Why Cruising?

• More and more people are realising that a cruise holiday is one of the best ways to see the world without the stresses of packing and unpacking a suitcase all the time.
  
• At every port of call your “home” stays in the harbour leaving you free to explore unencumbered and with peace of mind.
  
• But taking a cruise is as much about the ship as the shore. There are more than enough facilities on most cruise ships to keep even the most restless holidaymakers entertained.
  
  Back to top
  
  Cruise Value
  
• Cruises offer fantastic value for money when you consider that accommodation, at least three meals a day and most shipboard activities are included in the price.
  
• Some companies are now including shore excursions and onboard tips in the cost.
  
  Back to top
  
  Cruising Variety
  
• You name it, you can do it. Cruises come in all shapes and sizes from sailing ships to mega ships, budget to luxury.
  
• There are cruises to suit families; those who prefer luxury; active holidaymakers; and those who are happiest in an informal setting. Some cruises offer a typically British onboard atmosphere, some an American flavour and others a distinctly relaxed continental style. More than 20 cruise companies operate in the Mediterranean. Cruises range from just one night to around three weeks.
  
  Back to top
  
  Magical Mediterranean
  
• The Mediterranean stretches more than 2,200 miles from the 22 mile wide straits of Gibraltar to the Black Sea in the east and the Suez canal in the south east.
  
• It offers a seductive mix of cultures, geography and history all in a beautiful climate and has been called the “cradle of civilisation”.
  
• The Greeks, the Romans and the Egyptians all built their empires around the Mediterranean and have left behind some of the world’s most including the Pyramids, the Acropolis and the Coliseum.
  
• Some of the greatest art collections in the world are housed in Italy while another ancient centre of art and learning, Istanbul, bridges the gap which divides Europe and Asia. The area is full of diverse cultures and contrasts, from the sophistication of the Cote d’Azur to the hustle and bustle of Egyptian street markets.spectacular buildings
  
  Back to top
  
  DID YOU KNOW?
  
• More than twenty different states and islands in three continents border the Mediterranean.
  
• The Mediterranean is split into four seas the Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean.
  
  Back to top
  
  Ports of Call
  
• Cruising in the Mediterranean can include the area from Gibraltar to the Middle East, North Africa, Red Sea, Black Sea and some eastern European ports.
  
• A Western Mediterranean cruise leaving from the UK will typically last around 12 days with calls at Atlantic ports like Cadiz in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal on the way there and back.
  

Ports of call that might be visited on a Mediterranean cruise are:

· Spanish mainland ports such as Barcelona, Cadiz, Malaga and Valencia.
· Balearic Islands such as Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca.
· Canary Islands such as Tenerife. Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
· French ports such as Cannes, Villefranche (for Nice), Monte Carlo, St Tropez and Ajaccio; Corsica’s port.
· Italian ports such as Genoa, which is the hub of Italian cruising and a major gateway for Mediterranean cruising. Civitavecchia (for Rome), Livorno (for Florence, Naples, Sorrento and Portofino), Venice, Sardinia, Amalfi, Catania and Portoferraio; Elba’s port.
· Valetta, Malta’s main port.
· In Cyprus cruises may visit Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca.
· In Greece, ports of call could include Piraeus and Loutraki (for Athens) Corfu, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini, Zante, Katakolon or Patras (for Olympia) Mykonos, Skiathos, Volos, Cephalonia, Delos, Gythion (for Sparta) Nafplion (for Epidaurus, Corinth and Mycenae) and Pylos (for Methone.

· In Turkey, ports of call could include Istanbul, Izmir or Kusadasi ( for Ephesus), Bodrum, Dikili (for Pergamum) Canakkale (for Troy) and Antalya (for Asepndos and Perge)
· Cruises visiting the Middle East could stop at:
· Israel ports such as Haifa and Ashdod (for Jerusalem) and Tel Aviv.
· Egyptian ports such as Alexandria and Port Said (for Cairo) and Safaga (for Luxor).
· The Syrian port of Tartous could lead to visits to Krak des Chevaliers or Damascus.
· Black Sea ports of call that might be visited as part of a Mediterranean cruise include Varna and Nesebur in Bulgaria, Yalta and Odessa in the Ukraine and Constanta in Romania.
· North African ports of call include: Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia (for Tunis and Carthage). And Moroccan ports such as Tangier, Agadir and Casablanca (for Marrakech and Rabat visits)

Back to top

How Do I Get There?
Most Mediterranean itineraries include a short flight from the UK to Genoa, Palma or Athens - thereby avoiding the Bay of Biscay and offering instant sunshine. Alternatively, passengers may take a coach, a train or drive to the Mediterranean port. Others may opt for a cruise sailing from and returning to the UK.

