The 7 Best Mediterranean Cruises of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Budget: MSC Cruises – See Rates at Expedia "Specializes in affordable cruises in the Mediterranean region with more than 14 of its vessels cruising there."
Best Historical Cruise: Voyages to Antiquity – See Rates "The journey includes educational excursions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Epidaurus."
Best Short Cruise: Celesytal Cruises – See Rates "Packs a punch with six ports of call on a four-night cruise."
Best Value: Norwegian Cruise Line – See Rates at Expedia "An affordable and fun-filled cruise ship from a convenient departure port."
Best Tall Ship Cruise: Windstar Cruises – See Rates "Passengers will experience exceptional cuisine onboard from award-winning chefs."
Best for Luxury: Regent Seven Seas – See Rates at Expedia "An excellent choice with all-inclusive pricing and premium service."
Best New Ship: Celebrity Cruises – See Rates at Expedia "The 10-night voyage allows extra time to experience all the vessel has to offer."

Best Budget: MSC Cruises

Sails from: Genoa, Italy
Duration: 1 night
Ship Name: MSC Bellissima
Itinerary: Genoa, Italy; Barcelona, Spain

MSC is a mainstream cruise line that specializes in affordable cruises in the Mediterranean region with more than 14 of its vessels cruising there – that’s nearly the entire fleet. Its newest ship, the MSC Bellissima, sails a series of round-trip cruises from Naples that visits four countries in seven days: Malta, Italy, Spain and France. The Bellissima is also fully-loaded with new innovations, like the world’s first robot cruise assistant, a massive LED dome on the central promenade and digital technology that allows guests to connect with each other onboard. Entertainment ranges from dazzling Cirque du Soleil shows to a desert-themed water park — plus, there’s 12 different dining options and 20 bars.

Best Historical Cruise: Voyages to Antiquity

Sails from: Athens, Greece
Duration: 14 nights
Ship Name: Aegean Odyssey
Itinerary: Piraeus, Delos, Mykonos, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Karpathos, Nisyros, Rhodes, Santorini, Athens (Greece)

History buffs who want to learn more about ancient cultures of the Mediterranean ports should consider a cruise with Voyages to Antiquity. The company operates a single ship, the Aegean Odyssey, on longer voyages (typically 14 nights minimum) throughout the Mediterranean region, including the “Classical Greece” voyage that explores the Greek Islands and comes with a two-night hotel stay in Athens before the cruise. The journey features educational excursions such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Epidaurus, the deserted isle of Delos, the religious center of the Cyclades and the villages of Karpathos — all bundled in the fare. Additionally, the 378-passenger ship has two dining venues, a small spa, library and several lounges.

Best Short Cruise: Celesytal Cruises

Sails from: Piraeus, Greece
Duration: 4 nights
Ship Name: Celestyal Olympia
Itinerary: Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini, Piraeus; Greece; Kusadisi, Turkey

If you don’t have time for a longer voyage but want a little taste of Greece, consider Celestyal Cruises – which packs a punch with six ports of call on a four-night cruise. The Greek-based cruise line operates the 1,664-passenger Celestyal Olympia, and is all about immersing passengers in Greek culture. Onboard, the entire ship is Greek-themed from décor and food to music. Activities include yoga, dance competitions, Greek language classes, cooking lessons and more – but don’t expect the over-the-top amenities found on mainstream ships.

Gratuities, unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and two excursions are also included in the pricing. For this itinerary, it’s an acropolis tour of Lindos, the Citadel of the Knights (in Rhodes) and an ancient Ephesus bus tour.

Best Value: Norwegian Cruise Line

Sails from: Barcelona, Spain
Duration: 7 nights
Ship Name: Norwegian Epic
Itinerary: Naples, Italy; Rome, Italy; Livorno, Italy; Cannes, France; Palma de Mallorca, Spain

For an affordable and fun-filled cruise ship from a convenient departure port, consider the Norwegian’s Epic’s round-trip voyage from Barcelona. Norwegian Epic is one of the cruise line’s most popular ships, with more than 20 dining venues and unique activities and entertainment. Cruisers can experience Cirque Dreams and Dinner show, the Aqua Park with the largest bowl slide at sea, a boxercise ring at the fitness center, a bowling alley, an adults-only lounge and an array of teens and kid’s clubs. There’s also a variety of cabin choices from solo traveler studios, family staterooms and spa suites. In addition, the cruise visits France, Spain and three stops in Italy.

Best Tall Ship Cruise: Windstar Cruises

Sails from: Venice, Italy
Duration: 7 nights
Ship Name: Wind Surf
Itinerary: Opatija, Croatia; Zadar, Croatia; Split, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Piran, Slovenia; Venice, Italy

Feel the power of the wind on a voyage through the Adriatic Sea with Windstar Cruises, a luxury tall-sailing ship cruise line. On the “Quintessential Croatia” cruise, travelers will explore parts of the Eastern Mediterranean region including sleepy seaside resort towns like Opatija as well as bustling cities like Split, home to Diocletian’s Palace — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a partner to the James Beard Foundation, passengers experience exceptional cuisine onboard from award-winning chefs, plus themed voyages include live cooking demos, market tours and beverage pairings. The recently-renovated, 310-passenger ship also has an open-bridge policy, a water sports platform and several elegant viewing lounges.

Best for Luxury: Regent Seven Seas

Sails from: Civitavecchia, Italy
Duration: 7 nights
Ship Name: Seven Seas Voyager
Itinerary: Florence/Pisa, Italy; Portofino, Italy; Corsica, France; Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Toulon, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco

For an ultra-luxurious yacht voyage through the Meditteranean, Regent Seven Seas is an excellent choice with all-inclusive pricing and premium service. In Pisa and Florence, guests can enjoy the historic sites of Renaissance Italy, or in Barcelona, they can visit the sublime architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Every stateroom on the 700-passenger ship is a spacious suite with a private balcony. On Regent, everything is included: airfare, specialty restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi and beverages are all part of the pricing. There’s plenty to do onboard as well, ranging from a relaxing spa, onboard cooking lessons, trivia and lively evening shows.

Best New Ship: Celebrity Cruises

Sails from: Rome, Italy
Duration: 10 nights
Ship Name: Celebrity Edge
Itinerary: Civitavecchia, Italy; Messina, Italy; Santorini, Greece; Athens, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Chania, Crete, Greece; Naples, Italy

Celebrity’s much-anticipated new ship, the Celebrity Edge, launched in December 2018 and will be plying the waters of the Mediterranean this summer and fall. Better yet, the 10-night voyage allows extra time to experience all the vessel has to offer. The avant garde ship steps away from traditional ship layouts (it was designed entirely in 3D), and has trend-setting features like a rooftop garden with live musical performances, a curtainless theater with 10 panoramic screens, Eden Bar, a glass-enclosed lounge with interactive performances and “Magic Carpet,” a cantilevered “elevator” deck that spans 13 floors. The cruise sails round-trip from Rome and visits three countries in six ports of call.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cruise lines.

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