The Mediterranean is the most popular cruising destination for UK guests. Not only because of accessibility, but also because it is an area that is teeming with so many varied and attractive places, each of which are destinations in their own right.
Mediterranean Small Ship Cruises
When to go
Year roundDuration
Starting at 7 nightsHow to get there
Sail from the UK, short flight or train journeyFind a cruise
Our top picks
Scenic River Cruises
Danube in Depth with Ljubljana & Zagreb
From Zagreb to Nuremberg
12 Jun - 25 Jun 2026 (13 Nights)
From £6,258 per guest
Scenic River Cruises
Danube in Depth with Prague, Ljubljana & Zagreb
From Zagreb to Prague
12 Jun - 28 Jun 2026 (16 Nights)
From £6,968 per guest
SeaDream Yacht Club
Dalmatian Coast Discovery
From Venice to Dubrovnik
13 Jun - 20 Jun 2026 (7 Nights)
From £9,867 per guest
Emerald Cruises
Discover the Gems of Italy & Croatia
From Venice to Dubrovnik
13 Jun - 27 Jun 2026 (14 Nights)
From £14,160 per guest
Our Insight
Luxury Small Ship Mediterranean Cruises
Rich with the history of empires ancient and modern, this region boasts some of the world's most stunning sites of antiquity such as Ephesus, the Parthenon and the Pyramids, all of which are accessible from a Mediterranean cruise.
In complete contrast are the stunning French and Italian Rivieras where you can join the jet set aboard a mega yacht and enjoy water sports from the marina, whilst the Western Mediterranean islands have so much to offer.
For beautiful bays, beaches and fishing villages, the Dalmatian Coast is a must, and following the ancient trade routes is a magical experience.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, the beautiful Greek Islands are a must, whilst Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt are all treasure houses, with beautiful scenery and extraordinary culture.
The cities of Rome, Venice, Trieste, Athens, Istanbul, Barcelona and Monte Carlo are all regular embarkation and disembarkation points, enabling you to extend your holiday and explore further, visiting these glorious cities in more depth.
The Mediterranean season generally runs from March to October or even November, and a few ships remain in the region year round. Almost all luxury cruise lines offer voyages of seven nights of more.
Our Tips
Ways to make it better
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Excursions from Athens
Delphi is an absolute must – you’ll need a full day though, it’s quite a drive.
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Where to stay in Barcelona
The lovely Hotel Arts on the sea front is perfectly located for a pre- or post-cruise stay, and has great restaurants too.
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See Monte Carlo in style
If you like luxury or performance cars, rent one - a Ferrari or a Lamborghini - and drive along the Corniche.
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Where to stay in Cannes
Some great options, but we think the ultimate is the Martinez, with its large private beach and double Michelin starred restaurant.
collections
Mediterranean inspiration
Western Mediterranean
Boasting the chic French and Italian Rivieras, the Western Mediterranean’s elegant seaside ports are also the gateway to historic cities such as Florence and Pisa.
Learn more
Greek Islands & Eastern Mediterranean
Discover enchanting white-washed villages, golden-sand beaches, quiet coves, and a wealth of historically significant sites on small ship cruises through the Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean.
Croatia & The Adriatic
The Adriatic is a wonderful cruising destination, home to perfectly preserved medieval towns, dramatic mountain scenery and Croatia’s myriad islands.
Canary Islands & Azores
Traditionally a popular location for winter sun beach getaways, visiting the Canary Islands on a luxury cruise allows you to explore several of these rugged isles in one trip. Other Atlantic islands which can be visited on a small ship cruise include Madeira and the Azores, way off the coast of Portugal.
What our clients say
“They do everything possible to help, promptly, efficiently and are always polite and pleasant. I would definitely recommend them.”Mrs Gosland
