The Mediterranean is the most popular cruise region from the UK: Rome, Barcelona, Athens, the Greek islands, Croatia and the French Riviera, often with a different country every day. Almost every cruise line sails there, so the real question is which style suits you.
Here are our picks for each type of traveller.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Families and value
- Couples and premium
- Small ships and luxury
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 25 Ships in the fleet | Families | Service charges, Main dining, Kids’ clubs |
| Marella Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 5 Ships in the fleet | All-inclusive | Flights & transfers, All drinks, All dining |
| P&O Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 7 Ships in the fleet | British atmosphere | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Reef kids’ clubs |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Style | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Virgin Voyages | Premium ocean | 4 Lady ships | Adults-only fun | WiFi, All dining, Soft drinks |
| Azamara Cruises | Premium ocean | 4 R-class sister ships in the fleet | More time ashore | AzAmazing Evening, House drinks, Gratuities |
| Viking | River and ocean | 15 Ocean ships | Culture | Wi-Fi, Excursion in every port, Beer & wine at lunch and dinner |
| Windstar Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 6 Small yachts | Sailing style | All dining, Watersports platform, Sail Away ceremony |
| Variety Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 9 Small yachts | Island hopping | All meals, Drinks with meals, Snorkelling gear |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Luxury ocean | 2 Twin yachts | Yacht luxury | All dining, All drinks, Marina watersports |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Luxury ocean | 6 All-suite all-balcony ships | Inclusive luxury | Business-class flights, Pre-cruise hotel, All dining |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Families and value
MSC Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 25 Ships in the fleet
An Italian-heritage fleet sailing year-round in the Mediterranean, with family programmes and the Yacht Club for luxury.
Best for: Families
Marella Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 5 Ships in the fleet
All-inclusive with flights, drinks and gratuities, with ships based around the Mediterranean and Cruise & Stay options.
Best for: All-inclusive
P&O Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 7 Ships in the fleet
Year-round Mediterranean sailings, including no-fly voyages from Southampton.
Best for: British atmosphere
Couples and premium
Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
Modern premium ships with chef-led dining and Mediterranean departures from Barcelona, Rome and Athens.
Best for: Style
Virgin Voyages
- Premium ocean
- 4 Lady ships
Adults-only with Barcelona and Athens departures, more than 20 eateries and no formal nights.
Best for: Adults-only fun
Azamara Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 4 R-class sister ships in the fleet
- 702 Guests per ship — small-ship scale
Small 702-guest ships with longer days in port, overnight stays and access to smaller harbours.
Best for: More time ashore
Viking
- River and ocean
- 15 Ocean ships
Adults-only ocean ships with an excursion in every port and a destination focus.
Best for: Culture
Small ships and luxury
Windstar Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 6 Small yachts
- 342 Max guests
Motor-sailing yachts and all-suite Star-class ships from Athens and Rome, with a watersports platform.
Best for: Sailing style
Variety Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 9 Small yachts
- 4-72 Guests / yacht
Small motor yachts of up to 72 guests in the Greek Cyclades, Croatia and around the Mediterranean.
Best for: Island hopping
SeaDream Yacht Club
- Luxury ocean
- 2 Twin yachts
- 112 Max guests
Mediterranean in summer on two 112-guest yachts, with all drinks and marina watersports included.
Best for: Yacht luxury
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 6 All-suite all-balcony ships
- 700-746 Guests per ship — small-luxury scale
All-suite luxury from Barcelona, Rome and Athens with unlimited excursions included.
Best for: Inclusive luxury
Western or eastern Mediterranean?
Western: Barcelona, the French Riviera, Rome, Florence (via Livorno) and the Balearics. Eastern: Athens, the Greek islands, Croatia, Turkey and Venice. The season runs from April to October, with spring and autumn ideal for sightseeing in comfortable temperatures.
How we chose these cruise lines
We featured lines whose own information includes Mediterranean sailings, grouped by style. Itineraries and seasons change every year, so check the sailings available for your dates, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cruise line for the Mediterranean?
MSC or Marella for families, Celebrity or Azamara for couples, and Windstar or Variety for small ships.
Can you cruise the Mediterranean from the UK without flying?
Yes, on longer voyages from Southampton with P&O Cruises and others.
When is the best time for a Mediterranean cruise?
May, June, September and October.
Western or eastern Mediterranean for a first cruise?
The western Med is great for big cities; the eastern Med for islands and history.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
