Western or Eastern Mediterranean?
- Western Mediterranean: Spain, the south of France and Italy. Typical calls include Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples and the Balearic Islands.
- Eastern Mediterranean: Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, often with the Greek islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, and Piraeus for Athens.
- Adriatic: Croatia’s Dalmatian coast (Dubrovnik, Split), Montenegro (Kotor) and Italy’s eastern coast.
- Combined itineraries: longer sailings of 10 nights or more often mix regions.
Best time to cruise the Mediterranean
The main season runs from spring to autumn. May, June, September and October often bring warm weather with fewer crowds and lower temperatures than July and August, when ports are busiest and fares tend to peak with school holidays. Some lines also sail the Mediterranean in winter, which can be good value for sightseeing, though the weather is cooler and less predictable.
Where Mediterranean cruises start
Popular embarkation ports include Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Genoa, Marseille, Piraeus (Athens) and Valletta. From the UK, you can take a fly-cruise to one of these ports, or a longer round trip from Southampton that sails via the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal. US cruisers usually fly to Europe, and many arrive a day or two early to explore the embarkation city.
Tips for a Mediterranean cruise
- Port days can be long and full. Book key sights, such as major museums in Rome or Florence, in advance where possible.
- Check where the ship actually docks: some ports are an hour or more from the city they’re named for.
- Comfortable walking shoes matter: many old towns are hilly and cobbled.
- Non-EU visitors should check current Schengen entry rules. See our entry rules guide.
Last updated: 13 October 2026
