A Mediterranean cruise is one of the most popular cruise holiday options and for good reason. There’s a plethora of things to see, do explore, taste, and admire – one could never be bored – and you have the option to fly out to join your ship or sail directly from the UK.

Med cruises are as enchanting as they are relaxing, with the best ones offering a perfect combination of unique history, delicious food, and sprawling azure coastlines. Every winding alley takes you on a journey through hundreds of years of history, unveiling quaint streets with hidden surprises that seem as though they have just fallen through a time-warp into a world of unparallel natural beauty.

Our Mediterranean Cruises guide is the only tool you need when planning your next cruise adventure, we’ve filled it to the brim with useful information, hints, tips, and ideas.

Mediterranean Cruise Itineraries

Med cruises are usually 7-to-14 days in duration and focus on either the Eastern or the Western Mediterranean. Some cruise lines, such as Saga Cruises and Azamara offer more intensive itineraries in this region, with some sailings be upwards of 21-nights.

You’ll tend to find that the shorter options for cruising the Mediterranean are quite port intensive and some itineraries won’t offer any sea days. Sailings of 12-nights and up will combine a mixture of exciting port days and relaxing sea days – so there’s plenty of choice depending on what kind of cruise you’re looking for.

So, when is the best time of year to visit the Mediterranean? Well, it depends really on what you’re planning to do. March and October are the cheapest months to visit as they’re classed as out of season, this also means the air temperatures are cooler and places of interest are less crowded. The spring and especially the summer months are the most expensive times to visit, and this is when the height of summer can see soaring daily high temperatures and places are crowded. If you want to have some pleasant heat and maybe a few less crowds, look at booking a Med cruise in September.

Western Mediterranean Cruises

Cruises to the Western Mediterranean are steeped in history and embrace the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous predominantly around Italy, France, and Spain.

Naples and Monte Carlo are gateways to the exclusivity found in Monaco, Sorrento, and the Isle of Capri. Historians fall in love with Rome and Livorno, where classical art blends itself with magnificent architecture. Barcelona is a colourful tribute to the work of Antoni Gaudi, with superb nightlife and beautiful people.

Western Med cruises are all about big ports and big days, perfect for those wishing to see and do as much as possible. There will be a wide variety of shore excursions available, but if you’re visiting any Mediterranean cruise destination for the first time, unless there’s something you desperately want to do, we’d suggest taking the day under your own steam and explore independently.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises

Eastern Med cruises have a slower pace, with interesting city ports nicely complimented by great beach days in laid-back countries like Greece and Croatia. These Mediterranean sailings embrace coastal living, explore ancient civilisations, and leave guests feeling refreshed and inspired. They are a real joy for the senses and are best explored between the months of March and October.

Cruises to the Eastern Med are ideal for those wishing to indulge in delicious Mediterranean delicacies such as baklava or wallow in clear turquoise seas. There’s plenty to explore, and plenty of relaxation, allowing you to do as much or as little as you please.

Italian Mediterranean Cruises

Round-trip cruises from Venice are an ideal way to experience the finest Italian destinations, such as the brightly coloured Cinque Terre, Rome, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the alluring Amalfi Coast without the expense of hiring a car and driving yourself. For exceptional value, look out for an all-inclusive cruise package or a sailing with a drinks package included in the fare.

Greek Isles Cruises

Greece is one of the most amazing places on earth and it’s made up of a collective of over 180 islands. Some of the most popular ones to visit are Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Zakynthos.

Greek Isles Cruises are perfect for combining history with amazing food and drink, and some of the regions’ most incredible beaches! You’ll have plenty of time to explore ashore and enjoy traditional Greek life, as well as dip your toes in the crystal-clear island waters. Greece is always a nice place to visit, but to make the most of the natural aspects, we’d suggest visiting between April and September.

Mediterranean Cruise Departure Ports

There are numerous departure ports available across the Med, and you can even cruise directly from the UK with many cruise lines, if you’d prefer not to fly – there are hundreds of no-fly Mediterranean Cruises out there.

These are just a few of the most popular departure ports:

• Venice: perfect for exploring on your own. Venice is a foodie paradise that captures old-world romance in a serene setting. Drift beneath the Bridge of Sighs in a private gondola.

• Barcelona: home to Gaudi’s unique architecture, Barcelona is an explosion of colour and culture in a fun, modern city with a unique personality. Walk through the Gothic Quarter and discover sprawling beaches with vibrant nightlife.

• Civitavecchia (Rome): widely considered to be the heart of the Med, Rome is a perfect infusion of old and new worlds. Ancient relics of the Roman Empire are laced with modern comforts. Take your time here, Rome likes to reveal itself slowly.

• Piraeus (Athens): an ancient yet bustling metropolis. Visit the Acropolis and stop for a refreshing beer at a rustic inner-city taverna.

• Palma: beautiful architecture defines this Spanish resort city. Stroll through the historic district for the perfect sundowner, but not before admiring the stunning architecture of the Palma Cathedral.

• Dubrovnik: charming beauty meets quaint cobbled streets. This is a small city, with plenty of nooks and coves to explore on foot.

• Valletta: P&O Cruises have a great selection of Mediterranean fly cruises from Malta that are always a popular choice.

Types of Mediterranean Cruises and who sails them

Where do we even start with this topic? Whatever type of Med cruise you can possibly think of is out there but let us give you the basic rundown.

Cruise lines, that seems to be a good place to start. There are numerous family friend cruise lines sailing the Mediterranean including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival. Other family friendly lines, but lines that are also ideal for couples, friends and family are P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Marella, Cunard and Holland America Line. If you’re looking for something at a slightly slower pace and child free, then look no further than Saga Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Virgin Voyages also offer a vibrant onboard atmosphere that’s completely tailored for adults only. The above are your main key-players when it comes to sailings in the region, however, there’s more!

If you are looking for ultimate med cruise luxury, then let us introduce you to some of the best cruise lines in the world that offer a wide variety of itineraries across the Western and Eastern Med, Italy, and the Greek Isles. There’s Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Windstar, Seabourn, Viking Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Ponant, Azamara, Crystal Cruises, Scenic Ocean and more.

If we move onto ships, there are dozens upon dozens, so finding the right one for you won’t take too much time to do. There are mega, mid-sized and small, adult-only, family friendly, and even yachts.

Mediterranean Cruises 2022 & 2023

Itineraries are already available for both the Mediterranean 2022 and 2023 cruise seasons and there are some amazing offers to be had! Treat yourself to a voyage aboard one of the world’s newest cruise ships, such as Celebrity Beyond (Celebrity Cruises), Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), Arvia (P&O Cruises), Discovery Princess (Princess Cruises), Viking Neptune (Viking Cruises), Resilient Lady (Virgin Voyages) and Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line).

The 2023 Mediterranean Cruise season is also available to book and there are some sensational offers to be had – don’t delay as some ships are filling up quickly. The world is ready to get back to normal again and that, for a lot of people, means cruising!

Finding the Best Deals on Mediterranean Cruises

Using a cruise comparison site like Hello Cruise takes the hard work out of finding the perfect Med cruise. We compare the best prices offered by travel agents, allowing you to book the very best deals without having to go through numerous options with several different travel agents and cruise lines.

Booking a Mediterranean Cruise & Stay package is the best of all worlds, with some fantastic inclusive deals available for 2022. Most cruise lines include flights, transfers, and a couple of nights’ pre-or-post-cruise accommodation in the cost of your cruise package. Cruise & stay packages are also available on a wide variety of 2023 and 2024 Med sailings.