Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Ultimate Guide To Mediterranean Cruises: Best Time, Ports & Cruise Lines

best cruise lines mediterranean

Or walk in the footsteps of celebrated artists that called these regions home — like Picasso and Dali — and allow their work to spark your creativity. We've narrowed down a list of the most; historic, cultural, famous, and royal significance. Here are some Rome vacation must-sees and tips on how to navigate travel when arriving or departing via cruise through Civitavecchia. A Barcelona vacation is always a good idea, but arriving at this iconic port of call by sea is a truly unique experience.

Best Mediterranean Cruises

In Italy, guests can travel to the ancient seaside resort town of Herculaneum to witness its archeological excavations and recovered ruins, wander the Renaissance city of Lucca, or watch an Italian opera at the Goldoni Theatre, which opened in 1847. Back onboard, cultural evenings featuring performances by locals will immerse you even further into each destination. Ritz-Carlton, which entered the cruise realm in 2021 with its 298-passenger luxury yacht, Evrima, offers an all-inclusive "yachting lifestyle" experience.

Greek Islands You Should Visit Instead of Santorini

Research the specific destinations and ports of call you’d like to visit during your cruise. If you're willing to come back early from port, Viking's ocean ships offer plenty of ways to relax on board. All passengers enjoy complimentary access to the ship's thermal suite in the LivNordic Spa. The Main Pool has a retractable roof and can be enjoyed no matter what the weather.

Traveling to the Crystal Caves in Spain

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the iconic Sagrada Familia, stroll along Las Ramblas, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter. It’s important to know that not every cruise line offers year-round itineraries in the Mediterranean. If you have a favorite line, you’ll need to plan your trip around their schedule.

Europe Vacation: Best Places to Visit

You'd be hard-pressed to sample Spain, France, Italy and Greece on one land tour without transportation nightmares. A Mediterranean cruise, however, is the perfect way to get a taste of many coastal countries with ease as you transit between destinations while you sleep aboard your ship. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. You can choose from roving food tours, cooking classes, winery visits and tastings, and meals made with local produce and cheeses in beautiful villa or farmhouse settings. Some so-called Mediterranean cruises actually spend most of their time on the Adriatic Sea, sailing from Venice and visiting ports in Croatia and Greece, and sometimes Montenegro and Albania. You may also find an Adriatic sailing wrapped into longer Western or Eastern Mediterranean cruises.

About Susan B. Barnes, Your Mediterranean Cruise Guide

It's a shame that the itinerary has no sea days because the ship offers plenty to keep cruisers busy on board. There's a wealth of dining options, from the Italian cuisine-serving Onda by Scarpetta to a trendy food hall, plus a go-kart track, multistory twisty slides and a bar serving sustainable craft cocktails. Do thoughts of sun, surf, and sand along the French or Italian Riviera, Spain, Croatia, or the Greek Isles have your swimsuits crawling out of the drawer to pack themselves? Well, consider hopping between the region’s very best beaches aboard a luxury sailing yacht (billionaire bankroll not required). Celebrity Cruises’s contemporary Celebrity Edge offers a full spring-through-fall season of Mediterranean sailings during 2023.

best cruise lines mediterranean

What are some things to do in the Eastern Mediterranean?

Why you need to cruise the Mediterranean in winter with Royal Caribbean - Royal Caribbean Blog

Why you need to cruise the Mediterranean in winter with Royal Caribbean.

Posted: Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

In Italy, you can see Venice’s Piazza San Marco, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and pastel-colored fishing villages on the Amalfi Coast. In Greece, take in whitewashed buildings, turquoise waters, and stunning sunsets. Explore medieval architecture in Lisbon, Portugal, and Old Town Dubrovnik in Croatia, one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in the world. On a cruise, you don’t have to worry about where you will stay that night, check-in and check-out times, or accommodation costs. The biggest decisions you have to make are which of the ship’s restaurants to dine in that evening and what cocktail to order. Go during the shoulder season, which is the spring (March through May) or fall (mid-September through October).

The whole of the Mediterranean is fringed with dazzlingly beautiful beaches, and the greatest appeal is that they’re all different. Be sure to pack comfortable clothing -- and especially shoes -- for long days of sightseeing. However, Europeans tend to dress with a bit of panache; to fit in, pack a stylish scarf or hat, and maybe leave your lanyards and socks and sandals at home. Seabourn extends its emphasis on wellness to port via “Mindful Living” excursions.

Night Western Mediterranean Medley: Morocco And MallorcaDetails

As the largest port in the Mediterranean, Marseille is the gateway to opportunity. On a Mediterranean cruise, spend the day in Arles, and explore the landscapes that inspired much of Van Gogh’s artwork. Stroll through the MuSaMa, a soap museum, and create your own blend alongside a master soap maker. Or roam the city’s most popular landmark, Notre-Dame de la Garden, a Catholic basilica that overlooks the city. Until it was popularized by the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona was a hidden gem amidst Europe’s diverse landscapes.

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. Booking a shore excursion with Celebrity also means you’ll be visiting attractions with a professional guide, and on a tour that guarantees to return you to the ship on time. Whether you love art, history, natural wonders, fine cuisine, or all of the above, a Mediterranean cruise lets you experience something amazing at every stop. The Mediterranean region is vast, including many countries each with its own personality, cuisine, and scenery. For romance seekers, few experiences beat a cruise that lingers along the French and Italian rivieras.

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. The Mediterranean, with its beautiful beaches and welcoming breezes, is just what the doctor ordered for some rest and renewal. The holistic approach and teachings stem from Dr. Weil, known as the father of integrative medicine.

Land experiences curated by A&K include a cookery class at a privately owned villa in Corfu and tour of Cefalu in Sicily, the backdrop of the classic Italian film Cinema Paradiso. Beyond that, crowds will be heavy in the ports of call during the high season. Plus, you may have a tough time getting into restaurants or major attractions if you didn’t book ahead. Holland America is marking a major milestone this year celebrating its 150th Anniversary. In the late 1800s, Holland first sailed immigrants looking for a new start from Europe to America.

The cruise line’s all-new Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) culinary program was created to enable guests to travel deeper and learn about destinations’ culinary heritage. Just like other Disney Cruise Line sailings, its Mediterranean cruises feature spacious cabins, kids clubs, all meals, Broadway-quality shows and more. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. Escape to Nice, France for a truly unforgettable experience during your Mediterranean cruise. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais for breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters.

France's Cote d'Azur, with its coastal mountains and crystal blue sea, has inspired artists and romantics for centuries. The equally stunning Italian coast is perfect for romantic strolls around secluded harbors or an indulgent, delectable lunch at a table for two overlooking the ocean. Mediterranean cruises offer the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation, allowing you to visit iconic destinations along the way. Some itineraries extend to the northern coast of Africa, while others stop at the enchanting Canary Islands. With a warm climate, picturesque waters, and countless attractions, the Mediterranean remains a top destination year-round.

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