Mediterranean

A Western Mediterranean cruise begins at the beaches of the French Riviera, with from there island resorts and cosmopolitan cities awaiting from bustling Barcelona and history-rich Rome (from the port of Civitavecchia) to tranquil Mallorca in the Balearic Islands and Sicily, the largest of all the Mediterranean islands. Each destination has a unique atmosphere, from the ancient world at Pompeii, found on a trip from Naples to the glitz and glamour of Cannes and Monte Carlo. Longer itineraries may include head to north African ports such as Casablanca or Algiers

The South of the Med is a great destination for winter cruises, as the temperature seldom drops. Ports in this part of the region include Cyprus, Alexandria and Jerusalem for trips into the Holy Land.

The Aegean Sea is jam-packed with islands to explore and circled by ancient cities and sites. Fly out to start your voyage from Athens or Venice and the gateway to the east, Istanbul for the chance to visit sits from antiquity such as Olympia and Knossos in Greece or the great, abandoned Roman city of Ephesus on the east coast of Turkey. An eastern Mediterranean cruise isn't complete without a trip to the Greek Islands, where Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are popular ports of call while Dubrovnik and Kotor are jewels awaiting to be discovered.