Mediterranean cruises are exhilarating whether you choose to go to the East or the West. The weather is ideal in the summer in countries like Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece, which is why so many people choose to travel then. On the other hand, this is the most expensive and crowded time of the year to go on the Mediterranean cruise you have been dreaming of. Spring and fall provide more choices in some ways. The port stops offered by Mediterranean cruise lines vary. Sometimes you will stop in a big city. Other times you will take a trip to a little traveled area but it typically doesn’t have a deep water port so you must take a small tender boat to shore.

When you decide you want to go on a Mediterranean cruise, keep in mind what your high priority destinations are. The majority of cruise lines offer 2 options: the Eastern Mediterranean Cruise and the Western Mediterranean Cruise. Here is what you will see on the Western Mediterranean cruise: Lisbon, coastal Spain, the south of France, and the western coast of Italy. You will appreciate a wonderful tour of Rome, Naples, Florence, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Seville, Nice and Lisbon. Smaller towns provide rewarding experiences in areas like Cannes, Villefranche and Avignon. Islands such as Ibiza, Corsica, Capri, Elba and Mallorca can give you many happy memories. You will experience the arts, culture, history, beaches, and world renowned shopping along the way. To avoid becoming so tired on your journey, plan relaxation time when making plans for  your trip. Be sure to plan road time into your itinerary. After all, some of your destinations (Rome, Avignon, Florence) are quite a way from their ports of call (Civitavecchia, Marseilles, Livorno). Summers get very hot, so bring a large amount of water and pack the appropriate clothing.

Included in the Eastern Mediterranean cruises are the east coast of Italy, the Adriatic, the Greek isles, and Turkey. This is a popular Mediterranean and European cruise itinerary. You will find a lot of history exploring the villages and beaches of Istanbul, Venice, and Athens. These popular stops are filled with treasures and lots of history. Here are some of the excellent day trips you can take: Italy – Malta’s Valetta; Greece – Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Katakalo; Italy – Bari; Croatia – Hvar, Dubrovnik. When arranging your vacation, you need to choose what you like the most for your shore excursions. Would you prefer to go to the more popular sites or would you rather go on the less traveled trip? Which do you prefer: a trip filled with water sports and beaches, or one that focuses on culture and history? You will find fun in the sun in the Greek Isles and a cerebral holiday in Venice, Istanbul, or Olympia.

If you want to go on a less-crowded cruise, consider going in the winter. The temperatures are between fifty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit. This is quite agreeable for a number of people, and it is much less crowded than the summertime. Temperatures during summer cruises range from the 80s to the 90s, which might be too uncomfortable for some clients. People “in the know” will tell you that the best time to go on a Mediterranean cruise is during Thanksgiving. When you are planning your itinerary, keep in mind that places like Rome and Barcelona are larger ports. They can handle lots of people. Smaller ports, on the other hand, such as St. Tropez and Portofino, might be plagued with a great deal of tourists jostling each other for scarce resources.