G2 Travels of Paul and the Apostles
Italy, Greece, & Turkey with Mediterranean cruise 13 day cruise/tour - August 29, 2025Information
This special cruise is a wonderful chance to enhance your studies of the New Testament with David Butler. Last year was spent studying the New Testament with David Butler, Emily Freeman and Grace Freeman. What better way to bring the scriptures to life than to visit some of the areas the Apostles traveled to. We offered this same cruise and tour for 2024 and it sold out in one day. David is excited that we were able to find the same cruise for fall of 2025. He is looking forward to furthering your studies of the New Testament with our special 2025 Travels of Paul and the Apostles Cruise. We start in Rome, followed by a wonderful cruise into Greece and Turkey. The cruise has many ports of call that allow David to teach at sites where Paul and other Apostles visited and taught. The cruise also gives David time to teach on the ship as we pass near other areas like Patmos, with its history of John the Revelator. Below is a small taste of what you will experience on this special tour with David that relates to the travels of Paul.
Athens: You will be able to stand on Mars Hill at the base of the Acropolis where Paul addressed the people.
Corinth: You will visit Corinth, where Paul spent over a year working, teaching, and starting a church.
Ephesus: You will tour the impressive ruins of Ephesus. Paul and John were involved in creating the church in Ephesus and other churches in the surrounding area.
Patmos: The island of Patmos is not a port of call, as we pass by Patmos, David will be able to teach about what happened on this small island.
Rome: We spend three days touring and two nights in Rome. Paul was held in prison near the Forum of Rome, and it was here that Paul died a martyr for his faith. In addition to studying about Paul and the Apostles, we will visit the Vatican, the Forum, and the Coliseum, along with a tour of Rome.
Crete: After Paul’s first imprisonment, he visited Crete, where he taught and started the church in Crete.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship: In addition to being able at times to teach on-site in Rome and many of the ports of call – David will also be doing some teaching on the ship.
The Ships Ports of Call Include:
- Rome, Italy: Your cruise starts and finishes in Rome.
- Naples, Italy: Our tour will include a visit to Pompeii, a drive on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and a visit to Sorrento.
- The Island of Crete: Our shore excursion includes a tour of Chania, Crete; the tombs of Venizelos, and the ruins of Aptera.
- Santorini, Greece: One of the most beautiful Islands on earth. This will be a free day to walk around the beautiful town with the white-washed villas that sit on the cliffs of Santorini.
- Mykonos, Greece: This port of call is a free day to walk the small cobblestone streets and visit the quaint museums.
- Athens, Greece: In addition to Mars Hill and Corinth, your tour will include the Acropolis and a tour of Athens.
Pricing
Package Price Includes:
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel in Rome, Italy.
- 9 Night Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Inside Cabin “Odyssey of the Seas”.
- $300 in ship port charges and fees.
- $150.20 in ship taxes.
- Shore excursions in Naples, Crete, Athens, and Ephesus.
- All tours, buses, guides, and entrance fees in Rome.
- Transfers to and from airports if you’re part of our group airfare or arrive or depart to fly home at times that allow you to transfer with those doing the group airfare.
- Special Guest Educator: David Butler
- Fun For Less Tours Staff throughout.
- Option to purchase the group airfare.
Package Price: $4,295*
*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy. Does not include International air or tips.
Itinerary
This is a partial list and is subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.
Day 1: August 29: Fly to Rome
We depart our home and travel to Rome.
Day 2: August 30: Rome
This morning after arriving into Rome we will start our tour of this beautiful city. We plan to visit visit the magnificent Coliseum and Forum. When we are done with our tour today we will transfer to our hotel where we spend the night. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)
Day 3: August 31: Rome
Today we will visit a separate country, Vatican City. We will visit St. Peters Basilica (the largest church in the world), St. Peters Square, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel. Mid-afternoon we will head to our cruise ship to check-in. During your 9 night cruise, Dave will be meeting with everyone on the days at sea and also possibly, before if time permits, before or after your one or two of your shore excursions.
Day 4: September 1: Naples
Today we will drive along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world on our way to the city of Sorrento. Sorrento is fabled to be home to the sirens who attempted to lure the mythological figure Ulysses onto the rocks. We also take you to the fascinating city of Pompeii which was buried by Mt Vesuvius in 79AD. You will be able to walk through the ancient streets that are considered to be the very best example of ancient Roman life. Pompeii was home to many wealthy ancients who craved a leisure lifestyle. For this reason, Pompeii is home to many lavish baths, temples, and richly decorated mansions. As the ash and pumice stone rained over Pompeii time stood still, preserving life as it was in 79AD.
Day 5: September 2: Fun Day at Sea
In addition to meeting with Dave and the New Testament you will have time to relax and enjoy your wonderful Royal Caribbean Ship.
Day 6: September 3: Athens, Greece
Today we will have a wonderful sightseeing tour of Athens and the Acropolis. There is a lot of walking on this tour, including stairs, make sure that you have good walking shoes. Some of the sites you may see along the way include; the Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Panathinaikon Stadium. The tour highlight will be the Acropolis where you will travel 150 stairs up to the top of this famous hill. We will see the Propylaea Entrance, the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory, and of course the Parthenon. We will head to Corinth Canal and the ruins of Corinth where Paul taught and wrote letters. Dave is planning on giving a special presentation on Mars Hill and in the ruins of Corinth.
Day 7: September 4: Mykonos Greece
We will not be offering a tour in Mykonos. You will have a free day to explore the beautiful island of Mykonos. The best way to enjoy Mykonos is to simply wander the twisting narrow streets, visit local museums (there are several including; a folklore museum, archaeological museum even a windmill museum), shop for local souvenirs or take a cab to one of the local beaches. If you are interested, the cruise line does offer excursions.
Day 8: September 5: Ephesus Turkey
The ship is parked in Kusadasi, a fair distance from Ephesus. Today we will visit Ephesus and the surrounding area. Dave is planning on a special presentation in Ephesus.
Day 9: September 6: Santorini, Greece
Not all islands are created equal. Santorini is a 10 on a scale of one to 10 and is the most beautiful of the Greek Islands. Today will be a free day to tour this beautiful island on your own.
Day 10: September 7: Chania, Crete, Greece
If you purchased our shore excursion package, today we visit Chania, Crete. The tour includes stops at the Tombs of Venizelos, the ruins of Aptera, and a city tour of Chania. If time permits you will have time to shop and enjoy Chania on your own before returning to the ship.
Day 11: September 8: Fun Day at Sea
Dave will again meet with everyone today and you will also have time to enjoy your Royal Caribbean Ship.
Day 12: September 9: Rome
This morning we will say goodbye to our beautiful cruise ship. After we disembark this morning we will visit the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, which has been made famous by many movies including “Three Coins in a Fountain”. This evening if time allows we will try and visit the Rome temple LDS Temple and visitors center. We then transfer to our hotel and overnight.
Day 13: September 10: Fly Home
This morning we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)
