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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. The majority of ships, however, arrive in the spring and depart in the fall, choosing warmer climes like the Caribbean for holiday sailings.
I've been on 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean.
A cruise to the Mediterranean is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover the Mediterranean onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships. 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. Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect. Going early or late in the season usually means you'll have more tolerable weather and smaller crowds in some of the big destinations like Athens. The 7-Day Mediterranean with Greece & Italy on the brand new Sun Princess, setting sail on her inaugural voyage in February, is a terrific way to experience this part of the world.
View Popular Mediterranean Cruise Destinations
The countryside of Italy and Greece are home to some of the most flavorful wines around the globe. With sun and warm temperatures year-round, vineyards are flourishing with grapes by the harvest season. From sweet Lambruscos to earthy Bordeauxs, fill up your glass on a Mediterranean cruise with Princess. On a Mediterranean cruise to Livorno, travel to Florence or Pisa where artifacts abound. Capture snapshots of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, stop by Michelangelo’s David statue at the Accademia and walk up to the “Gates of Paradise” at the Baptistery. Or explore the countryside and meander through the region’s rolling hills that bear vineyards and green olive groves.
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]
Santorini, Greece
On a Greek cruise, dine on Montenegrin cuisine in the home of a local chef, appreciate 14th-century Venetian art at St. Tryphon’s Cathedral and taste regional wines along the riviera. Or see another side of the city when you kayak through the tunnels of Lipa Cave. Cruise to the Mediterranean and discover the regions top 15 food and wine destinations from the most famous tapas in Barcelona, to the endless choices of seafood in Greece and more.
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]
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. Plus, find unique culinary concepts like Le Petit Chef, which features tabletop 3-D projections of “mini-chefs” from Italy, Spain, France, and Japan who present specialty dishes from their respective homelands.
Mediterranean Countries
For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city. In port, guests can sign up for special chef-guided market excursions for shopping local markets in locales such as Barcelona and Malaga, Spain, and Livorno and Sorrento, Italy. Finds are later prepared and served by the chef via cooking demos back onboard. Choose from a series of 7- to 11-night Mediterranean Celebrity Edge voyages, running round-trip from Rome or between Rome and Barcelona. En route, stop at Santorini, with its striking caldera, and Mykonos, famed for its beaches and party scene.
History & Culture.
Curated excursions highlight the history of different ports of call, showing them in a different light. Here are seven perfect Mediterranean cruises for different types of travelers, whether it’s romance, family fun, cuisine, antiquities, or simply some R&R that you’re after. There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure to check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship.
Of course, North Americans taking Mediterranean cruise vacations will need a passport to fly to and from their ship's departure and arrival ports. However, for vacationers who want all the attractions without the hassle, a cruise is an ideal way to explore the Mediterranean. This type of European cruise can be especially alluring to honeymooners, families and older couples. If you've never been to Europe, you may feel overwhelmed by destination choices. If you know which ports are on your must-see list, you might be more stumped by which cruise line to choose or which specific itinerary will be the best for you. As the largest port in the Mediterranean, Marseille is the gateway to opportunity.
Azamara is a luxurious option, but it’s not just about glitz and glamour on this line. The cruise line also emphasizes hyper-local experiences to allow its passengers to dive deep into the history, food, culture, and life of its ports of call, even if they’re there just for a day. The cruise line offers a variety of destinations and cruise lengths, including 10, 12, and 15-night voyages, some of which include overnight stays in the ports so guests can get the full scope of a destination. Which luxury line is best for your Mediterranean cruise will come down to what you're looking for in a luxury ship and a European itinerary. However, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises stand out for including a large variety of shore excursions in their cruise fares.
This delectable stew made with wild boar is the most popular dish on the island. Travelers vacationing with the entire family — from grandma to kids — should check out Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line offers more options for everyone onboard (think kids club to casinos), as well as varied shore excursions and affordable pricing options to make it a more viable trip for larger groups. 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.
Arrange ground transportation to create a custom cruise vacation package. Read insider tips and recommendations for things to see and do in beloved European destinations. With ancient wine cellars, medieval castles stacked on idyllic hillsides, and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, Portugal satisfies every travel wish.
All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. I’m a Florida-based freelance travel and lifestyle journalist who has embarked on more than a dozen cruises, including several in the Mediterranean. As a traveler, I am just as comfortable bicycling through Italian olive groves and SCUBA diving the wall of sharks in French Polynesia as I am sipping bubbles in a Champagne house and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants. 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. Highlights of the complimentary shore excursions on this itinerary include a panoramic tour of Corsica, seeing the sights in Rome and Algiers and a walking tour of Málaga, to name a few. The yacht sails myriad Mediterranean itineraries ranging from five to 13 nights, calling upon the most captivating ports in the region.
Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late. As a bonus, arriving early also gives you a chance to explore the city. Even though it means paying for lodging and likely a few meals before boarding the boat, getting a good night's sleep before a jam-packed vacation is worth it to me. After taking my first Mediterranean cruise last year, here's what I think everyone should know before booking the route. Register with Cruise.com to get access to exclusive rates, discounts and special offers. This article was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated to include current information.
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. The Mediterranean is famed for its agreeable climate, come-hither coastlines and delicious cuisines; not to mention its world-renowned art and architecture. A Mediterranean cruise holiday offers something special to discover at every port. Cruise to Greece's idyllic islands and watch the sunrise over the Aegean. Explore the Old Town of Corfu or Crete, or travel even further back in time to see the ancient Acropolis of Athens or the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina.
Seabourn extends its emphasis on wellness to port via “Mindful Living” excursions. Sail along the coast of Italy in luxury on a Regent Seven Seas Med cruise. SeaDream Yacht Club runs dozens of Mediterranean voyages annually aboard its twin luxury sailing yachts. Be amazed by Santorini with its dramatic volcanic scenery and charming dark blue and white villages.
And, best of all, it’s one of the few in the Med to offer options for those who are short on time or want to tack on a quick sailing to a longer trip. The two-week trip stops in 10 different ports in Italy, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. It offers dozens of shore excursions to take part in, including historical tours, vineyard tours and wine tastings, local market visits, and so much more.
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