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MEDITERRANEAN SPECIAL
Going Greek with Variety Cruises
Day out in… Gibraltar
Celestyal spreads its wings
Seven Seas Grandeur - a life of luxury
www.portseattle.org
Welcome to the new issue of Stowaway with a special focus on cruising in the Mediterranean.
Polls tell us the Mediterranean remains the favourite haunt of British cruisers, attracting 35% of us in 2023. In our special Med supplement we look at what makes the region perfect for cruising, from the many countries and cultures that can be enjoyed to the variety of ports waiting to be explored.
We enjoy a day out in Gibraltar, look at why you should add a few days in Istanbul to your cruise and report back on a luxury voyage with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and an island-hopping adventure in Greece with Variety Cruises. And with river cruising continuing to grow so fast, we take a look at some of the latest news from the waterways. Enjoy!
Ottoman history and skyline dominated Gibraltar might be small, but it has more
Our 24-page special finds out why there is no other body of water quite like the Mediterranean.
13
IT PAYS TO STAY
Adding pre or post-cruise nights to a Mediterranean cruise is the easy way to discover some of the region’s most sought-after cities. 21 WRITTEN IN THE STARS
Celestyal is spreading its wings beyond its traditional Greek homeland.
HIGH
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its first Mediterranean flycruise programme for 17 years.
A LIFE OF LUXURY
It’s blue skies, sunny days and champagne all the way sailing the Mediterranean with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, says Jane Archer.
HIDDEN GEMS
The Mediterranean is full of ports that are not on any must-see list but really ought to be.
GREEK
Keith Ellis enjoys buffet lunches, swim stops and islands untouched by time as he goes island-hopping around Greece with Variety Cruises.
Let the celebrations begin
Two Windstar ships will meet in the Turkish town of Kuşadasi in October to kick off the company’s year-long 40th birthday celebrations. The small ship line was founded in October 1984 and currently has three sailing ships and three motor yachts. It will be adding another two vessels in 2025 and 2026. New build Star Seeker joins the fleet in December 2025, with Star Explorer, which is currently sailing as World Explorer for Quark Expeditions, slated for December 2026. Windstar says the extra capacity will allow it to cruise to new destinations and base a second ship in Tahiti in 2027.
Rocky and Regent
Passengers heading to Alaska with Regent Seven Seas Cruises next year can add a new six-night land adventure through the Canadian Rockies to the start of their voyage. They will journey from Calgary to Vancouver, travel in GoldLeaf style on the Rocky Mountaineer train, ride the Banff Gondola, have a full-day tour of YoHo National Park and a two-night stay in Vancouver with a full-day city tour included. The pre-cruise tour is available on five Alaska departures in 2025.
Caribbean calling
Marella Cruises has added the ports of Isla Catalina in the Dominican Republic and Ponce in Puerto Rico to its winter 2025 programme. Both feature in the line’s seven-night Tropical Isles cruises on Marella Discovery, which sails round-trip from La Romana in the Dominican Republic and also calls into San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie and Fredriksted in the US Virgin Islands.
Look to the skies
Holland America Line is getting in the celestial swing of things by putting three ships in the right place at the right time for passengers to be plunged into darkness during a solar eclipse in August 2026. Zuiderdam and Nieuw Statendam will be off Iceland, while Oosterdam will be off Spain. All three will be on solar eclipsethemed cruises featuring special lectures and activities. Eclipse glasses will be provided so everyone can safely watch the moment the day turns to night.
Taking part in change
Working together towards shared goals
In the Land of the Rising Sun
Mount Fuji, samurai history, shrines and the longest road bridge in the world await as Scenic’s luxury discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, sets out to uncover culture, tradition and landscapes on a cruise around Japan and Korea. The 17-night voyage, from Tokyo to Osaka, departs May 20 2025 and includes highlight calls into Shimizu, Kobe, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island (pictured), Nagasaki and Kochi, all in Japan, and Sokcho, P’ohang and Busan in South Korea.
50 at 50
Uniworld River Cruises is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a 50-night Rivers of the World voyage. Starting in Brussels on April 16 with a cruise to Amsterdam on the company’s new Gustav Klimt-inspired ship, Emilie, it includes a seven-night mystery sailing, and voyages on the Seine and Rhône in France. A final 16-night sector starts with five nights in Cairo followed by a Nile cruise (pictured) on the SS Sphinx and a post-cruise tour of Jordan that ends in the capital, Amman.
Look and learn
Budding David Baileys can learn how to take better pictures during new photography master classes on selected Seabourn expeditions to Antarctica this winter. Open to just 10 people, the classes include photographer-led Zodiac cruises and walks, lectures, workshops and one-on-one sessions. Both Seabourn’s luxury expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, spend their winters in Antarctica, where passengers can also go kayaking and dive below the ice in submarines. To meet demand an extra end-of-season departure has been added in March 2026.
A cruise for everyone
With its centuries of history, fascinating cultures, sought-after cities and world-class food and wine, it’s no wonder the Mediterranean is the Brits favourite place to cruise.
There is no body of water quite like the Mediterranean, an inland sea accessed via a narrow channel between Europe and Africa that's surrounded by 20 countries that between them can trace their history back thousands of years.
Add to that the two island nations sitting
in the sea itself, Malta and Cyprus, as well as the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, the former part of France, the latter two Italian, plus Spain’s Balearic Islands and you have a region with thousands of miles of coastline that could have been made for cruising.
The great cities of Rome, Florence, Venice,
Barcelona, Athens and Istanbul are here and can be visited on day trips during a cruise; so too can the likes of Dubrovnik, Naples, Monte Carlo, Nice, Malaga and Valletta, which are all worthy contenders for the bucket list.
And once they have been ticked off, there is so much more to go. The cities of Pisa, Split, Ajaccio, Palermo and Cartagena, and attractions such as the spectacular Roman city of Ephesus, accessed via Kuşadasi in Turkey, and the Krka waterfalls in Croatia.
How about cute Bonifacio in Corsica with its craggy cliffs and medieval cliff-top citadel or gorgeous Porto Venere in Italy with its criss-cross maze of alleyways and picturesque waterfront? Greece’s Monemvasia, known as the Gibraltar of the east, is pure magic. And let’s not forget Gibraltar itself, that little piece of Britain in the sun famous for its Rock and Barbary macaques.
So much choice
The list goes on and on, much like the list of cruise lines and variety of itineraries you can try for yourselves. Family-friendly vessels that hold several thousand people, luxury ships that count their passengers in the hundreds, sailing yachts that barely break
the 200 mark. They all make a bee-line for the Mediterranean in summer when the sun shines; a very few stay for winter too, catering for those who don’t like it hot and want to escape the crowds.
Factor in the availability of short flights from the UK to the key departure ports and it’s easy to see why the region is such a favourite with cruising Brits, attracting almost 800,000 in 2023, according to Clia.
Between them, the cruise lines offer something for all, whether first-timers or regulars, with voyages that are anything from a few days to two, three or more weeks that call into lots of different countries, all without the hassle of unpacking.
