Choosing a Mediterranean Cruise

Cruising the Mediterranean and Adriatic can be your dream trip, hopping between islands and ports -- Venice, Palermo, Portofino, Sardinia, Malta, Capri, Corfu, Barcelona.

Shore excursions add even more possibilities: Pisa, Rome, the Cinque Terre, Pompeii, Seville. But your vacation will only be perfect if the ship and its itinerary fit your interests and style. Follow these tips to find the cruise that’s just right for you.

• Look at the pictures in brochures and websites. Are the people your age? Families? If you’re 27 and single, you might find a ship filled with retirees or 10-year-olds pretty boring. The photos give you a clue of who this ship caters to.
• Read the descriptions carefully. Are meals open seating or are you assigned a table with the same people every meal? Is there a choice of restaurants? How formal is dinner? Does it match your own style or does it seem too stuffy or too casual for you.
• How big is the ship? If you hope to visit charming little ports where you get a sense of local life, choose a small exploration-style ship. But if you want a lively social life at sea, opt for a bigger ship for a wider choice of companions and activities.
• Read the fine print in the itinerary to see how long port stops are, and at what time of day. Some ships go to a lot of places, but stop only two or three hours, barely time to get off the ship. Or they arrive in Venice at night and leave before anything opens in the morning. Will you actually get to see anything or is the port just a name to check off a list?
• Read up about the ports. Some places sound exotic but really have very little to do. Other stops may be planned to allow for shore excursions. If this is the case, be prepared to pay extra (unless the excursions are included) or spend the day relaxing on the ship while others travel. Find out if there is public transportation to the excursion destination. Pisa, for example, is very easy to get to from the port of Livorno, so a shore excursion is not necessary.
• Does the cruise have a theme, such as music, art or food? Is it a subject that interests you? If so, this could be a perfect way to join other people who share your passion for opera or bird watching. If not, it could be a very long trip.
• Consider the price. Is this cruise a good value for your budget?

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