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There really is no cruise holiday comparable to a Mediterranean cruise. Only Mediterranean cruises allow passengers to soak themselves in the rich history of ancient European cities. Sailing the Mediterranean will provide opportunities to sunbathe on the spectacular beaches of Greece or to indulge in the fine wines and food of Italy. Sailing along stunning coastlines and amongst picturesque islands will take passengers to the impressive Turkish ruins.  

One of the best things about choosing a Mediterranean cruise is that they are available all the year round. This means no travel limits or off-seasons that passengers may encounter when sailing to other parts of the world. Most Mediterranean cruises are offered between the months of April and into October, with an average cruise length of 14 days.  

It is possible to stay at sea longer by choosing an itinerary that goes beyond a basic sailing. Ports of call will vary, but most passengers can expect to enjoy stops at places such as Spain, Greece, London, Turkey, Paris, Portugal, France, Croatia and Italy. The combination of stops and countries visited will vary greatly with the different cruise companies.

Popular ports include Barcelona, Lisbon, Bari, Athens, Valencia, Rome, Marseille, Venice, Palma de Mallorca and the Greek Isles. Other Mediterranean destinations include exotic places such as North Africa and the Middle East. These European cruise tours are taken in combination with a Mediterranean cruise and offer passengers an intense and in-depth look at many of the world’s best known cities.  

Some Mediterranean cruises can also be combined with tours through Scandinavia. This will then include Stockholm on your list of port of calls. This combination of Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises is normally available May through August. While in Scandinavia, enjoy a land tour that can include overnight stays.  

For passengers taking long flights to reach their destination port, it is advisable that they reach their port at least one or two days before their cruise departure. This will allow time to recover from the long flight as well as to get settled.  It will also allow you to go sightseeing in your port town before heading out onto the open waters for the Mediterranean cruise of a lifetime. 

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If you would like to experience good weather, fantastic food and the culture of Europe, Mediterranean cruises are the best option.  These cruises will take you along the popular tourist spots and coastal cities in Europe.  Of course, the focal point of almost all Mediterranean cruises is Italy.

Mediterranean cruises can be divided into two routes: Western and Eastern.  Western Mediterranean cruises are perfect for those looking for beautiful architecture and art from around the world.  The most common points of departure and return of these cruises are either Barcelona or Rome.  Other Italian ports visited by Mediterranean cruise liners are Sicily, Pompeii, Capri, Florence and Pisa.  In Spain, your cruise ship might stop at Malaga and the Balearic islands.  In France, your cruise might take you to Nice, Cannes, and even Monte Carlo in neighbouring Monaco,

If you are looking to spend time exploring beaches and shorelines, Eastern Mediterranean cruises are the best option.  Venice, Rome and Athens are some of the popular ports of call.
You could explore Bari in Italy, Katakalon in Greece, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Crete and Rhodes.

Mediterranean cruise holidays are available all year around.  However, the peak season is from May to October – so while it is best to travel during this time, it might work out to be quite expensive.  If you are on a limited budget, you might want to take the cruise during the off-peak season: this way, you will be able to save money and get to explore some beautiful locations.

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If you have travelled the Caribbean before, and explored every nook and cranny of the Mediterranean, the Baltic and the Aegean, do not think there is nowhere else to cruise. Far from it.  New regions are opening up all the time and as yet, some are still relatively uncrowded.

Charles Darwin imprinted the Galapagos Islands on every student’s brain; without his discoveries on his epic voyage very few people would have heard of this isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador.

Now it is possible to fly into Quito in Ecuador and spend anything from three to seven nights cruising around the Galapagos Islands observing the very flora and fauna that set Darwin on the path to evolution.

The islands consist of 13 large ones, eight smaller ones and 40 islets.  Each of these have their own distinctive terrain, climate and wild life, such  as iguanas, giant tortoises, sea turtles, dolphins and whales – not to mention an astonishing variety of sea and land birds.  No wonder Darwin was so astonished when he arrived there.

The most populated island in the group is Santa Cruz, which is home to the Charles Darwin Research Centre.  Santa Cruz is also home to the giant tortoises, while the largest of the islands, Isabela, has five active volcanoes and flamingo–filled saltwater lagoons.

There is a wide selection of Galapagos cruises offered by flying from the UK, and some can be combined with other destinations such as Machu Picchu to create an even more memorable holiday.

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France has some fabulous rivers, and it is a popular destination for holidaymakers looking for a relaxing cruise.

