What Is The Best Cruise Line For The Mediterranean

River Ship Line #: Viking River Cruises

Top 10 tips for a Mediterranean cruise

Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Under Viking River Cruises, the company’s riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, and the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its Culture Curriculum offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.

Best Budget: Msc Cruises

Ship Name: MSC Bellissima
Itinerary: Genoa, Italy Barcelona, Spain

MSC is a mainstream cruise line that specializes in affordable cruises in the Mediterranean region with more than 14 of its vessels cruising there thats nearly the entire fleet. Its newest ship, the MSC Bellissima, sails a series of round-trip cruises from Naples that visits four countries in seven days: Malta, Italy, Spain and France. The Bellissima is also fully-loaded with new innovations, like the worlds first robot cruise assistant, a massive LED dome on the central promenade and digital technology that allows guests to connect with each other onboard. Entertainment ranges from dazzling Cirque du Soleil shows to a desert-themed water park plus, theres 12 different dining options and 20 bars.

Medium Ship Line #: Oceania Cruises

Its all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jaques Pepin, a six-course Dom Perignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. Two new 1,200-passenger ships are on the way for Oceania, set for delivery in 2022 and 2025.

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Small Ship Line #1: Seadream Yacht Club

Sailing through the Caribbean, around Europe, or across the Atlantic on either of SeaDreams two 112-passenger yachts means quickly getting to know your fellow guests. Facilities on the six decks include a pool, whirlpool, and casino, but the real highlight is the watersports marina that can be lowered down to the waves for easy ocean swimming, kayaking, and more. The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife before taking off for their next destination. In 2021, SeaDream will launch a 110-cabin luxury expedition yacht, SeaDream Innovation, that will sail to all seven continents.

Best Mediterranean Cruises For Families

The contemporary cruise lines offer a variety of daily activities, excursions and entertainment options that are a perfect fit for younger adults and family cruises. Disney Cruise and Royal Carribean Cruises offer multiple entertainment facilities and shows as well as fantastic dining options for children.

The facilities and options can be enjoyable for any generations. If you choose family or children oriented cruise vacation, you will find large and extra large mega-ships are the great choice on board. Find out more information on the best cruise lines for families.

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When To Cruise The Mediterranean

A common question we answer is When is the best time to visit the Mediterranean? Spring and fall are both the best time for a Mediterranean cruise.

Most small ship Mediterranean cruises operate spring through fall, with departures as early as March and as late as November. The prime summer months are very hot and busy with travelers, especially August when many Europeans are on vacation.

The best way to see the Mediterranean is therefore during early- and late-season. At these times, departures often have more space and are less popular for family travel popular ports are also less busy.

Disney Cruise Line Fleet In The Mediterranean

Free room service and unlimited soft drinksOriginal Broadway-quality entertainmentMS Disney Magic kids cruise programs at Disney MagicSpacious staterooms even in standardAt least one or two formal night on a 7 day cruise

ConsMicky and Minni everywhere aroundExpensive excursionOnly Disney Magic sailing in Mediterranean

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Medium Ship Line #: Crystal Cruises

While many cruises are notorious for charging guests for alcohol and specialty dining options, Crystal practices a generally all-inclusive fare structure covering all drinks , one specialty dining reservation per passenger , 24-hour room service, and a Wi-Fi package. The line has just two ocean-going vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, which both have capacities of fewer than 1,000 passengers and sail global itineraries.

The Many Sides Of The Mediterranean

These Are Best Cruises To Go On By Month! See Why!

The Mediterranean Sea is so large965,300 square milesthat it can be broken down into regions, each with its own personality, cuisine, and scenery. The Eastern Mediterranean covers the Holy Land, the Greek Islands, and the countries of the Adriatic Sea. The Western Mediterranean is generally comprised of Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Monaco. You can experience it all by booking back-to-back cruises in both regions.

Western Mediterranean

A Complete Guide To Barcelonas Skyline What To Do And Who To Cruise With

Barcelona, a Spanish city abundant in art, culture, beaches and shopping opportunities, is a popular cruise destination. This is what to see and do plus which cruise lines to sail with.

Barcelonais a city that never stops giving, you can bar hop in the city centre, take inthe gorgeous architecture hidden around every corner or relax on one of theinviting beaches – Barcelona is a one-stop-shop for a guaranteed amazingholiday.

AsCataloniaâs capital city, Barcelona oozes charm and culture. Thismultidimensional metropolis features a Gothic Quarter as well as the famousmodern tree-lined main thoroughfare, Las Ramblas.

Inthis comprehensive guide, swot up on the top sights to see in Barcelona, findout which cruise line is best and book with confidence thanks to leading travelagent ROL Cruise.

