Mediterranean Cruises: The Complete Guide

Mediterranean cruises, in short

Where do Mediterranean cruise ships stop?

The Mediterranean splits into two cruising regions, each with its own star ports:

• Western Mediterranean: Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain; Marseille and the French Riviera; Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily in Italy; plus Gibraltar at the gateway.
• Eastern Mediterranean: Athens (Piraeus) and the Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos; Dubrovnik and the Adriatic; and, on some itineraries, Turkey.

Most cruises focus on one region, calling at three to six ports over a week or two, with the odd relaxing day at sea. Portugal Getaways' cruises depart from Lisbon and sail the western Mediterranean, pairing the Portuguese capital with a Spain-France-Italy voyage.

Best month to cruise the Mediterranean

The season runs from April to October. The trade-off is weather versus crowds and price:

• Spring (April to June): warm, green and less crowded, with the sea gradually warming. A favourite for sightseeing.
• Peak summer (July and August): hottest and busiest, with the highest prices and the warmest sea for swimming.
• Early autumn (September to October): still warm, warm sea, thinner crowds and better value. Many consider it the sweet spot.

For a comfortable balance of weather, value and space, late spring and early autumn are hard to beat.

What's included in a Portugal Getaways cruise package

The cruises are sold as complete, all-in packages rather than the cruise fare alone. A typical package includes:

• All flights, to and from Lisbon
• Pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, usually with a couple of nights in Lisbon and daily breakfast
• Full-board cruising, so meals on board are included
• All transfers, both airport and pier
• An expert trip manager and support

What is generally extra: shore excursions at each port, drinks packages, gratuities and speciality dining, which you can add. Bundling everything into one booking is where the value and convenience come from.

Western Mediterranean ports and highlights

The western Mediterranean packs in some of Europe's best-loved cities and islands. On a cruise from Lisbon you might call at:

• Barcelona, for Gaudí's architecture and the Ramblas.
• Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, for beaches, old towns and island charm.
• Gibraltar, the famous rock at the gateway to the Mediterranean.
• Marseille, France's vibrant port city and a gateway to Provence.
• Genoa, gateway to the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre.
• Cádiz and Alicante in Spain, and Olbia in Sardinia.

Each stop is usually a full day, long enough for a guided tour or to explore on your own before sailing on.

Best cruise line for the Mediterranean

There is no single best line, only the best fit for you. A quick guide:

• Mainstream and family-friendly: MSC, Norwegian (NCL), Royal Caribbean and Costa, big ships with lots of dining, entertainment and good value.
• Premium: Celebrity, Princess and Holland America, a step up in service and a slightly quieter feel.
• Premium and refined: Cunard, for a classic, elegant style.

Choose a bigger ship if you want non-stop activities and choice, or a premium or smaller ship for a calmer, more polished experience. Portugal Getaways works with several of these lines, including MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Cunard, so you can match the ship and style to the trip you want.

Example cruises from Lisbon

Portugal Getaways' Mediterranean sailings depart from Lisbon and combine the city with a western Mediterranean voyage. Examples include a 10-night Norwegian Cruise Line voyage taking in Gibraltar, Ibiza and Barcelona, and a 12-night MSC cruise along the coasts of Spain, France and Italy, calling at Alicante, Menorca, Sardinia, Genoa and Marseille. Both bundle flights, Lisbon hotel nights, transfers and full-board cruising. Alongside these, you will find Iberian and Atlantic sailings (Portugal, Spain, Morocco, the Canaries and Madeira) and a Douro river cruise, for a different pace.

Is it cheaper to book directly with a cruise line?

Not necessarily. Cruise lines rarely undercut their own travel partners on the base cruise fare, so booking direct is not automatically cheaper. The real difference is what comes around the cruise. A specialist can usually match the fare and bundle the flights, hotels, transfers and support into one package, sometimes with access to package rates that are not public, and one point of contact if anything changes. So the honest answer is that direct booking gets you the cruise alone, while a packaged booking often gets you the whole trip for a comparable or better total, with less to organise yourself.

When to go on a Mediterranean cruise

The Mediterranean cruise season runs roughly from April to October. The peak of July and August brings the hottest weather and the busiest ports and ships. Many travellers prefer the shoulder months, late spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October), for warm but comfortable weather, warm seas, thinner crowds and better value.

How to book your Mediterranean cruise

Browse the current cruise packages to compare ships, itineraries and total prices, pick your departure, and book ahead for the best cabins. If you would rather have it built around you, ask the team for a tailor-made cruise-and-stay trip that adds nights in Lisbon or beyond.