Mediterranean Cruise Lines

Here are our guides to some of the many cruise lines sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. Click on a cruise line name to get background information and learn about cruises that are available this year.

Carnival Mediterranean cruises return in 2011 with voyages on the new Carnival Magic. 7- to 12-day cruises departing from Barcelona.

Celebrity Cruises has Mediterranean cruises from May to October. It's a premium line, meaning that it's upscale but not outrageously expensive. Passengers and the travel press consistently rate Celebrity Cruises as one of the world's finest cruise lines. The new Celebrity Eclipse is in the Mediterranean in 2010.

Europe's largest cruise line is the Italian Costa fleet. The Costa Mediterranean cruises offer a huge variety including 7- to 12-night trips. Sail on the Costa Serena, Pacifica, Concordia, Fortuna or others. These are value-priced fun cruises with an Italian flair.

Disney Cruises return to the Mediterranean in 2010. Fun and adventure for the whole family. 10- or 11-night cruises depart from Barcelona.

Holland America offers elegant Mediterranean cruises at a moderate price. Most of the cruises are 10- to 28-days in length.

MSC Cruises is an Italian line that offers a wide variety of Mediterranean cruises. The ships offer stylish vacations to all the great ports of the region.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers Mediterranean cruises on two ships, and one sails year-round. 7-day cruises from Barcelona or Venice are the basic offerings, but there are also longer cruises. The huge new Norwegian Epic cruise ship will make Mediterranean cruises in 2011. Norwegian Cruises are known for "freestyle" choices in dining and activities.

Princess Cruises is a quality mainstream American cruise line that operates several ships in the Mediterranean from April to November. They focus on longer cruises of 12- to 19-days. Grand Mediterranean cruises and Greek Isles cruises fill the schedule.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers a variety of Mediterranean cruises from May to November. Many of the cruises depart from Barcelona, Rome or Venice. A Royal Caribbean Mediterranean cruise is an active, fun voyage with value pricing.

Windstar Cruises tall-masted sailing ships carry no more than 308 guests, and the ambience is sporting and refined like that of a private yacht. "180 Degrees from Ordinary". Many choices of Greek Isles cruises.

Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Lines

Crystal Cruise Line has 2 luxury ships sailing the Mediterranean in the summer months. For 10 consecutive years, Crystal has been voted the "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" in Travel + Leisure's annual readers' survey.

Regent Seven Seas is a high luxury cruise line with roomy all-suite ships. The Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Voyager sail the Mediterranean from April to October. Most of the cruises are 7-nights and go between Monte Carlo, Rome, Venice, Athens and Istanbul.

Each of the Seabourn Cruise Line all-suite yachts is a lavishly appointed private pleasure craft for just 104 couples. An unmatched level of service with virtually one staff for every guest. Mediterranean cruises April to October.

Silversea Mediterranean Cruises is another small-ship ultra-luxury cruise line. They cruise to exotic ports and offer the most complimentary amenities. Mediterranean cruises March to November.