Best Cruise In The Med For Island

If youre hankering after the Greek islands but need a no-fly cruise, Saga Cruises has just the thing: a 22-night return-trip from Southampton to Athens. This voyage will be only the fourth outing for Sagas new boutique ship, Spirit of Adventure, which launches in late August, and along the way it will call at ports where history was made. Theres Malaga, founded by Phoenicians, where you can see Roman ruins and The Alcazaba a Moorish fortress Valletta, Maltas capital, which was built by the Knights of St John and still has buildings from that period Heraklion in Crete has a Venetian fortress, and during an overnight stay in Piraeus there are Greek ruins galore in Athens. The cruise also includes a spot of Greek-island hopping, calling at unspoilt Karpathos, UNESCO-listed Patmos and lovely Lesbos.

*The Tales from the Ancient Mediterranean cruise on the Spirit of Adventure departs 10 October, with prices from £5,928pp, based on two people sharing, and is all-inclusive with no on-board gratuities .

Crystal Is Best For Couples Visiting The Mediterranean

Crystal Cruise Line is among the best cruise lines for couples and the best cruise lines in the Mediterranean. Crystal sits at the number 2 spot for cruise lines in the Mediterranean and the number 3 spot for couples. It earns its merits because of its extensive Mediterranean itineraries, which include both more and less popular ports. And, because it is not a cruise line shy of luxuries, it stands among the top 3 for couples.

Luxury is important for couples looking for romance. Crystal offers luxurious suites with a private verandah. Beyond that, its known for exquisite cuisine. You can book butler-serviced suites and penthouses. On top of that, the Hollywood Theater is the perfect entertainment for couples.

As for its accolades in the Mediterranean category, Crystal clearly has an immense array of Mediterranean cruises. Theres a 7-night cruise called Dreaming of Dalmatia with an unbelievable itinerary. It departs from Dubrovnik and arrives in Venice. The rates start from $6,999.00.

The reason the rate is high is that this cruise takes place on a luxury yacht. This cruise takes you from Dubrovnik, Croatia, to Kotor, Montenegro. From there, you continue to explore different parts of Croatia. Before arriving in Venice, you get to explore Piran, Slovenia, which has been called an antidote to Venice.

Best Excursions: Crystal Cruises

Crystal has greatly expanded its luxury cruise brand to include ocean and river cruise ships, yachts, expedition ships, and even a private jet charter. The company also offers some extremely exclusive, high-end shore excursions, as well as volunteer excursions so passengers will feel more involved in the ports of call. The company has an impressive 2,000 excursions to choose from in ports all over the world. Onboard Crystal Cruises theres trivia, magic and comedy shows, movies, live music, theater performances, and the fabulous Crystal spa. The two ocean-going ships, Serenity and Symphony, carry around 900 guests, and offer butler service in suites and all-inclusive pricing.

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Best Cruises In The Med For History Lovers

An overnight stay at Ashdod for excursions to Jerusalem and Bethlehem is the highlight of this week-long voyage with Marella Cruises. You will see shrines, monuments and churches as well as the Wailing Wall and the Garden of Gethsemane. Also, you will have the opportunity to bathe in the soothing mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. The round-trip from Limassol, Cyprus, calls at Alanya, in Turkey, presented to Queen Cleopatra by Mark Antony in 44BC, and the elegant resort of Marmaris. Plus, theres a day in cosmopolitan Heraklion, capital of Crete.

*The Ancient Affair cruise on Marella Celebration departs 11 November, with prices from £875pp, based on two people sharing, when booked online, including flights, transfers, tips and service charges .

Where To Go: Parc De La Ciutadella

Escapeto the green oasis of Parc de la Ciutadella and relax on a winding walk,perhaps even indulge in a picnic on a grassy bank or even glide across the lakein a charming rowing boat.

Thepark isnât just made up of rolling greenery . There are several attractions such as the Catalan Parliament, theMuseu dâArt Modern, a zoo, a zoological museum and the Museu de Geologia, whichrecounts millions of years of history where you can see the evolution of lifethrough different geological eras.

Alternatively,if you simply want to relax, sit in the shade and listen to the parrotswhistling and squawking overhead as you admire the eclectic mix of locals andtourists wandering past.

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Small Ship Line #: Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourns five ships feature fewer than 300 suites eachbut they leverage that small size into access at some of the worlds most beloved yacht ports: St. Tropez in the south of France the Greek island of Kos and popular large ports like Dubrovnik and Monte Carlo. Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller designs specialty menus on the ships, and a partnership with UNESCO ensures shore excursions and sustainable tourism practices at some of the wildest and most wonderful destinations around the world. In 2021, the line will debut its first expedition ship, Seabourn Venture.

Dine Like A Local On A Mediterranean Cruise

East Mediterranean And Greece Cruise Tips And Watch Outs. 9 Must-Knows Before Cruising.

