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Who wouldn’t want to see the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Blue Grotto in Capri, the Grand Canal in Venice and various UNESCO World Heritage sites all on one trip? You can go on those excursions and more on Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise, which heavily features Italy’s most famous landmarks. Plus, you’ll spend some time in Sicily and France before ending in Barcelona—add a few post-cruise days here to check La Sagrada Família and the Picasso Museum off your bucket list.
How we chose the best Mediterranean cruise ports
Walk the cobblestone streets on the Greek Islands, see the colorful coastline in Marmaris, admire the glittering lights from the homes that snake their way up Lovćen Mountain, and more. Onboard, dine in one of the ship’s eight restaurants, take a dip in the top deck pool, or lounge in a common space to regale your fellow guests about the day’s adventure. The week-long trip on the Seabourn Encore offers a glimpse at a few of Greece’s best islands. Departing from Athens, the journey stops in Patmos, Agios, Mykonos, and Skiathos but also sprinkles in a few Turkish delights, including Kusadasi and Bozcaada, before disembarking in Istanbul. Excursions include guided tours of historical sites like the Grotto of St. John in Patmos and wine tastings in Bozcaada. Disney does offer incredible itineraries, however, they are only in the Mediterranean during the peak summer season.
Best Things To Do in Athens, Greece, on Your Cruise Vacation
She is also a dedicated National Parks enthusiast and loves to hike in these beautiful locations. To further her expertise in the industry, Chantelle has taken numerous courses to become a specialist in various destinations, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Through her blog and advising business, Chantelle shares her love for travel and helps others plan their dream vacations. Celestyal Cruise Line is the premier cruise line for discovering Greek and Turkish ports of call. Offering itineraries from Athens, Izmir, and Piraeus, you can enjoy unique cultural experiences at each port while enjoying luxurious amenities onboard.
These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler
These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024.
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise line options
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. If you're a fan of art and antiquities, a cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean is right up your alley. With itineraries that include the Adriatic/Dalmatian Coast, Black Sea, Greek Isles and Holy Land, the region is a treasure trove for history lovers.
Best for styleThis all-inclusive small-ship cruise line, with its Italian heritage, is the top choice for those who want to sail in style. The Grand Mediterranean itinerary from Lisbon to Athens on Silver Spirit ticks off 34 destinations and 13 countries in 43 days. You’ll wander along the gondola-filled canals of Venice, cruise through the striking Bay of Kotor and drop anchor in Malta with a full day ashore where you’ll hear the boom of the noon gun. Back on board, expect spacious suites, all-inclusive gourmet dining and a staff-to-guest ratio you’ll find hard to beat on any other cruise line.
16 of the best budget cruises in the Mediterranean for under £1,200 - The Times
16 of the best budget cruises in the Mediterranean for under £1,200.
Posted: Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
In celebration of its 40th anniversary in the Med next year, the cruise line is sending the new Sun Princess to join her sister ship, Star Princess, for her first season of cruising. Until then, the 7-Day Mediterranean with Greece & Italy on the brand new Sun Princess is a terrific way to experience this part of the world. Departing Piraeus, near Athens, she calls upon Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; and Sicily and Naples, Italy, before arriving in Barcelona, with plenty of shore excursions from which to choose. Best for adult-onlyThis adult-only line runs Mediterranean cruises that last from a week up to month or more, with a wide choice of departure points. Viking has a reputation for providing passengers with an in-depth insight into destinations through both its shore tours and on-board lectures by historians and other guest speakers. Unusually for an ocean line, complimentary shore excursions are included in every port — be it the highlights of Athens with a trip to the National Archaeological Museum or a tour of Barcelona with a stop at Gaudi’s famously unfinished Sagrada Familia.
Venice, Italy
As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year. But one seabound itinerary people often forget to add to their bucket lists is a Mediterranean cruise. Check the visa requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting during your cruise. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and that you have any necessary visas or travel documentation well in advance. Ensure you have transportation arrangements from your accommodation to the cruise port. Many cruise lines offer shuttle services, or you can arrange a private transfer or taxi in advance.
What is the best time to cruise to the Western Mediterranean?
Adults can find plenty of alone time on a Mediterranean Disney Cruise, too, with adult-exclusive dining, an adults-only pool and hot tub, a fitness center and a spa for ultimate relaxation. Shore excursions on the 9-night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise include 4x4 adventures, sailing, fiestas, tasting tours, archeological expeditions and more. Offered on multiple dates in fall 2023, 2024 and 2025, this itinerary is chock full of port experiences; there are no sea days, and a total of 13 cities are visited.
If the ship docks in a secondary location and you have to travel to the big tourist destinations, I always book excursions through the cruise line. 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 addition to Disney Cruises, you may consider “Adventures by Disney” which offers smaller ship sizes, fewer guests, local guides, and tours of some of the most impressive sights on Mediterranean waters. Adventure by Disney includes overnight stays in some locations, fine dining, and tours of the major religious sites in the area.
The glamour continues at the resort of St Tropez — a celebrity hideaway since Brigitte Bardot immortalised the white sands of Pampelonne beach during the filming of And God Created Woman in 1956. Best for tall shipsExperience the golden age of sailing — without having to discover new worlds — with Star Clippers. The tall-ship cruise line sails in the Mediterranean with its three recreated clipper ships; Royal Clipper, Star Clipper and Star Flyer.
Silversea is tailor-made for those who like to cruise with fewer passengers onboard. The line offers ships with between 51 to 364 suites, meaning they max out at far fewer passengers than its larger counterparts, which enables more personalized service and higher-end amenities. It also offers all-inclusive packages to reduce the stressors that often come with pay-as-you-go travel. 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.
Plus, you’ll hit many of the most popular ports in Spain, France and Italy on this seven-night cruise in the Western Mediterranean, including Barcelona, Cannes, Cinque Terre and Portofino. Viking’s goal is to immerse passengers in each destination through uniquely curated excursions and onboard presentations. 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. Enjoy ancient port cities and glorious scenery on a Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity. You’ll find itineraries ranging from 7 to 12 nights offered by nine of our award-winning ships, including four of our revolutionary Edge-Series ships. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of Western Mediterranean cruises to key ports in Spain, Italy and France.
Tour UNESCO World Heritage sites, sunbathe on the Côte d’Azur, visit Pompeii, stroll the spice market and Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and roam the lavender fields in Provence—you’ll be steeped in culture every step of the way. You’ll be traveling in October, which is one of the best months to visit this region, thanks to mild weather and fewer crowds. It’s always a good time to visit Spain—there’s just so much to see and do in Spain. Windstar’s 10-day itinerary begins in Barcelona, taking passengers to the Spanish island of Majorca before cruising on to Cartagena, Almeria, Málaga and Gibraltar.
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. Planning your next epic family vacation starts today onboard Rhapsody of the Seas, a mid-sized cruise ship that is part of the Royal Caribbean Vision Class. Best for F1 fansGet trackside at the Monaco Grand Prix on one of Azamara’s voyages that coincides with this world-class sporting event. The line’s French Riviera sailings include the chance to visit this tiny principality, which is a magnet for the rich and famous and, consequently, where people-watching is an irresistible pastime.
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. Perhaps you’re eager to hop between big-city, blockbuster Mediterranean metropolises at ports like Barcelona, Athens, or Rome on a seamless cruise-based itinerary. Maybe you’re yearning for a beach escape on a storied strip along the French Riviera or a Greek island idyll. Or you might want to uncover more off-the-path coves and sleepy villages, or hit up UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites where history books come to life.
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