MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE HOLIDAYS

CELEBRITY MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES 

Choose from Celebrity's Northern Europe cruise vacations to experience the British Isles, Scandinavia, Baltic capitals of culture, and more. Or, head south to relax in sunny Mediterranean  cruise destinations ranging from, Spain, and France, to Italy, Croatia, and the sparkling Greek Isles.

From the pristine beaches and ancient ruins of the Eastern Mediterranean to the artsy and flavorful countries of the Western Mediterranean, this region is easily one of the most diverse in the world. Revel at Spanish and Italian architecture, soak up some sun in Greece, explore antiquities in Istanbul and Malta or get a taste of the French countryside on the outskirts of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Some Mediterranean cruises itineraries dip down into northern Africa; the Canary Islands are also a popular stop for repositioning cruises.

Your biggest difficulty planning a Mediterranean cruise is narrowing down where you want to go. A Western Mediterranean cruises itinerary usually includes stops in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as ports in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass eastern Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes even Turkey and Israel. A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords carry their own beauty. Don't forget about British Isles Mediterranean cruises, which allow you to visit castles in England, Scotland and London. For sun lovers, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises

If you're a fan of art and antiquities, the Eastern Mediterranean cruise is right up your alley. With itineraries that include the Adriatic/Dalmation Coast, Black Sea, Greek Isles and Holy Land, the region is a treasure trove for history lovers. Ports such as Venice and Athens have their own unique flavor, while the Greek Isles, Crete and Cypress lure beachgoers. Religion in the Eastern Mediterranean is varied, do don't miss Dubrovnik's ancient churches, Istanbul's breathtaking mosques or Jerusalem's vibrant synagogues.

Western Mediterranean Cruises

The Western Mediterranean is one of the most diverse cruise regions. Spanning two continents (Europe and Africa), the region includes the artistic meccas of Italy, France and Spain and Arabic culture in Morocco and Tunisia. This Mediterranean cruise itinerary is ideal for art and history lovers who also wish to explore the region's landmarks, beaches, cafes and boutique shops. Don't miss highlights such as Barcelona's Las Ramblas, a day trip to Capri from Naples or Sorrento, or an excursion to the wine-making villages of the French countryside.

Mediterranean cruises to Greece 

Athens (Piraeus), Greece Athens brought the world drama, history, poetry, and philosophy. Once home to the world's most powerful and civilized empires, Athens is now the world's foremost archaeological playground. The towering columns of the Parthenon still stand in homage to the virgin goddess Athena. The Parthenon sits atop the Athenian Acropolis and watches over the city where it can be seen from just about anywhere in Athens. Make it a point to visit the incredible Acropolis Museum on your cruise to Athens. The joint effort between two architects, one American and the other Greek, this outstanding building was completed and opened to the public in 2009. It focuses primarily on the Greek period dating to 5 B.C., considered to be the apex of art, culture, and philosophy in ancient Greece, but it also has artifacts from the Bronze, Roman, and Byzantine Ages. There’s even a Plexiglas walkway from which an excavated section of an old Athenian neighborhood can be viewed. In addition to an abundance of historical riches, modern Athens has plenty on offer—from scenic beaches to restaurants with superb Mediterranean cuisine and bustling central markets.

Tip from Travel + Leisure

Syntagma Square Metro Station

In a city as venerable as Athens, history pops up in unexpected places. Head inside the Syntagma Square (a.k.a. Constitution Square) metro stop to see artifacts uncovered during the construction of the subway, from skeletons to pre-Christian plumbing.

Mediterranean cruises to Croatia

Located on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, Zadar is a Roman-era city with a modern and youthful vibe. Stroll along its beautiful tree-lined promenade. Start at The Sea Organ, an art installation consisting of 35 pipes cut into the promenade. Soothing chords become a cacophony when the waves are choppy, creating an unpredictable concert orchestrated by the sea. Classical sights include the Roman forum, of which only a few columns and an altar remain. Stones from here were used to build the neighboring rotunda of 9th-century St. Donat's Church. The church of St. Simeon contains a beautifully crafted silver reliquary, while more can be seen in the Gold and Silver of Zadar exhibition at St. Mary's church. There are dozens of nearby islands to explore on your Zadar cruise with gorgeous national parks, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and secluded wilderness throughout as well. And as the sun sets in fiery oranges and regal purples, participate in the local custom called Greeting to the Sun, the nightly tradition where you dance/walk across hundreds of pieces of layered, solar powered glass positioned in the shape of a circle as hundreds of dots of multi-colored light reflect across its surface.

Mediterranean cruises to Italy

One of the world’s most beautiful cities also happens to be one of its most unusual. Venice is actually spread over 120 islands in the Adriatic Sea. Because the city is connected by canals instead of streets, a good way to see Venice is by boat or, if you prefer, a romantic gondola ride. The epicenter of the city is St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll find the 900-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica.  On your cruise to Venice you’ll admire all the buildings that line the banks of the Grand Canal and enjoy morning espressos, in this capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region. The city has been immortalized in art, literature, and film over the centuries and one of the prime buildings found reflected in these mediums is the Palazzo Ducale. This proud, ornate building on the waterfront represents Venice’s seat of power. Make your way to the countless galleries and landmarks this city has to offer, and once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be thrilled to be in a city that takes its food very seriously. Squid-ink spaghetti, risotto with prawns and zucchini, and marinated sardines are a specialty, while the world-favorite tiramisu, originally invented in nearby Treviso, has found a happy second home in Venice.

Tip from Travel + Leisure

Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua

The historic textile workshop is frequented by both Vatican priests and fashion designers. Stop in to see how weavers create velvets on 18th-century looms.

Celebrity Cruises Mediterranean Deals