Sunday, March 31, 2024

Mediterranean Cruises Greece, Spain & Italy Cruises

best mediterranean cruise companies

Speak with one of our experts to help you choose the best way to see the Mediterranean. We are award-winning Mediterranean small ship cruise specialists with a focus on exclusive tours and custom travel for individuals, couples, families and small groups. Our staff has decades of experience guiding, arranging and selling cultural cruises in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean yacht charters offer an exclusive way to cruise the Mediterranean, with your own cruise director and hand-picked fellow travelers. Mediterranean cruise group bookings aboard small ships enable bespoke, intimate adventures, making them perhaps the best way to see the Mediterranean.

Planning a Barcelona Vacation From the Sea

For those who want a great family introduction to the Med, included is a nine-night, four-country sailing from Barcelona to Rome, with stops in Marseilles, France; Livorno and Naples, Italy; and Kefalonia, Athens, and Santorini in Greece. In port, expect family-focused excursions, such as a performance of traditional Italian puppetry in Rome or a “treasure hunt” in an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona. If you're looking for a bigger ship, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are the best choices as they base a handful of ships in the Mediterranean each year, arriving in the spring and departing in the fall.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean

We recommend the 10-night Venice to Rome itinerary, which explores Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast before calling upon Montenegro, the Amalfi Coast and Capri before arriving in Rome. Curated excursions in each port are designed to provide exceptional experiences that make the most of each destination. In true Ritz-Carlton fashion, the Concierge Ashore can also create a personalized outing tailor-made just for you.

SEA THE WAY: THE BEST

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.

Posted: Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

These include Viking Ocean Cruises, Norwegian, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Crystal and Azamara. The yacht sails myriad Mediterranean itineraries ranging from five to 13 nights, calling upon the most captivating ports in the region. The cruise line created the beds in a special collaboration with a sleep expert to ensure every guest leaves feeling fully recharged. Make your way through five counties (Italy, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece) on this more than two-week adventure. The voyage highlights destinations ruled by famed pharaohs, kings, and emperors and emphasizes the region’s spectacular history. Shore excursion options include exploring the ruins of Pompeii, seeing the biblical destinations of Nazareth and Galilee, and simply soaking in the ambiance of Capri for an entire day.

25 BEST Eastern Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean on Cruise ... - Cruise Critic

25 BEST Eastern Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean on Cruise ....

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:01:59 GMT [source]

We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. On a Mediterranean cruise with Princess®, explore the homes of Greek gods, Italian artists and multicultural treasures. As you walk down bustling roads and beaches, cultures and history fill the air.

In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its offering of seasonal European sailings on its 2,200-guest Carnival Legend. 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. Many cruise lines focus on seven- to 14-day itineraries in the Mediterranean, making it hard to find an option if you don’t have a full week or two for your vacation.

best mediterranean cruise companies

But there are a few reasons why this may not be ideal in reality. First, because summer is the high season in Europe, you’ll often face premium cruise pricing due to the laws of supply and demand. What follows are my favorite cruises, based on my personal experience and expertise as a travel writer who has been on 18 cruises (and counting), as well as on user reviews and ratings. On sea days, you'll have access to three main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course and even a zip line. Curated excursions highlight the history of different ports of call, showing them in a different light. Expect all of the Disney Cruise Line signatures—Broadway-style shows, first-run Disney film screenings, lively deck parties, Disney character meet-and-greets, and top-notch kids clubs (plus, some dedicated adults-only spaces, too).

Viking’s ocean ships are designed to access almost any port, giving you more time on the ground to explore with at least one free shore excursion included at every port — a Viking signature. But you’re also here to see the Mediterranean, so you’ll need to maximize your time off the ship too. Your cruise begins in Barcelona, with stops in Gibraltar, Marseille, Genoa and Florence before culminating in Civitavecchia, near Rome.

Why Book the Mediterranean With Us

Excursions include guided tours of historical sites like the Grotto of St. John in Patmos and wine tastings in Bozcaada. From seeing historical monuments to experiencing local cuisine, shopping in some of the most luxurious places on Earth, and visiting awe-inspiring beaches, cruising provides stellar connections to Mediterranean countries. These cruises also cater to every type of traveler — from multigenerational families to solo travelers with options for adults only and all ages. Here are 10 of the best Mediterranean cruises to check out for your next vacation. If sailing into the sunset, billowing white sails overhead, after a day strolling hand in hand with your sweetheart along a blissful Greek island beach or past evocative ancient ruins sounds like a recipe for romance, your ship has come in. Windstar Cruises runs weeklong made-for-canoodling cruises through Greece, round-trip out of Athens, aboard its intimate, 148-guest, four-masted sailing yacht Wind Star.