Itineraries might focus on Spain, Italy and France in the Western Mediterranean, do the rounds of the Greek Isles or hug the coast of Croatia, but with a quick detour to take in picturesque Kotor in Montenegro. Longer cruises that take in Western and Eastern highlights such as Rome, Istanbul and little-known gems such as Syros and Kavala in Greece are ideal for those who can’t decide where to go, while voyages from the UK to the Mediterranean are spot on for Brits who don’t like to fly.
With so much choice, the only challenge for cruise buyers is picking just one cruise.
From top: The red tiles of Dubrovnik’s old town; the Grand Canal in Venice; the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pisa.
Previous page: Seabourn's ultra-luxury ship Seabourn Encore sits anchored off Monemvasia.
It pays to stay
Adding pre or post-cruise nights to a Mediterranean cruise is the easy way to discover some of the region’s most sought-after cities.
Park Güell in Barcelona features stunning architectural designs by Gaudi.
How lucky! The Mediterranean’s key turnaround ports, where cruises start and end, just happen to be some of the world’s greatest cities.
It’s not a coincidence of course, Those same cities also happen to have excellent global air links, enabling cruise lines to fly large numbers of people to and from their ships from almost anywhere in the world.
Rome, Palma, Athens, Barcelona. They are all on the list. So is Istanbul, the Turkish city where east meets west (see p20-21) and Venice, the Italian city built on water. Vessels over 25,000 tonnes are banned from entering but small ships operated by the likes of Emerald Cruises, Windstar, Variety Cruises and SeaDream Yacht Club can still navigate the Giudecca Canal through the centre of the city.
Moreover, Venice airport is the main gateway for Ravenna or Trieste, the two ports cruise lines are using for turnarounds instead. Both have their own charms, which we cover here, but a few nights in La Serenissima to see St Mark’s Basilica, have a gondola ride and sip coffee by the Rialto Bridge will be hard for anyone to resist.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Don't miss
★ Gaudi’s unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral.
★ La Rambla, a 1.2km boulevard leading from the port to Plaça de Catalunya.
★ The Gothic District (Barri Gotic).
★ La Boqueria market.
★ Camp Nou football ground.
The busiest port in the Mediterranean, Barcelona handled 803 calls and more than 3.5 million passengers in 2023. The port has seven terminals and can berth all ships, including the world’s biggest. The city is 10 minutes by shuttle bus from the main cruise port.
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Barcelona in 2025
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Azamara Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cunard
Disney Cruise Line
Emerald Cruises
Explora Journeys
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International Seabourn
SeaDream Yacht Club
Scenic
Silversea
Virgin Voyages
Windstar Cruises
CIVITAVECCHA, ITALY
On Italy’s west coast, Civitavecchia is the gateway to Rome and all its ancient treasures. The city is just over an hour by road or 90 minutes by train from Civitavecchia for those with pre or post-cruise stays, and 43 miles from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for those flying in to join their cruise.
Don't miss
★ The Vatican and Sistine Chapel.
★ The highlights of Ancient Rome including the Colosseum,
Roman Forum and Pantheon.
★ The Baroque Trevi Fountain.
★ The Spanish Steps.
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Civitavecchia in 2025
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Azamara Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal
Costa Cruises
Cunard
Disney Cruise Line
Emerald Cruises
Explora Journeys
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Holland America Line
MARSEILLES, FRANCE
Don't miss
★ Notre Dame de la Garde.
★ A ferry ride to the island fortress of Chateau d’If.
★ An authentic bowl of bouillabaisse fish stew.
★ Excursions to the Camargue and Aix en Provence.
Marseille is not only the second-largest city in France but the country’s busiest cruise port, popular with MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises for embarkations and numerous other lines as a port of call.
Cruise lines with turnarounds in Marseille in 2025
Crystal
Costa Cruises
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Seabourn
SeaDream Yacht Club
Scenic
Silversea
Virgin Voyages
Windstar Cruises
PALMA DE MALLORCA, BALEARIC ISLANDS
Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is the Balearic Islands’ biggest cruise port. Ships dock mainly at the Estació Maritima, across the bay from the city’s landmark cathedral. The port is about 20 minutes from the airport and a 40-minute walk to the centre of town.
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Palma de Mallorca in 2025
Costa Cruises
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises
Don't miss
★ La Seu Cathedral.
★ The Caves of Drach.
★ A vintage train ride from Palma to Soller.
★ Authentic Spanish tapas.
Gorgeous Greece and beyond in 2025
When you travel with Seabourn, you may enjoy the full flavour of the Greek Isles and sample a delectable menu of immersive experiences, from sipping a locally made wine while overlooking Santoríni’s caldera, making tzatziki with a local chef at a taverna on Rhodes to a private yacht excursion on Mykonos. Or participate in authentic optional shore experiences immersing you in local history and culture - such as an in-depth tour to ancient Delos, a classical concert amid the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey, or a trip back in time to Crete ’s Minoan civilization at Knossos. Seabourn Encore’s all-veranda suite, all-inclusive lifestyle - complete with economy schedule d air and transfers - will make your Seabourn experience completely stress free!
● Intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere.
● Intuitive, personalised service provided by team passionate about exceeding guests expectations.
● Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning authentic experiences.
● All ocean-front suites luxuriously appointed, most with a private veranda.
● Tipping is neither required, nor expected.
● Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times.
● Welcome Champagne and complimentary insuite bar stocked with your preferences.
● Complimentary WI-FI.
● World-class dining and culinary experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere, all complimentary – dine where, and with whom you wish.
Here are just a few of our extraordinary holidays Please ask for the latest fly/cruise prices.
7-Day Balkan Jewels
1 Jun; 14 Sep 2025 l SEABOURN ENCORE
Dubrovnik to Piraeus (Athens)
Visits: Kotor (Montenegro); Gallipoli (Italy); Sarande (Albania); Zakinthos (Greece); Nafplion.
• Inclusive Air
7-Day Greek Isles & Ephesus
8 Jun; 21 Sep; 19 Oct 2025
SEABOURN ENCORE
Piraeus (Athens) to Istanbul
Visits: Gythion (Sparta); Chania (Crete); Mykonos; Kusadasi~ (Ephesus); Cesme; Istanbul.
• Inclusive Air
• Classical Concert at Ephesus~
7-Day Greece & Dalmatian Delights
22 Jun; 3 Aug; 5 Oct 2025
SEABOURN ENCORE
Piraeus (Athens) to Fusina (Venice). Visits: Monemvasia; Katakolon (Olympia); Dubrovnik (Croatia); Hvar; Rovinj
• Inclusive Air
7-Day Adriatic & Greek Treasures
29 Jun; 10 Aug; 12 Oct 2025
SEABOURN ENCORE
Fusina (Venice) to Piraeus (Athens)
Visits: Vodice (Sibenik); Kotor (Montenegro); Kerkira (Corfu); Cephalonia; Nafplion.
• Inclusive Air
7-Day Aegean Treasures
6 Jul; 17 Aug 2025 l SEABOURN ENCORE
Roundtrip Piraeus (Athens)
Visits: Skiathos; Kavala (Neapolis); Dikili (Pergamon); Bodrum; Santorini.
