Mediterranean Cruises

All of the major cruise operators offer cruises around the Mediterranean including, P&O, Royal Caribbean, Island Cruises, Thompson Cruises and Ocean Village. They all have a slight variation in their itineraries however, they attract their passengers by offering the best value for money and providing different atmospheres targeted at different styles of holiday experiences. They all have various durations from short three or four days to the more popular 7 or 14 nights.

Luxury Mediterranean cruises are also available including a 12 night cruise on the sumptuous Crystal Symphony liner operated by Crystal Cruises. The accommodation offered is among the grandest money can buy, with penthouse suites with verandas and separate seating areas to staterooms with balconies overlooking the sea and coast. The well known word 'posh' was first used as an acronym of the very wealthy when cruising, it stands for Port Out, Starboard Home, indicating that their accommodation had to be on the appropriate side of the ship, these wealthy 'cruisers' became know by the general public as 'posh' people! The dining restaurants on the Crystal Symphony are waiter service, decorated in different styles and unobtrusive themes, for a less formal atmosphere there is one bar and grill. Entertainment onboard is refined, comprising of piano bars and lounges. The ship boosts a computer lab and computer 'university', a spa, beauty salon, treatments rooms offering sheer indulgences in pampering, a well equipped fitness room, a pool and sun deck. This luxury cruise does not cater for children in any way, shape or form! It does however, cater for corporate events and is ideal for those who enjoy the traditional style of cruising.

There are many tour operators who offer discounts on all the major cruise company's brochure prices. Discounts can be found offering a variety of different percentage reductions, free up-grades, free drinks and even a book one place get another one free!

Mini cruises are also widely available throughout the Mediterranean. Holiday makers in Cyprus can take a three night, two day mini cruise across the Mediterranean Sea to Port Said, Egypt to visit the wonders of the ancient Egyptian pyramids and discover the treasures of the pharaohs in Cairo museum. Mini cruises departing from Athens are also widely available, enabling passengers to 'island hop' for three days in comfort and style.

Cruise and stay holidays are becoming increasingly popular, combing a week ashore in Majorca, Cyprus or the French Riviera with a week onboard a cruise ship visiting different ports and countries in the Mediterranean.

The cruise season for the Mediterranean is from late April to October, however, cruising off season is usually considerable cheaper and while you may escape the crowds the temperatures will be much lower and the sea less calm.

For those who are new to cruising a short duration Mediterranean cruise is an ideal opportunity to sample life at sea before embarking on cruises farther a field.

The majority of Mediterranean cruises are fly-cruise holidays which bypass the Bay of Biscay and offer instant sunshine, however, there are some cruise companies who depart from and return to UK ports, which is ideal for those who dislike flying or are unable to fly.