Back to top

Anchor Down
Many people, particularly first time cruisers choose to combine a week afloat with a week ashore. The most common cruise and stay areas are Majorca, Cyprus and the French Riviera.

Another alternative way of combining land and sea is to take a short cruise during your land-based holiday. Cruises of one, two and three nights are available from Cyprus.

Back to top

Passport, Money, Jabs
All your travelling arrangements will be taken care of once onboard, however customers should bear in mind that they will need a valid passport with at least six months left before expiry. British passport holders visiting Algeria and Egypt require visas. Vaccinations against tetanus and polio are recommended for all holidays. Additional immunisation against Hepatitis A and typhoid is advised for visits to Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia. Consult your doctor for complete advice.

Pound sterling and dollars are the most common onboard currencies. Mediterranean cruises can include several currency changes. All the cruise companies listed offer on-board foreign exchange services.

Back to top

WHO GOES THERE?
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ most luxurious ship to date, Millennium, offers three European itineraries – Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Europe – taking in all the major ports of Europe.

Crystal Cruises
The award-winning, 940-passenger Crystal Symphony offers a range of Mediterranean itineraries. The fly-cruises range from 11 to 12 nights’ duration, covering the eastern and western Mediterranean. Countries visited include: Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Greece and Malta.

Costa Cruises is the biggest operator in the Mediterranean, with a year-round programme of 160 cruises throughout the region. During the Summer Costa offers an unrivalled programme of seven-night Greek Islands cruises from ever-popular Venice on Costa Atlantica and Costa Classica, all of which can be combined with hotel stays in Venice.

Costa Victoria, Cost Europa – the newest addition to the fleet – Costa Classica, Costa Romantica and Costa Allegra are meanwhile based in Genoa offering a choice of seven-night cruises popular Mediterranean ports, plus longer 10-11 night cruises to the Canary Islands, the Greek Islands and North Africa.

In winter Costa Europa and Costa Allegra operate a wide choice of eight to 17 night cruise from Genoa and Savona with itineraries which include the Canary Islands, Madeira and North Africa, including popular Christmas and New Year cruises.

Cunard is the leading luxury cruise carrier of UK passengers, offering superb service and cuisine with first class facilities and entertainment. Cunard’s ships offer a range of Mediterranean cruises.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines operates three ships – Black Watch, Black Prince and Braemar – catering primarily to the British market, and based for much of the year in Dover and Southampton. Mediterranean cruises vary in length from 13 nights to 21 nights on a range of different itineraries.

Hebridean Island Cruises - In April, Hebridean Spirit transits the Suez Canal to spend spring in the Mediterranean. From Alexandria, she visits Syria, lovely and little-visited southern Turkey, myriad Greek Islands, Croatia, Italy and Spain. An inspired selection of itineraries provide the opportunity to visit the unmissable treasures of the Mediterranean, plus a stimulating selection of little visited destinations. Cruises of between 3 and 9 nights carry a maximum of 80 passengers in luxurious comfort, and with a crew to passenger ratio of almost 1 to 1, guests can expect the very best in personal service. Hebridean Spirit re-visits Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey in the Autumn.

Holland America Line has three ships – Amsterdam, Noordam and Prinsendam in the Mediterranean for 2002. During its first year under HAL flag, the 38,000-ton, 794-passenger Prinsendam will embark on a series of 13 and 14-day cruises from London, Copenhagen or Amsterdam during 2002. Cruise highlights include the British Isles, the coast of Spain, Norwegian Fjords, Seaports of the Baltics, the treasures of St Petersburg and the coast of France. A total of 18 itineraries, ranging from 10 – 20 nights are available.

ISLAND CRUISES
Island Cruises' two Mediterranean itineraries give you the opportunity to wake up in a different place each morning without ever re-packing your suitcase. Each of the various ports of call adds an extra dimension to your holiday. Island also offers a range of shore excursions so you can make the most of every minute of your cruise.

Operating out of Palma, Majorca, Island Cruises’ 2005 Mediterranean itinerary features seven and 14-night fly-cruises with cruise-only options and 14-night stay-and-cruise packages. With two back-to-back itineraries, Mediterranean Essence visits the ports of Ajaccio, (Corsica), Civitavecchia (Rome), Portofino, Nice, and Mahon before returning to Palma while Mediterranean Spirit departs Palma for Valletta (Malta), Naples, Livorno, Toulon and Barcelona.

