How to plan the perfect Mediterranean cruise holiday
A perennial favourite of British cruisers, thanks to its location virtually on our doorstep, the Mediterranean stretches 2,500 miles from west to east, is encircled by three continents and has a superlative blend of history, rich cultures and diverse landscapes.
It may come second to the Caribbean in the global cruising popularity stakes, but it has long been the top sailing spot for Britons and stands apart for the vast collection of countries and ports scattered along its shores, providing an assortment of vibrant cities, clifftop hamlets, ancient sites and sleepy island escapes.
Cruise itineraries can follow any number of routes, from the Mediterranean’s western edge where Europe almost touches North Africa, eastwards towards Turkey and the Middle East, reaching out to the western extremities of Asia, ensuring an almost infinite choice of destinations.
From the castaway charm of the Greek islands and the Venetian allure of the Adriatic to the chichi cachet of the Côte d’Azur and the steamy hustle of North African souks, such a variety guarantees that no two voyages need ever be the same.
The classic itineraries
Cruises are invariably divided between the Western Mediterranean itineraries, which generally follow the coasts of Spain, France and Italy, and the Eastern Mediterranean, covering the Adriatic, the Greek islands and Turkey.
Some voyages take a more southerly course, scooping up North African stops in Morocco and Tunisia, potentially including Israel and Egypt, with longer voyages venturing through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea and beyond. However, current unrest and piracy problems in this area have curtailed such sailings for the time-being.
A typical Western Med cruise would feature the Italian ports of Civitavecchia, for Rome; Livorno or La Spezia, for Florence and Pisa; and Naples, for access to the ruined Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, along with the Neapolitan Riviera and the isle of Capri.
Further stops may also include Marseilles (for Provence) and the French Riviera resorts of Villefranche and Cannes; and Barcelona and Monte Carlo for a dash of jet-set glamour.
Eastern Mediterranean itineraries typically cover the Greek islands, the Adriatic Riviera of Croatia and Montenegro, plus the Holy Land and the Black Sea (though this is largely off-limits due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine), with departures from Athens, Venice (Trieste, Ravenna or Marghera) and Civitavecchia.
UK departure or fly-cruise
As far as the UK is concerned, it’s a question of whether to cruise from a British port – usually Southampton, though there are departures from other points, such as Dover, Portsmouth and Tilbury.
It’s worth noting that it normally takes two days (including crossing the notoriously choppy Bay of Biscay) to reach the Mediterranean, with usually one or two stops en route at the likes of La Coruña, Lisbon, Cadiz, Madeira or Gibraltar, which sits at the entrance to the Med. Sailing from the UK also limits how far south the ship can travel within the timeframe, with two-week voyages generally not getting beyond Naples.
Fly-cruises offer the chance to join departures from various ports in the Mediterranean, notably Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Athens (Piraeus), Dubrovnik, Palma and Monte Carlo.
How long?
Sailings can range from mini-cruises of just a few nights to longer stints of more than a month, though the most common durations are one or two weeks for fly-cruises.
For sailings from British ports, the additional time needed to sail to and from the Mediterranean means the minimum duration is generally 12 or 13 nights, but most are a fortnight or more.
Offbeat options
The size and style of cruise ships determines which destinations will be on itineraries, proving the Mediterranean’s versatility. The smaller the ship, the more off the beaten track it can go, immersing itself in the islands of Croatia or among the more remote outposts of Greece’s archipelagos.
While certain Italian marquee ports are key stops on Western Mediterranean itineraries, their diminutive neighbours, such as Sorrento and Capri, encapsulate the heady romance of the Italian Riviera for smaller ships.
Offshore, sitting north of Sicily, are the Aeolian Islands, where the fiery pyrotechnics of the volcanic Stromboli can often be witnessed on ships calling at Naples in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.
These outposts, including the aforementioned Stromboli, plus Lipari, Vulcano and Salina, and the Pontine Islands, also off the Italian coast, attract smaller vessels that can slip into their harbours or moor offshore. It’s a similar story in Menorca – one of the sleepier Balearics – and Malta’s quieter sister, Gozo.
Other sailings feature Sardinia and Corsica, with some cruise ships virtually circumnavigating the islands, while there are a growing number of voyages along the Adriatic coast. Dubrovnik and Split are magnets for mainstream cruise lines, with smaller coastal vessels and megayachts adding stops at the likes of Hvar, Zadar and Korcula.
