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7 of the best Mediterranean cruise holidays to book for 2026
Relax, sightsee and feast while floating on the Med around Italy, France and Greece
The Mediterranean is a top choice for a cruise , offering bustling cities and beautiful beaches.
The region’s 28,600 miles of colourful coastline in southern Europe is often best discovered by boat and holidaymakers will find a tangle of rich cultures, irresistible romance and classic cuisines.
It is easily accessible from the UK, with some sailings departing from Southampton or just a short flight away.
You could wake up in a different port each morning, while enjoying plenty of sunny sea days in-between while sailing on the Med.
With on-shore excursions exploring everything from the Greek gods to platters of authentic tapas, it’s possible to liaise with locals over flamenco in Barcelona, cleanse your palate with gelato in Sicily and bask on the beaches of Mallorca all on one trip.
Read more: The best cruise deals for 2025
Better still, docking at ancient harbours on multi-storey vessels promises seafaring travellers a balmy greeting in the summer season from June to September.
Here’s our guide to the best multi-country cruises with all the amenities and aperitifs to book a 2026 cruise on the magical Med.
Best for: City stops
Mediterranean, MSC Cruises
Barcelona - Marseille - Genoa - Civitavecchia - Messina - Valletta - Barcelona
Start the new year by visiting six ports in seven days across Spain, France, Italy and Malta during an action-packed week-long sailing aboard MSC World Europa.
You will only get one sea day but this is a great option for those who want a whistle-stop tour of the continent.
You can wake up to the beaches and architecture of Marseille one morning and visit Europe’s largest aquarium in Genoa the next.
That’s before exploring the historical sites of Rome via Civitavecchia or visiting the churches of Sicily for a day in Messina ahead of a sunny stop in Malta. You will definitely earn the sea day by the end of the week, which can be enjoyed aboard MSC Cruises’ newest ship. There is lots to do on board such as as the Venom dry slide that drops 11 decks as well as more than 33 bars and restaurants, pools, bumper cars and an F1 simulator.
Departs 2 January 2026. From £584pp
Best for: Luxury sailing
Riviera Yacht Harbors, Seabourn
Barcelona - Palamos - Sete - Sanary-sur-Mer - Nice - St Tropez - Monte Carlo - Portofino - Portoferraio - Civitavecchia
Get a taste of the yacht life on the Mediterranean in luxury with Seabourn.
Departing from Barcelona, this 10-day cruise offers the chance to discover fishing ports such as Sanary-sur-Mer plus beautiful bays in Nice and St Tropez. There will be plenty of opportunities for small ship spotting and you could try your luck at the casino tables of Monte Carlo.
This is also a chance to experience the luxury Seabourn Venture expedition cruise ship, which is actually designed for remote and adventurous destinations such as the Arctic and Antarctica.
Departs 25 April 2026. From £9,999pp
Read more: What’s new for cruises in 2025?
Best for: Couples
Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia, Virgin Voyages
Athens - Santorini - Bodrum - Mykonos - Dubrovnik - Kotor- Corfu - Barcelona
You can enjoy the adult-only cruise line’s child-free party atmosphere aboard Scarlet Lady on a 10-night sailing from Athens with Virgin Voyages.
There are seven stops including the blue domes of Santorini and the party island of Mykonos where there is an overnight stay.
Departs 14 June 2026 . From £2,197 per cabin
Best for: Families
Western Mediterranean, Royal Caribbean
Rome - Naples - Barcelona - Palma de Mallorca - Marseille - Florence - Rome
Royal Caribbean is set to debut its newest Icon class ship in the Med for the first time in 2026.
Legend Of The Seas will sail from Rome and Barcelona from July next year.
Departing from Rome, a seven-night sailing will take in the best of Spain, France and Italy including cultural city days in Barcelona and Marseille, plus time on the beach in Palma de Mallorca.
On board, the ship will have the largest waterpark and slides at sea, as well as a high ropes course and 40 bars and restaurants to cater for 5,610 passengers.
Departs 27 August 2026. From £1,929pp
Best for: Foodies
Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia, Celestyal Cruises
Athens - Kefalonia - Dubrovnik - Kotor - Bari - Corfu - Katakolon - Athens
There are lots of culinary delights to sample across the Med. You can eat your way around the region on this seven night sailing with Celestyal Cruises where you get a taste of Greece, Italy and Croatia.
When you aren’t sampling the array of olives and pasta off the ship, Celestyal Journey also serves up snacks from its onboard Greek Deli and Pizza Oven, while its restaurants serve local dishes based on ingredients gathered during the ship’s travels.
Departs 2 May 2026. From £679pp
Best for: All-inclusive
30th Birthday Cruise, Marella Cruises
Limassol - Souda - Piraeus - Kusadasi - Mykonos - Rhodes - Limassol
Marella is marking its 30th anniversary in 2026 and you could be on board for the celebrations aboard Marella Discovery.
Departing from Limassol in Cyprus, the sailing promises plenty of birthday surprises on top of visits to ancient sites in Athens and Turkey.
Passengers can also enjoy the ship’s two pools, outdoor cinema and rock climbing wall.
Other highlights include a choice of seven bars and eight restaurants as well as its highly-regarded show lounge.
Additionally, all meals, snacks, drinks and tips, as well as flights and transfers are included in your cruise fare.
Departs 6 May 2026. From £1,218pp
Best for: History buffs
Lisbon to Malaga, Star Clipper
Lisbon - Portimão - Cadiz - Gibraltar - Puerto Banus - Malaga
Explore the Med the traditional way under sails on a tall ship with Star Clippers.
Sailing aboard Royal Clipper, you will be able to help raise and even climb the sails as you navigate from Lisbon to Malaga on this five-night sailing.
Expect locally-inspired food, discos and expert talks onboard as well as educational excursions in port.
Departs 13 April 2026. From £1,460pp
Read more: The best mini cruises from the UK
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