Mediterranean & Southern Europe Cruises
Rome, Barcelona, the French Riviera, the Greek Isles and the Adriatic — history and food at every port.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesCruising Europe & the Mediterranean
A Mediterranean cruise lets you unpack once and wake up in a different country almost every day. Itineraries usually split the sea in two:
Western Mediterranean
Barcelona, Marseille or Provence, the French Riviera and Monaco, Florence and Pisa (via Livorno), Rome (via Civitavecchia), Naples for Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, plus Mallorca, Lisbon or the Canary Islands on longer trips.
Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles
Athens (via Piraeus), Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete and Corfu, often with Turkey (Istanbul or Kuşadası for Ephesus) and sometimes Cyprus.
Adriatic
Venice or Trieste, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro and Corfu — walled towns, islands and dramatic bays.
At a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Season | April through October is the main season; a growing number of ships sail through the winter. |
| Typical length | 7–12 nights; longer “grand voyages” combine both halves |
| Main homeports | Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Venice and Trieste, Piraeus (Athens), Lisbon, Marseille, Genoa |
| Good for | History and culture, food and wine, travelers who want many countries in one trip |
Smart Traveler tips
- Since 2021 large cruise ships may no longer sail past St. Mark’s Square into the center of Venice. Many Adriatic cruises now use Trieste, Ravenna or Monfalcone instead, while smaller ships can still reach Venice.
- July and August are hot and crowded; May, June, September and October are more comfortable.
- Port days are long and busy — a well-chosen shore excursion (or a good independent plan) matters more here than almost anywhere.
- Spend a night or two before the cruise in Barcelona, Rome or Athens; you will want the time.
Plan Your Europe & the Mediterranean Cruise
Flights
Flights to Europe · Spain (Barcelona) · Italy (Rome, Venice) · Greece (Athens) · Portugal (Lisbon). Plan to arrive at least a day before the ship sails.Shore excursions
European shore excursionsBrowse Europe & the Mediterranean cruise lines, deals and specialists on the Official Cruise Directory: Western Mediterranean · Eastern Mediterranean · Greek Islands · All Europe.
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Get Free Cruise QuotesEurope & the Mediterranean Cruise FAQ
Can cruise ships still go to Venice?
Large cruise ships have been barred from Venice’s historic center and the Giudecca Canal since 2021. Many lines now start Adriatic cruises in Trieste, Ravenna or Monfalcone, with transfers or day trips to Venice; smaller ships can still dock in Venice itself.
Western or Eastern Mediterranean for a first trip?
The Western Mediterranean packs in the famous cities (Barcelona, Rome, Florence, the Riviera). The Eastern Mediterranean is more about islands, beaches and ancient sites. A specialist can help you weigh port times and how much touring you want.