|
A classic Mediterranean
cruise visits major port cities located on the northern shores
of the Mediterranean Sea in the countries of Spain, France, Italy,
Monaco, Greece and Turkey and the islands of Malta, Crete and
Sicily. Some cruises also include stops in Egypt. The
Mediterranean cruise season is April to November when the
weather is generally sunny and mild. Many cruise lines sail the
Mediterranean and while there is most likely a cruise that appeals
to any style and budget, we’ll focus on luxury cruises here.
Radisson Seven Seas is a luxury carrier in the small cruise line
category. As such, a small number of passengers (only 198 to 700
based on individual ship capacity) are treated to personal service
by a cruise line that has been selected by Conde Nast Traveler and
Travel + Leisure to be the “World’s Best Small Cruse Line”. Radisson
Seven Seas appeals to the sophisticated traveler. Based upon
service, quality dining, upscale accommodations, and service,
Radisson Seven Seas has earned a six-star rating. The cruise line’s
special accommodations include two 700 passenger all-balcony suites
ships, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, and one 490
passenger all-suites ship, Seven Seas Navigator. The Radisson
Diamond is another unique ship due to its twin hull design. The
Radisson Diamond carries 350 guests in luxury.
The Seven Seas Voyager and the Radisson Diamond routinely cruise the
Mediterranean Sea, departing from or terminating at ports
such as Rome, Venice, Athens, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Istanbul
normally for a 7-night cruise. These cruises stop at some of the
most famous European cities that occur between the start and end
points such as Florence, Italy; Marseilles, France; St. Tropez,
France; Dubrovnik, Croatia; the island of Sicily; and others.
Crystal Cruses is another award-winning six-star cruise line. A
reader’s poll by Travel + Leisure magazine named Crystal “World’s
Best” in cruise line service. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has
awarded Crystal “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” while Travel + Leisure
called Crystal the “World’s Best Large - Ship Cruise Line”, both
titles being given for the past nine years. Crystal Cruises boasts
“extraordinary cuisine” coupled with impeccable service.
Crystal offers a large number of 7- to 12-night Mediterranean
cruises, many with romantic overtones. For example, the
Renaissance Reflection cruise originates in Lisbon and stops in
Barcelona, Cannes and Monte Carlo. The Italian Treasures cruise
spends seven nights on the west coast of Italy. The Path of the
Phoenicians is a twelve-night odyssey from Athens to Istanbul
followed by stops at the historically famous Greek islands of
Kusadasi, Rhodes, and Santorini before terminating at Venice.
The Yachts of Seabourn cruise line advertises that they provide
“Ultra Luxury” by “delivering the highest levels of personalized
service to an exclusive group of guests aboard intimate, elegant
ships that could visit the most enticing destinations worldwide.”
Seabourn sails three identical all-suite ships that cater to only
208 passengers each. Of course, dining and service is world-class.
Seabourn offers longer, leisurely cruises that can explore a small
or unique area in-depth. For example, the 17-day Spring Time in
Spain cruise originates in Lisbon, Portugal, stops at six Spanish
ports plus ports in Monaco, France and the Balearic Islands. Many of
the stops were selected due to the availability of golf courses. The
16-day Mediterranean Odyssey II begins at Istanbul; spends six days
at Greek ports, four days at Italian ports along with several days
at sea before terminating at Lisbon. The 7-day Capitals of Antiquity
cruise begins at Cairo, Egypt; tours the historic Greek islands of
Rhodes, Mykonos, and Kusadasi before terminating at Istanbul.
If luxury is your objective, there are a large number of out of the
ordinary Mediterranean cruises to choose from beyond those
discussed here.
>
About the author:
Looking for information
about cruises?Go to:
http://www.whatcruises.com 'What
Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for
Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at:
http://www.whatcruises.com/archive
You may
also be interested in...
Europe Cruise Tours
Book A Cruise For Less
|
>