Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium cruising with stylish ships, world-class dining and global itineraries.
Cruise destinations
Mediterranean Cruises
Ancient ruins, island harbours and long sunny days, with a new country or coastline to explore almost every morning.
ATOL Protected when flights included
CLIA member
Trustpilot 4.7/5
Mediterranean Cruises with Travelisto
A Mediterranean cruise packs a lot of variety into one holiday. In a single week you might walk the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, take a day trip to Florence from Livorno, and finish with an evening in a Greek island harbour. It suits first-time cruisers who want to sample several countries without repacking, couples after culture and good food, and families who want beaches and big sights on the same trip.
The main season runs from April to October. May, June and September tend to be the sweet spot, with warm weather, calmer ports and fewer crowds than the school summer holidays. July and August are hottest and busiest, which suits families tied to term dates. A growing number of ships stay in the region through the winter, offering quieter, cooler sailings that work well for sightseeing rather than sunbathing.
Most itineraries last 7 to 14 nights. The western Mediterranean typically covers Spain, the south of France and Italy, while the eastern Mediterranean focuses on Greece, Croatia, Malta and Turkey. Longer sailings often combine both halves, and shorter 3 to 5 night trips are a good way to try cruising for the first time.
Popular embarkation ports include Barcelona, Civitavecchia for Rome, Piraeus for Athens, Genoa and Palma, all with straightforward flights from UK airports. If you would rather not fly, many lines run longer round trips from Southampton that sail through the Strait of Gibraltar. Whether you prefer a large resort ship, a small sailing yacht or an all-inclusive British line, our Travel Designers can match the ship to the way you like to travel.
Our Cruise Experts Love
Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Celebrity Cruises
MSC Cruises
European-flavoured family cruising at scale, with Mediterranean and Caribbean coverage year-round.
Marella Cruises
All-inclusive UK favourite with friendly mid-size ships and Mediterranean strength.
Oceania Cruises
The finest cuisine at sea, smaller premium ships and country-intensive itineraries.
Windstar Cruises
180–342-guest sailing yachts and motor yachts — small-ship ocean cruising, casual luxury.
Star Clippers
Tall-ship sailing yachts with Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries — masts you can climb.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Celebrity Cruises | Couples who want modern ships, strong dining and a good mix of big cities and islands. |
| MSC Cruises | Families and value seekers, with a European atmosphere and plenty of ports on each sailing. |
| Marella Cruises | UK travellers who want an all-inclusive fare and a relaxed, British feel on board. |
| Oceania Cruises | Food lovers who prefer a smaller, quieter ship and port-rich itineraries. |
| Windstar Cruises | Travellers who want a small ship that can reach harbours the big ships cannot. |
| Star Clippers | Anyone who likes the idea of a tall ship under sail and a very informal atmosphere. |
Mediterranean ports at a glance
Each port has its own rhythm. Some put the sights right beside the ship, while others are the gateway to a city an hour or more away. Knowing which is which helps you decide where to book an excursion and where to explore on your own.
- Barcelona, Spain
- A major start and end port. The Gothic Quarter, La Rambla and the Sagrada Familia are all a short taxi ride from the terminal.
- Civitavecchia for Rome, Italy
- Rome is a train or coach ride away, so a full day ashore needs good timing. Many guests book an excursion for peace of mind.
- Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Italy
- The gateway to Tuscany. Florence is the bigger day out, Pisa the easier one.
- Naples, Italy
- Close to Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, as well as the city’s own historic centre.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- The walled old town is compact and walkable, and the city walls are the highlight.
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Ships sail deep into the Bay of Kotor, and the scenic approach is half the experience.
- Santorini and Mykonos, Greece
- Classic island stops. At Santorini ships usually anchor offshore and guests go ashore by tender.
- Piraeus for Athens, Greece
- The port for the Acropolis and the city’s museums, a short drive inland.
- Valletta, Malta
- One of the most dramatic sail-ins in the region, with a historic capital that is easy to explore on foot.
- Kusadasi, Turkey
- The usual base for a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus.
Fly-cruise or sail from Southampton?
Most Mediterranean cruises are fly-cruises: you fly to a port such as Barcelona, Rome, Athens or Palma and spend almost every day of the holiday in the Mediterranean itself. It is the best choice if you want to see as many ports as possible in a week or ten days.
Sailing from Southampton avoids airports and baggage limits, and suits travellers who enjoy sea days. The trade-off is time: the voyage through the Bay of Biscay and the Strait of Gibraltar means these cruises are usually two weeks or more, with fewer Mediterranean ports for the length of the trip.
Ship size makes a difference too. Large resort ships bring water parks, shows and lots of dining choice, and suit families. Smaller ships and sailing ships can call at harbours such as the smaller Greek and Croatian islands, and feel more relaxed in port.
Who a Mediterranean cruise suits
A Mediterranean cruise suits first-time cruisers who want to see several countries in one holiday, couples interested in history, food and wine, and families who want beaches and big sights on the same trip.
It also suits travellers who would rather not spend long on a plane, as the main embarkation ports are a short flight from the UK, and those who prefer to sail from Southampton and enjoy the journey.
Because there is so much choice, the Mediterranean works at every budget, from big family ships to small luxury and sailing ships. Our Travel Designers can match the ship and route to the way you like to travel.
FAQ
Mediterranean Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
May, June and September usually offer the best balance of warm weather, open attractions and smaller crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, ideal if you are travelling with school-age children. April and October are mild and often quieter, and winter sailings suit travellers who mainly want to sightsee in cooler temperatures.
What is the difference between a western and eastern Mediterranean cruise?
Western Mediterranean cruises usually call at Spain, the French Riviera and Italy, with big-city stops such as Barcelona, Marseille, Rome and Naples. Eastern Mediterranean routes focus on Greece, the Greek islands, Croatia, Malta and Turkey, with more island hopping and ancient sites. Both work well for a first cruise, so it often comes down to which places you most want to see.
How long should a Mediterranean cruise be?
Seven nights is the most popular length and lets you visit four to six ports at a comfortable pace. Ten to fourteen nights gives you time to combine east and west or add more Greek islands. If you are cruising from Southampton, allow around two weeks, as sailing to and from the Mediterranean adds several sea days.
Can I cruise the Mediterranean without flying?
Yes. Several lines run Mediterranean round trips from Southampton, usually 12 nights or longer, with calls in Spain, Portugal, Italy or the south of France. They suit travellers who enjoy sea days and want to avoid airports. Our Travel Designers can show you which no-fly options fit your dates and preferred style of ship.
Are shore excursions worth booking in the Mediterranean?
For ports where the main sights are far from the pier, such as Rome from Civitavecchia or Florence from Livorno, a booked excursion takes the stress out of timings. In compact ports like Dubrovnik, Valletta or Palma you can often explore on foot. We can help you decide where an organised tour adds value and where to go independently.
Too many options? We'll narrow it down
Tell a Travel Designer where you want to go, when, and what kind of ship suits you. Three honest recommendations, same business day.