• Inclusive Air
7-Day Ephesus & Greek Island Gems
13 Jul; 24 Aug 2025 l SEABOURN ENCORE
Roundtrip Piraeus (Athens)
Visits: Mykonos; Agios Nikolaos (Crete); Symi; Kusadasi~ (Ephesus); Cesme.
• Inclusive Air
• Classical Concert at Ephesus~
PIRAEUS, GREECE
Piraeus was an important trading port in ancient Greek times; thousands of years on it is still a big player, this time for cruise ships. It’s perfectly located just 30 minutes by train from Athens and an hour from the international airport. The main port can berth up 11 vessels at once. Variety Cruises’ alternatively sails from nearby Marina Zea.
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Piraeus 2025
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Azamara Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celestyal Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal
Credit: Darkugo
Emerald Cruises
Explora Journeys
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Seabourn
Don't miss
★ The ancient Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis museum.
★ The Changing of the Guard in front of the Greek parliament.
★ The shops and restaurants in the Plaka.
★ Excursions to Cape Sounion and the Corinth Canal.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Silversea
Variety Cruises (from Marina Zea)
Virgin Voyages
Windstar Cruises
Don't miss
★ The Byzantine mosaics in the 6th century
Basilica di San Vitale.
★ The tomb of Italian poet Dante.
★ The fishing village of Comacchio.
RAVENNA, ITALY
With most cruise ships now banned from Venice, some lines are turning their attention to nearby Ravenna and its cultural delights. The city is on the east coast of Italy, 140 miles from Venice (about 2.5 hours by car).
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Ravenna 2025
Celebrity Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
TRIESTE, ITALY
Don't miss
★ The Venetian Castle of San Giusto.
★ The Piazza Unita d’Italia and old town.
★ The huge Grotto Gigante.
★ Day trip to Lake Bled and Ljubljana in Slovakia.
Trieste is another port city cashing in now Venice is off the cruise ships’ radar. The city, now in Italy but once part of the AustroHungarian Empire, sits at the top of the Adriatic about 90 miles east of Venice and 60 miles from the border with Slovenia.
Cruise lines offering turnarounds in Trieste 2025
Costa Cruises
Cunard
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Endless choice
The Mediterranean is the cruise destination that keeps on giving because just when clients think they have exhausted all the cruise-and-stay options available, along come alternatives in smaller departure ports that are definitely worth a few extra days.
Windstar Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club and Scenic are among several lines with departures from Malaga in Spain, Ponant sails from Nice, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have turnarounds in Monaco and Marella Cruises uses Marmaris in Turkey.
Marella also has seven-night sailings round-trip from Dubrovnik next year on its adult-only ship, Marella Explorer 2. In all, there are four itineraries that variously visit Italy, the Greek Islands, Montenegro and Slovakia that the line can pair with three, four or seven-night pre or post-cruise hotel stays in the city.
That’s time enough to explore its museums and restaurants, walk the walls that enclose the old city, take boat trips to Lopud Island and more.
P&O Cruises has seven and 14-night sailings roundtrip from Valletta in Malta on Azura that visit the Greek Islands, Italy, France and Croatia, and pair easily with a few nights in the Maltese capital, a beautiful city built by the Knights of St John and full of history.
A Grand Harbour boat tour, St Johns Co-Cathedral and the underground war rooms are among top sights, while a tour to the nearby picturesque town of Mdina is highly recommended.
Press pause in… Istanbul
Half in Europe, half in Asia, Istanbul offers a taste of the exotic with its Ottoman history and skyline dominated by minarets and domes.
Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, guarding the entrance to the Black Sea. It is exciting, busy and a great favourite with cruisers for its authentic feel, lively vibe, interesting history and sights that range from centuries-old churches to bustling markets. Adding three or four nights pre or post-cruise is time enough to do the rounds of the key attractions and also step off the tourist trail to get a real feel for what makes this great city tick.
You can’t visit Istanbul without doing the top three - Topkapi Palace, where the ruling sultans of the former Ottoman Empire lived, the beautiful Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a church dating back hundreds of years that served as a mosque after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, became a museum in 1935 and in 2020 once again became a mosque.
The Grand Bazaar is a maze of 4,000 stalls selling everything from rugs to jewellery where haggling is a must. The spice market is calmer and altogether more aromatic. Try Istiklal Street for brand-name shops and Uzunçarşi Street for souvenirs.
Eat out
Like the city, Istanbul’s food scene straddles east and west, with everything from börek (pastry filled with spinach or cheese) to pide, a local take on a pizza but long and thin. Mezze is a variety of dishes served at one sitting. Kuzu tandir is lamb seasoned with herbs and roasted in a ‘pit’ oven (tandir).
Shop in
Don't miss
Top tours
Guided tours take in all the main sights and have the added bonus of a local expert to give you a bit of history along the way (and hopefully skip the long queues at the key sights). For something different, try food tours and a sunset dinner cruise on the Bosphorus.
Something for the kids
There’s nothing like a bit of dark and spooky to grab youngsters’ attention. Cue Basilica Cistern, one of many ancient cisterns dug beneath Istanbul to provide the city’s water. Basilica is not only impressive with its 336 marble columns but a bit of a star, having featured in the Bond film From Russia with Love and the movie of Dan Brown’s novel, Inferno
Where to stay
The city has budget Ibis and Holiday Inn Express properties, plus upscale Shangri-La and Four Seasons hotels. The grand Pera Palace is an oasis of calm where kings, presidents and film stars stayed before boarding the Orient Express. Agatha Christie is rumoured to have written the book that made the Istanbul to Paris run the world’s most famous railway journey in room 411.
Take a day off
It’s time to do as the locals and scrub up in a traditional Turkish hammam. It involves being heated up in a sauna, scoured from top to toe with a glove and massaged in bubbles. Cagaloglu Hammam dates back to 1741 and offers various rituals that also include foot or aromatherapy massages.
Venture out
Full day tours from Istanbul visit Cappadocia, the ancient city of Troy and Pamukkale Hot Springs as well as Gallipoli, to see the World War One battlefields where Australian and New Zealand troops landed in 1915. Tours are about 14 hours and visit ANZAC Cove, where the troops landed, trenches and memorials to the thousands who died.
Cruise Destina✍ tions
Getting around
Most of Istanbul’s key sights are within walking distance of each other. There are buses and trams but it’s tricky if you don’t know where you are going. If taking a taxi, agree a fare first. The Tünel funicular goes up 202 feet from Galata Bridge to the neighbourhood of Pera in less than two minutes.
GO THERE WITH
Azamara Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cunard
Explora Journeys
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Ponant
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn
Windstar Cruises
Double the Celestyal Magic
Both our ships will be sailing the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf from 2025. Two ships, two home ports, even more incredible itineraries.
When you travel with Celestyal, you’re stepping onboard more than just beautiful ships You’re entering a modern, thoughtfully-designed cruising experience, curated with deep regional expertise, famously warm and welcoming service, and a relaxed, friendly mix of fellow travellers.
