The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
10 GREAT MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES TO BOOK NOW
PASSAGE TO PROVENCE
Escape to the Western Mediterranean on this no-fly voyage with MSC Cruises, departing from Southampton and sailing as far as the Provençal city of Toulon in southern France before returning. Ports of call include Palma, Alicante, Malaga and Cadiz. Departing July 29, the 14-night voyage costs from £1,199pp (020 3893 3788; msccruises.co.uk)
A TASTE OF ITALY
Explore the Eastern Mediterranean on this Celebrity Cruises voyage combining the Italian ports of La Spezia (for Florence) and pretty Portofino with Kotor in Montenegro and the Croatian city of Split.
The nine-night sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Ravenna (Venice) departs on October 21. From £700pp, flights extra (0344 493 2043; celebritycruises.com)
YOGA AFLOAT
Practise your downward dog on this yoga-themed cruise aboard one of Star Clippers’ square riggers where lapping waves are a soundtrack to al-fresco yoga sessions on cruises through the Adriatic.
The one-week round-trip voyage from Venice includes calls at Zadar, Hvar and Vis in Croatia, departing on August 12. From £2,499pp, including flights (01473 242666; starclippers.co.uk)
A RACING START
Get your motor running for Windstar Cruises’ Monaco Grand Prix-themed voyage, which includes seats at the time trials and the final race, plus a pit visit.
The one-week voyage from Barcelona to Civitavecchia departs on May 21, 2024. From £6,402pp cruise-only (0808 178 2233; windstar cruises.com)
YACHTING ODYSSEY
Uncover the secrets of the Cyclades aboard the classic motor yacht Galileo, as it weaves a path to escapist isles of dreamy whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches.
The itinerary takes in the contrasting delights of hedonistic Mykonos with sleepy Poliegos, Paros, Syros and Kythnos, among others. The one-week round-trip voyage from Athens has regular departures through summer and autumn, with prices from £2,174pp, excluding flights (020 8324 3114; varietycruises.com)
ANCIENT DISCOVERIES
The empires of ancient Greece and Rome lend an evocative air to Ambassador Cruise Line’s month-long odyssey, which brings together centuries of history with the ruined city of Ephesus, the rich legacy of the Knights of St John in Malta’s capital Valletta, and the treasures of Jerusalem. Departing on October 16, from £2,199pp (0808 102 8077; ambassadorcruise line.com)
TURKISH GULET CRUISE
Explore the rich heritage and scenic beauty of the virtually untouched region of Lycia on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, sailing into hidden bays where beyond the sandy shores lie ancient cities and archaeological treasures. This voyage on a traditional-style Turkish gulet moors at quiet anchorages for trips ashore and swimming stops.
This 14-night Cruising the Lycian Shore round-trip, sailing from Dalaman, departs on September 3, from £4,795pp (01600 888220; petersommer.com)
SHORT BREAK TO GREECE
Fancy a midweek break with a difference? Try one of Celestyal Cruises’ short sailings around the Aegean, where you pack in six destinations in four days, from the party isle of Mykonos and volcanic Santorini to upscale Patmos and historic Rhodes.
The four-night round-trip Athens voyage departs regularly throughout summer and autumn, with prices from £549pp on August 14 and 28, flights extra (0808 189 4442; celestyal.com)
HIGH-SEAS MAGIC
Sprinkling pixie dust on this one-week round-trip from Barcelona – where Mickey Mouse and friends promise to bring their own brand of magic – is Disney Cruise Line, with a voyage full of parties, characters and enchanting shows. Departing on July 8, this sailing on Disney Dream calls at Cannes, Livorno, Naples and Civitavecchia, from £2,871pp, flights extra (0800 171 2317; disneycruise.disney.go.com)
MEDITERRANEAN ISLES Sidestep the main Western Med tourist spots on this small-ship exploration with Noble Caledonia, seeking out historic treasures in Sardinia and classical towns and medieval fortresses on Corsica. This eight-night voyage from Palma traces its way across the Bay of Naples in the shadow of Vesuvius to the southern Italian city, stopping en route at Menorca, Elba and Ponza in the Pontine Islands. Departing on September 18, it costs from £4,995pp, including flights (020 7752 0000; noble-caledonia.co.uk)