Seabourn extends its emphasis on wellness to port via “Mindful Living” excursions.

From breakfast to dinner and every delectable dessert in between, the best is before you with Princess. Grand chapels and stone angels line the roads, whispering secrets of Rome’s past. On a cruise to Europe from Rome, arrive early to toss a coin into Trevi Fountain. Then walk in the footsteps of Emperors at the Colosseum, and receive a blessing from the Pope at St. Peter’s Square.

The 10-night sailing between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona on July 13, 2023, starts from $11,299/person; 7-night sailings are from $7,999/person; rssc.com. The Mediterranean is an amazing region to cruise, and a sailing there is a wonderful introduction to Europe for travelers who have never been. The varied choices of itineraries, cruise lines and ships can be intimidating, but rest assured, you can't really go wrong with any of them. Just know that once you go, you may feel a need to return — either to see a port you loved more in-depth on a land vacation or to sail to the Mediterranean countries you missed on your first go-round. Most major cruise lines send at least one ship to the Mediterranean every year.

Back onboard the Silver Moon, step into the S.A.L.T. Lab to participate in cooking classes and workshops to learn more about regional dishes, including how to make them at home. Holland America Line makes the jewels of the Mediterranean accessible to every budget, all while delivering comfortable accommodations, myriad onboard activities to enjoy during sea days and plenty of dining options. Those cuisine offerings highlight fresh, regional dishes, including new dishes from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the cruise line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador. Sailing roundtrip from Piraeus, near Athens, the 7-Day Jewels of the Mediterranean itinerary calls upon Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece, as well as ports in Turkey and Cyprus. The Greece-based Celesytal Cruises prides itself on offering an authentic Greek vacation experience.

BEST Mediterranean Cruise Deals 2024 + 2025: Cheap & Discount Cruises to the Mediterranean

best mediterranean cruise companies

Enter Norwegian Cruise Line, which offers an abbreviated four-day cruise for those looking to get a quick taste of cruise life. Aboard the Norwegian Escape, which was just refurbished in 2022, you’ll journey from Barcelona to Rome’s northwestern neighbor Civitavecchia, with stops in Cannes and Florence. The cruise line prides itself on its low guest-to-crew member ratio, ensuring your every need is easily met. The company offers plentiful options when it comes to Mediterranean sailings, including seven, 14, 21, and even 38-day cruises for those who can’t get enough. With this cruise company, you’re almost spoiled with choice, making it hard to pick just one itinerary.

More from The Times and The Sunday Times

25 BEST Western Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Western Mediterranean on Cruise ... - Cruise Critic

25 BEST Western Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Western Mediterranean on Cruise ....

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:40:04 GMT [source]

Whether they operate tiny ships with a few hundred passengers or giant megaships with several thousand people, most cruise lines have vessels summering in the Mediterranean. Embark on an unforgettable Mediterranean adventure and discover a region brimming with diversity. From the magnificent beaches and historic sites of Eastern Mediterranean ports to the vibrant and artistic cities of Western Mediterranean ports, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the stunning architecture of Spain and Italy, bask in the sun on Greece's beautiful shores, or marvel at the ancient treasures of Istanbul and Malta.

Night Italy, Greece & CroatiaDetails

Expect Mediterranean cuisine and port-intensive itineraries that can include two stops a day — allowing you to pack as many sights as possible into your trip. Celestyal is one of the few lines that welcome tiny sailors from the age of three months — you’ll find plenty of youngsters on summertime sailings. Best for a small-ship experienceRiver line CroisiEurope has two ships in its oceangoing fleet. The latest, the 130-passenger La Belle des Oceans, departs from ports such as Nice and will whisk you to the bone-white beaches of the Mediterranean’s fourth-biggest island, Corsica.

Greece & Aegean Islands Cruise

If so, check out Viking's 15-night Italy, the Adriatic and Greece itinerary, which sails from Athens to Rome and visits six Italian ports — Venice/Chioggia, Bari, Crotone, Messina, Naples and Rome — with three days spent in Venice. As a bonus, you'll also visit ports in Greece (Katakolon and Corfu), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split and Sibenik) and Montenegro (Kotor). 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 sophisticated onboard ambiance and a romantic itinerary are a lovely combination, and couples can enjoy both on the 12-night Mediterranean Tapestry sailing offered in June 2024 aboard Oceania Cruises' newest vessel, Oceania Vista. The sailing begins in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and ends in Rome (Civitavecchia), with visits to seven more Italian ports and Tunis, Tunisia.

