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Back onboard Viking Saturn, relax in your spacious cabin, enjoy a cultural performance, enjoy a wine pairing dinner at the Chef’s Table, or enroll in a cooking class to learn how to take the flavors of the Mediterranean back home with you. Viking Ocean's Mediterranean cruises visit ports in Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia and Tunisia. It’s no surprise that the Mediterranean is one of the most popular cruise destinations. It’s close enough to the UK to avoid long-haul travel, yet it covers a decidedly different array of cultures and experiences, from sun-kissed coastlines to cities steeped in history.
Celebrity Cruises
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. When looking at a cruise with children, you'll want to mix time exploring on land with playtime on the ship, whether in the kids club or with attractions like video arcades and waterslides. 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.
THE 8 BEST MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES AND DESTINATIONS ALONG THE WAY
Holland America also offers a varied pricing list to allow people to choose the right price point for them, with rooms ranging from interior staterooms that come with 151 square feet to over-the-top suites with 712 square feet to stretch out in. The Mediterranean’s temperate weather beckons active travelers to spend their days outside exploring and immersing themselves in the region. Whether on the water or solid ground, there are plenty of ways to keep active during Celebrity’s 9-night Italy, France & Spain itinerary, beginning in Rome and ending in Barcelona. Cruisers can opt for the kayak and walking adventure in Valletta, where they can meander through farms, woodlands, and even Neolithic tombs before setting out in a kayak to paddle along the rugged coastline. Or, paddle a kayak along Corsica’s coastline to Trottel Beach, where you can relax under the warm sun, walk in the sand and swim in the clear water.
Mediterranean cruise lines
Don’t just picture the white cubes and blue-domed churches of the Cyclades — visit them. You’ll see graceful Venetian mansions, medieval palaces and 2,000-year-old temples. My own love affair with the Mediterranean began decades ago, backpacking around Greece, living on Greek salad and pine-fragranced retsina wine and swimming in the sea at midnight under a full moon, watching my shadow on the seabed.
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. 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.
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For those looking to discover the lesser-known destinations, the Venice to Bari and Venice to Ravenna itineraries are perfect. Bari is a port city in southern Italy with a rich history and beautiful old quarter, while Ravenna is known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Adriatic Sea is home to some of the most beautiful coastal cities in Europe, and a cruise through this region is sure to leave you in awe. From Venice to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Venice, and Venice to Split, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the charm and history of these stunning destinations.
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Do you need a passport to take a cruise to the Western Mediterranean?
There’s the Western Mediterranean, with popular sailings between Barcelona and Rome and stops all along Italy’s boot (including Rome and Florence). From destination-intensive 7-night cruises to 12-night explorations across this historic region, Celebrity has the best Mediterranean cruise for you. With nine luxurious ships to choose from, including four of our ground-breaking Edge-Series ships, you’ll find the perfect setting as your luxurious home away from home in the heart of Europe.
Cyprus Cruise Travel Vacation
Phrases such as la dolce vita and la joie de vivre have meaning here, where life is about beauty, art, culture, family, food and friendship. Talking with locals can be the true joy of travel in Europe, even if you just have a chat while sitting on a bench in a public park. You really miss something in the Mediterranean if you don't stop and eat the paella — or moussaka, lasagna or escargot. Some of the best cuisines in the world come from France, Spain, Italy and Greece, and all are featured on Mediterranean cruises. The heat will also be felt in places such as the uninhabited Greek island of Delos, off Mykonos.
If you've always wanted to see the pyramids in Giza, Egypt; the ruins in Ephesus, Turkey, and Pompeii, Italy; Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona; and the famous casino in Monaco, you can do it easily on a Mediterranean sailing. Know that you can't see everything in one Mediterranean cruise — even on sailings that run multiple weeks. Once you let go of your need to see and do it all and accept that you're on a sampler tour, you'll be better able to make your cruise selections and enjoy the ports your ship does visit. Seabourn Cruise Line provides travelers with luxury, small-ship experiences that emphasize high-end food and wines as well as personalized customer service.
A popular golf cart tour takes you to places of prominence, or book a guided tour with your cruise line. It's a good idea to book your Mediterranean cruise early, even nine to 12 months in advance. You can take advantage of early booking discounts and promotions and have the widest selection of available cabins and suites and dining times (if applicable).
For those looking to combine a visit to Barcelona with a trip to Algiers, the Barcelona to Algiers itinerary is a great choice. Algiers is the capital of Algeria and offers a mix of French colonial architecture, beautiful Mediterranean beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene. If you’re looking to combine a transatlantic journey with a visit to Venice or Rome, the Venice to Miami and Rome to Miami itineraries are perfect. These cruises allow you to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the vibrant city of Miami. Start your journey in Rome, the Eternal City, and explore its ancient ruins, beautiful piazzas, and world-class museums.
Don't be surprised if at the end of your lunch or dinner the proprietor offers you a complimentary shot of something local such as ouzo or raki in Greece or limoncello in Italy. The size of ship in the Mediterranean, as with elsewhere, also influences where you go. If you want to dock in tiny harbors to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations, choose a small ship rather than a big one. Experience the charm and nightlife of Mykonos, with its white sandy beaches and vibrant atmosphere.
Kotor is a hidden gem in Montenegro, with its stunning bay surrounded by mountains and its picturesque Old Town. This itinerary allows you to explore the best of both Venice and Kotor, all in one cruise. Go during the shoulder season, which is the spring (March through May) or fall (mid-September through October).
The tall-ship cruise line sails in the Mediterranean with its three recreated clipper ships; Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer. There are chances to explore the Balearic Islands, top up your tan in St Tropez and see the luxury and extravagance of Monaco. Vessels sail under wind power whenever possible and the sight of the creamy billowing sails is a spectacle to behold. Lounge in the bowsprit nets as the ship glides through the blue waters of the Med, or scale the mast to the crow’s nest. Best for the Greek islandsThis line comes to the fore for an authentic taste of the Greek islands.
Most people in the U.S. who have heard of Cannes probably know it from the Cannes Film Festival, but it’s also a popular Mediterranean cruise port. With a few villages close by, beautiful scenery, fancy shopping districts and rich history, it’s no wonder that cruisegoers enjoy this port of call. Fans of old Hollywood will love seeing sights featured in the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film “To Catch a Thief” starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.
