The Western Mediterranean
The western Mediterranean has everything to offer today's cruise passenger: the holiday essentials of balmy climes, iridescent waters and sundrenched islands and the exotica of colourful villas draped in bougainvillea, winding cobbled streets, air fragranced with lavender and al fresco restaurants teaming with gastronomies of a sublime scale. Then there is a history so rich it is guaranteed to ward off boredom for the entire duration of the voyage. Combined with the convenience of being able to stop in a different port each day and you can understand why the Med is the world's third most popular cruise region (after the Caribbean and Alaska).
The smorgasbord of cruises on offer is so enormous visitors should have no trouble finding a journey that encompasses most of the destinations they wish to visit, and a ship that suits in terms of size, cost, age group and nationality. What's more, the length of the Mediterranean cruise season, which extends from April to October, allows passengers to sail either side of the European summer holidays and avoid the throngs of sun-seeking northern hemisphere dwellers that descend on these shores during July and August.
In cruising terms, the Western Mediterranean can extend from as far west as Lisbon on Portugal's west coast to Venice on Italy's east coast, and the many villages, towns, cities and islands in between are ideal ports of call for the plethora of cruise ships - large and small, formal and informal - that base themselves in these waters for up to seven months a year. Every major cruise line is represented in the Med, with ships sailing to ports in Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, the Balearic Islands, France, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, Malta, Morocco and Tunisia. Of course many of these cruise itineraries also include ports in the Eastern Med, which encompasses Greece, Turkey, Egypt and the Black Sea, but to keep options detailed and comprehensive, this article focuses on the Western side only.
One of the greatest draw cards of the Western Med as a cruise region is that ships can pull right into the glamorous resort towns of Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Amalfi and Capri, or world famous cities like Barcelona, Casablanca, Genoa, Naples and Venice. Of course a cruise holiday is not confined to the sea and with so many of Europe's greatest attractions like Florence, Pisa, Rome and Grenada just a coach ride from the coast, cruise passengers can visit with a shore excursion and pre- or post-cruise stays. Also popular in the Med are cruise-tours, which allow travellers to explore even further afield by combining their cruise with a land holiday.
Given the great number of cruise holiday options available, planning a Mediterranean cruise can be somewhat confusing. This article provides five popular ports, shore excursions and cruise-tours as well as five excellent and varied cruise ship options to consider as a starting point. Although most cruise lines offer pre and post-cruise accommodation in their packages, luxury hotels at four of the main arrival and departure ports are recommended for those who prefer to make their own land arrangments.
Those planning a Mediterranean cruise during the 2004 season should bear in mind that due to the 2004 Athens Olympics, few airline seats are still available to parts of central and Eastern Europe between late July and late August. One way to avoid the crowds during this time is a round-trip cruise to the Western Med from England - Fred. Olsen and Cunard Line offer excellent itineraries from Dover and Southampton.
Pick of the Ships
Braemar
Braemar: Fred. Olsen's' tastefully-decorated ship offers a high level of comfort and a very British style of cruise. Conveniently, her Mediterranean itineraries operate round-trip from Dover, eliminating the need for return flights to the Med from London - a particularly wise move during the 2004 Athens Olympics. A 14-night cruise on September 7 calls at Almeria, Spain; Ajaccio, Corsica; Toulon, France; Barcelona; Cadiz, Spain; and Lisbon.
Costa Romantica
Costa Romantica: Costa Cruises' chic, 4-star ships lend an authentic Italian flavour to Mediterranean cruising. A 10-night Iberia Morocco round-trip cruise on this dazzling, newly refurbished ship departs Savona (on Italy's Ligurian coast) on September 10, calling at Barcelona; Alicante, Spain; Lisbon; Cadiz, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; Gibraltar and Malaga.
Star Clipper
Star Clipper: This 4-star, four-masted luxury sailing ship is by far the most romantic way to explore the Mediterranean. It is large enough for two pools, a library, piano lounge and indoor/outdoor bar but small enough to slip into secluded bays that larger ships miss out on. A 7-night round-trip Tyrrhenian cruise departs Cannes in September, calling at the French island of Porquerolles; Costa Smeralda, Sardinia; Bonifacio and Calvi, Corsica; and St Tropez.
Popular Ports in the Mediterranean
Saint Tropez: A holiday haven for artists and the jewellery-dripping, jet-setting elite, this once sleepy fishing village remains one of the most charming ports on the Cote d'Azur. Highlights: Grand Marnier crepes, shopping, sheltered beaches, people watching.
Monaco/Monte Carlo: A crossroads of royalty, money, fame and the famous car race; the tax-free principality of Monaco is worth a stroll just to gawk at its excesses: designer shops, mansions, luxury hotels and oversized yachts are the order of the day. Highlights: Prince's Palace, Grand Casino.
Portofino: This small chic port with its row of coloured villas lining the seafront and lush vegetation rising steeply on all sides is one of the most picturesque in the Med. Highlights: Views from San Giorgio fortress; Enjoying a glass of vino and some olives at a harbourside caf.
Valletta (Malta): Once home to the Knights of St John, this 16th-century fortified city with its stone streets oozes with history, from the Palace of the Grand Knights to 5,500-year-old Neolithic temples. Although today a busy capital, its charm is retained in its unique Baroque architecture. Highlights: Italian-Maltese cuisine, wide array of daytime activities.
Ajaccio (Corsica): This pastel-coloured French resort town with its citadel, waterfront boulevard, cafes and restaurants is also the birthplace of Napoleon. Visitors can check out the Napoleon museum, cathedral and even his home or explore the spectacular wild coastline and sand beaches a short drive away. Highlights: Buying Corsican cheese at the daily market, sunsets.
Written by: Merryn McLachlan
