10 of the Best Mediterranean Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

7 night western mediterranean cruise

A Mediterranean cruise is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular European cruise destinations, with the Western Mediterranean often a starting point for first time cruisers to Europe. Sarah Sees The World is my outlet as I dream of travelling the world full time and a space on the internet to inspire others in the same position to make the most of every trip. I’m Sarah, a New Zealand Travel Blogger who also enjoys good coffee and wine and exercise. Next up on our Royal Caribbean Western Mediterranean Cruise we had the highlight of the trip – Barcelona, Spain. We went on Bus Turistic’s hop on hop off bus which as 24 Euros per person with a discount voucher Caitlin and Laura had from using the service in Madrid.

Night Europe - Western Mediterranean - RomeDetails

The first stop on our Western Mediterranean Cruise was Genoa in Italy, home of the largest aquarium in Europe which at 23 Euros for an adult is pretty expensive to visit. As well as the standard fish, dolphins and manatees there was a tank which contained the cast of Finding Nemo! We spent the rest of the day wandering around the city looking at points of interest – the standard palace, cathedral and square seen in most European cities.

Discover Europe By Cruising The Mediterranean

Generally, major churches in the Mediterranean require arms, shoulders, and legs to be covered. If you don’t want to be covered the entire day, pack a change of clothes in your day bag for after the church visit. From a morning espresso and pastry at a local cafe to a sit-down lunch in the city center, trying local cuisine will definitely be a highlight of a Mediterranean cruise.

Night Europe - Western Mediterranean - BarcelonaDetails

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. The trip takes guests to seven countries, including Spain, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Monaco, and France, with stops in both major and smaller ports. Guests can also book pre- and post-trip stays in ports of call if they aren’t ready to go home after three weeks on the water.

EXCURSIONS

On a cruise, though, you are traveling from one port to another as you sleep, waking up in a new city each day stress-free. The cruise line prides itself on its low guest-to-crew member ratio, ensuring your every need is easily met. The company offers plentiful options when it comes to Mediterranean sailings, including seven, 14, 21, and even 38-day cruises for those who can’t get enough.

Featured Mediterranean Cruises

If you’ve visited those cities before, though, choosing an itinerary that visits smaller cities in the Mediterranean might be your best bet. Choosing which itinerary to book for a Western Mediterranean cruise comes down to your preference, budget, and ship choice. Deciding which itinerary and ship to choose from as well as what to do in port, however, can be overwhelming for those who have never cruised to Europe. With some of the world’s most historic and breathtaking scenery, monuments, and cultures, going on a cruise to the Mediterranean allows you to experience multiple locations in a short amount of time.

7 night western mediterranean cruise

What is the best time to cruise to the Western Mediterranean?

With this cruise company, you’re almost spoiled with choice, making it hard to pick just one itinerary. So maybe, think about it as this year’s trip, then the next, then the next, and on and on forever, because there are just so many options available. The cruise line offers all-inclusive options, making it easy to relax onboard and just enjoy the ride. Seabourn also offers various lengths and destinations for its cruises, including seven, 10, 14, and 21-day options, so everyone can find the one right for them.

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Explore the highlights of this region in 7 days on one of our Western Mediterranean cruises. With fewer days at sea, you will get the most amount of time to explore some of the Mediterranean's best hits. Cruise from Rome, Athens or Barcelona and experience Italy, Croatia and Spain on one of our Grand Mediterranean cruises. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Most mainstream cruise lines -- including Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian --offer Western Caribbean sailings. Luxury cruise lines are also well-represented in the region with lines including Azamara, Windstar, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and others frequenting Western Mediterranean ports.

Italy Cruises

Whatever the occasion, your certified sommelier can pour you the perfect vintage to match the moment, uncorked from a wine list that’s won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 10 years in a row. If you don’t have international data, you can access the internet via wifi while in port. Wifi should be relatively easy to encounter, especially closer to the city center. When I travel to Europe, I tend to pack clothes that are comfortable yet fashionable. While I may wear a wrinkly t-shirt and gym shorts off the ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay, I prefer dressing nicer while visiting European cities. Nice jeans, sundresses, jumpsuits, and blouses tend to fit in more with the style found in Europe compared to the casual outfits of a Caribbean cruise.

Spending a day in Genoa was a good first stop – it’s a good walkable city from the port and easily able to be seen in a day. The Mediterranean Sea touches 22 nations and borders more than 28,000 miles of coastline, according to the Europe Environment Agency. But, rather than traversing these destinations by car, train, or plane, visitors can see and do more by taking to the water for a Mediterranean cruise.

A Mediterranean cruise should be looked at more as a “sampler” rather than an immersive dive into each destination. One could spend a year in Rome or Barcelona trying to see everything and that still wouldn’t be enough time. A day in each port is usually not enough time to fully explore the city, but does provide enough time to view the highlights. For example, in Pisa they offer the “Pisa on Your Own” tour, which takes guests from the port of Livorno to the heart of Pisa.

Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own. Sail from Barcelona and take in Alhambra in Granada, the elegant capital of Palma and Seville, the home of flamenco. On cruises of 7 to 12 nights, you can feast on tapas, taste wines in Rioja, and unwind all in one culture-packed country. Cruises to Greece visit the very best of the islands and cosmopolitan cities on the mainland, including Athens and historic Thessaloniki.

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