Eastern Mediterranean Cruises

Perhaps the single most popular Mediterranean cruise is through the Eastern Mediterranean. Exploring Spain, France, Greece, Croatia, and Italy by sea is great way to see the highlights of all these countries while soaking up the sun on the deck of a luxury cruise ship.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises typically depart from Barcelona and travel east, finishing in Venice. The most frequent ports of call include Nice, Rome, Naples, Corfu, and Split, giving passengers a good taste of each country. This itinerary is usually accomplished in a 7 night cruise with one day spent at sea.

Cruise ships run this route from spring to fall when the weather is warmer. During the shoulder months of April and May and again in late September travelers may find cruise deals with cheaper prices. The key summer months of July and August are very busy, and if you are planning to do an Eastern Mediterranean cruise at this time, book it well in advance and don't expect to find many cruise specials on offer.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises are a multi country sampling of some of the best that Europe has to offer. Barcelona is a vibrant city famous for the bizarre and incredible architectural works of Gaudi. Stroll along the pedestrian area of Las Ramblas for shopping and dining, or head down to the Port Vall on the waterfront to find shops, cinemas, and Barcelona's huge aquarium. Some cruise vacation packages allow for additional time at either the departure point or at the end of the trip.

Nice, one of the most popular summer destinations in France, is an experience all of its own. Passengers can walk along the Promenade des Anglais which follows the waterfront, spend some time on the popular pebble beach, or explore the narrow streets and alley ways of the Old Town.

In Italy, depending on the ports of call, it's possible to take a train from Civitavecchia to spend the day in Rome, or take an excursion to the old Roman city of Pompeii preserved for centuries by the volcanic ash that enveloped the town from Naples. Cruises through the Eastern Mediterranean also stop in Greece, often at the island of Corfu. One doesn't even have to disembark to appreciate the beaches and ruins of the Greek Islands.

The coast of Croatia is a beautiful sight to behold with the ancient cities of Dubrovnik and Split gracing the seashores. Split and some of the surrounding areas have been continuously inhabited down through the millennia. The Old Town is well preserved and the Palace of Diocletian, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Croatia's must see attractions.

Cruise packages vary depending on the number of days and ports of call. Due to the popularity of this area of the Mediterranean cruise ships run frequently and cruise deals can sometimes be found last minute.