is still relatively quiet and the weather can be crisp, the first cruise ships bring life back
to the caldera and the Old Port of Fira.Compared to the busy summer months, March is one of the best times to visit Santorini if you
want to enjoy the famous views with fewer crowds. Most cruise days remain calm, with only one
ship in port or none at all.
Crowd Forecast – March 2026
Quiet / Easy Days: Most days in March remain relaxed with either no ships or just one cruise ship in port.
A Little Busy: March 22, March 26
Busy Day: March 25 – Sun Princess arrives with approximately 3,440 passengers.
Busiest Day of the Month: March 29 – Two ships (Sun Princess and Celestyal Discovery) arrive the same morning with over 4,700 passengers combined.
March 2026 Cruise Ship Schedule
| Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Estimated Passengers | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 4 | Viking Star | 07:30 | 17:30 | 756 | Quiet day |
| March 9 | Viking Star | 07:30 | 16:00 | 756 | Quiet day |
| March 22 | Celestyal Discovery | 07:15 | 20:00 | 1,265 | A little busy |
| March 25 | Sun Princess | 08:00 | 20:00 | 3,440 | Busy day |
| March 26 | Celestyal Discovery | 07:15 | 20:00 | 1,265 | A little busy |
| March 27 | Arethusa | 07:00 | 19:00 | 40 | Quiet day |
| March 29 | Celestyal Discovery | 07:15 | 20:00 | 1,265 | Very busy day |
| March 29 | Sun Princess | 07:45 | 19:30 | 3,440 | |
| March 31 | Emerald Kaia | 08:00 | 18:00 | 102 | Quiet day |
Visitor Tip
Because cruise traffic is still limited in March, this is one of the best months to explore Santorini at a relaxed pace. If the weather is clear, consider hiking the Fira to Oia caldera trail. During March you can enjoy the dramatic views without navigating through large cruise excursion groups.