Mediterranean Cruises: What To Know Before You Book

From the Gothic grandeur of Barcelona to the volcanic landscapes of Sicily, it’s hard to resist the allure of a Mediterranean cruise.

Follow in the footsteps of ancient trading routes and tour world-famous historic cities by day. As the sun sets, enjoy gourmet cuisine followed by a cocktail on your private balcony. The best part? You wake up somewhere new every morning without having to repack your suitcase.

Almost every major cruise line offers at least one Mediterranean itinerary, yet the experiences differ wildly. From choosing a line that’s not suited to your preferred travel style to an itinerary that doesn’t deliver on its promise, the Med is full of potential issues especially for the first-time cruiser.

Understand the Med

With a surface area of almost one million square miles, the Mediterranean Sea is much bigger than a quick glance at a map indicates. A total of 22 nations have a Mediterranean coastline, so any one cruise will only provide a taster of the region’s wide cultural appeal.

The most popular itinerary is a seven-day loop around the western part of the Med, including stops in some or all of Spain, France and Italy.

Longer eastern itineraries stretch around Italy or start in Venice and make their way down the Adriatic Sea, stopping at the likes of Dubrovnik and emerging destination Kotor before exploring the Greek islands.

There are also dedicated Greek Islands itineraries, and some that begin in the Med before heading off to the Canary Islands or even across the Atlantic.

Research the ports

Before you get taken in by the romance of an itinerary, take a moment to research the actual port stops to avoid disappointment.

For example, what is advertised as Rome is usually the port of Civitavecchia, which will require a pricey excursion or a train journey of more than one hour to reach the Italian capital city.

Venice is another destination used in advertising, but the reality can be very different. Although some cruise ships do still dock in Venice, others have relocated to Ravenna or Trieste. Despite some cruise lines still using Venice in their advertising, you’ll be sitting on a coach for at least two hours to reach the iconic canal city.

Pick the cruise line carefully

Even if you find the ideal itinerary, choosing the wrong cruise line can still ruin your experience. Knowing what you want from a cruise, whether it’s relaxation and tradition or late-night partying and pizza by the pool, is a critical step.

Resort-style ships such as the MSC World Europa and the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet are among the most popular cruise lines in the Mediterranean, but such big vessels are not to everyone’s tastes.

Holland America and Cunard are among the lines offering a more traditional experience, with a calmer onboard atmosphere and itineraries that often focus on history, art or cuisine. With flexible dining options, Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages are good choices for those who are turned off by the restrictions of traditional cruising.

Perhaps you would prefer the British experience of P&O Cruises or Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. The latter is one of several lines operating smaller ships, which can reach a wider variety of destinations.

If budget is a prime consideration, look to the Italian lines MSC Cruises and Costa. Both offer a European experience with multilingual clientele and a bustling onboard atmosphere. Unlike most other lines, both MSC and Costa allow embarkation at most ports along the itinerary.

While this increases flexibility when booking, it does result in hectic mornings and constant announcements aimed at new arrivals, which can become tiresome after several days. But it helps keep the ships busy and fares low.

Know what you’re paying for

If price is the deciding factor for you, be sure to understand exactly what’s included in a quoted fare.

First and foremost, fares vary depending on accommodation type. But many cruise lines now bundle various services and benefits into different fare types. For example, a slightly higher fare might entitle you to choose your specific cabin and your dining option in advance, whereas a cheaper option would not.

Drinks packages are another area to carefully consider. They often provide best value on itineraries with multiple sea days, when you are likely to consume far more on the ship. Most classic western Mediterranean itineraries feature no more than one sea day, which may make a drinks package unnecessary.