Great Reasons To Take a Mediterranean Cruise in 2016

Cruises to the Mediterranean have been popular with Americans for many years.  Whether you are thinking about taking a cruise in the Med in 2016, are looking for a different type of European adventure; or if your just thinking of taking a cruise, then look no further than the Mediterranean.  There are plenty of different types of cruises in the Mediterranean for nearly every type of traveler.  If your looking for a romantic getaway, a sightseeing adventure, or a family vacation, the Mediterranean is the perfect destination!  Here are some great reasons you should cruise the Med this year:


1. Great Value

Cruises in the Mediterranean offer great value for your money because the fares include almost everything needed for a fantastic trip: accommodation, food, entertainment, and transportation between intended destinations.  On some cruises, kids are allowed to sail for free or at discounted rates when sharing a cabin with two or more adults.


2. You Can Visit Multiple Destinations

In the Mediterranean, cruises offer the ultimate in city breaks by allowing you to visit lots of island and cities on one holiday without having to pack and unpack as you go.  On one cruise alone, you might visit Lisbon, Florence, Rome, Athens, and Venice.  It's an understated luxury to be able to unpack your bags and arrive at each destination without countless planes, trains and hotels.


3. Easy to Plan

Due to the fact that cruises package together accommodation, food, and transportation, they are easy to plan.  They eliminate the need to travel on a cramped tour bus, drive a rented car and check in and out of hotels.  You just need to book your cruise and wait for your departure date.  You don't have to waste your time searching for hotels in your price range or thinking of how to coordinate between cities.

4. Variety

More than 30 cruise lines have numerous vessels in the Mediterranean, with each offering everything from luxurious yachts to resort-style family-friendly vessels packed with pools and kids clubs.  There are also adult-only ships, food & wine cruises and smaller luxury cruises which host less than 800 people.

There are also many itineraries to choose from.  You can cruise for days or weeks and visit lesser-known towns or world-famous cities.  Days in port allow plenty of free time to explore one on your own.

Eastern Mediterranean itineraries tend to focus on the Greek islands, Montenegro, Croatia and Venice while Western Med itineraries focus on Spain, France and Italy.

5. Floating Cities

While on a cruise ship, you don't need to worry about being stranded in the middle of the ocean with cell phone or internet connection problems.  The vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as high-speed internet access, cell services, and satellite tv to enable you to stay in touch (if need be) during your cruise.

Onboard, there are shops selling toiletries, medical centers and laundry facilities to wash your clothes.  There are other facilities like restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, spas and even casinos!

6. Countless World-Class Attractions

With everything from Roman and Greek remains to historic museums, a cruise around the Mediterranean is set to give you unforgettable experiences.

The Coliseum, Pantheon, Vatican, and the Ruins of Pompeii are some of the most famous attractions that you can visit on a cruise.  Other attractions worth mentioning include the Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell'Academia, and La Ramla.


7. Wonderful Cuisine

The Mediterranean offers some of the finest cuisines in the world.  On and off the boat, you can taste Italy's pasta, Spain's tapas, France's cheese and seafood, and Greece's yogurt-based dips.  You also have to try the local wines from Italy and France.

Mediterranean Cruise Travel Tips

             The idea of a Mediterranean cruise brings to mind blue waters, sunny beaches, major cities and small villages, world famous museums, ancient churches and ruins, great food and interesting cultures.  For the enterprising traveler, a cruise ship - which cuts down on travel time, and essentially provide you a floating hotel - a creates a convenient way to experience the Mediterranean and all the history and culture and beauty she has to offer.  Its no wonder that after the Caribbean and Alaska, the Mediterranean is the most popular cruise destination for Americans year after year. Traveling on a cruise to the Mediterranean at first look,  may seem a little daunting, with the different languages and cultures.  But with a little planning  and understanding your options, you can ensure you will have the most satisfying cruise experience.


When to Go
       Weather in the Mediterranean is marked by warm dry summers and wet winters.  So summer is the traditional season for Mediterranean cruises, when the sun is warm and the weather makes shore excursions enjoyable, but also the season for of the highest demand by far.  If you go in the summer book your cruise as far in advance as possible and use transportation where available when on shore.  If you can't deal with the crowds at the Colosseum in Rome during the summer heat, you can avoid the crowds and the heat by booking cruises early in the season - April and May -- and later, after Labor Day till early October.  You will save money on cruise fare and airfare by traveling in shoulder months.

What Itinerary to Choose
       Routes in the Mediterranean depend on the cruise line you select and the length of your stay.  The cruise lines separate the Mediterranean into two areas, east and west.  Western Mediterranean cruises stop in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France.  They tend to offer a wider variety of on-shore options, ranging from sunny beaches to cultural and historic hot spots.  You should pay attention to the size of a ship cruising to the western Mediterranean.  Big ships tend to focus on the largest ports, while smaller ships dock in more out of the way towns and villages.
       Eastern cruises travel to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia.  Most of them emphasize Greece for its combination of ancient culture and inviting islands; other destinations in the area focus more on museums and ruins, with less attention on the beaches.  Because the Mediterranean offers so many options, focus on a few specific areas you absolutely want to see and book the cruise that covers those areas, leaving the remainder of the region for another trip.

Which Cruise Line
       At the same time you're considering which countries to visit, check out the offerings of your favorite cruise  line.  In selecting a cruise line for a Mediterranean vacation, first-timers might ask themselves some questions about their expectations.  If your traveling with children, you might consider family friendly Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line or MSC Cruises.  If your more interested in good food, luxurious accommodations, adult activities, smaller ports and extended shore excursions; try a premium cruise line like Princess, or Celebrity, or luxury brands such as Oceania Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises.  Another decision you need to decide is on the atmosphere of the ship.  If you want more of an American themed ship, with English only language spoken and American themed meals and entertainment then sail on ships from American based lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Princess.  These lines run a limited number of ships on limited routes mostly on a seasonal basis.  If you want a more international cruise experience, with announcements made in multiple languages, and the blend of passengers more mixed, then a European based line like MSC or Costa Lines is for you.  Plus these cruise lines sail year round in the Mediterranean and offer more trip options than the American lines do.