Best for luxury in the Greek Islands

Oceania’s Europe cruises include an itinerary taking in Spain, France, Monaco, Italy and Croatia. You’ll have full days in Volos, Thessaloniki, Rhodes (which has some lovely beaches, including Faliraki, with about 3 miles of sandy coastline), Santorini and Mykonos, along with a day in Limassol, Cyprus’ second-largest city, and Ephesus, Turkey. You’ll end the trip in Athens, where you’ll have an overnight stay, which means you can have a traditional Greek dinner off the ship at your leisure. During your two sea days, lounge by the pool and soak in that Mediterranean sunshine, grab a gelato at Café al Bacio or spoil yourself at the spa.

best mediterranean cruise companies

Best for accessibilityThis line stands out for its inclusive excursions varying from energetic family fun to fully accessible tours. For a different take on bustling Naples, birthplace of the pizza, search for clues on a guided treasure hunt through Italy’s third largest city. There’s also a dedicated coach tour for passengers in wheelchairs, plus another excursion along wheelchair paths at the ruins of Pompeii, the Roman city buried in ash and preserved after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79. The original Love Boat, Princess Cruises prides itself on its “Local Connections” experience — pairing passengers with locals in each port to learn about the region from those who live there. The immersive experience on its Mediterranean cruises continues on board with regional dancers, chefs, and musicians.

Adriatic Sea

If island hopping in the Mediterranean is on your radar this year, we’ve selected the best cruises for every type of travel style, from families and couples to foodies and history buffs. Our top overall pick is Princess Cruises’ newly launched Sun Princess ship, which calls upon Montenegro, Corfu, Sicily and more. For foodies, we love the premium cuisine found onboard Silversea Cruise’s Silver Moon, and for couples, the romantic Viking Saturn is sure to be a hit. Below, our selections for the best Mediterranean cruises of 2024. For 12 glorious days, you can set sail through the Mediterranean with Holland America. The trip includes stops in Italy (including Venice, Sicily, Amalfi, and Rome), Greece (including Katakolon, Souda, and Mykonos), Albania, and Malta (including Valletta and Mgarr).

Best for affordable, family-friendly Italy

THE 25 BEST Romantic & Couples Cruises to Mediterranean (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Romantic & Couples Cruises to Mediterranean (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 16:14:46 GMT [source]

No matter what’s on the itinerary, it’ll be your most legendary summer ever. Wander around the ancient cobblestone streets, sunbathe on the magnificent beaches or go on a sea kayaking adventure. Visit the most beautiful places, such as the island of Santorini in Greece, Italy's Amalfi Coast and the town of Dubrovnik in the south of Croatia with your cruise to the Mediterranean. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise.

Stroll around Italy's enchanting small alleys, gracious palaces and photogenic squares. See Rome's impressive Colosseum and the rest of Italy's breathtaking capital. Marvel at the colorful buildings in Venice during a gondola ride through the canals and visit Florence's extraordinary Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Royal Caribbean sails several sizes of ships through the Mediterranean with anywhere from 2,700 to nearly 5,000 guests. While the goal in the Med is to get off the ship and explore the unique cultural options while in port, Royal Caribbean creates an environment where you don’t really need to leave the ship if you don’t want to. The onboard atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant with Viking’s minimalist, but beautiful, Scandinavian design throughout. Passengers love it because they’re not nickel-and-dimed once on board. The price you see includes free Wi-Fi, beer, wine, and soft drinks with meals, dining at any restaurant, and access to Viking’s unique Nordic Spa, with its exhilarating Snow Grotto, while onboard.

From sweet Lambruscos to earthy Bordeauxs, fill up your glass on a Mediterranean cruise with Princess. With mouthwatering entrees and confections, the Mediterranean invites you to embark on a gourmet tour through iconic cities. Reawaken your taste buds with Italian classics like pastas, pizzas and gelato. Or fill your plate with gyros, keftethes and baklava on a Greek cruise.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights.

best mediterranean cruise companies

So maybe, think about it as this year’s trip, then the next, then the next, and on and on forever, because there are just so many options available. The cruise line offers all-inclusive options, making it easy to relax onboard and just enjoy the ride. Seabourn also offers various lengths and destinations for its cruises, including seven, 10, 14, and 21-day options, so everyone can find the one right for them. Through 2023, Viking has three of its ships—the 930-passenger Viking Sky, Viking Mars, Viking Saturn, or Viking Venus—on the popular seven-night “Journey to Antiquities” voyages, on history-rich routes between European capitals of antiquity Rome and Athens. En route, stop off at Naples, Messina (Sicily), Crete, and Kuşadasi, with an overnight in Athens, for excursions that run to spots such as ancient Ephesus, the Minoan Palace of Knossos, Herculaneum and Pompeii, and the Acropolis.

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