Moussaka

A Greek dish made with layers of sliced eggplant and potatoes baked in a spiced ground beef sauce and topped with a lush layer of béchamel sauce.

Paella

For a true taste of seaside Spain, enjoy this authentic saffron rice dish studded with chicken, chorizo, clams, shrimp and lobster. Pair with Sangria.

Gelato

Gelato is a mixture of custard, cream, and milk, without eggs, and it has 4-9 percent fat as opposed to ice creams 14-25 percent. So, go ahead. Indulge!

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Mega Ship Line #: Msc Cruises

Though MSC is headquartered in landlocked Switzerland, this cruise line has mastered the art of mega-ships, building five of the 25 largest in the world: MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia,MSC Seaview, and MSC Seaside. Each can hold between 5,300 and 6,300 passengers at maximum capacity. MSC Grandiosa is the newest of the five, offering innovative features like Zoe, an artificial intelligencepowered virtual assistant that can help you with any questions or requests on board, as well as impressive entertainment like the third set of Cirque du Soleil shows at sea . But on all five ships, youll find everything from top-notch dining options to bowling alleys to copious outdoor space for sunbathing. MSC has some plans for mega-growth, too: it has another Meraviglia-Plus class ship and four World-class mega-ships in the pipeline, each with a capacity between 5,800 and 6,850 passengers.

Small Ship Line #: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Sailing with only 490 guests, the Seven Seas Navigator takes its all-inclusive promise seriously, offering unlimited shore excursions, open bars with premium wines , unlimited Wi-Fi, and dining in specialty restaurants. The ship sails all over the world, spending time in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe on week-long to three-month-long sailings.

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Why Take A Luxury Cruise To The Mediterranean

To be honest, a better question might be why not? After all, the Med is one of the worlds most beautiful places, and it connects a wealth of diverse cultures, cuisines, and experiences. On a luxury cruise, you can experience these cultures one after the other, in style and comfort, with excellent enrichment programs to introduce you to the nuances of each destination. Plus, with the intimacy of small luxury cruises, youll be able to visit ports catering to the cosmopolitan, rather than the tourist.

Here are just a few of our best arguments to pick the Mediterranean for your next luxury cruise.

Mega Ship Line #: Royal Caribbean International

If you truly want to feel like youre living in a floating city, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you, given that it has the four largest cruise ships in the world. Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas top the lists in terms of passenger count , length , and gross tonnage . Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think ofand plenty you cant even imaginefrom waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. Youll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship.

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Medium Ship Line #: Holland America Line

Of Holland Americas 10 ships, eight of them fall into the medium-size category, carrying between 1,400 and 2,500 passengers. The refined ships sail to destinations across the world, but one of the most popular destinations for the cruise line is Alaska. When cruising resumes, we think you should check out the Noordam, which was refurbished in 2019, as it sails itineraries around the Japanese archipelago, China, and Southeast Asia.

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Small Ship Line #: Silversea Cruises

Silverseaâs five expedition ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, the GalÃ¡pagos, and Antarctica on shorter duration sailings, but they also offer around-the-world itineraries for an international clientele. Off-the-beaten-path excursions make for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like penguin spotting in Antarctica or private catamaran tours in tropical locales. In September 2019, Silversea completed its first journey through the Northwest Passagea monumental featwith the Silver Explorer, a 144-passenger expedition vessel. The fleet was joined by the new Silver Origin, a Galapagos-specific ship, in 2020.

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Small Ship Line #1: Silversea Cruises

Silversea’s five expedition ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Galápagos, and Antarctica on shorter duration sailings, but they also offer around-the-world itineraries for an international clientele. Off-the-beaten-path excursions make for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like penguin spotting in Antarctica or private catamaran tours in tropical locales. In September 2019, Silversea completed its first journey through the Northwest Passagea monumental featwith the Silver Explorer, a 144-passenger expedition vessel. The fleet was joined by the new Silver Origin, a Galapagos-specific ship, in 2020.

Large Ship Line #: Celebrity Cruises

Cruise ships return to the Mediterranean as travel revives

Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 14 ships, ranging in size from its petite Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge, an edgy ship designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid experiential restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout the course of your meal. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in the next five years, starting with Celebrity Apex as soon as this year.

What To See: Catedral De Barcelona

Providingvital insight into the city’s history, Catedral de Barcelona, or BarcelonaCathedral, was constructed in 1298 on the site of a Romanesque temple.

Itattracts around three million visitors each year â and once you see thecombination of magnificent Gothic art and Baroque altarpieces youâll understandwhy.

Youcan attend a wide variety of religious services here there are daily masses,confessions as well as baptisms of children and adults.

If you are in Barcelonaon a Sunday, be sure to attend the conventual Mass, which features the famousFrancesc Valls chamber choir, sit in serenity and listen to their voicesworking harmoniously together and even join in yourself!