The 8 Best Mediterranean Cruises for Couples and Families of 2024

Costa Cruises

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
Western Mediterranean: Barcelona (Spain) – Rome (Italy) – Marseille (France), and Palma de Mallorca (Spain).
Eastern Mediterranean: Venice (Italy) to Greece, with stops in Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens.
Adriatic Sea: Trieste (Italy) to ports in Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece.

Mainstream Amenities: Multiple dining venues, comfortable and well-appointed staterooms, bars, and lounges offering a diverse selection of drinks and entertainment, fitness centers, duty-free shops, pool areas with Jacuzzis, and plenty of loungers.

The Italian cruise line offers a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and plenty of activities onboard. Their large fleet sails the Mediterranean year-round. Costa Cruises boasts a long and rich history, setting sail in 1947. Originally a family-run business, it has grown into a major player in the cruise industry, now owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Over the years, Costa Cruises has expanded its fleet to include numerous ships sailing various destinations worldwide, but the Mediterranean remains a core region.

Couples seeking a romantic escape will find Costa Cruises offers a delightful and lively atmosphere. With elegant onboard dining featuring delicious Italian cuisine, couples can enjoy evenings filled with fine wine and breathtaking sunsets. Costa Cruises also provides opportunities for shoreside exploration, allowing couples to discover charming piazzas, historic landmarks, and hidden coves together.

The cruise line also strongly focuses on family-friendly activities, with dedicated kid’s clubs offering age-appropriate games, entertainment, and supervision. Swimming pools, waterslides, and mini-golf courses provide endless entertainment for children, while parents can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation by the pool or explore the onboard amenities.

MSC Cruises

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
Western Mediterranean Cruise: Barcelona (Spain) to Rome (Italy) and Marseille (France).
Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Venice (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), and Athens (Greece) or Turkey.
Greece & Greek Islands Cruise: Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.

Mainstream Amenities: Comfortable accommodations, diverse dining options, entertainment and activities, access to pools and sundecks, fitness and wellness facilities, kids’ programs, enrichment programs, and 24-hour room service.

MSC Cruises, established in 1988, is a European cruise line offering a modern fleet and a strong focus on family-friendly activities. They’ve grown rapidly, becoming the world’s third-largest cruise line. It sails to a variety of Mediterranean ports, including Marseille, France; Genoa, Italy; and Valletta, Malta.

Though relatively young compared to some competitors, MSC Cruises has experienced significant growth. Originally founded by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, a leader in cargo transportation, MSC Cruises has carved its own niche in the passenger cruise market. Today, it operates a vast fleet of modern cruise ships sailing various routes worldwide, with a continued emphasis on the Mediterranean.

Couples can enjoy elegant spaces designed for intimacy. Savor delicious Mediterranean and international cuisine at specialty restaurants, perfect for a romantic candlelit dinner. Unwind with a couples massage at the luxurious spa or soak in the breathtaking views from your private balcony stateroom.

MSC Cruises is a haven for families with children of all ages. Dedicated mini-clubs keep younger children entertained with age-appropriate games, activities, and supervision. Teens can have their own fun at clubs designed specifically for their interests. Families can spend quality time together at the pool complex with waterslides, play miniature golf, or participate in organized activities.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
10-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN ESCAPE: Venice (Italy) – Split, Dubrovnik (Croatia) – Corfu (Greece) – Sicily, Naples, Rome, Florence (Italy) – Cannes (France) – Palma de Majorca (Spain).
9-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN PEARL: Barcelona (Spain) – Provence, Cannes (France) – Florence, Rome, Naples, Messina (Italy) – Corfu (Greece) – Split (Croatia) – Venice (Italy).

Mainstream Amenities: Multiple dining options, from casual buffets to specialty restaurants, comfortable and spacious staterooms (typically ranging from 135 to 160 square feet, offering a cozy space with a bathroom, closet, television, and a small desk area), pools, hot tubs, and sundecks, bars, and lounges.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), also known as simply Norwegian, is an established player in the cruise industry, setting sail in 1966. Founded in Norway, it’s now incorporated in Bermuda, with its headquarters in Miami, Florida. NCL offers freestyle cruising, which means there are no set dining times or dress codes.

NCL’s signature concept is Freestyle Cruising. This means ditching the rigid schedules and formal dress codes often associated with cruises. NCL offers:

• Flexible Dining: You can choose from a variety of specialty restaurants or casual eateries whenever you please. There are no fixed meal times!
• Relaxed Dress Code: Pack what makes you feel comfortable, from casual wear to something dressier for special evenings.

NCL caters to all types of travelers, including couples and families. Couples will enjoy romantic getaways with intimate onboard spaces, specialty dining for two, and shore excursions tailored for couples. And for families, NCL features kid-friendly activities, splash areas, youth clubs, and even family-oriented shore excursions.

