The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean cruise season is from late April to October, although a few ships do cruise this area region year-round.

Mediterranean cruises provide passengers a multitude of sights - from the sun-washed beaches of the Riviera to the magnificent antiquities of Rome, Athens and Ephesus. While on a Mediterranean cruise, walk the broad boulevards of Barcelona and Nice or tour the museums of Florence and Paris.

Western Mediterranean cruises will typically call at ports in Spain, France and Italy, and may also visit ports in Portugal, Monaco, Tunisia or Morocco. Eastern Mediterranean cruises may include Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria or the Ukraine. Holy Land cruises usually combine Eastern Mediterranean cruise ports with Israel and Egypt, while some Mediterranean cruises concentrate solely on the Greek Isles.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises set sail from spring through fall, with the summer high season hosting the largest number of sailings. The value season is usually spring and fall - this offers less crowds and milder temperatures. The main ports of embarkation and debarkation in the region are: Athens/Piraeus (Greece), Istanbul (Turkey), and Venice. There are smaller ports of call visits to Dubrovnik (Croatia), Katakolon/Olympia (Greece), Bodrom (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt). Also visited are the Greek Isles of Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Patmos, Samos as well as uninhabited Delos and more. Cruises also go to Naples (Italy), Messina (Italy), and Malta/Valletta (Italy).

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Activities and Sites to See in the Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean is a historical and cultural treasure trove. Tour the Roman ruins. See the Renaissance period cathedrals and palaces.

In Rome, visit St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Rent a bike and peddle your way to the Church of San Francisco with its grand arches. Continue on to Palazzo dei Priori and end at a local favorite farmhouse for Tarquinia and Olive Oil Tasting which will surely fortify you for your return tip.

In Venice, visit Ca' Rezzonico. This is the former palace on the Grand Canal which now houses a museum dedicated to life in 18th Century Venice. Visit St. Mark's Square and get a local experience while you sample gelato. Do people watching and feed the pigeons in the "drawing room of Europe".

If you have the thrill of adventure, bypass the tourist areas and set off on foot to uncover tiny trattorias where the locals eat. Discover Venice's beautiful neighborhoods with their colorful flower boxes and, yes, the billowing laundry hung out in the breeze.

The Eastern Mediterranean is full of history and has many archaeological sights. Crete is a must-see city and is thought of as the home of Europe's earliest civilization. It is the birth place of countless myths and legends. Today, Crete is a vibrant town that manages to look to the future while still embracing its history.

Knossos Palace is one of the most important archaeological finds in the world. Also, visit The Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis who is the author of Zorba the Greek. For the truly active, take a Taste of Crete walking tour that begins at Knossos Palace then moves to the valley of Peza for an in-depth experience of the area's famous wineries. The final stop is the village of Archanes for a stroll through town and lunch in a traditional tavern.

Greece's Delos & Syros is a great stop for the history and mythology fan. According to legend, the pregnant Leto took refuge here from the jealous Hera. Hera gave birth to Apollo, the god of truth and light, and his twin sister, the moon goddess, Artemis.

 

Travel Requirements

With the change in the laws for a U.S. citizen, a passport is now required for travel when leaving and returning to the USA. Many of the island territories require a visa for travel into their countries. Only Cruises Travel can inform you of all the required documents necessary to make shore excursions.