MSC CRUISES
MSC’s three ship Mediterranean programme offers a range of four, five, seven 11, 12 and 14-night cruises. Passengers experience MSC’s unique onboard ambience - a rare combination of friendly Italian hospitality, superb service and international cuisine, all at “value-for money” prices. Flights from several UK airports.

OCEAN VILLAGE CRUISES
Ocean Village offers two seven-night Mediterranean itineraries: "Palaces & Paella" which takes in Tunis, Rome, Santa Margherita, St Raphael, Barcelona, and "Piazzas & Pasta", which visits Tunis, Naples, Florence and Pisa, Monte Carlo and Ciudadela. Both cruises set sail from Palma, Majorca, between May and October. Flights to Palma are offered from six regional airports - Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, Stansted and Gatwick. For alonger holiday, both itineraries can be combined as a 14-night sailing. Mediterranean cruises depart between May and October.

P&O
P&O Cruises offers a wide variety of cruises from Southampton covering the length and breadth of the Mediterranean, which range from seven to 16-nights.

PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises offers Mediterranean sailings aboard the Grand Princess, the largest cruise ship ever based in Mediterranean waters. The Grand Tour of Europe mixes the flamboyance of Barcelona, the savoir-faire of the Riviera, the enaissance style of Florence and the mystique of Istanbul. A comprehensive shore excursion programme allows you to enjoy every port to the full.

RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises’ luxury ships, Voyager and Radisson Diamond have various programmes through out the year in the Mediterranean, operating port-intensive itineraries aimed at giving passengers a variety of port of calls and attractions from ancient history, culture, art and architecture through to shopping and sunbathing.

Guests benefit from the exclusive Carita de Paris Spas onboard in addition to more traditional facilities such as a swimming pool, whirlpools, health club and gourmet restaurants.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean International has two ships in the Mediterranean from May through to October - Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas. With 7-night and 12-night fly/cruise itineraries in the region ports of call include Rome, Florence, Monte Carlo/Cannes and Venice.

ROYAL OLYMPIA CRUISES
Royal Olympia Cruises operates a wide range of Mediterranean cruises with regular departures from Piraeus (Athens), Venice and Genoa from March to November. Its regular cruises range from 14-night itineraries combining the Olympia Voyager and Olympia Explorer's unique itineraries, to long weekend cruises of the Aegean, which depart from Piraeus every Friday during the summer months.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
Seabourn Cruise Line offers Mediterranean cruises during its 2005 programme with itineraries ranging from Alexandria in Egypt to Yalta in the Ukraine. Seabourn, generally regarded as one of the most celebrated cruise lines in the world, is positioned at the top end of the luxury market. Seabourn’s sister ships carry just 200 guests with all-suite accommodation, open-sitting dining and a level of service second to none.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB
In 2003 and 2004 SeaDream 1 & 2 sail Monte Carlo, Nice and Rome in the Western Mediterranean and from Athens and Istanbul in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. In 2004 SeaDream has added new itineraries from Venice in the Adriatic and from Nauplion in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Itineraries range from three to seven nights.

SUN CRUISES
Sun Cruises, part of MyTravel, offers quality cruising in an informal atmosphere, sailing from Palma and Cyprus. Prices start at £449 for a seven -night cruise, with flights from 16 regional airports.

SWAN HELLENIC
Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II positions herself in the Mediterranean during the summer months following a winter cruise programme based in the Far East, before heading off to the Red Sea. A choice of one-week discovery cruises is also available as the floating country house hotel sails through Mediterranean waters.

THOMSON
Thomson offers three itineraries in the Mediterranean and passengers sailing from Palma can choose either a seven or fourteen night cruise. A two week cruise and beach stay is also available.

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY
Voyages of Discovery offer two stunning Mediterranean cruises – Iberian Discovery and Mediterranean Odyssey. The 7 night Iberian Discovery will take you to Lisbon, Cadiz, Almeria and Barcelona on a trip where you can discover more about Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar and the fascinating influence of the Islamic Moors on the Iberian Peninsular. You are sure to be in awe of the magical jewel of the Alhambra Palace in Granada which you can visit from Almeria. During the Mediterranean Odyssey’s 13 night adventure you will visit some of Europe’s most historical and stunning sites, from Athens and Livorno to Rhodes and Istanbul. And while you are in between destinations you can put your feet up and enjoy the exceptional entertainment and quality of service that Voyages of Discovery offers.

WINDSTAR CRUISES
Windstar Cruises is offering 37 luxury cruises this summer that traverse the Mediterranean Sea from one end to the other, visiting a total of 34 different ports.  Malta as an embarkation port between Rome and Venice, Italy. The expanded itinerary allows for a more in-depth exploration of the eastern Mediterranean on two seven-day or fourteen night cruises.

Back to top