Mediterranean Cruise Vacations

The depth and breadth of the history and culture embodied within the countries of the Mediterranean is fascinating. When you cruise the Mediterranean you are exploring the origin of the Western World.

The extraordinary Greek Islands in the Eastern Mediterranean contain treasure after treasure. Along the sunny coastlines of Spain, France and Italy are some of the most beautiful resort areas in Europe. History, architecture and art await you at almost every port in the Mediterranean. And, of course, the food and wine is arguably the best in the world.

There are basically two types of Mediterranean cruises – Western and Eastern. The southern coasts of Spain and France and the western ports of Italy are stops in a Western Mediterranean itinerary. On an Eastern Mediterranean cruise, you’ll explore the Greek Islands, Turkey, and Italy. Some Eastern Mediterranean cruises also head into the Black Sea.

Things To Do

Besides the simple enjoyment of cruising and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Mediterranean as you cruise from port to port, the highlights of a Mediterranean cruise are the wonderful cities you can explore.

In Italy you can visit Venice and explore wonderful St Mark’s square or take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Naples features the breathtaking Amalfi Coast and short drive to visit the terrifying and fascinating ruins of Pompeii. Florence features some of the greatest works of the Renaissance.

Of course, the highlight for most in Italy is Rome with its extraordinary history and world-famous landmarks like the Coliseum, Spanish Steps, the Sistine Chapel and much more. Then again, maybe the highlight of Italy is the wonderful cuisine you will find throughout the country.

Along the French coast is the principality of Monte Carlo with its luxurious highlife, fabulous stores, beautiful homes, and the elegant Grand Casino. Visit Barcelona, Spain and soak in Spanish culture taking a stroll in the Las Ramblas area.

On Eastern Mediterranean trips you cannot help but full in love with the charming Greek Islands. Quaint white washed villages, ancient ruins, lovely beaches and great food are the norm. All islands have something special to offer, but Santorini is as beautiful of place as there is in the world.

In Turkey, you can immerse yourself in a different culture. Istanbul is a bustling city of high energy where one of the favorite pastimes is to shop and haggle in the many bazaars.

Ports of Call

Cruises in the Mediterranean call on the following ports:

Venice Athens (Pireaus) Naples/Capri Rome

Florence/Pisa Marseille/Provence Monte Carlo/Cannes Barcelona

Gibralter Dubrovnik Kusadasi Istanbul

The Greek Islands cruises call on some or all these ports:

Athens (Pireaus) Katakolon Corfu

Mykonos Rhodes Santorini

Heraklion Kusadasi Istanbul

There are some unique cruises that cruise the Black Sea. These cruises usually depart from and return to Istanbul. Ports of call generally include:

Odessa

Constanta

Yalta

Season / Trip Lengths / Departure Ports

Cruises are available year round, but the main season is between May and October. In the dead of summer it gets quite hot, so some cruise lines cut back cruises at that time, focusing on late Spring and Autumn. Most cruises last from 7 to 14 nights, though you can find a few shorter cruises.

Most of the larger cities can be used as embarkation and disembarkation ports. Not surprisingly, the larger cities with better airports will generally have more options. Both one-way and roundtrip itineraries are available from some ports, including Barcelona, Rome (port at Civitavecchia), Venice, Athens and Istanbul. Most Greek Island cruises start and end in Athens.