The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, flowing for 500 miles from the Swiss Alps to the Mediterranean.  Travelling on the French section of the river is the ideal way for wine loving holidaymakers to discover the most famous wine producing area of France

Most Rhone cruises begin on the Soane River which flows into the Rhone, and the wine growing region of Burgundy.  No cruise misses a visit to Beaume and its famous Hospice de Dieu, at the heart of Burgundy wine production.

Leaving Burgundy, the next stop will be the city of Lyon and its fine cuisine; the next important site is Avignon, the city of the Popes; followed by Arles with its perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre and Van Gogh connections, and the marshlands of the Camargue, the home of flamingos, wild white horses and bulls.

Since the first hotel barge was launched in the 1960s, barge holidays have become increasingly popular, and France has canals galore.

One of the most popular is the Canal de Midi, carved out by the innovative engineer Paul Riquet. Work on this 240 mile waterway began in 1665 and links the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean.

Typically passenger-carrying canal barges are small – a maximum of 16 passengers, but the service is personal, and the onboard food of gourmet standard.  If you like to take your holiday at a very slow pace, this is the cruise for you.  

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Cruise holidays continue to increase in popularity, so it is perhaps not surprising that many companies are offering more exciting and diverse itineraries on their voyages.  Whilst passengers can still explore the traditional sailings, such as those through the Mediterranean, a number of new itineraries provide the perfect opportunity to visit several continents within one trip.  For anyone looking for an extended holiday, cruises along the Indian, African and Mediterranean coasts are ideal.

With enthralling African and Indian ports on offer, a multi-continental cruise is ideal for travellers seeking a unique opportunity to explore some of the most culturally interesting destinations in the world.  Liners leave from ports around the globe, so it is easy to find a suitable departure point, with holidays beginning in places such as Southampton, Singapore or Perth.  Popular cruise operator Princess Cruises offer a number of interesting choices for passengers, with voyages of between 28 and 46 days giving a rare chance to sample as much of the Indian and African coasts as possible.  A 30-day excursion starting in Singapore stops off at destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius and Durban, whilst attractions including the Taj Mahal and a South African safari can be enjoyed as an added bonus.  There is a luxurious 46-day voyage from Perth, which encompasses even more of the Indian and African coastlines, providing the ultimate adventure in multi-continental excursions.

With more adventurous and exciting destinations on offer, cruise holidays are increasingly providing holidays of a lifetime.  For anyone wanting to break away from some of the traditional offerings, exploring the African and Indian coasts could be the perfect solution.

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Holidaying in the South Pacific remains a popular experience for many.  With exotic destinations providing iconic settings of pristine beaches, lush tropical landscapes and crystal waters, anyone seeking relaxation, recuperation and the ultimate paradise, will be hard pressed to find anywhere better.  With so many islands to be explored, taking a South Pacific cruise holiday can be the ideal answer for visiting as many locations as possible.

With all of the usual cruise ship services on offer, including pools, spas, clubs and restaurants, an indulgent break in the South Pacific will provide the ultimate retreat.  Sailing through exotic landscapes, stunning scenery and visiting intriguing ports, passengers aboard cruise ships can really indulge themselves in the luxury of the region.  Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, offers a rich and historic background for tourists to explore, with the modern and vibrant city set among glorious scenery.  On the other hand, for those who are looking for the ultimate paradise, the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora offers crystal clear waters and intense blue skies, while in Moorea the rugged mountains tower into the sky above a lush, tropical jungle.

There are so many islands and destinations in the South Pacific that provide unique attractions to lure visitors, so trying to decide on a location and stay with it can be immensely difficult.  However, enjoying a cruise holiday in the region will allow passengers to sit back, relax in the sun and gently sail from paradise to paradise, taking in all that the incredible South Pacific has to offer cocooned in sheer luxurious style.

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Surrounded by beautiful islands and offering plenty of history and culture, the Mediterranean is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is the perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing cruise holiday as well as for those who love exploring.

There are a wide variety of Mediterranean cruise holidays available. Mediterranean cruises give you the chance to explore the Mediterranean Sea and its many islands and nearby countries. Exploring the eastern Mediterranean will give you the chance to travel to countries such as Egypt, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the pyramids and learn about the myths and legends of the country.

Cruising around the western Mediterranean will give you the chance to explore a variety of destinations such as France, Spain and Portugal. Italy is also a popular cruise location, offering a variety of attractions such as the fascinating city of Pisa, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you enjoy trying out different cuisines, then a cruise to Barcelona will give you the chance to enjoy a variety of Spanish food such as tapas, a popular snack that can be served hot or cold.

