A cruise in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea will take you to ancient lands, once home to cultured civilisations, the birthplace of democracy, and the holy city of Jerusalem. Explore great amphitheatres, temples to long-forgotten gods made from marble, olive groves and vineyards, ancient fortresses, and some of the most revered treasures of antiquity.
The eastern Med and, in particular, the Aegean Sea are renowned for their excellent and unique sailing conditions and, when combined with stunning destinations filled with historic treasures, charming villages, and beautiful bays, the area makes for an excellent sailing adventure or yacht cruise. However, which ever type of ship you're sailing with, an eastern Med cruise offers alluring ports of call, oozing with history, culture, great food, and breath-taking views, blessed with sunny, warm weather, and glittering azure seas.
Itineraries can be simply contained with the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea, although you may also find that the area often combines with the Adriatic, or there are cruises available spanning across the whole of the Mediterranean, between the east and west.
Popular ports of call
Athens (Piraeus)
Served by Piraeus, Europe's largest passenger port, Athens is a truly special port for history lovers, as the birthplace of western civilisation. The Acropolis is one of the most instantly recognisable monuments in the world, and a top attraction - but there's lots more to see and do in this cosmopolitan city
Katakolon (Olympia)
Nestled in a sleepy enclave on headland overlooking the Ionian Sea, this charming seaside town was once one of the most important cities of classical Greece. Today, you can explore the site of the ancient Olympics from Katakolon, the gateway to Olympia
Corfu
Castles dot across the land of the Ionian Sea's second largest island, which is blessed with a warm Mediterranean climate. The 'castle city' of Corfu itself is UNESCO-listed, and offers all the charm and romance of a historic Greek island, with narrow, cobbled streets, panoramic points, Venetian and Byzantine art, and stunning coastal views
Cruise to the Eastern Med and the Aegean with...
Carnival
True to their name, Carnival offer larger-than-life, fun-filled cruises ideal for families, singles, and couples looking for a good time. Their fleet of 24 ships boast a distinctive red funnel, cruising around the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & North America
Azamara Club Cruises
With longer stays, more overnights, and night touring, truly immerse yourself in destinations with Azamara. Enjoy an intimate, convivial ambiance & greater access to smaller ports onboard award-winning boutique-style small ships, home to just 686 guests
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises' signature brand of 'Modern Luxury' is distinguished by award-winning cuisine, the famous Lawn Club and ice-frosted Martini Bar, the most extensive Wine Collection at sea, and first-class accommodation, all while cruising to over 270 stunning destinations
Crystal Yacht Cruises
Indulge in an exclusive nautical adventure onboard a luxury yacht for just 62 discerning travellers, exploring some of the most beautiful destinations with all the style, class, personalised service and Michelin-star quality cuisine you'd expect from Crystal
Cunard
An impressive, incomparable heritage, and its acclaimed White Star Service, Cunard is synonymous with elegance and tradition, proudly continuing its legacy of grand, stylish cruising at its most iconic
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines pride themselves on the attentive personal service, friendly crews, exceptional food, and stunning itineraries from the widest range of UK ports onboard their delightful, smaller-sized ships, offering an intimate atmosphere.
G Adventures
Whether it's a sailing adventure, a river cruise or an expedition cruise, discover the world in a more intimate and authentic way with G Adventures, whose small group experiences allow for greater access and bigger adventures
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Whether you're looking for outstanding luxury or an unforgettable expedition, discover far-flung countries in-depth and come eye to eye with exotic species on a Hapag-Lloyd cruise, whose style and flair comes second to none, offering exclusivity & memorable experiences
Holland America Line
Cruises with Holland America are popular with families, couples, and singles alike, with plenty of facilities onboard for all pursuits and interests. Holland America boast luxurious, spacious accommodation, and offer fine cuisine and exceptional services.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruise to some of the world's most desirable destinations and experience the ultimate freedom at sea onboard a fleet of contemporary, colourful ships offering you a world of choice
Oceania Cruises
Destination-rich itineraries, a country-club atmosphere, and a reputation for the finest cuisine at sea are the hallmarks of Oceania Cruises, which offer a refined and immersive experience onboard their elegant boutique cruises
P & O Cruises
Britain's most famous cruise line, P&O have built up a reputation for their family-friendly (and adult-friendly) cruises, their culinary heroes, their Strictly extravaganzas, and their perfect combinations of tradition, expertise and legacy with modern, innovative cruising
Ponant
Experienced a refined, exclusive nautical adventure with Ponant, exploring truly stunning destinations on their sublime yachts or traditional sailing ship - their intimate and chic ships offer elegant cruising and excellent access to smaller ports, away from the crowds
Princess Cruises
Offering the perfect combination of traditional and modern cruising, informal and formal, great for families and older couples alike. Boasting dazzling entertainment - including Movies under the Stars, a wide range of activities, and some fantastic exotic itineraries
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent have upped the ante with luxury cruising, boasting the world's most luxurious fleet, with charm, elegance and style in abundance. A Regent cruise is a sumptuous, decadent experience where every wish, every whim is catered for - and it's all included
Royal Caribbean
Packed with plenty of 'WOW!' factor, there's never a dull moment onboard these floating resorts, renowned for their dynamic and innovative activities and entertainment, from Broadway favourites to the classic Flow Rider and dodgems,
Scenic Ocean Cruises
Coming in 2018: the world’s first discovery yacht, a new revolution in ocean cruising. Bringing the opulence and refinement of Scenic’s river vessels, along with Scenic's innovative use of technology, to the seas, this is an entirely new way to discover the world
Seabourn
From the moment you step onboard Seabourn, greeted by chilled champagne, you'll enjoy distinctive, luxury cruising onboard an intimate ship, savouring the finest gourmet cuisine and the highest standards of personalised service
Sea Cloud Cruises
Experience nautical tradition, a touch of glamour, an intimate atmosphere, a relaxed dining experience and culinary delights, magnificent islands, spectacular ruins, and beautiful destinations, on an exclusive cruise under great, white sails on a classic windjammer
Silversea
Exceptional Silversea: exceptional destinations, more visited than any other cruise line, exceptional service, with personal butlers and a staff to guest ratio of nearly one to one, indulge yourself in exclusivity and lavish surroundings onboard intimate, ultra-luxury ships
Star Clippers
Feel the sea breeze in your hair and a sense of nautical adventure and experience the bygone golden age of sailing, faithfully restored with today's comfort and luxury. Explore secret harbours, deserted islands and hidden coves with these elegant four & five-mast boats
Swan Hellenic
'See what others don't' with Swan Hellenic, the legacy cruise line with an impressive heritage of pioneering cultural cruising dating back over 70 years. After the original Swan Hellenic sadly collapsed in 2017, it's being revived for 2021 and the 21st century, combining state-of-the-art technology and a modern finish with the iconic brand's core values that made it a firm favourite for its guests.
Windstar
Graceful yachts and elegant tall ships will take you away from the crowds and into a more intimate atmosphere and smaller, quirkier ports. Enjoy a sense of adventure as you kayak, snorkel, windsurf and even waterskii from the fully-equipped watersports platform
