Mediterranean Cruises: View 2024 & 2025 Itineraries

best cruise lines mediterranean

(Do not miss the martini flights.) With a range of rooms, from windowless inside cabins to comfortable suites, you can tour the Holy Land at any price point. Travelers who really want to double down on the ancient civilizations should look for longer Eastern Mediterranean cruises that combine Greece, Turkey and Italy with port calls in Egypt, Jordan and Israel. Depending on the specific Holy Land itinerary, you might see Cairo and the pyramids of Giza, Jordan's ancient rose-hewed rock city of Petra and biblical locations in and around Jerusalem. Eastern Mediterranean cruises of a week or more immerse you in multiple ancient civilizations and take you to the historical places you have traveled to see, including several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds - The Times

11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds.

Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Going early or late in the sailing season means fewer crowds and better weather.

Excursions offer a variety of ways to explore ports of call for families, foodies, and history buffs. See the Parthenon in Athens, Michelangelo’s David in Florence, and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Soak up the sun on the stunning beaches of Palma de Mallorca, witness a spectacular Santorini sunset, walk around the medieval walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, discover Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and marvel at the caved monastic city of Matera.

Mediterranean Cruise Ports in Greece

best cruise lines mediterranean

A four-night cruise packs a lot into a short sailing with visits to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini, as well as Kusadasi, Turkey. The five-masted Wind Surf is as picture-perfect as the ports you'll visit, and the 342-passenger ship can follow all the luxury yachts into smaller harbors and off-the-beaten-track destinations. Your onboard meals, with many dishes created by James Beard-affiliated chefs, might even rival the fresh Mediterranean cuisine you'll find in port. Another popular port of call on Riviera itineraries is Monaco, where you might visit the royal palace of the Grimaldi family and stop by the glamorous Monte Carlo Casino to pretend you are James Bond enjoying a night on the town. Most Mediterranean cruises focus on one region (usually the eastern or western halves of the coastline), but longer itineraries might encompass more. While choosing a ship is important, so is picking which route to take and which countries you want to see.

The Ultimate Sparkling Wine Cheat Sheet

Best for younger childrenCosta is a fun-loving line that sails in the Mediterranean year-round and attracts an international mix of passengers. Try the 6,500-passenger flagship Costa Toscana for ports of call including Marseilles, Valencia, Ibiza, Naples and Civitavecchia, close to Rome. Youngsters of all ages are made to feel welcome and some ships have dedicated baby pools. Shore excursions from other ships include an activity-filled trip to a Greek farm where kids can meet and feed the animals before burning some pre-bedtime energy at a barbecue party back on deck. Conveniently, there are plenty of different embarkation ports along the way on both its summer and winter sailings.

8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet! - TravelAwaits

8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet!.

Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Holland America has teamed up with FOOD & WINE® to offer delightful culinary tours. Sample award-winning olive oils at a family estate on Corfu, paired with local cheese, tomatoes, bread, and wine. Optional shore excursions include visits to archaeological sites, interactive farm-to-table cooking experiences, wine tastings and breakfast with locals. A highlight in Kusadasi, Turkey, is touring the ancient city of Ephesus (one of the best preserved in the world) and visiting the House of the Virgin Mary. On your day at sea, be sure to stop by the Aurora Spa for relaxing and rejuvenating treatments that will help you sail through the rest of your busy itinerary.

Western Mediterranean cruises -- to marquee ports like Rome, Florence and Barcelona -- are offered year-round. Peak season is during the summer, despite the fact that many restaurants, shops and attractions close for the entire month of August in a number of European cities. The shoulder seasons of early spring and late fall are great options for lighter crowds and more affordable cruise fares. While the experiences off the ship are amazing, passengers also love the delicious cuisine on board. Holland America also has what they call “Collectors’ Voyages” allowing guests to book back-to-back trips, so you only have to unpack once, but enjoy twice as many destinations.

Their small ships allow passengers time in ports that larger ships can’t access, like Old Town Dubrovnik in Croatia. One unique experience when you sail with Windstar is the opportunity to visit local markets with the ship’s chef. Windstar also partners with the James Beard Foundation, bringing the expertise of some of the most sought-after chefs in the world to your daily dining experience. With history spanning thousands of years, glamorous ports, and dazzling scenery, a Mediterranean cruise is the perfect vacation—and there’s no better way to experience cruises to the Mediterranean than with Celebrity. Bask on the beach in Mykonos one day and watch a fiery sunset over Santorini the next. Sip a cappuccino in glorious Taormina while gazing at snow-capped Mount Etna in the distance, or dig into tapas in a sunlit square in Barcelona.

NEW! Mediterranean to Caribbean Sojourn

Enjoy onboard amenities like poolside movies, gaming tournaments, and interactive theatre performances while taking in the stunning sights of the Mediterranean. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and is known for its beautiful Roman architecture, including Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and take in some of Split’s best sights, such as the Port of Split and Marjan Hill. This ancient walled city on the Adriatic Sea is a captivating destination full of history, beauty, and charm. Wander through the cobblestone streets lined with orange-roofed houses or take a boat tour along the coast, stopping at some of Croatia’s stunning beaches.

How to spend one day in Grand Turk Cruise Port

European lines like MSC and Costa have a big presence here, as well and luxury lines including Regent Seven Seas and Crystal. Some lines, like Azamara, offer country-intensive cruises to just one of these Eastern Mediterranean nations, like Italy or Greece. Others offer itineraries themed "holy lands" that visit notable religious sites. You’ll visit the wonderfully underrated Greek island of Corfu along the way, and you’ll have enough time in Athens to see the Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Zeus and Acropolis. Onboard, there’s a large assortment of dining options, bars and lounges, and a spa with a thermal lounge and snow room (kept at 14 degrees).

Overnight stops provide opportunities for deeper cultural immersion while excursions offer a more intimate look at local life. Take in an evening orchestra performance in an ancient amphitheater or prepare a meal in Mykonos. Dubbed AzAmazing Evenings, one such one-of-a-kind experience is complimentary.

Mediterranean cultures love kids, too, and children are welcomed everywhere. Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, wild dunes, craggy cliffs, rocky coves, and aquamarine shallows on others. Some of the most beautiful natural sights you’ll ever see may be the view of the whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters in Santorini or the pastel-colored fishing villages in the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the Celebrity Theatre.

Take the seven-night journey on Cunard’s Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Mallorca, Corsica, Rome, and Naples. Visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, shop and eat your way through Rome, walk in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte in Corsica, and so much more. The 7-Day Mediterranean with Greece & Italy on the brand new Sun Princess, setting sail on her inaugural voyage in February, is a terrific way to experience this part of the world. Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late. Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect.

Cruising in the Mediterranean during spring offers the advantage of comfortable temperatures, allowing you to explore ports of call without being overwhelmed by summer heat. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time cruiser, understanding the ideal timing for your Mediterranean voyage is crucial for a remarkable and memorable experience. Beyond Italy, this itinerary offers a sampling of scenic locales in six other Adriatic and Mediterranean countries with a possible pre-cruise stay in Venice. You'll visit Korcula and Split in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Igoumanitsa and Katakolon in Greece; Ajaccio, Corsica; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille, France; and Barcelona, Spain. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.

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