The medieval walled city of Kotor, in Montenegro, stunningly situated beneath the vertiginous cliffs that surround southern Europe’s largest fjord, is another prize and can accommodate ships of all sizes.
The Greek isles are another example, where the main islands of Mykonos, Santorini et al are popular stops on most cruises to the region, with petite sleepier gems such as Patmos, Milos and Skiathos making a refreshing contrast for the boutique craft and gulet boats that cruise these waters and explore virtually untouched stretches of the nearby Turkish coast.
Who to book with
As a main summer cruising destination, the Mediterranean draws virtually all the major cruise lines, with US companies sending ships across the Atlantic to Europe in spring, and calling them back during autumn.
This is a key traditional cruising ground for British lines such as Cunard and P&O Cruises, which sail from Southampton and base their ships in Valletta or Civitavecchia, among others, for fly-cruises.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers imaginative itineraries concentrating on areas such as Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the Adriatic or exploring the region’s ancient archaeological sites on voyages of up to 59 nights, while Saga Cruises has a range of Eastern and Western Med departures of up to 26 nights.
Ambassador Cruise Line visits the Mediterranean on a handful of longer voyages of 21 to more than 30 nights with departures from Tilbury, while Marella Cruises bases ships at various Med ports, including Palma, Dubrovnik and Limassol.
Among US brands, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are among those to base ships in the UK and at European ports during summer, giving passengers a choice of UK departures or fly-cruises.
It’s a similar story for Italian-style brand MSC Cruises, which regards the Mediterranean as its home turf, and offers the most embarkation ports of any cruise line, in addition to basing a ship in the UK during the winter months, too.
There’s a full lineup of luxury lines plying Mediterranean waters, with the likes of Azamara and Windstar Cruises spending later evenings and staying overnight in ports, while the foodie line Oceania Cruises capitalises on the contrasting cuisines of different destinations, and Viking Cruises offers departures focusing on the region’s historic legacy.
Luxury lines Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn also capitalise on the Mediterranean’s cultural riches, with Seabourn holding special gala evenings among the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.
A clutch of river-cruise specialists – Emerald Cruises, CroisiEurope and APT – also dip their toes into Mediterranean waters, with coastal cruises through Dalmatia, the Greek islands and around Corsica, while tall-ship experts Star Clippers and Sea Cloud Cruises bring a wind-in-the-hair feel to voyages seeking out smaller ports such as Portofino, Elba and Giardini Naxos, for Taormina in Sicily.
Niche players including Variety Cruises, with its mix of traditional-style yachts and cruisers, boutique line Noble Caledonia and the Greek Celestyal Cruises focus on tucked-away ports, as do the upscale French line Ponant and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Adding to the mix is MSC Cruises’ new luxury brand Explora Journeys, which made its Mediterranean debut in summer 2023, as did newcomer The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Adding to the mix is MSC Cruises’ new luxury brand Explora Journeys, which makes its Mediterranean debut this July, while the newcomer Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection embarks on its maiden summer season.
When to go
While cruises operate year-round, the main season runs from spring to autumn, peaking in the summer when resorts are at their busiest and temperatures reach upwards of 30C. Spring is regarded as a good time to travel, before the summer heat sets in and the holiday crowds descend, while autumn is mellow, without the blazing heat of summer and the peak-season rush of tourists. As autumn progresses, the Eastern Mediterranean tends to hold onto warmer temperatures for longer. Winter conditions are more unpredictable, with mild sunny days and cool, rainy periods.
Health and safety
Exercise the same caution as you would at home. Beware pickpockets in popular tourist areas, particularly Barcelona’s La Rambla and Rome’s Trevi Fountain and Colosseum, and avoid taking valuables ashore.
In North African countries, including Morocco and Tunisia, pickpocketing, bag-snatching and credit-card frauds are common in tourist areas, including medinas, and tourists may be harassed by people posing as official guides. Beware demonstrations or protests that can occur with little or no warning. Check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website for more details.
10 great Mediterranean cruises to book now
1. Spanish sojourn
Escape to the Western Mediterranean on this no-fly voyage with MSC Cruises, departing from Southampton and following the coast of Spain to the Balearics before returning. Ports of call include Valencia, Barcelona, Palma, and Cadiz.
