Riviera Travel has highlighted Greece as a smoother gateway to Europe for holidaymakers still looking to get away this year. Following confirmation that UK passport holders are exempt from the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks, Greece is the ideal destination for those seeking a seamless, stress-free escape without the hesitation of border delays

With EES already linked to airport and port delays elsewhere in Europe, the exemption means Riviera guests beginning or passing through Greece can expect less time in border queues and more time enjoying life on board – whether that’s sightseeing ashore or relaxing on the sun deck at sea.

A timely advantage for Riviera’s Greece cruise programme

Greece is a cornerstone of Riviera Travel’s small‑ship ocean and yacht cruise programme for 2026 and 2027, with five itineraries either starting in Greece or calling at multiple Greek ports.

The exemption offers added reassurance for guests booking fly‑cruise holidays and port‑intensive itineraries, particularly at a time when new border procedures are influencing travel confidence and destination choice.

Riviera Travel’s Greece cruises include:

Ephesus & Greek Islands aboard Star Flyer

11 days from £3,399 pp

A tall‑ship sailing through the Aegean, visiting Athens, Mykonos, Delos, Rhodes, Kos and Amorgos, with a call in Ephesus. The four‑masted Star Flyer carries just 162 guests, creating a relaxed, yacht‑style atmosphere focused on slower, more immersive travel.

Athens & Greek Islands Cruise aboard Celestyal Journey

11 days from £3,249 pp

A classic Aegean itinerary combining Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Rhodes and Crete, paired with ancient sites such as Ephesus and Knossos, and finishing with a two‑night stay on the Athenian Riviera.

An Aegean Odyssey aboard Star Flyer

11 days from £3,349 pp

Sailing between Istanbul and Athens, this itinerary blends Greek islands with Turkey’s historic coastline, offering a balance of guided cultural exploration and unhurried days at sea aboard a traditional sailing ship.

Greece, Sicily & Malta on Star Flyer

11 days from £3,149 pp

A Mediterranean voyage linking Greece with Italy and Malta, featuring Athens, Nafplion, Monemvasia, Sicily and Gozo, designed for travellers drawn to archaeology, mythology and smaller coastal ports.

The Royal Clipper – A Mediterranean Odyssey

10–11 nights sailing (2026 & 2027)

Although covering multiple Mediterranean countries, Greek ports remain a highlight of this iconic tall ship itinerary aboard the world’s largest fully rigged sailing ship.

Classic Greece

8 days from £1,639 pp

A journey through the heart of classical civilisation, this escorted tour explores Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae and Epidaurus, alongside the elegant harbour town of Nafplion. Guests experience Greece’s most influential ancient sites, from the Acropolis and its world‑class museum to sanctuaries, theatres and legendary landscapes that shaped Western thought, balanced with relaxed time to enjoy local hospitality and cuisine.

Crete Uncovered
8 days from £1,879 pp
An unhurried exploration of Crete, where ancient palaces, hillside villages and everyday traditions bring the island’s stories to life. Travelling at a relaxed pace, guests explore Minoan sites such as Knossos, wander Venetian harbours, visit monasteries and meet local producers, with time for long lunches, shared experiences and a deeper connection to Crete’s food, crafts and warm Mediterranean culture.

Why Greece – and why now

EES, which requires biometric registration for non‑EU travellers entering the Schengen zone, became fully operational in April 2026. However, early implementation has been linked to long queues and operational pressures at several European airports and ports, with industry bodies warning of extended processing times during peak travel periods.

Greece’s decision to exempt British passport holders is widely seen as a pragmatic move, reflecting the country’s reliance on UK visitors and the operational realities of managing high seasonal arrivals, particularly at island airports and cruise ports.

What it means for Riviera guests

For Riviera Travel’s guests, the exemption reinforces Greece’s appeal as a low‑friction entry point to the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly for cruises calling at multiple destinations in quick succession.

In practice, it allows the holiday experience to begin as intended: focused on culture, scenery and life at sea – not border formalities.

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Notes to Editors

Media contact
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About Riviera Travel

Riviera Travel is the UK’s leading river cruise and tour operator. Founded in Burton-on-Trent, England, by Michael Wright in 1984, for 41 years the travel experts have been bringing to life the world’s most fascinating destinations.

Today, Riviera Travel operates in 66 countries and offers 90 European tours, 52 worldwide tours, 19 ocean cruises, 55 solo traveller holidays, and 50 river cruises. Dedicated agents personally select every aspect of the holiday for their guests, ensuring that each itinerary is thoughtfully balanced to include both time to explore and time to relax.

With a focus on quality not quantity, Riviera Travel has won multiple awards including Which? Recommended Provider for River Cruises and Escorted Tours in 2024, and numerous other recognitions from the Food and Travel Awards, British Travel Awards, Wave Awards, Travel Weekly Globe Awards, The Times Travel Awards and many others over the years. Operating through a majority direct and travel agent model in the UK, in 2017 Silverfleet Capital took over the ownership of Riviera Travel and continued to build its sector-leading proposition. The company operates internationally in North America and the Republic of Ireland.