Mediterranean Cruise Areas

Travelers interested in exploring Europe from the deck of a cruise ship can choose from several popular Mediterranean cruise areas to find the voyage that best matches their interests, budget, and vacation plans. With many exotic ports and beautiful cruise destinations along the Mediterranean, it is no surprise that this area of the world is one of the most popular cruise vacation spots.

Enjoy the Mediterranean from a cruise ship.

The Mediterranean Sea is located along southern Europe and touches not only European countries, but also northern Africa and Middle Eastern nations with unusual ports of call. The Sea is more than 2,000 miles long and lies in an area that encompasses more than 25 centuries of art, history, culture, and human development. In this culturally and historically rich region, cruise passengers can choose from two major cruise areas and many popular themed itineraries.

The two basic Mediterranean cruise routes are geographically divided into east and west.

• Eastern Mediterranean cruises include stops in the Greek Islands, Turkey, Egypt, Croatia, and Cyprus. Outstanding ports along this route often include Athens, Istanbul, Venice, Rhodes, and Crete.
• Western Mediterranean cruises journey to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia. With ports such as Rome, Barcelona, Capri, Sardinia, Gibraltar, Cannes, Florence, Lisbon, and Marseille, the western sailings are typically more popular than similar eastern Mediterranean cruises.

Depending on the cruise line and specific itinerary, many Mediterranean cruises will include ports in both the eastern and western regions, though these voyages are generally longer and more expensive than cruises along a shorter route.

Renaissance Art

Because the Mediterranean features overwhelming diversity in culture, history, art, religion, architecture, food, and other interests, many cruise lines offer specialty itineraries that are scheduled to emphasize one type of experience. Popular options include:

• Greek Island Cruises: Mythology, history, romance, and tragedy can be found when visiting significant Grecian ports and temples.
• Empire Cruises: Passengers with a passion for history can often choose from empire-specific cruises that trace the history, influence, and fall of particular empires such as the Roman, Grecian, and Ottoman conquerors.
• Culinary Cruises: For a taste of fine cruising, consider a cruise themed for fine wines or other culinary treats in the dining decadence of Mediterranean cruise areas.
• Architecture Cruises: From ancient temples and medieval cathedrals to modern masterpieces, interested travelers can explore the stunning architecture of the region with visits to key ports.

Additional themes may focus on art, romance, specialized history, the Crusades, and other uniquely Mediterranean adventures. While not all theme cruises are equally in depth, passengers can opt for voyages featuring noted speakers and presenters on their favorite topics to help theme any cruise to their interests.

There are several factors to consider when choosing which Mediterranean cruise areas are most appropriate for your vacation plans. In addition to your personal interests in Mediterranean culture, consider:

• Cruise Season: The majority of Mediterranean cruises occur between April and October, though some cruise lines do operate select itineraries throughout the year.
• Departure Port: The most popular departure ports in the Mediterranean include Barcelona, Rome, and Venice. Exploring the city prior to embarkation can be a great way to begin a culturally rich cruise.
• Cruise Length: Most cruises in the Mediterranean range from 7 to 24 days, with shorter voyages often scheduled as one-way routes between two principle ports whereas longer voyages may be roundtrip itineraries.
• Cruise Line: All major cruise lines offer Mediterranean voyages, though the itinerary and cruise ship ambiance can vary significantly. Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line all offer Mediterranean voyages, and there are many smaller European cruise lines to consider as well.
• Cost: A Mediterranean cruise can be significantly more expensive than an itinerary closer to home, especially since passengers will also need airfare to reach the embarkation and debarkation ports. To make this type of vacation more affordable, passengers can consider discount cruises and tricks such as sailing in the off season or choosing a less expensive cruise ship cabin.

From the rich culture of the ancient Egyptians to the colorful history of Roman conquerors to the poignant philosophies of the Renaissance to the modern marvels of art, architecture, fashion, and cuisine, Mediterranean cruise areas have much to offer travelers. With many different options for delightful cruises, any passenger can find a Mediterranean cruise to suit their interests and travel plans.

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