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The Mediterranean Sea touches 22 nations and borders more than 28,000 miles of coastline, according to the Europe Environment Agency. From the Greek Islands to Egypt, Croatia to Morocco, and Slovenia to Spain, the rugged coastlines dip into the crystalline waters, providing a connection point to some of the most intriguing destinations on the planet. But, rather than traversing these destinations by car, train, or plane, visitors can see and do more by taking to the water for a Mediterranean cruise. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. From chefs and beverage makers to artists and guides, meet the many personalities that call the Mediterranean home with our Local Connections program.
European Cruise Destinations
Plus, you’ll hit many of the most popular ports in Spain, France and Italy on this seven-night cruise in the Western Mediterranean, including Barcelona, Cannes, Cinque Terre and Portofino. Stunning seascapes, ancient architecture and monuments, delicious delicacies, and some of the best art in the world make a trip to the Mediterranean an item on everyone’s bucket list. Linking Europe to Africa and Asia, the Mediterranean Sea offers unmatched beauty, culture, and history.
Fun European Vacations for Adventures Royal Caribbean Cruises
Curated excursions highlight the history of these ports of call, yet show them in a different light. For example, cruisers can opt to take a tuk-tuk ride through the historic city of Zadar on the Dalmatian Coast, go hiking in Ston, built in 1335 and considered one of Europe’s best-planned cities, or stroll through the medieval walls of Old Town Dubrovnik. In Italy, guests can travel to the ancient seaside resort town of Herculaneum to witness its archeological excavations and recovered ruins, wander the Renaissance city of Lucca, or watch an Italian opera at the Goldoni Theatre, which opened in 1847. Back onboard, cultural evenings featuring performances by locals will immerse you even further into each destination.
Best Value Mediterranean Cruise: Holland America Line, Oosterdam
You get all the plusses of cruising mainstream, like entertainment, casinos, water features, and family-friendly activities. Afterwards, you can retreat to your quiet suite enclave to enjoy your personal luxury. It’s always a good time to visit Spain—there’s just so much to see and do in Spain. Windstar’s 10-day itinerary begins in Barcelona, taking passengers to the Spanish island of Majorca before cruising on to Cartagena, Almeria, Málaga and Gibraltar. You’ll sail through the Strait of Gibraltar before visiting Cadiz and ending in Lisbon, Portugal.
Ships sailing Mediterranean cruises
Finally, the weather can be downright miserable in the summer, with soaring temperatures and high humidity making even the most relaxing tours uncomfortable. And if that doesn’t convince you, know that many places in Europe don’t have air conditioning. Onboard, enjoy activities, nightly shows, enrichment programs, personal training, fitness and nutrition classes, and shopping. Whether you want to visit the Italian Riviera, the French Riviera, or The Holy Land, Azamara has a cruise for you.
Turkish Desserts to Sweeten your Vacation
Be sure to spend some extra pre-cruise time in Barcelona and post-cruise time in Lisbon because you won’t have time on the actual cruise to explore these cities. Who wouldn’t want to see the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Blue Grotto in Capri, the Grand Canal in Venice and various UNESCO World Heritage sites all on one trip? You can go on those excursions and more on Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise, which heavily features Italy’s most famous landmarks. Plus, you’ll spend some time in Sicily and France before ending in Barcelona—add a few post-cruise days here to check La Sagrada Família and the Picasso Museum off your bucket list.
MSC Virtuosa had a starring role in the Channel 5 drama series Good Ship Murder, which was filmed on board the ship that sails from Southampton for the Mediterranean. Best for the Greek islandsThis line comes to the fore for an authentic taste of the Greek islands. The fleet of small Greek-owned ships carry 34 to 72 guests and visit the smaller, untouched islands that only local fishing boats usually reach.
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All passengers enjoy complimentary access to the ship's thermal suite in the LivNordic Spa. The Main Pool has a retractable roof and can be enjoyed no matter what the weather. However, if you want to live it up at night, note that the ship does not have an onboard casino. To score a budget cruise fare in the Mediterranean, it helps to look for sailings aboard a cruise line's older ships.
Night Greek Isles & Turkey CruiseDetails
The cruise line is also known for its spa, onboard entertainment, and comfy accommodations. TravelAwaits writer Rebecca Hall got the opportunity to sail aboard the Celebrity Apex for its Greek Islands and Cyprus cruise as a guest speaker for their onboard Enrichment Program. For foodies, fashionistas and art lovers, it's hard to top a Western Mediterranean cruise to the renowned resort towns and famed coastal cities of Italy, France, Monaco and Spain. 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.
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Other excursions that may appeal to return visitors include tours of Civitavecchia or a pasta-making class. If you or a member of your party require accommodations for mobility limitations, research the available excursions. While cruise ships will typically have accommodations onboard, some European cities have cobblestone streets that are difficult to navigate in a wheelchair and multistory buildings that don't have elevators. If you're willing to come back early from port, Viking's ocean ships offer plenty of ways to relax on board.
Or see another side of the city when you kayak through the tunnels of Lipa Cave. Embark on a Mediterranean cruise through the Aegean Sea and stroll through highlights of Italy and Greece while also visiting hidden gems like Montenegro. Then cruise to Mykonos, where windmills and bright white architecture accent the turquoise sea. Continue indulging in dreamy landscapes in Athens where mythology comes to life. Many cruise excursions include a mix of the city’s top sites such as the Blue Mosque (aka Sultan Ahmed Mosque), an example of gorgeous architecture featuring spires and domes.
If Italy is your main focus for a future cruise, it's hard to beat the seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary in September 2024 aboard Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. Two new eateries, Aquamar Kitchen and Ember, serve wellness-focused cuisine and casual American comfort food, respectively, and an expanded Culinary Arts Center lets guests who love to cook take hands-on classes. The three newest ships in the Silversea Cruises fleet — Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and 2023's first-in-class Silver Nova — all feature the cruise line's immersive culinary program known as S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste). When Silversea's next ship, the 728-passenger Silver Ray, debuts in 2024, it will also take its guests on culinary-focused journeys — among them an 11-day Rome to Venice itinerary in June 2024.
The best Mediterranean cruises offer you the opportunity to explore the charming, ancient harbors of Italy, Greece and Croatia. Visit some ancient monuments like temples and amphitheaters, or medieval palaces and cathedrals. Head to the sun-drenched golden beaches and take a refreshing dip in the clear blue sea.
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