Corinth Canal (Greece)

Corinth Canal is located in the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean cruising region). It connects Gulf of Corinth with Saronic Gulf (aka Gulf of Aegina). The canal cuts through a narrow isthmus and separates the Peloponnese Peninsula from mainland Greece. This way it effectively makes the former peninsula an island. The canal's builders dug it through Isthmus at sea level as no locks are employed.

An effort was made to build the canal in the 1st century AD. In 1881 its construction finally started but was hampered by financial and geological problems that bankrupted the original builders. The Corinth Canal was completed in 1893. However, due to its narrowness, navigational problems and closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, the canal failed to attract the shipping traffic expected by its operators. It is currently used mainly for tourist traffic, including small-sized cruise ships.

Near Corinth Canal's south entry (approx 8 km / 5 mi southeast) is located the village of Isthmia. The village is famous for the archaeological site with ancient Greek ruins - including the Stadium (where the Isthmian Games were held), Temple of Poseidon, the Theatre.

In 2019, the Fred Olsen-owned ship Braemar set a world record with its inaugural Corinth Canal transition cruise as the longest ship (LOA length 195 m / 640 ft) ever to pass through this unique waterway. The 25-day itinerary was a UK roundtrip themed as "Greek Islands and Corinth Canal".

MS Braemar's next passages were scheduled for 2022 April 20th (25-day "Corinth Canal and Ancient Greece" itinerary from Southampton), 2022 September 23rd (25-day "Corinth Canal and Greek Islands" itinerary from Southampton), 2023 March 27th (20-day "Corinth Canal and Ancient Greece" itinerary from Valletta Malta).

Next table shows the 25-day "Corinth Canal and Greek Islands" itinerary).

Prices started from GBP 200 (~USD 280) per person per day (with double occupancy).

Corinth Canal cruise terminal