A Mediterranean cruise gives you the chance to explore a variety of breathtaking islands, including the Greek islands. Crete is a popular destination for holiday cruises and offers plenty of culture as well as a variety of stunning beaches. Catalada, a Turkish Island, is also a popular destination for cruise holidays and a perfect location for those who love activities such as scuba diving.

If you love visiting new places then a Mediterranean cruise is the perfect option. Surrounded by fascinating countries and islands, a Mediterranean cruise provides you with plenty of stunning sights as well as lots of rich history, culture and myths.

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It might sound certifiably insane, but cruising through the Caribbean, the Bahamas or the Mexican Riviera during hurricane season maybe nowhere near as reckless as it seems. The chances of being affected by a hurricane are, in reality, extraordinarily slim; but cruise operators have reliable contingency plans in place in the event of the worst case scenario. You may have to cope with a change in itinerary at the very worst depending the vagaries of the weather – satellite technology and state-of-the-art engineering ensure that, today, no one is going to end up with a ‘Poseidon Adventure’ experience.

You simply have to approach these hurricane season cruises with a flexible attitude. Don’t bank on getting married in a specially chosen port on the original itinerary, for instance. You may arrive at a port of call a day or two earlier, or a day or two later, than planned. And an Eastern Caribbean itinerary may quickly shift to a Western Caribbean alternative if weather conditions are considered unacceptable. Just make sure that your holiday insurance covers disruption due to weather-related conditions.

Cruise lines have been successfully and smoothly operating throughout hurricane season without untoward events for years; they’ve evolved highly effective (and extremely safe) ‘hurricane and storm response’ strategies, ensuring that their vessels avoid rather than confront a weather crisis. Modern ships can outrun a storm by a safe margin – they’re much, much faster. But one condition is altogether more predictable: people who cruise in hurricane season are sure to end up with some superb deals.

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In the past, cruises have been associated, either with the elite in society, or the older generation, so a cruise holiday was not seen as suitable for either families or young people. However, there has recently been a renaissance in cruise holidays, so now anyone can take a cruise.

Some cruise lines offer cruise holidays that are particularly aimed at families. On board there will be children’s clubs and activities, as well as facilities that all the family can enjoy.

For those who are more interested in the culture and history of the places that they visit, there are cruises that are designed to appeal more to adults. These will frequently run courses in wine tasting, local history or art, and may offer cruises to some more exotic locations such as South America or the Far East. Cruises to Alaska or the Arctic Circle are also popular. The Arctic would be impossible to visit any other way, as going ashore is strictly controlled in order to preserve the fragile ecosystem. The cruises offer an opportunity to see some unique wildlife, and to gain an understanding of the scientific work carried out at the base camps.

With more young people choosing to take cruise holidays, cruise lines have designed cruises to suit people who want more excitement and activities. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s Voyager-class ships are equipped with ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls and the FlowRider – a powerful wave that can be surfed. Carnival cruises offer survival adventures in Belize, on which passengers can learn to cook jungle-style. P&O Cruises offers its travellers the chance to hire a Ferrari F430 for a day in Alicante, or a bike ride for a cheaper option. Princess Cruises offers zip-wiring through trees, and in Alaska this can be combined with a bobsled ride.

Other types of cruise holidays include cruise weddings or honeymoons, river cruises, Christmas cruises, mini cruises and many more. Cruise and stay holidays offer the chance to combine a cruise with a hotel stay.

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If you are considering taking a cruise at some point and you have started looking for something suitable, you may well have come across Baltic cruises. These are quite unique because the Baltic Sea is mostly inland, surrounded by various European countries including Poland, Sweden and Germany.  This gives you an ideal chance to explore Europe on a cruise that will enable you to see lots of countries in one go.

What are typical Baltic cruises like?  A good example comes from Princess Cruises and it lasts for fourteen nights.  When you leave the UK you will go and visit destinations in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Norway and Estonia.  As you can see, Baltic cruises really pack in the destinations and because the countries are relatively close together, huddled round the Baltic Sea, you can visit a lot of places in a short space of time.

Because of where the Baltic Sea lies, you can also enjoy a full seven day cruise to this part of the world when you leave from the UK.  Even a week long cruise can take you to four different countries, as some examples from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and other providers demonstrate.

Just because many Baltic cruises take in the same countries though, don’t assume they all stop at the same ports. Always find out where they are stopping so you can choose the best cruise itinerary for you. Fourteen days allows for a lot more exploration than seven, so it may suit you better to book a longer cruise.

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