With departures on July 12, 26 and September 13, 2025, this 14-night voyage costs from £1,299pp (020 3426 3010; msccruises.co.uk)
2. A taste of Italy
Enjoy a contrasting taste of the Mediterranean and the Adriatic on this Celebrity Cruises voyage combining the Italian ports of La Spezia (for Florence) and pretty Portofino with Kotor in Montenegro and the Croatian city of Split.
The 10-night sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Ravenna (Venice) departs on October 10, 2025. From £1,298pp. Flights extra (0344 493 2043; celebritycruises.com)
3. Rail and sail
A stay in southern Italy’s Puglia region makes a charming start to this Star Clippers package, followed by a train transfer to Civitavecchia where guests join square rigger Star Flyer to sail to the Aeolian Islands, dominated by the active volcano on Stromboli, and the pretty Pontine Isles off the coast of Naples.
The eight-night package, departing September 4, 2025, includes a two-night hotel stay followed by a six-night round-trip sailing from Civitavecchia. From £2,999pp including flights, hotel and rail travel (01473 242666; starclippers.co.uk).
4. A racing start
Get your motor running for Windstar Cruises’ Monaco Grand Prix-themed voyage, which includes seats at the time trials and the final race, plus a special Prix du Monde themed cocktail reception and dinner on board.
The one-week round-trip voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) departs on May 20, 2025. From £7,816pp cruise-only (0808 178 2233; windstarcruises.com)
5. Yachting odyssey
Uncover the secrets of the Cyclades aboard the classic motor yacht Galileo, as it weaves a path to escapist isles of dreamy whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches. The itinerary takes in the contrasting delights of hedonistic Mykonos with sleepy Poliegos, Paros, Syros and Kythnos, among others.
The one-week round-trip voyage from Athens has regular departures through summer and autumn, with prices from £1,996pp, excluding flights (020 8324 3114; varietycruises.com)
6. Cultural cornucopia
This 33-night voyage with Ambassador Cruise Line brings alive the Mediterranean’s cultural and historic contrasts, from the Egyptian city of Alexandria which acts as the gateway to the country’s historic wonders, and the enchanting legacy of Venetian rule in Corfu to the British influences of Gibraltar and Italian dolce vita lifestyle of Sardinia’s capital Cagliari.
Departing on May 5, 2025, from £2,740pp (0808 159 4882; ambassadorcruiseline.com)
7. Turkish gulet cruise
Explore the rich heritage and scenic beauty of the virtually untouched region of Lycia on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, sailing into hidden bays where beyond the sandy shores lie ancient cities and archaeological treasures. This voyage on a traditional-style Turkish gulet moors at quiet anchorages for trips ashore and swimming stops.
This 14-night Cruising the Lycian Shore round-trip, sailing from Dalaman, departs on September 7, 2025, from £5,395pp (01600 888220; petersommer.com)
8. Short break to Greece
Fancy a midweek break with a difference? Try one of Celestyal Cruises’ short sailings around the Aegean, where you pack in six destinations in four days, from the party isle of Mykonos and volcanic Santorini to upscale Patmos and historic Rhodes.
The four-night round-trip Athens voyage departs regularly from April to November, with prices from £449pp. Flights extra (0808 280 3825; celestyal.com)
9. High seas magic
Sprinkling pixie dust on this one-week round-trip from Barcelona – where Mickey Mouse and friends promise to bring their own brand of magic – is Disney Cruise Line, with a voyage full of parties, characters and enchanting shows.
Departing on July 12, this sailing on Disney Fantasy calls at Palermo, Livorno, Naples and Civitavecchia, from £2,580pp. Flights extra (0800 171 2317; disneycruise.disney.go.com)
10. Mediterranean isles
Sidestep the main Western Med tourist spots on this small-ship exploration with Noble Caledonia, seeking out historic treasures in Sardinia and classical towns and medieval fortresses on Corsica. This eight-night voyage from Gibraltar starts off by threading its way through the Balearics, stopping at Menorca, before delving into the enchanting isle of Elba, where Napoleon was famously sent into exile in 1814.
Departing on September 23, 2025, it costs from £5,295pp, including flights (020 7752 0000; noble-caledonia.co.uk)
This article was first published in May 2023 and has been revised and updated.
