this a World School Cruise and not just a family cruise?

You’re not the only ones. You’ll be travelling with other homeschooling and world schooling families. The kids can make friends, and you’ll meet parents who understand what family travel and learning on the road are really like. We’ll connect everyone through a private WhatsApp group well before we sail, so the conversations and connections can start before you step on board.

The journey becomes part of the learning. We’ve chosen a route full of places that bring history, geography and culture to life. From Rome and Pompeii to Sicily, Santorini, Ephesus and Athens, there are ancient cities, archaeological sites, volcanic landscapes, different languages and local food to discover along the way. There’s no formal school program or worksheets, just the chance to experience the places your family may already be learning about.

We help with the logistics. From choosing a cabin and making your booking to sharing pre-cruise information and coordinating the group, we’ll help you prepare for the trip. That leaves you more space to enjoy the adventure with your family, rather than feeling like you have to organise every detail on your own.

We do this ourselves. We’re a world schooling family travelling with our four kids. After years of travelling together, we’ve learnt a lot about the little things, and the bigger things, that can come up when you’re exploring the world as a family. We’re here to answer questions, share what we’ve learnt and help make the trip feel easier to navigate.

Most importantly, you’re still on holiday. There’s no expectation that every port has to become a lesson or every day needs to be packed with activities. Explore together, make friends and enjoy having time to experience it all as a family.

How much will this cruise cost for my family?

Here’s a price guide based on current fares for an Interior stateroom. These are starting prices for the whole cabin, not per person.

• Family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 13): from AUD $2,982.72 (about USD $2,073 / GBP £1,554)

• Family of 3: from AUD $2,713.29 (about USD $1,886 / GBP £1,414)

• 1 adult and 1 child: from AUD $2,443.86 (about USD $1,698 / GBP £1,273)

Royal Caribbean prices children aged 13 and over as adults, so families travelling with teens will pay more than the prices above.

Your final price will depend on three things:

• The cabin category

• How many people are sharing it

• The ages of your children

Ocean view, balcony and suite cabins cost more, and larger families may need two cabins.

Tell us who’s coming and what sort of cabin you’re considering, and we’ll put together a personalised quote for your family.

Please note: prices are a guide only and can change at any time until your booking is confirmed. They’re based on current Royal Caribbean fares and cabin availability as at October 2026. USD and GBP amounts are approximate conversions from AUD and will move with exchange rates. Your quote will confirm the exact price for your family.

How do we book, and do we have to pay a deposit?

There’s no deposit to place a four-day hold on a cabin.

1. Book a conversation with us. We’ll talk through your family and what you’re hoping to get out of the trip.

2. We’ll prepare a quote based on your family and cabin preferences.

3. If it looks like a good fit, we can place a four-day hold on your cabin. There’s no deposit or card needed for the hold.

4. To confirm your booking, you’ll pay the required deposit. Royal Caribbean sets the amount based on the cabin type. Deposits start at around USD 100 per person and are higher for suites and premium cabins. We’ll include the exact amount and currency in your quote.

The cabin hold expires automatically after four days and can’t be extended.

We book each family individually first, then group everyone together once we have eight staterooms. That way, you can secure the cabin that suits your family while still being part of the group.

Interior staterooms start from AUD $2,443.86 for 1 adult and 1 child (about USD $1,698 / GBP £1,273). Prices can change, so it’s worth getting your quote sooner rather than later.

We’d love to help you decide whether this adventure is right for your family.

Dream big, the world is waiting.