Greek Islands
Enjoy 3, 4, or 7 night cruise options sailing the Greek Islands
Adriatic
Sail 4 countries in 7 days and enjoy Greece, Croatia, Italy and Montenegro
Please contact your travel agent to book
Arabian Gulf
Enjoy 3, 4, or 7 night cruise options sailing the Arabian Gulf
Celestyal Journey & Celestyal Discovery
Written in the stars
Celestyal Journey is visiting Split, top, on Heavenly Adriatic voyages in summer 2025. It calls into Thessaloniki, above, on Idyllic Aegean cruises around the Greek Isles.
GRAND PRIX WITH EXPLORA
Explora Journeys has launched four cruises around the Monaco Grand Prix in May 2025 on Explora II. Clients can have a five-night stay on board while it is docked in Monte Carlo during race week or opt for longer itineraries that pair the Monaco overnights with cruises around Italy, Spain and France.
Celestyal is spreading its wings beyond its traditional Greek homeland
Greek cruise line Celestyal has expanded its programme of Adriatic sailings for 2025 on the back of ‘unprecedented’ demand when the new itineraries were trialled this year.
The line, which has previously focused exclusively on summer cruising in the Greek Isles, has 14 departures on two seven-night Heavenly Adriatic voyages from Piraeus (Athens) next year. A summer version (July and August 2025) sails the length of the Adriatic and has a day in Marghera (for Venice) as well as calling into Kotor in Montenegro, Split in Croatia and Katakolon in Greece.
A winter cruise (March to May and October and November 2025) has a highlight day in Dubrovnik, with additional calls into Kefalonia, Corfu and Katakolon in Greece, Bari in Italy and Kotor.
The Adriatic move follows a major fleet renewal at Celestyal, which saw the line replace its older tonnage with two ships, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery,
MED DEBUT FOR ALLURA
Allura, the Oceania Cruises’ ship launching in 2025, is spending its maiden season in the Mediterranean. Its inaugural sailing, a six-night cruise from Trieste in Italy to Piraeus (Athens), departs July 18 and is followed by various 10 and 12-day Eastern and Western Mediterranean voyages around Italy, Greece and Turkey.
WINTER WONDERLAND
each offering more balcony cabins, dining options and bars.
Both ships will also operate Greek cruises in summer 2025. Celestyal Discovery is sailing three-night Iconic Aegean cruises stopping off at Mykonos, Patmos, Crete, Santorini and Kuşadasi. A four-night version adds a call into Rhodes.
Celestyal Journey is sailing seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruises that visit Thessaloniki, Milos, Heraklion, Santorini and Mykonos, and also Kuşadasi in Turkey (in 2026 Rhodes replaces Thessaloniki).
Prices, from £709pp for seven nights in the Adriatic cruise and £349pp for three nights island-hopping in Greece, are cruise-only and include selected drinks with meals, tips and a £65 excursion discount.
* Celestyal is following the sun to the Arabian Gulf this winter, offering new one-week cruises round-trip from Doha in Qatar on Celestyal Journey.
Windstar Cruises has expanded its 2025-26 winter Mediterranean programme on Star Legend after seeing strong demand for the offseason cruises it debuted in 202324. Among new features, the line has added Genoa in Italy to its port line-up along with overnights in Dubrovnik, Venice, Nice, Barcelona, Malaga and Livorno (for Florence).
LIMASSOL RETURNS
Limassol is back in business for Marella Cruises, which is homeporting a ship at the Cypriot port in 2025 for the first time in eight years. Marella Discovery 2 will be based there from April to October and sail three seven-night Greece and Turkey itineraries that can be packaged into a cruiseand-stay holiday.
Flying high
Fred Olsen returns to Mediterranean flycruising for passengers who want a quick route to the sun.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with Jet 2 to launch its first Mediterranean flycruise programme for 17 years.
The line is offering six sailings between September and November 2025, all on Balmoral and ranging in length from seven to 12 nights, with flights from Stansted or Manchester. All include an overnight stay at the start or end of the cruise.
The programme is aimed at cruisers with limited holiday time who want to fly to the sun instead of spending lots of sea days getting there from the UK. However, Fred Olsen is also offering back-to-back cruises of up to 40 nights for those with time who are happy to fly.
Cruises visit ports in Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. Sample itineraries
include a 10-night voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Dubrovnik in Croatia departing October 7 2025 and a 12-night cruise from Rhodes to Malaga in Spain departing October 25.
An eight-night Greek Island Odyssey cruise from Dubrovnik on October 17 takes passengers to Hellenic hotspots including Kefalonia, Piraeus (Athens) and Santorini before ending with an overnight in Rhodes.
A 10-night Colourful Cliffside Towns voyage from Valencia in Spain to Civitavecchia (Rome) departing September 27 includes calls into La Spezia, Salerno and Naples in Italy, as well as scenic cruising around the Amalfi coast and Capri Island.
Fred Olsen is planning to bring some Mediterranean flair on board with activities including Jerez sherry and limoncello tastings.
Food favourites
Expedition line Atlas Ocean Cruises is swapping the icy polar regions for the warmth of the Mediterranean with a series of food-themed voyages in summer 2025 on the 196-passenger World Navigator that promise complimentary market visits ashore and food and wine tastings on board. Options include a seven-night Vistas and Vineyards cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome) departing June 14 2025 that calls into Toulon, St Tropez and Nice in France, and Portofino and Livorno (for Florence and Pisa) in Italy. A 12-night Vintage Coves and Isles voyage from Barcelona to Piraeus (Athens) departs July 28 2025 and promises fortresses, Romans and volcanoes on calls into Sète, Sorrento and Lipari.
Albania debut
A maiden call into the Albanian port of Sarandë, gateway to the Roman site of Butrint, features in Azamara Cruises’ new Mediterranean programme for 2026. The line will be visiting the port on Azamara Quest during a seven-night Greece, Italy and Albania cruise from Piraeus (Athens) to Civitavecchia (Rome) departing October 31 that also ticks off Syracuse and Catania in Sicily. Menton in France also makes its Azamara debut, on an 11-night Mysteries & Lore cruise from Civitavecchia to Nice on Azamara Journey departing April 17 2026. Prices start from £2,049 and £1,539pp respectively, excluding flights.
Mediterranean explorations
AE Expeditions is moving into the Mediterranean in summer 2026, offering 11 itineraries that take in everywhere from Spain and Italy to Turkey and the Greek Isles. The cruises are on new expedition ship Douglas Mawson, which launches at the end of 2025, and range from a 10-day voyage around the Peloponnese round-trip from Piraeus (Athens) to an 18-day sailing from Piraeus to Naples. Prices, from £6,876pp, include transfers, two-night pre-cruise hotel stays in the departure city with excursions, a tour at each port, drinks with dinner and Wi-Fi. Most itineraries also include a one-night post-cruise hotel stay. Each cruise will have 10 cabins available for solo travellers with no single supplement.
Fred Olsen will be visiting Cinque Terre during its new Mediterranean flycruise season.
A life of
luxury
It’s blue skies, sunny days and champagne all the way sailing the Mediterranean with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, says Jane Archer.
