Summer is peak season. Shoulder seasons (late spring, early fall) often give better deals, fewer crowds, and still nice weather.

Western Mediterranean cruises typically sail from Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Lisbon and include ports in Italy, Malta, Spain & France. Many main attractions are inland from the ports.

Eastern Mediterranean cruises typically sail from Athens and Istanbul. Typical ports of call are in Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Israel. Most itineraries offer a combination of history, culture and beaches

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Want to get to more off the beaten path or hidden gems? Large mainstream cruise lines tend to stick to major ports. Smaller-ship luxury or boutique lines include overnight stays and niche ports.

Think about start and end port of the cruise. Plan to arrive early and/or stay a couple of days after the cruise to enjoy more time on land. The land stay part doesn’t necessarily add a lot of cost if you’re already flying in/out of the same region.

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