The best Mediterranean cruise deals

Many cruise lines sail to the Mediterranean. Here's a selection of the top 10 cruise lines cruising to the Mediterranean.

Ultra-luxury cruises to the Mediterranean

• Seabourn - ultra-luxury all-inclusive ships with a choice of departure ports.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises - including what the line claims is the most luxurious cruise ship at sea.
• Hapag Lloyd - Small ship cruising for the international market.

Luxury and premium cruise lines to the Mediterranean

• Oceania Cruises - known for its exquisite dining aboard small-medium sized ships.
• Celebrity Cruises - offering a range of departure ports including from Southampton.
• Princess Cruises - award-winning cruise line with larger ships and excellent onboard technology and dining.

Family cruises to the Mediterranean

• Royal Caribbean Cruises - innovative resort-style ships with a range of activities and entertainment
• P&O Cruises - Iconic British cruise line with ships mainly sailing from Southampton.
• Marella Cruises - previously TUI Cruises have a range of all-inclusive cruises to The Mediterranean.

Cruises to the Mediterranean

• Saga Cruises - British cruise line catering exclusively for Over 50's with two brand new ships.
• Fred. Olsen Cruises - classically British with small ships offering excellent onboard service and themed cruises.
• Cunard - larger ships with a typically British feel.

It's hard to suggest any one ship is the best for a cruise to the Mediterranean. If you're looking for a family adventure then we'd recommend one of Royal Caribbean's ships. Full of activities, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and ages there's something to keep everyone entertained. If you're looking for a more relaxed trip we'd recommend avoiding the school holidays and travelling with Celebrity or Princess Cruises. Both have luxurious ships and can cater for all dining tastes, each offer excellent cabin choices and affordable fares. For something more opulent perhaps try Oceania or Azamara cruises. Or maybe try NCL or MSC Cruises - the latter having a range of new ships offering a real Mediterranean welcome and style of cruising.

The best time to cruise to the Med is in the spring and autumn when you're likely to get some great weather whilst missing the crowds and all the main attractions remain open. The best months to cruise to the Med are mid-March to May and then again from September to November. Many of the local attractions close during the winter months and whilst it may be warmer than in the UK the weather in the winter in the Mediterranean can sometimes disappoint. During the summer months, it can become exceptionally hot and the many tourist sites may be very busy with the main holiday season.

The weather is always changeable and calm seas cannot be guaranteed at any time of the year. For the best chance of the calmest seas, travel in the spring and summer months. In the winter period, the seas can be affected by winter storms. The Mediterranean is likely to be calmer towards the east.

The Mediterranean offers a great range of places to visit from beaches, cathedrals and historic sights. Here's a snapshot of some of the best.

• The beaches of the Balearic Islands - be it Majorca or the smaller island of Menorca where the beaches and coves will delight.
• The architecture of Barcelona - see the Sagrada Família or perhaps visit Park Guell.
• The historic sights of Greece and its islands - from the Acropolis to the Palace of Knossos, these astounding sights will amaze you.
• The glitz of Monte Carlo - take some time in the Casino or see the famous Formula 1 track in this millionaire's playground.
• Explore the Dalmatian Coast - from the Croatian port of Dubrovnik see the azure sea dotted with beautiful islands.
• Be British in Gibraltar - this unashamedly British outpost has history galore alongside an outstanding marina and tax-free shopping.
• Eat Italian in Rome or Venice - the best pizzas and pastas and many Michelin starred restaurants await you.

Your Mediterranean cruise could take you to a number of countries so be aware of where you're travelling to and when you're travelling. Summer jet-setting is likely to require a couple of sets of bathing costumes, light wear for during the day relaxing onboard or when you're out and about exploring. Spring and autumn cruising may need a light jacket and full length trousers or dress whilst winter cruising will require warmer attire. Remember too the dress code for the ship that you're on. Some cruise lines will have a very relaxed attitude to evening attire although you may still be expected to wear smarter clothes to dine in restaurants while some ships may require gentlemen to wear a jacket and collar and ladies to wear smart-casual attire.

Packing for a Mediterranean cruise really depends upon the time of year you're travelling. As well as taking into account what you should wear on a cruise you should also consider a jacket, umbrella, binoculars and camera. Modern telephones may have a camera to record all your memories so make sure you don't forget your charger! Read our full article on what to wear and pack for a Mediterranean cruise.