Five reasons to book a Mediterranean cruise right now

The Mediterranean is brimming with must-see cities, historical sites and cultural attractions, so relish the opportunity to visit as many as you can on your cruise holiday. For example, you could climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, admire classical masterpieces at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, explore the ancient Roman remains of Pompeii, walk through Istanbul’s gargantuan Grand Bazaar (one of the largest and oldest covered markets on the planet) and glimpse down across Athens from the heights of the Acropolis – all on the 14-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles, France & Turkey itinerary.

Great weather isn’t all that the Med’s got to offer, but let’s face it: it’s a huge bonus. And after a mediocre summer in the UK, it’s perfectly understandable to plan your visit around getting a warming hit of vitamin D. Princess’ Mediterranean cruise season runs from early spring to the autumn, so you can enjoy clear skies and fine days in the likes of Seville and Crete in April, bask in endless sunshine in coastal cities like Marseille in August, and revel in temperatures around the low 20s in Mallorca and Sicily in October. We’ll take all of it, please…

Lots of our Mediterranean itineraries set sail from Southampton, which eliminates the need for international travel to board the ship or to return home once disembarking. Alternatively, opt for a Med cruise departing from either Athens, Barcelona or Rome and you can tick off some sightseeing and culture even before you step onboard.

And while our Mediterranean cruises take in numerous destinations, cities and islands (as mentioned above), once you arrive on the ship, you’ll only have to unpack your suitcase once. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the paperwork when moving from country to country – Princess will take care of all that for you. You can just focus on planning what you want to see and do at each port of call.

Whether you’re a devout foodie looking to sample a great new vino or simply someone who likes a good meal when they find it, the Mediterranean will deliver. If you’re exploring ashore in your own time, there’ll be no difficulty in finding delectable local delicacies to try, but many of our shore excursions can help point you in the right direction, too. Sample regional specialities in Italy’s food-obsessed Naples on a Princess walking tour, where you can taste everything from award-winning mozzarella to hand-stretched pizza (for a true Neapolitan experience, opt for the simple marinara, which is dough topped with only tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, oregano and garlic). Over in Greece, wine buffs can indulge in something special on a vineyard tour of beautiful Santorini, where you’ll sip ‘volcanic wine’, which is made with grapes grown in the island’s unique soil.

If you’ve booked a Mediterranean cruise embarking from Rome, Barcelona or Athens in 2023, you will have the joy of sailing on Enchanted Princess. The latest addition to the Princess fleet is packed with more luxurious features and onboard entertainment, including the most whirlpool hot tubs on any Princess ship, more outdoor dining options, our first dedicated Salty Dog Gastropub venue, plus Sky Suites with our biggest balconies yet. And that’s on top of our usual, much-loved onboard offering, such as our Broadway-style shows and musical productions, Movies Under the Stars, and incredible dining options like Bistro Sur La Mer and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria.

As part of our onboard Festival of the Med, you can learn more about the diverse cultures of the places you’re visiting as you sail. Get a taster for the languages of your destinations, learn basic dance moves from different countries before showcasing your skills at a deck party (hello, Spanish flamenco!), and test your new-found knowledge in a quiz.