Luxury Cruises On The Mediterranean

A classic Mediterranean cruise visits major port citiesCrystal "Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" while Travel +
located on the northern shores of the MediterraneanLeisure called Crystal the "World's Best Large - Ship
Sea in the countries of Spain, France, Italy, Monaco,Cruise Line", both titles being given for the past nine
Greece and Turkey and the islands of Malta, Creteyears. Crystal Cruises boasts "extraordinary cuisine"
and Sicily. Some cruises also include stops in Egypt.coupled with impeccable service.
The Mediterranean cruise season is April toCrystal offers a large number of 7- to 12-night
November when the weather is generally sunny andMediterranean cruises, many with romantic overtones.
mild. Many cruise lines sail the Mediterranean and whileFor example, the Renaissance Reflection cruise
there is most likely a cruise that appeals to any styleoriginates in Lisbon and stops in Barcelona, Cannes
and budget, we'll focus on luxury cruises here.and Monte Carlo. The Italian Treasures cruise spends
Radisson Seven Seas is a luxury carrier in the smallseven nights on the west coast of Italy. The Path of
cruise line category. As such, a small number ofthe Phoenicians is a twelve-night odyssey from
passengers (only 198 to 700 based on individual shipAthens to Istanbul followed by stops at the
capacity) are treated to personal service by a cruisehistorically famous Greek islands of Kusadasi, Rhodes,
line that has been selected by Conde Nast Travelerand Santorini before terminating at Venice.
and Travel + Leisure to be the "World's Best SmallThe Yachts of Seabourn cruise line advertises that
Cruise Line". Radisson Seven Seas appeals to thethey provide "Ultra Luxury" by "delivering the highest
sophisticated traveler. Based upon service, qualitylevels of personalized service to an exclusive group
dining, upscale accommodations, and service,of guests aboard intimate, elegant ships that could
Radisson Seven Seas has earned a six-star rating.visit the most enticing destinations worldwide."
The cruise line's special accommodations include twoSeabourn sails three identical all-suite ships that cater
700 passenger all-balcony suites ships, Seven Seasto only 208 passengers each. Of course, dining and
Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, and one 490service is world-class.
passenger all-suites ship, Seven Seas Navigator. TheSeabourn offers longer, leisurely cruises that can
Radisson Diamond is another unique ship due to itsexplore a small or unique area in-depth. For example,
twin hull design. The Radisson Diamond carries 350the 17-day Spring Time in Spain cruise originates in
guests in luxury.Lisbon, Portugal, stops at six Spanish ports plus ports
The Seven Seas Voyager and the Radisson Diamondin Monaco, France and the Balearic Islands. Many of
routinely cruise the Mediterranean Sea, departingthe stops were selected due to the availability of golf
from or terminating at ports such as Rome, Venice,courses. The 16-day Mediterranean Odyssey II begins
Athens, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Istanbul normallyat Istanbul; spends six days at Greek ports, four
for a 7-night cruise. These cruises stop at some ofdays at Italian ports along with several days at sea
the most famous European cities that occur betweenbefore terminating at Lisbon. The 7-day Capitals of
the start and end points such as Florence, Italy;Antiquity cruise begins at Cairo, Egypt; tours the
Marseilles, France; St. Tropez, France; Dubrovnik,historic Greek islands of Rhodes, Mykonos, and
Croatia; the island of Sicily; and others.Kusadasi before terminating at Istanbul.
Crystal Cruises is another award-winning six-starIf luxury is your objective, there are a large number
cruise line. A reader's poll by Travel + Leisureof out of the ordinary Mediterranean cruises to
magazine named Crystal "World's Best" in cruise linechoose from beyond those discussed here.
service. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has awarded