I have to choose between the Regent Venice to Istanbul or Athens to Venice cruise. I have always wanted to see Athens but my friends think there are more islands to see on the Instanbul cruise. Does anyone have an opinion? Thank you.

Venice to Istanbul hands down!

Athens was my least favorite port on my Istanbul to Athens cruise and we were not alone from our fellow cruisers. Venice and Istanbul are incredible.

What are the other ports and have you been to any of them?

Sailaway from Venice is the most memorable port. I can't describe all the lovely buildings, bridges et al. But do tell us the other ports on each cruise.

I would say it depends on the ports and whether you want to do a pre- or post-cruise trip. Istanbul is a memorable destination, for sure. Athens isn't, particularly, but is a gateway to wonderful places.

Venice to Istanbul - no question for us - Athens was one of the least favorite larger cities for us.

My confrere has just returned from a European tour. The worst city - Athens, from many aspects.
The best - Istanbul. Having been to both cities, recently, I concur.

Venice to Istanbul...two absolutely wonderful ports....we did Athens to Istanbul and were not enamored with Athens. Loved Istanbul and Venice both sail out and in so much...it doesn't matter what is in between.

If it's this itinerary:

Piraeus - Kusadasi - Kos - Bodrum - Rhodes - At Sea - Dubrovnik - Venice

versus this itinerary:

Venice - Dubrovnik - Kotor - At Sea - Santorini - Kusadasi - Mykonos - Istanbul

It's a hard call--Bodrum would be cool, so would Rhodes (and probably Kos, perhaps a little different than Mykonos). On the other hand, everybody loves Santorini, and of course Istanbul is amazing.

Or this one:
Piraeus - Mykonos - Nafplion - Corfu - Dubrovnik - Koper - Venice

Nafplion is really cool. Don't know about Koper (edited to add: I looked it up, it's in Slovenia, very close to Italy. It looks great.)

We would hands down do the Venice to Istanbul. Our favorite ports from last week's cruise and Venice is an overall favorite period. Only port we did not visit was Kotor. Dubrovnik and Santorini were magnificient. In Kusadasi we went to Ephasis and to the infamous carpet making demonstration . Rhodes was no big whoop - we went to Ancient Lindos and the at historical site we had planned to see, there was a strike. There is a walled city there but too hot to venture to after Lindos.Actually, we got lucky even in Athens, all the historical sites in Greece were on strike for several weeks in a row with all of them closed every Sunday for a month.

Sailing into Istanbul is a unique experience not to be missed. Cruising into or out of Venice is also special. I would do the Venice to Istanbul.