“You have to use Greek imagination,” says our guide Konstantina. We are looking down on Mouse Island as she tries to explain how it got its name. Something to do with the shape, but try as I might, I’m not seeing it. Clearly I’m not Greek enough.
We’re on a tour to see Mon Repos, a mansion in Corfu where the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born and which starred in the ITV drama The Durrells about naturalist Gerald Durrell’s early life on the island (for fans, the façade doubled as the Countess Mavrodaki’s home).
The house was built when the island was a British protectorate but morphed into the summer residence of the Greek royal family when Corfu was handed over to the Greeks in 1864.
These days it’s a museum, home to antique furniture, Roman coins and ancient statues. There’s also a wonderful old map dating back to Venetian times showing the island to be the centre of their universe. “It was vitally important as it guarded the Aegean, the sea route to Venice,” explains Konstantina.
We’re in Corfu on Seven Seas Grandeur, the third and last ship in Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ‘world’s most luxurious fleet’ series. It’s a bold claim, but no idle boast. The décor looks a million dollars, the service is charming, the food exceptional, there’s Champagne on tap and the barman in the Observation Lounge makes a mean margarita.
And just wait until you see our suite. The bed is so big you can get lost in it and there’s a private balcony, walk-in wardrobe and large
marble-finished bathroom with separate bath and shower. Best of all, a bottle of nicely-chilled bubbly welcomes us along with a bowl of fruit that’s refreshed every day.
The skies are blue, the sun is shining as we set sail from Piraeus (Athens), heading to Dubrovnik in Croatia by way of the Greek ports of Mykonos, Gythion, Katakolon and Corfu, where tours - many of them included in the price - take passengers to ancient Olympia, where the original Games were held back in BC times, beaches, caves and on tasting tours.
Mykonos is buzzing as we step ashore and find our way through the maze of back streets lined with picturesque blue-and-white houses and designer shops to the island’s landmark windmills. They hark back to the
Clockwise from top: Seven Seas Grandeur looks a million dollars; Little Venice in Mykonos; windmills in Mykonos; looking down over Mouse Island in Corfu; octopus hang around in Gythion.
days when the locals made their living milling wheat; that’s all gone, replaced by tourism, which judging by the crowds and prices is altogether more lucrative.
What a contrast to Gythion, a town on the Peloponnese where fishermen hang dead octopuses to dry in the sun, the bars in the square are frequented by locals and drinks are half the price of Mykonos. We wander out to a disused lighthouse, find a Roman theatre overgrown with weeds in the centre of town that even the barman had never heard of and chalk the place up as one of our favourites for its pretty harbour and authentic feel.
In Katakolon next day we join a tour to the Olive Temple, a farm where olives are king and we learn how to pick and press them, taste all sorts of oils (chilli one for me please) and tuck into a huge mezze lunch with plates of cheese, potatoes, salad, olive oil, fish, lamb and, of course, olives. And being Greek, they can’t resist throwing in some entertainment while we’re eating.
A late flight gives us time to wander into Dubrovnik and explore the warren of alleys either side of the main street, some climbing steeply towards the walls that enclose
the town, others running parallel to it with tables balanced on every bit of flat space the restaurant owners can find.
It’s been a fabulous six days of sun, sea and six-star luxury but too short. To mis-quote the Terminator: 'We will be back!'
* Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a 10-night voyage from Barcelona to Piraeus (Athens) departing September 25 2025 and calling into Gythion and Mykonos from £7,309pp allinclusive excluding flights (add £830 for air and transfers). rssc.com
A choice of fares
Regent has split its all-inclusive fare where everything is covered into two price bands. Clients can now chose between an all-inclusive fare that covers speciality dining, drinks, shore excursions, tips, Wi-Fi and laundry, or opt for a new ultimate all-inclusive fare. This adds economy air fares, transfers and a voucher for up to $500 per suite to pay for a private transfer to their UK departure airport.
Cruises that stay
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has given a fresh meaning to cruise and stay with a series of ‘immersive’ sailings that include overnights in each of the ports visited and new daytime and evening excursions that showcase a different side to the places being visited.
Three departures are in the Mediterranean, where there are tours of Florence at sunset from Livorno, wine-tasting in Cassis from Toulon, a Turkish show and dinner from Kuşadasi and day-time trips to see Lipizzaner horses from Trieste.
An immersive cruise in the Baltic offers evening tours of Rostock and Lübeck; an immersive itinerary in Asia comes with an evening tour of Shanghai in China and a Geisha show with dinner from Kyoto in Japan.
Day out in…
Gibraltar
Gibraltar might be small, but as agents taking part in Clia’s Destination Spotlight there in September discovered, it has more than enough to fascinate cruisers in town for the day.
GIBRALTAR SPAIN
Where is it?
The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar is on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean. The port can dock up to three ships at a time and is walking distance from town. Passengers who want to visit the Nature Reserve at the top of the Rock, 412 metres above sea level, can take a tour or the cable car. The latter is a 40-minute walk from the terminal, takes six minutes to get to the top and costs £38pp return including entrance to the reserve.
GO WITH*
Azamara Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises | Crystal Cunard | Explora Journeys
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Holland America Line
Marella Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Saga | Seabourn
SeaDream Yacht Club
Silversea | Windstar Cruises
* CLIA cruise lines on sale in the UK only
Spend the morning
No trip to Gibraltar is complete without exploring inside the Rock, where the British dug tunnels to fend off the Spanish during the Great Siege from 1779 to 1783. During the Second World War, another 34 miles of tunnels was dug to house the 16,000-strong garrison stationed in Gibraltar along with enough food to last 16 months.
Stay for lunch
Whether you want a quick snack for lunch or to linger longer, Gibraltar has a restaurant to suit. Many congregate around Queensway Quay, near the cruise terminal, and Ocean Village marina. The Queen’s Picturehouse & Eatery in Casement Square is highly recommended for its good food, service and cosy outdoor seating.
Go back for
The Windsor Suspension Bridge opened in Gibraltar’s Nature Reserve in 2016, is 75 metres long (the length of 7.5 London buses), spans a 50-metre deep gorge and sways as you walk across. For those who dare to look, the views are fabulous. The Skywalk nearby doesn’t sway but has a glass floor with views way down to sea level.
Don't miss
Cameras at the ready because we’re entering St Michael’s Cave, a vast cavern filled with centuries-old stalagmites and stalactites, including hundreds that have formed themselves into the shape of an angel. Spectacular is no exaggeration. No wonder it’s Gibraltar’s most-popular attraction.
Get active
The trail is just under two miles and follows a route around the Barbary
favourite hang-outs. It’s one of several themed trails in the reserve, with others for history buffs, nature lovers and thrill-seekers.
Take the kids
Children love dolphins and dolphins love the waters around Gibraltar so it’s a match made in heaven. Boat tours in search of the frolicking cetaceans run year-round from the Marina Bay area, close to Ocean Village.
Strap on the hiking boots and set out on the Monkey Trail around Gibraltar’s Nature Reserve.
macaques’
Hidden gems
The Mediterranean is full of ports that are not on any must-see list but really ought to be.
