From islands, ancient ruins and sparkling beaches to bustling cities, delicious cuisines, cultures and languages – discover all of this and more in the Mediterranean
Not sure what company to cruise with? If you are only interested in seeing the 'biggest hits' of the Mediterranean Sea that visit ports like Rome, Barcelona and Florence, consider cruising with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Princess. If you want more of an authentic European feel with lots of small hard-to-reach destinations, book MSC Cruises or Costa that have shorter sailings, but less time in port. Is luxury your style? Our Cruise Experts will help you find the perfect itinerary with Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Oceania or similar.
The Mediterranean is Europe’s answer to a sun-soaked holiday of:
The Mediterranean Sea derives from the Latin “in the midst of lands”, and stays very true to its name! With access to Europe, Africa and Asia, a cruise along the Mediterranean coastline offers an experience like no other.
Explore Europe’s bustling cities, many of which are steeped in rich history and are bursting with flavourful cultures and diversity. Mediterranean cruises along the coastline offer a vast array of wondrous holiday destinations with delectable cuisine.
There is an intriguing mixture of:
The Mediterranean coastline is ringed by a winding coastline of scenic peninsulas and majestic mountains, overlooking a glistening electric-blue sea.
There is a range of beautiful ports throughout the Mediterranean including:
You can sail to the world famous city of Venice in the Adriatic Sea along with the breathtakingly beautiful Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Cruise ports along the African coast are also starting to open up every year. There are so many cultures and traditions to be found around the Mediterranean - more information on the areas are below.
Western Mediterranean
Boasting 300 days of sunshine a year, Portugal’s Algarve promises to delight with:
Discover the coastline’s many fishing towns or unwind at one of the many coastal beaches. Take a dip in the Algarve’s refreshingly cool waters and soak up the area’s warm ambience.
Spanish Delights
Take a stroll along Cádiz’s narrow cobble-stoned streets and discover one of Andalusia’s unjustifiably best kept secrets in Spain’s southernmost province. Immerse yourself in all Spain has to offer:
For a cultured mix of sunny beach resorts, traditional fishing villages, sprawling cobbled streets and rolling vineyards look no further than Mallorca, Spain. This enchanting Balearic Island has always been favoured by tourists for its island ambience, sun-fuelled atmosphere and golden sand beaches.
Central Mediterranean
The biggest island in the Mediterranean - Sicily, allows you to experience the deep cultural and arts heritage of the area. There are hundreds of ancient ruins and castles on the island.
Spend the time exploring the cities and towns and you won’t be disappointed. You will also want to see the beautiful countryside in all its Sicilian glory.
You can take a walk in the foothills of Mount Etna or visit some of the picturesque villages and enjoy the famous local dessert - Cannoli. This sweet treat is something not to miss on your trip to Sicily.
In the Adriatic Sea you have easy access to the coasts of:
Experience some of the best of European culture and heritage.
Eastern Mediterranean
Mediterranean cruises in the east have a different flavour to the central and western areas. Visiting the Greek or Cypriot Islands will take you back over 2000 years so you can experience all the ancient history.
Modern parts of these areas are vibrant in colour and culture. The friendly natives will bring a smile to your face with their warm nature. Now is the time to book your ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience.
Finding your perfect Mediterranean cruise is as easy as deciding which cruise line you would like to sail with - most of them will have an itinerary around this beautiful region:
Looking for a Mediterranean cruise departing from a home port near you? No worries, that is also an option:
There are cruise lines that specialize in Mediterranean cruises and know the region in and out. If you would like to sail with one of the below, ask your cruise expert about our DreamAway Packages - these have flights, hotel stays and transfers included for your convenience.
Many would say that the Northern Hemisphere summer months - June to August are the best for visiting the Mediterranean. However, here are a couple of reasons why not:
Try booking your cruise for the months of March to May or September to October and here is why: