At a glance
- There are several ways to cruise the Mediterranean, including no-fly, fly-cruise and cruise-and-stay options
- The region is served by a wide range of cruise lines, from mainstream to ultra-luxury; ships range from large vessels to intimate yachts
- Popular destinations include Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Croatia, Montenegro, Monaco, Gibraltar and Malta
- Prices vary, but it’s possible to find quality cruises for under £500 per person
What makes a cruise ‘the best’?
At World of Cruising, we recognise that one person’s dream voyage wouldn’t suit another cruiser at all. With that in mind, we bypass a one-size-fits-all approach in favour of specially tailored recommendations to match different travellers to a T.
Best no-fly Mediterranean cruises: P&O Cruises
Why this cruise line?
P&O Cruises offers a wide range of no-fly Mediterranean itineraries departing directly from Southampton. Because you’re sailing the whole way, these trips are typically longer than fly-cruise options – usually two weeks or more – with sea days built in that let you ease into holiday mode. The journey is part of the fun, with a real sense of transition from chalk cliffs and Channel fog to the shimmering blues and golden light of the Med.
Crucially, you actually have time to enjoy the ship – and P&O ships have plenty to keep you entertained. You might spend a sea day sunning yourself by one of the pools, playing mini golf or catching a West-End style production in the theatre. And because the whole experience is designed with British travellers in mind, everything is priced in sterling, so there’s no need to second-guess exchange rates when booking a spa treatment or speciality dining.
What itineraries are available?
P&O’s no-fly Mediterranean cruises cover a broad range of dates – ideal if you’re tied to school holidays or planning around annual leave. Routes on no-fly Med cruises typically include classics like Spain, France, Italy, Malta and Croatia, with some itineraries stretching to the Greek islands or Morocco.
Along the way, expect larger, crowd-pleasing ports like Mallorca, Barcelona, Gibraltar and Dubrovnik.
What should I expect to pay?
At the time of writing, prices start at around £1,000 per person for a no-fly Med cruise.
Browse offers: P&O Cruises
Best all-inclusive Mediterranean cruises: Marella Cruises
Why this cruise line?
With Marella Cruises, all-inclusive comes as standard. Every sailing includes meals, snacks, drinks, gratuities, flights and transfers. The 20-kilo luggage allowance is a big plus, especially if you’re travelling as a family or setting off on a longer voyage.
Marella is also part of TUI – the world’s largest travel group – which means it’s simple to book a cruise and stay holiday. You might end your whirlwind week of culture, cuisine and coastal excursions with a few extra days at a TUI resort. For example, picture an authentically local hotel set on its own island off the coast of Croatia. The combination is an idyllic blend of sea and sanctuary.
What itineraries are available?
Marella’s Mediterranean itineraries are split into two broad regions: western and eastern. Western Med routes typically include Spain, France, Italy, Gibraltar or Malta, with highlights like the ruins of Pompeii or the cobbled streets of Cádiz. In the eastern Med, you’ll find ports like Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Croatia and Montenegro – think the Acropolis in Athens or the startlingly blue water of Limassol.
What should I expect to pay?
At the time of writing, fares start at under £1,000 per person for an all-inclusive week-long sailing.
Browse offers: Marella Cruises
Best Mediterranean cruises for families: MSC Cruises
Why this cruise line?
This family-owned brand snapped up the accolade for Best Family Cruise Line at the Wave Awards in 2018, and for good reason. Across the fleet, you’ll find interconnecting cabins, kids’ and teens’ clubs, family-friendly entertainment and 24/7 access to paediatric telemedicine.
Young families with tots in tow are particularly well looked after. There are helpful extras like a baby laundry service and special baby care, so parents can drop their little ones off at baby club and enjoy some downtime in the sun. And with infants under two sailing for free, it’s also a more affordable option.
All these family-friendly perks make MSC’s Mediterranean itineraries particularly appealing, especially as many are timed for school holidays. They offer the promise of bike rides by the beach, gelato-fuelled adventures and lazy nights playing cards on deck.
Family-friendly shore excursions are a key draw, including options that get kids up close to ancient ruins and introduce them to local conservation efforts in a way that doesn’t feel like homework.
What itineraries are available?
MSC offers a diverse lineup of family favourites across Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, France and Croatia. Popular ports include Civitavecchia (Rome), Barcelona, Genoa (Portofino) and Marseille. It also runs a selection of mini cruises under four nights for a shorter family getaway.
What should I expect to pay?
MSC has a reputation for offering strong value. Prices for a week-long Mediterranean cruise start at under £500 per person (excluding flights). There are often family-focused offers available, including deals for single-parent families.
Browse offers:MSC Cruises
Best luxury Mediterranean cruises: Seabourn
Why this cruise line?
Sail the storied, sapphire waters of the Mediterranean in style aboard one of Seabourn’s small, all-suite ships. Expect a members’ club-like atmosphere and ultra-personalised, intuitive service down to an in-suite bar stocked with your favourite drinks. Even the onboard entertainment is tailored to your itinerary, with performances and talks by local musicians, artists and historians.
That said, it’s the curated, complimentary shore excursions that truly set Seabourn apart. In the Med, you might spend a magical evening at Ephesus, complete with a private concert in the UNESCO-listed Odeon Theatre. The next day could bring watersports from the ship’s retractable marina or Seabourn’s signature ‘Caviar in the Surf’ experience – picture a seriously elevated take on a beach barbecue. Foodies will also enjoy shopping with the chef for local ingredients, from Sicilian lemons to Provençal lavender.
What itineraries are available?
Itineraries typically include a mix of marquee ports and off-the-radar harbours that are more frequently sailed by private yachts than cruise ships. This is where Seabourn’s small vessels shine – not only do they create a more intimate onboard feel, they can also access tucked-away destinations larger ships can’t reach.
Depending on your route, you might explore the Amalfi Coast, Côte d’Azur, Greek islands or Dalmatian Coast. Highlights might include Taormina in Sicily, Kotor in Montenegro, St Tropez in the South of France and Itea (gateway to Delphi) in Greece.
What should I expect to pay?
At the time of writing, prices start from under £3,500 per person for a week-long sailing. That includes a generous all-inclusive approach with premium spirits, fine dining, gratuities and select shore excursions.
Browse offers: Seabourn
Best Mediterranean cruises for solo travellers: Crystal Cruises
Why this cruise line?
Crystal Cruises offers exceptional service tailored to solo passengers, with a carefully calibrated balance of sociability and the space to enjoy your own company. The line has the highest guest-to-space ratio at sea.
Crucially, select ships feature solo cabins, and they’re a world away from the cramped cubbyholes single travellers sometimes get stuck with. Instead, you can count on a queen-sized bed dressed in sumptuous linens, a dedicated living area with a sofa, butler service and Champagne on arrival.
When you are inclined to mingle, there are sociable dining options, low-key gatherings and Crystal Ambassador Hosts on hand to make thoughtful introductions. On Mediterranean itineraries built around good food and cultural curiosity, conversations tend to spark easily between like-minded travellers.
That said, one of the great advantages of solo cruising is that you can spend your time on shore precisely as you wish, and with Crystal’s breadth of choice, you’ll want to do so without compromise. From wine tastings in the hillsides of Crete to helicopter rides over Mount Vesuvius, its excursions are varied and stimulating, ensuring you’re never short of inspiration.
What itineraries are available?
Crystal has a collection of Mediterranean itineraries with a focus on destinations like the Greek Islands, Turkey, Corsica, and Spain. Some sailings are themed around special events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix or a solar eclipse.
What should I expect to pay?
Even with special solo offers on select sailings, Crystal remains an ultra-luxury line, with prices to match. Expect to pay upwards of £4,000 per person for a week in the Med.
Browse offers:Crystal Cruises
Best Mediterranean cruises for over-50s: Saga Cruises
Why this cruise line?
Saga Cruises is tailored exclusively to travellers over 50, though companions aged 40 or above are welcome. Its fleet of all-balcony ocean ships have the feel of floating boutique hotels, offering a refined, grown-up way to explore the Med that’s a world away from backpacker hostels and hectic ferry timetables.
On Saga ships sailing the Mediterranean, you’ll find a mix of live music, guest lectures, theatre productions, recitals and craft classes. The thoughtfully curated programme is the ultimate complement to days spent diving into the region’s art, architecture and coastal landscapes. Think afternoons exploring sun-dappled Roman ruins, spotting dolphins in sheltered coves and sampling local vermouth or port.
What itineraries are available?
Saga’s Mediterranean cruises tend to be longer – typically between two and four weeks – making them ideal for travellers with time to spare and a desire to savour the journey. Many itineraries depart from UK ports like Dover and Portsmouth, with destinations including France, Italy, Spain, Gibraltar, Monaco, Malta and beyond.
Expect a blend of bucket-list ports such as Athens, Marseille and Valencia, alongside lesser-visited destinations like Bonifacio in Corsica and Korčula in Croatia.
What should I expect to pay?
At the time of writing, prices for 15- to 16-night itineraries start from under £5,500. That includes a generous selection of perks: nationwide chauffeur service, gratuities, travel insurance and shore excursions.
Browse offers:Saga Cruises
Best Mediterranean cruises for couples: Celebrity Cruises
Why this cruise line?
Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply enjoying time à deux, Celebrity Cruises is a standout choice for couples in search of style and seclusion.
Its sleek ships offer a range of accommodation options, including AquaClass staterooms for a wellness-focused experience and the Retreat: an exclusive suite category with access to a private sundeck, dedicated restaurant and concierge service. There are also adults-only spaces, including a solarium, and professional photography packages to capture your travels.
On shore, Celebrity’s Mediterranean excursions go beyond the standard group tour. You can even work with destination experts to craft your own private experiences – picture boarding a motor yacht to a hidden cove or sipping local wines in a tavern by the mythic birthplace of Aphrodite.
What itineraries are available?
Celebrity’s Mediterranean cruises depart from Piraeus (Athens), Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Southampton and Ravenna (Venice), and cover much of the region, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Malta.
Sailings typically last from six to 12 nights, with romantic highlights including Santorini’s black-sand beaches, the cinematic villages of the French Riviera and the old-school glamour of the Amalfi Coast.
What should I expect to pay?
At the time of writing, prices start at under £1,000 per person for a week in the Mediterranean.
Browse offers: Celebrity Cruises
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