Do you know your Trapani from your Tarragona? Or your Koper from your Kavala? Of the 100-plus cruise ports in the Mediterranean, chances are most cruisers have only heard of big hitters such as Livorno, the gateway to Florence, the Greek holiday island of Corfu and Istanbul, the Turkish port that guards the entrance to the Black Sea.
But check out the CruiseMed website and you’ll find a host of other ports scattered around the many countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea that all have their fair share of history, culture and charm.
They may not suit first-timers who want to tick off the familiar, but for repeat clients looking to discover new destinations away from the crowds, they are ideal.
You
AJACCIO
Famous as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, the French island in the middle of the Western Mediterranean. The port is right in town. Just step ashore and you’re there.
DON’T MISS: You can’t go far in Ajaccio without tripping over Napoleon, who went on to become emperor of France. His house, now a museum, tells the story of his life (the successful bits anyway!). Don’t miss it, but leave time to visit the market and stroll along the pretty waterfront.
WHO GOES THERE:
Azamara Cruises | Costa Cruises
Crystal | Cunard | Emerald Cruises
Explora Journeys | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Holland America Line | Marella Cruises
Oceania Cruises | P&O Cruises | Ponant
Princess Cruises | Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International Seabourn | Virgin Voyages
You cannot visit Cartagena and miss the Roman theatre.
CARTAGENA
If you’re thinking South America, direct your thoughts several thousand miles east because this is the ‘original’ Cartagena – the one on the south-east coast of Spain, some 380 miles south of Barcelona. The port is right in town so exploring alone is easy.
DON’T MISS: A Roman Theatre built 2,000 years ago but only discovered in 1988 beneath a bombed-out cathedral is a must. You can learn about the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) in the Refugio Museo de la Guerra Civil and try tapas in the Calle Mayor, a pedestrian street lined with shops, cafés and restaurants.
WHO GOES THERE
Azamara Cruises | Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises | Costa Cruises
Crystal | Emerald Cruises
Explora Journeys | Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Holland America Line | Marella Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line | Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises | Ponant | Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International | Saga Seabourn | SeaDream Yacht Club
Scenic | Silversea | Windstar Cruises
can't go far in Ajaccio without tripping over Napoleon.
MEDITERRANEAN FLY-CRUISE HOLIDAYS
With our selection of 2025 Mediterranean fly-cruises, your customers can start exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations sooner.
Our carefully crafted itineraries allow guests the opportunity to explore the stunning coastlines of Amalfi and Dalmatia, discover the scenic islands of Greece and the Balearics, or embrace Turkish traditions.
Santorini, Greece
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Dubrovnik, Croatia
KOPER
Not to be confused with Kotor in Montenegro, Koper is in Slovenia, on the eastern side of the Adriatic, just three miles south of the border with Italy. The Venetian old town is within easy walking distance of the port.
DON’T MISS: The old town is a jumble of narrow cobbled streets, piazzas and Venetian and Baroque architecture. Head to Tito Square to see the 15th-century Praetorian Palace and climb the bell tower of St Mary’s of the Assumption Cathedral. There are 204 steps to the top and great views once there. Excursions go to Lake Bled, Piran and Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.
WHO GOES THERE
Azamara Cruises
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines | Marella Cruises
MSC Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises | Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn | Variety Cruises | Windstar Cruises
KAVALA
On the Greek mainland, about 100 miles east of Thessaloniki, Kavala dates back to BC days and was variously occupied by Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, who stayed until 1912. It became part of Greece in 1916. The old town stretches out over a peninsula. Ships dock directly below there.
DON’T MISS: An Ottoman fortress built on the site of a Byzantine fortification sits high above the port offering splendid views over town and bay. Back at sea level, a spectacular aqueduct, seemingly way too big for such a small town, towers 25 metres high and with 60 arches. Head to the nearby marina for cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops.
WHO GOES THERE
Azamara Cruises | Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises | Explora Journeys
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Seabourn
SYROS
The largest island in the Cyclades, Syros has never gained the cruise traction of Santorini or Mykonos because only smaller ships can dock in the little harbour but all that means is you get a lovely Greek island without the crowds. From the dock, it’s a short walk to the centre of the town.
DON’T MISS: The capital, Ermoupolis, has more than its fair share of restaurants, cafés and Insta-worthy streets lined with white-washed houses and dripping with colourful bougainvillea. From the central square, steps lead up to Ano Syros, a town high above the harbour with narrow winding streets, bijou shops, restaurants, bars and the 13th-century Venetian Cathedral of Agios Georgios.
WHO GOES THERE
Azamara Cruises | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Ponant | SeaDream Yacht Club
Silversea | Variety Cruises
Windstar Cruises
TARRAGONA
On the Costa Dorada in north-east Spain, Tarragona is about an hour south of Barcelona. Cruise ships dock a mile outside town, so it is walkable but most lines will provide shuttle buses to the city centre.
DON’T MISS: The Old Town is home to some of the best-preserved Roman remains in Spain, including an second-century amphitheatre and Circ Roma chariot-racing track. Tarragona’s 13th-century Gothiccum-Renaissance Cathedral and Balcony of the Mediterranean promenade with great views over the amphitheatre and sea are among other highlights.
WHO GOES THERE
Crystal | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
MSC Cruises | Oceania Cruises
P&O Cruises | Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Saga
Seabourn | SeaDream Yacht Club
Silversea | Windstar Cruises
TRAPANI
Trapani is on the west coast of Sicily, about 64 miles from the capital, Palermo. The town was founded by the Greeks and over the years became Roman, Byzantine, Norman and finally Italian. Most cruise ships dock right by the old town; large vessels have to anchor and tender passengers ashore.
DON’T MISS: The old town is full of churches and monuments that reflect the different civilisations that came and went. The Chiesa del Purgatorio (Church of Purgatory) houses 20 beautifully carved wooden floats depicting the last days of Jesus Christ that are paraded through the streets at Easter. A cable car goes to Erice, a village high above Trapani with a Norman fortress and panoramic views.
WHO GOES THERE
Crystal | Emerald Cruises | Explora Journeys
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | Oceania Cruises
Ponant | Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn | Silversea | Variety Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Chiesa del Purgatorio,Trapani.
The Ottoman aqueduct in Kavala is spectacular.
Ships visiting Koper dock right by the Old Town.
The town of Ano Syros sits high above the town of Ermoupolis.
To arrive at Cartagena is to enter Spain fully... to enjoy the best of an entire country, without ever leaving this region where the sun -and time itself- have mellowed each little corner into a unique treasure Vestiges of a thousand-year-old culture, gastronomy that prides itself on excellence in every dish, the best beaches for enjoying water sports all year round, a different form of leisure living, popular and religious festivals... No place offers more Spain than this unique port: the Port of Cartagena Brought
Going Greek
Keith Ellis enjoys buffet lunches, swim stops and islands untouched by time as he island-hops around Greece with Variety Cruises.
We’re gathered around the al-fresco bar on Galileo and by the lively conversation you’d think we were old friends. Actually we’ve all just met – a mixed bunch of people from the UK, New York, even as far away as Tasmania - excited as we set sail from Marina Zea, a harbour full of ritzy yachts that doubles as Variety Cruises’ base in Piraeus.
