Set Sail Through the Mediterranean: Where Every Port Feels Like a Dream

Do you love the idea of sipping espresso in a sunlit piazza? Or wandering through cobbled alleys where history lingers in every stone?

A Mediterranean cruise is your gateway to it all—ancient ruins, seaside villages, bustling bazaars, and postcard-perfect beaches. One day you’re exploring Roman coliseums, the next you’re lounging on the French Riviera. It’s a blend of culture, cuisine, and coastlines that feels like the trip of a lifetime (because it is).

Whether you’re chasing art in Florence, olives in Santorini, or sunsets in Dubrovnik, the Mediterranean is about slowing down, indulging your senses, and letting the world unfold one breathtaking port at a time.

Where Do Mediterranean Cruises Go?

These cruises cover a mix of Western, Eastern, and Southern Mediterranean gems. Depending on your route, you might visit:

• Italy – Rome (Civitavecchia), Venice, Naples, Florence (Livorno), Sicily
• Greece – Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes
• Spain – Barcelona, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca
• France – Marseille, Nice (Villefranche), Corsica
• Croatia – Dubrovnik, Split
• Turkey – Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephesus)
• Malta – Valletta
• Portugal – Lisbon (for longer voyages)
• Israel & Egypt – Featured on longer or specialty cruises

You can cruise round-trip from a major port, or book a one-way journey that packs even more in. Some even stretch across continents—blending the Mediterranean with the Canary Islands, the Middle East, or Northern Europe.

Popular Departure Ports for Mediterranean Cruises

Mediterranean cruises typically sail from:

• Barcelona, Spain
• Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
• Athens (Piraeus), Greece
• Venice or Trieste, Italy
• Marseille, France
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Lisbon, Portugal (for extended Med + Atlantic voyages)

Fly in a day or two early to explore these iconic cities before you even board.

Cruise Lines Sailing the Mediterranean

There’s a cruise for every kind of traveler, from affordable fun to five-star luxury:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean
• MSC Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Azamara Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Seabourn
• Regent Seven Seas
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Cunard
• Virgin Voyages
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Ponant

Sample Itineraries Worth Dreaming About

Here are some of the most loved Mediterranean cruise routes:

• Norwegian Epic – 7-night round-trip from Barcelona (Naples, Rome, Florence, Cannes, Palma)
• Celebrity Beyond – 10-night Greek Isles and Italy (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Naples, Rome)
• MSC Seaview – 7-night Western Med from Genoa (Marseille, Barcelona, Naples, Messina)
• Oceania Riviera – 10-night luxury cruise (Istanbul, Ephesus, Rhodes, Crete, Malta, Amalfi)
• Regent Seven Seas Splendor – 12-night all-inclusive voyage (Monte Carlo, Cinque Terre, Florence, Dubrovnik)

Ready to Go?

If you’ve ever dreamed of walking where emperors ruled, swimming in turquoise waters, and eating the best food of your life, this is the cruise.

The Mediterranean is rich, romantic, and endlessly rewarding. And with so many cruise deals and departure points, it’s never been easier to turn that dream into something real. Check out the best Mediterranean cruise deals on Traveloplans and book your place on deck.