Europe- Mediterranean and Mainland Cruises

Mediterranean cruises are a beautiful way to explore European history and culture. This seamless, "floating hotel" experience allows you to wake up in a new, iconic destination almost every morning without the hassle of unpacking and repacking. From Roman ruins in Italy to vibrant, sun-drenched Greek islands and Byzantine ruins in Croatia, there’s so much to look forward to seeing.

A Mediterranean cruise has year-round appeal. Long, sunny days make July and August the peak season for cruises. On the other hand, cruises in May, June, September and October are more budget-friendly and not as crowded. Winter cruises between November and March are a great way to experience local holiday traditions.

Mediterranean cruises vary in length, with weeklong itineraries being the most popular. You can also find cruises offering shorter 3-5 day getaways as well as extended voyages spread over a fortnight or more.

Eastern and western Mediterranean cruises differ in terms of the ports of call and overall cruise experience.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises usually cover Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and ports along the eastern coast of Italy. Shore excursions for these cruises focus on ancient ruins and mythological sites. These cruises also take you to some of the world’s best beaches. An Eastern Mediterranean cruise is ideal for beach lovers and Byzantine history buffs.

Itineraries for Western Mediterranean cruises usually include stops in Spain, France and Italy’s west coast. Shore excursions on these cruises are usually port-intensive and more fast-paced. Expect to see plenty of palaces, museums and galleries while browsing through local markets. These cruises are popular choices for first-time cruisers and art enthusiasts.

Western Mediterranean cruises usually focus on Spain, France and Italy. Common ports of call include Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Marseilles, Taormina (Sicily), Genoa, Liverno (Florence) and Côte d’Azur.

An eastern Mediterranean cruise will take you to Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. These cruises often start from Athens, Venice or Rome and offer offshore excursions at Santorini, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Corfu, and Crete.

Yes, Indian citizens will need a visa for a Mediterranean cruise. Ports in Spain, France, Italy and Greece can be accessed through a common Schengen visa. However, you may require a separate visa to explore countries like Turkey.

Costs for a Mediterranean cruise can vary a lot depending on the cruise line, length of the trip, cabin type and season. Prices tend to be higher in peak summer between May and September and lower in the shoulder seasons.

Prices for short cruises like the 3-night Costa Mediterranean Cruise start from $353 per person for an inside cabin. Longer cruises like the 7 Nights MSC Mediterranean Cruise will cost $759 to $1549, depending on the choice of cabin.

Cruises on ultra-premium lines can be significantly more expensive. For example, the cost of booking a suite for the 12 Nights Eastern Mediterranean Gems Voyage  by Regent Seven Seas starts from $11849.

A Mediterranean cruise should ideally be booked 6 to 9 months in advance. This gives you access to early booking deals and better cabin choices. However, note that popular sailings during peak summer months can sometimes be sold out as early as nine months from the date of departure.

An all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise package is likely to include accommodation, buffet meals, entertainment onboard the ship, water and basic non-alcoholic drinks, and access to all the shared facilities on the cruise ship. Some cruise lines may also offer add-on packages for alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, etc.

Your transportation to and from the end ports, shore excursions, tips and gratuities are not included in a cruise package. You can learn more about cruise package inclusions and exclusions here.

Barcelona in Spain, and Genoa and Civitavecchia (Rome) in Italy are the top three  departure ports  for Western Mediterranean cruises. Most eastern Mediterranean cruises depart from Athens in Greece, Istanbul in Turkey and Venice in Italy.

Mediterranean cruises offer a wide range of excursions. You can explore ancient sites, enjoy immersive experiences, stroll through local markets and more. For example, cruisers on the Royal Caribbean 3-night Spain and France cruise from Barcelona can join a guided walking tour of Palma city or go kayaking off Mallorca's West coast. Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 7-night Mediterranean itinerary includes excursions that lead you to Europe’s oldest markets in Livorno.

Numerous cruise lines operate in the Mediterranean Sea. Mainstream cruise lines like MSC Cruises, NCL and Royal Caribbean are known for their family-friendly options and budget-friendly pricing. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, you could explore cruises by Celebrity Cruises and Regent Seven Seas.

There is a wide selection of Mediterranean itineraries for 2026. Western Mediterranean cruises by cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line focus on popular ports and are ideal for families. Other cruises, like the 3 Nights Iconic Greek Islands cruise by Celestyal Cruises, have itineraries focused on scenic beauty.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, you could take a look at cruise itineraries by Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises and other luxury cruise lines.

Short Mediterranean cruises are a convenient way to sample Europe’s most famous coastal cities, culture and cuisine. Some of the most popular short Mediterranean cruises have itineraries spanning 3-5 nights. The Costa Cruises 4-nights Mediterranean cruise is one of the top choices for families planning a quick getaway. Add a night, and you can enjoy the 5-nights Greece & Adriatic Sampler by Princess Cruises.

Many cruise lines operate sustainable cruise ships in the Mediterranean. For example, MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa’s Mediterranean cruises are run on LNG.

Cruiselines like Celebrity Cruises, Viking, and Celestyal are also making efforts to boost sustainability by optimising energy efficiency, using shore power, utilizing advanced wastewater treatment systems, etc. Other cruise ships like the Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady in the Virgin Voyages fleet have eliminated single-use plastics in a bid to make their cruises more sustainable.

Yes, Mediterranean cruises are a great choice for multigenerational family cruises. Cruises by Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruises are the most popular amongst families with young children.

Mediterranean cruises are a great choice for solo sailing holidays. Cruise lines like NCL and Royal Caribbean have dedicated Studio staterooms for solo travellers. Others like Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises often run promotions on select routes with zero or low single supplement charges.

Yes, Mediterranean cruises are a relaxing way for senior travellers to explore the region. Itineraries with stops at fewer ports, more sea days or overnight stays are a good choice.

Lightweight, breathable clothing that can be layered, swimwear and comfortable walking shoes are a must for Mediterranean cruises. It is a good idea for women to carry a light throw or shawl, as some historic sites, like churches, have strict dress codes. Similarly, formal attire is required to enter Montecarlo’s famous casinos. While you don’t need to worry about a strict cruise line dress code, you are expected to be smartly turned out.

You will need a valid passport, your cruise ticket or boarding pass and visas for the ports at which you wish to disembark from the ship. Travel insurance is not always mandatory, but it is advisable.

Yes, you can combine a Mediterranean cruise with a land holiday. An extended cruise holiday allows you to see multiple countries by sea and then slow down for a more immersive experience. In the case of a round-trip cruise, you could spend a few days exploring the port city before or after the cruise. Alternatively, book a one-way cruise and plan land holidays at both ends.

Cruisebay makes planning a Mediterranean cruise simple. You can get expert advice from cruise specialists and access a wide range of Mediterranean itineraries from top cruise lines.  From comparing quotes and selecting a cabin to planning excursions, we help you find the perfect cruise and plan it effortlessly. Beyond the cruise booking itself, we can assist with pre- and post-cruise travel plans like flights, hotels and visas.