No wonder this is one of the company’s best-loved ships. Its classic sailing boat looks and polished wood panelling turn heads everywhere we go, and with room for just 49 people it is like being on a private yacht. It is also wonderfully relaxed, with kickback style and informal buffet lunches and dinners with salads, cheeses and charcuterie accompanying chicken, lamb and pasta dishes and traditional Greek desserts.
We’re sailing Variety’s popular seven-night Jewels of the Cyclades, a cruise designed to allow passengers to connect with small towns and villages, meet local people and absorb a seemingly unchanging way of island life.
There’s time to wander ashore exploring the quiet lanes and white houses looking over the sea and maybe take lunch or dinner in a waterside taverna. Most mornings we anchor
in picturesque bays where we can swim off the side of Galileo or take the inflatable ashore to a deserted beach.
The islands in the Cyclades stand as huge rocks and we sail past, sometimes calling out as we see a lone house high on a hill, or a small fishing village tucked in a distant bay. Just sailing past these seemingly uninhabited islands is an important part of the cruise.
In Santorini, our excursion takes us away from Fira, the tourist-filled town where several large cruise ships are gathered in the caldera, which was created by a volcanic eruption that destroyed not only the island’s towns and villages thousands of years ago but those of islands many miles away.
First stop is the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where we see earthenware pots that survived the explosion along with remnants of wall paintings and other artefacts that indicate what was clearly an elaborate lifestyle. Then it’s on to Oia, a village looking over the ocean, with narrow lanes between the houses and spectacular views out to sea.
There’s time for a walk to the remains of the old fort and coffee before returning to Fira where we grab a local lunch in the little
Main image and left: Galileo anchors in little bays most mornings so passengers can swim or paddle off the side. Top right: The Temple of Poseidon sits up high on Cape Sounion. Right: Akrotiri was destroyed thousands of years ago when a volcano blew the island of Santorini apart.
harbour beside the caldera that serves as the landing stage for the tenders that bring cruise passengers ashore. Once on land, they can take a cable car to Fira or walk the 588 steps.
In Folegandros, we head to the small town of Chora, where cruise director Ulli leads us through narrow lanes lined with flower-filled balconies to a quiet backstreet taverna where we join a few locals enjoying lunch.
And she does the honours again in Syros, guiding us to the town of Ano Syros, high above Ermoupolis, where we’re docked, to see the Cathedral of Agios Georgios with its impressive frescos, marble floors and richlydecorated furnishings. Back at sea level we admire the grand merchants’ houses, streets paved with marble and peek into the Apollo
Theatre, which is modelled on La Scala in Milan but smaller.
As we cruise back to Piraeus next day, we spot the Temple of Poseidon high on Cape Sounion overlooking the sea. It’s a reminder of the thousands of years of Greek history we’ve just cruised through while discovering the Jewels of the Cyclades.
* Variety Cruises offers a seven-night Jewels of the Cyclades voyage round-trip from Marina Zea and calling into Poros, Folegandros, Santorini, Paros, Delos, Mykonos and Syros from £1,804pp cruise-only departing April 25 2025. seafarercruises.co.uk
Beyond Greece
Variety Cruises is exploring Malta, Sicily, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia on four new seven-night voyages in the Mediterranean and Adriatic in 2025.
The seven-night Venetian Horizons, on the 34-passenger Callisto, sails round-trip from San Basilico in Venice and visits Koper and Piran in Slovenia, Opatija and Pula in Croatia, and Ravenna in Italy. Optional excursions include a 6.5hour tour of Venice and a day trip to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, from Piran.
Mediterranean Serenade, a sevennight cruise on the 72-passenger Variety Voyager, sails round-trip from Valletta in Malta and visits Gozo Island, also in Malta, Syracuse and Catania in Sicily, and Italy’s Lipari Island.
Variety Voyages is also sailing new seven-night Sicilian Sunsets and Amalfi Delights cruises from Valletta to Naples that call into Port Empedocle, Trapani and Palermo in Sicily, Lipari Island and Sorrento in Italy.
Four departures are available, one each in May, June, July and August, that can be paired with a return La Dolce Vita cruise from Naples to Valletta that calls into Capri and the Lipari Islands, Taormina, Catania and Syracuse in Sicily and Gozo Island in Malta.
SMALL SHIPS
THE GREEK ISLES THE SEYCHELLES FRENCH POLYNESIA
CAPE VERDE ISLES RIVERS OF WEST AFRICA ITALY & MALTA CROATIA, MONTENEGRO & ALBANIA VENICE & THE ADRIATIC
Happy birthday Variety
Cruise Destinations caught up with Variety Cruises’ chief executive officer Filippos Venetopoulos as the Greek line celebrates its 75th anniversary.
What is the secret to Variety Cruises’ longevity?
Seventy-five years on from when my grandfather started it, the business is still family-owned and 360-degree verticallyintegrated, which means we control the entire product, from the design and building of our vessels to their operation, the sales and the marketing.
There is a Greek word, Meraki, which translates as something like ‘heart and soul’ and that sums up everything we do. I’ve tried to decode what we are doing right and it’s impossible. We’re just on autopilot in knowing what to do.
How many vessels do you have and sailing in how many countries?
We have eight sailing in 16 countries, including Greece, Seychelles, Tahiti, Italy and West Africa. Our vessels hold an average 50 people and are like being on a private yacht. We avoid cruise terminals and have regular swim stops in small bays and coves, when passengers can swim or kayak off the back. We call it your home at sea.
Which is your biggest source market and most popular itinerary?
The US accounts for about 35% of our bookings, with France, Spain, Germany and the UK on 40%. The UK is small within that at 7%. Australia is going really well and accounts for 15% of bookings.
Jewels of the Cyclades is our most popular itinerary. It’s on Galileo, a classic boat that’s very special for our family. My grandfather got married on it and I celebrated my 18th birthday on board.
We started new Limited Collection sailings to unexplored islands during Covid and now
have 25 departures, for now just in Greece but next year we will also offer them in the Seychelles.
You have talked of new vessels. How many do you want?
My father called me crazy five years ago when I said I wanted another 60, but look at Croatia. There are more than 200 boats that hold 32 to 36 passengers sailing along its coast and it’s just one country. We have boats all over the world. The growth isn’t going to happen overnight. We need to get the finances and distribution right but I’d say over the next 20 years.
Where else in the world would you like to operate?
The Philippines, Galapagos and Turkey are perfect for our small ship cruising. We are also looking at Baha California and Mexico. We used to offer Indonesia and Thailand but left in 2020. Now they are back on our list.
How many of your UK bookings come through agents?
Almost 80% come through agents via Seafarer Cruises, our UK representative. Niche agents know us and cruise specialists should because we offer something different for their clients. For us it’s about the destination; about getting to know Greece away from the tourist islands. We need to invest more to get our message across better.
How does sustainability figure in your plans? We are working with Sustainable Travel International to offset Galileo’s emissions and that will be rolled out across the fleet in 2025. We are involved in beach clean-ups and looking at changing itineraries so we stay longer at each stop and burn less fuel.