Royal Caribbean International (RCI)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
7-Night Greek Isles Cruise: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy—Santorini, Greece—Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey—Mykonos, Greece—Naples / Capri, Italy—Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
7 Night Greece & Turkey Cruise: Barcelona, Spain—Valletta, Malta—Santorini, Greece— Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey—Mykonos, Greece—Athens (Piraeus), Greece.
7-Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise: Southampton, England—Molde, Norway—Skjolden, Norway—Olden, Norway—Haugesund, Norway—Southampton, England.

Mainstream Amenities: Multiple dining options, stylish staterooms (typically 170 to 220 square feet, offering a cozy space with a bathroom, closet, television, and a small desk area), refreshing pools, bars, and lounges.

Established in 1968 in Norway under the name Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the company later became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. With its headquarters based in Miami, Florida, Royal Caribbean International has solidified its position as the world’s largest cruise line by revenue and the second-largest by passenger count as of January 2024.

As a trailblazer in the industry, Royal Caribbean International has revolutionized cruising by pioneering the concept of mega-ships, introducing unprecedented vessels like the renowned Oasis of the Seas class. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to exceptional experiences, Royal Caribbean International remains at the forefront of the modern cruise industry.

RCI is a family-friendly haven with kids’ clubs, water slides, pools, character meet-and-greets, and even thrilling activities like rock climbing or skydiving simulators. Romance isn’t forgotten! Savor specialty dining, luxurious spas, and intimate activities like wine tastings or dance classes. Some ships even have adults-only areas for ultimate relaxation.

Carnival Cruise Line

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
A Taste of the Mediterranean: Departure Port: Barcelona, Spain; Ports of Call: Marseille (Provence), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples (Capri & Pompeii), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy; Duration: 7 Days.
Majestic Mediterranean Marvels: Departure Port: Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ports of Call: Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Messina, Sicily, Italy; Naples (Capri & Pompeii), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Duration: 10 Days.
Iberian & Mediterranean Charms: Departure Port: Lisbon, Portugal; Ports of Call: Seville (Cadiz), Spain; Malaga, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Marseille (Provence), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Duration: 10 Days.

Mainstream Amenities: Stage shows, comedy clubs, dance clubs, poolside entertainment, Water slides, mini-golf courses, rock climbing walls, and even zip lines on some ships, duty-free shops, gyms and fitness centers, salons and spas, casinos (on some ships), libraries and internet cafes.

Carnival set sail in 1972 with a single ship, the Mardi Gras. Its focus on casual cruises with a fun-loving spirit helped it grow into the industry leader it is today. Carnival currently boasts the largest fleet within the Carnival Corporation, with over 24 ships.

Known for its “Fun Ship” motto, Carnival offers a variety of activities and entertainment options for all ages, from water slides and mini-golf courses to stage shows and nightclubs. Carnival has several Mediterranean cruises, including cruises to the Greek Islands, Italy, and Spain.

While the lively atmosphere might not suit everyone seeking seclusion, Carnival offers couples options. Many ships have adult-only areas, secluded decks, and specialty restaurants perfect for a romantic dinner. Shore excursions often feature scenic destinations and opportunities for exploration together.

Carnival shines when it comes to families.  Their ships are practically built for kids, with water parks, mini-golf courses, arcades, and dedicated children’s clubs with supervised activities. Family-friendly shows, spacious cabins that can accommodate everyone, and themed dining options make Carnival a popular choice for creating lasting memories together.

Princess Cruises

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended Itinerary:
Mediterranean Highlights: Departure Port: Barcelona, SpainDay; Ports of Call: Marseille, France, Florence and Rome, Italy, Kotor, Montenegro, Mykonos, Greece, Athens, Greece. Duration: 7 Days
Mediterranean & Aegean Delights: Departure Port: Rome, Italy; Ports of Call: Naples, Italy, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Corfu, Greece, return to Rome and disembark. Duration: 7 Days

Mainstream Amenities: Unique enrichment programs like lectures, cooking demonstrations, and local cultural experiences tailored to the destinations visited. Pools, movies under the stars, Broadway-caliber shows, musical productions, talented performers, casinos, well-equipped gyms, group fitness classes, and sports courts. Also, browse through various duty-free shops offering souvenirs, clothing, and luxury goods.

Established in 1965, Princess Cruises has emerged as a seasoned presence in the cruise industry, boasting a wealth of experience and expertise. Founded by Stanley McDonald, the company embarked on its journey by specializing in cruises to the enchanting Mexican Riviera.

Princess Cruises’ fame escalated significantly with their prominent role in the beloved 1970s television series The Love Boat, which cemented their reputation as a premier option for romantic getaways. Joining forces with Carnival Corporation & plc in 2003, Princess Cruises aligned with the world’s largest cruise line operator, further solidifying its position as a leading force in the global cruising landscape. Princess Cruises is a good option for couples and families who are looking for a more traditional cruise experience.

Princess Cruises provides an atmosphere of sophistication and romance. Passengers can enjoy intimate specialty restaurants, luxurious spas, and relaxing poolside cabanas. While offering a relaxing experience for adults, Princess Cruises doesn’t forget about families. They have a well-regarded program, “Camp Discovery,” with dedicated age-appropriate activities, childcare services, and even teen discos.