Quick fire
√ Age? 38.
√ Home? Where the heart is.
√ Favourite cruise itinerary? Rivers of Gambia and Senegal.
√ Favourite Greek Island? Thymena.
√ Proudest achievement as Variety CEO?
Winning the Great Places to Work Hellas award in 2023. Our crew and staff are like family and family means everything to us.
DESTINATION: RIVER
AmaWaterways has developed a new seven-night President’s Choice
Best of the Danube cruise round-trip from Budapest. Launching in 2025 to celebrate president Rudi Schreiner’s favourite river, it includes an overnight in his hometown of Vienna, as well as calls into the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, Melk and Linz. Along the way there’ll be lots of hiking and cycling tours, food and wine tasting trips, and excursions to cathedrals and palaces. The first departure is February 23 2025.
APT is building for the future as it gets ready to turn a new chapter in its near 100-year history.
Aiming high
With two new ships, APT Solara and APT Ostara, both sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Spring next year, with prices that cover drinks, tips and excursions, including exclusive 'signature'events ashore, APT is maintaining its position at the high side of luxury. APT Travel Group CEO David Cox says APT Solara and APT Ostara have been designed with ‘our valued guests’ in mind and will redefine luxury river cruising.
The vessels will hold 154 passengers, have 60 crew, all-suite and mostly all-balcony accommodation (just 14 rooms on the lower deck have fixed windows) and a choice of six places to eat, all included in the price. They include a bistro-styled dining room, a wine cellar, the aft-located Gruner restaurant, Annie’s Table in the lounge, a top deck BBQ and room service.
The look is contemporary, inspired by the places in Europe they will be visiting, and they’ll have a gym, spa and e-bikes that passengers can borrow. In a nod to sustainability, the ships will have eco-tech engines that cut fuel consumption by 20%, catalytic converters to reduce emissions and special insulated glass that will save energy by keeping rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
APT has the Mekong Serenity on the Mekong River, while Travelmarvel operates Polaris, Capella and Vega on the rivers in central Europe, Estrela on the Douro and Apsara, which sails the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Travelmarvel is also operating the ocean ship Caledonian Sky, which is back in the APT fleet after a short stint on charter to Captain Cook.
The vessel is small, holding just 110 passengers, and will be positioned in the Mediterranean from April to October 2025, where it will sail a variety of cruises around Portugal, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Greece.
Options include two 15-day Adriatic and Aegean Delights cruises round-trip from Venice to Athens departing in May and September 2025 that call into the Greek Islands of Amorgos and Milos, and Korcula in Croatia.
A one-off eight-day Islands of the Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona to Valletta in April 2025 includes a tapas tour in Palma de Mallorca and lesson in gin-making in Mahon, on the Island of Menorca. A choice of 15-day Mediterranean Treasures cruises from Venice to Istanbul from June to August pair a visit to the waterfalls in Croatia’s Krka National Park with a tour of the Roman site of Ephesus in the Turkish port of Kusadasi.
Top and above: APT is going for ultra-luxury with new river ship APT Ostara.
Below: The new APT Solara will sail the Danube.
Discover Europe’s most beautiful rivers.
VIVA All-Inclusiveexclusivity without extra cost
Full-board dining is included with breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring multicourse gourmet menus served right at your table
Selection of cold and hot non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a curated selection of alcoholic drinks
High Tea: Indulge in a range of sweet and savory treats, available once per voyage
Daily replenished minibar and a reuseable water bottle in your cabin
Wi-Fi and gratuities
Introducing VIVA CRUISES
New ships, Christmas cruises and all drinks included. Just some of the reasons you will love Viva Cruises.
One of the newest names in river cruising, Viva Cruises launched in 2018 and now operates seven vessels, with another two set to join the fleet in 2025. Owned by the Swiss shipping giant Scylla, the Dusseldorf-based line offers great value all-inclusive voyages on all of Europe’s favourite waterways. Here are five reasons why you should be getting in the Viva spirit.
A modern fleet
Viva Cruises’ river ships hold between 88 and 190 passengers, and are modern, stylish and offer a mix of cabins and suites, most with French balconies. Most have a main dining room, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a smaller bistro that opens for lunch and dinner. Both are complimentary. In place of the bistro, the line’s two French ships, Viva Gloria and Viva Voyage have a wine bar, Vino Vino. Viva Two, a new ship which launched in 2023, additionally has Moments, an Italian restaurant that is also complimentary. Moments will also be on Viva Enjoy when it launches in early 2025.
Lots of choice
Whether you want to cruise the Seine in France, the Elbe in Germany or the Rhine in Holland, be away for a week or just have a quick taste of life on the rivers, you can with Viva. You can start their cruise in Dusseldorf
or Frankfurt, or sail the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam. In France, seven and 10-night sailings explore the Rhône and Saône. Come springtime, there are tulip-themed cruises in Holland and Belgium.
And all that is just for starters. There are cruises from Frankfurt and Passau that link the Danube and Rhine, and from Passau and Dusseldorf. On the Elbe, Viva has cruises between Berlin and Prague, and also from Berlin to the Baltic. On the Danube, there are short cruises round-trip from Passau, seven-night sailings that take in Vienna and Budapest, and two-week voyages through eastern Europe to the Danube Delta.
Come December, there are Christmas markets cruises, festive sailings and voyages over the New Year.
It’s great value
With seven nights on the Rhine from £1,166pp and drinks, tips and Wi-Fi all included, a Viva cruise is great value. All meals on board are also covered, as well as drinks from the mini-bar. Excursions cost extra, allowing passengers to dip in and out of any that appeal and explore alone without feeling they have paid for something they don’t want.
Casual vibe
Viva’s motto, Enjoy the moment, says it all about life on board. There’s no one telling you
when to eat, where to sit or what to wear. It’s your holiday so feel free to be as dressy or casual as you like. And with drinks included, it all feels very relaxing. The company is German, but the crew all speak English and German, and menus are provided in both languages, as are daily programmes.
New for 2025
Next year is a big one for Viva, as it takes delivery of new river ship Viva Enjoy. A sister to Viva Two, the vessel is scheduled to be christened in Dusseldorf in January 2025. It holds 190 passengers, has three restaurants, a gym, steam room and sauna, and pool on the sun deck. It also carries bikes that passengers can borrow to explore ashore.
Viva is also making its debut on the Douro River in Portugal with a series of seven-night Douro Discoverer cruises round-trip from Porto between April and October. The cruises, on the just-launched Porto Mirante, offer everything from walking tours and sardine tasting to museum visits on calls into Regua, Vega Terrón, Pocinho, Pinhaõ and Regua.
Viva Enjoy will be launching in January 2025. Right: Viva river ships have a bistro as well as a restaurant.
• Established, quality cruise facilities
• A wide choice of shore excursions
• Competitively priced bunkers delivered by quality operators
• Excellent international communications
• Broad spectrum of marine services
Gibraltar Port Authority North Mole, Gibraltar, Tel: +350 20046254, Fax: +350 20051513
gpaenquiries@port.gov.gi www.gibraltarport.com