There couldn’t be a better time to discuss the pros and cons of a Mediterranean cruise vacation, as we’ve just returned from our holiday tour across the Mediterranean Sea with kids. It’s a travel experience many consider at some point, especially if you’re looking to visit multiple European countries in a single trip. Based on my three cruise experiences, let me share my honest review of the pros and cons I encountered along the way.

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Pros and Cons of a Mediterranean Cruise Vacation

Why Mediterranean cruises?

How cruising has become my thing

Over the years, I kept reassuring everyone that cruising wasn’t my type of vacation. And yet, here I am – writing this article about the three Mediterranean cruises we’ve taken as a family. I went on my first Mediterranean cruise out of sheer curiosity, but my travel preferences have changed since having kids, who are now excited about holiday ideas that my husband and I used to avoid. Amusement parks, all-inclusive resorts, and cruises are now at the top of their list. It’s easy to understand why – exploring Roman ruins may be educational, but a massive cruise liner with shows, lights, activities, and lavish decorations simply takes their breath away. And that’s why we’ve already enjoyed three Mediterranean cruises.

Based on my experiences, I’m now ready to share the pros and cons of a Mediterranean cruise vacation with anyone considering it.

Useful Resources & Books on Cruising

To make your own plans at every cruise stop, you can get one these guides: Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports, Lonely Planet Cruise Ports Mediterranean Europe, Mediterranean Cruise Ports Marco Polo, National Geographic Traveler: Ports of Call and Beyond, Cruise Guide to the Europe & The Mediterranean and Mediterranean By Cruise Ship, 8th Edition: The Complete Guide to Mediterranean Cruising.

To organize it all, you might find handy packing with you a beautiful journal: My Mediterranean Cruise Journal – A Travel Planner, Cruise Ship Companion: Record Your Journey at Sea, Cruise Travel Diary, Bon Voyage! My Cruise Journal, or My Cruise Journal – Notebook to Record.

As to the activities and day trip during your Mediterranean Cruise Vacation – you can book those once on board or check the local offers at any port via GetYourGuide or Viator. There are a few useful books on cruises you might be interested to read – Tips From The Cruise Addict’s Wife, Best Cruise Tips: 303 Cruise Hacks Saving You Time, Money & Frustration, CRUISING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS, and Cruise Control: A Complete Guide to Carefree Cruising. If you need more inspiration for the upcoming trip, check these wanderlust books on cruise ships: Dangerous Crossing, The Unsinkable Greta James, The Woman in Cabin 10, Shipped, and Here Come the Girls.

Cruising with kids

If you plan a Mediterranean Cruise Vacation with kids – spark their wanderlust before the trip via books about Cruises (like Lonely Planet Kids How Ships Work , Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft, How to Draw Cool Ships and Boats, and Hey Kids! Let’s Visit a Cruise Ship). Get them their own Kid’s Cruise Travel Journal and Cruise Ships Coloring Book. Especially, if it’s their first time cruising: the little ones will behave so much better once they know what to expect, and how the whole cruising ship world works.

All About Our 3 Mediterranean Cruises

The 1st Cruise Ever (from Venice|Italy to Santorini|Greece)

My first Mediterranean cruise took place in 2012 on board of Costa Fascinosa (these days the boat is on another 14-days itinerary).

Back then cruising was simply something I have never tried in my entire life and was eager to experience. The main stops on that 7-day Mediterranean Cruise vacation were Venice (Italy), Bari (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Katakolo (Greece), Rhodes (Greece), and Santorini (Greece). Overall, I was so new to cruising that everything felt exciting onboard. These days almost no Mediterranean Cruises are leaving from Venice, and the company focusing on the Balkans is Seabourn. But back then I enjoyed so much that opportunity to cross the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (these have the most beautiful see-through waters). Also, after my first Mediterranean Cruise vacation, I have completely fallen in love with Greece.

The 2nd Cruise ( from Tarragona|Spain to Corcega and Sardegna)

Our second Mediterranean Cruise Vacation in 2019 was meant to be our first international family getaway with a 10-month-year-old baby and a 2-year-old toddler. This 11-day trip included lots of new places we have never seen before, like Savona (Italy) (which we had missed during our romantic trip to Tuscany), Mahon (Menorca), Ajaccio (Corcega), Elba Island (Italy), Naples (Italy), Toulon (France), and Porto Torres (Sardegna). Also we made stops at a few familiar destinations like Tarragona/Spain and the top Spanish islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. This vacation was the most challenging one of my three Mediterranean Cruises (mainly cause my kids were so small and we couldn´t use Kids Club on board as they were under 3; plus the wholr trip lasted for 11 days). After the cruise I felt like I needed another vacation to recover.

Nevertheless, I would still have lived it all over again if given a choice. Seeing so many places in 11 days with small kids would be completely impossible on any other kind of trip. Hitting the road with babies and toddlers has its own challenges no matter where you are heading (plus, you need to bring along so many travel essentials). Many might say that this effort was not worth it, as children won´t even remember anything while being so small. Well, no way! – Till the present day my oldest daughter (she was only 2 y.o. back then) keeps reminding us of all the shows and experiences on board (especially how she went to party with Peppa Pig that one day lol).

Therefore, my kids made me realize that the whole cruise trip (and the huge ship itself) had a huge impact on them. We booked the trip with Costa Cruises, but these days the boat doing a similar itinerary from Tarragona is Explora Journeys.Nevertheless, since the kids were so impressed, I felt like we would be forced to go on another Mediterranean Cruise in the nearest future.

The 3rd Cruise (From Barcelona|Spain to Rome|Italy)

And so it was. Recently we returned from our third Mediterranean Cruise vacation. This trip was the least interesting in terms of sightseeing (as we´ve already been in all the cruise-stop cities), but the best one in terms of our experience. It was on board of MSC Meraviglia (these days the ship is cruising in the US), but MSC Seaview offers a similar itinerary.

First of all, my girls have grown up (now they are 5 and 3 years old). So, being on the road with them got so much easier – we could even use the Kids club a few times. Secondly, visiting the destinations we have already seen has dropped the pressure of not being able to enjoy a new place fully (as it happens on every Mediterranean Cruise Vacation due to a limited time at any destination, especially with kids). For this trip, the itinerary included Cannes (France), Genova (Italy), La Spezia (Italy), Rome (Italy), Mallorca (Spain), and Barcelona (Spain). Both me and my husband were secretly disappointed that our kids enjoyed the cruise ship and all the shows on board more than they did with the new European cities and museums. But I guess, it was also quite predictable right from the start. At their age kids usually love shows, fun, lights, and dancing, and tend to complain about the summer heat and queues at landmarks. You can check our room, food, and other details of this Mediterranean Cruise Vacation on my IG Highlights.

My Opinion: Pros and Cons of a Mediterranean Cruise

Let me sum it up and go into more detail about the pros and cons of a Mediterranean cruise vacation, based on our three trips.

Pros of cruising the Mediterranean Sea

Going on a Mediterranean Cruise definitely has some significant perks if compared to other types of travel, otherwise, it would never be as popular as it is.

1. No packing/unpacking

On a cruise, you visit a new place every day, but you only pack and unpack twice – once when you board and again when you leave the ship. It’s incredibly convenient and time-saving for everyone, but for those of us traveling with small kids, it’s an absolute game-changer. Parents know that traveling light with kids can feel like an impossible task. Minimizing packing and unpacking frees up valuable time for other activities. You don’t have to move around overloaded with stuff; simply unpack when you arrive and forget about it until the end of your Mediterranean cruise vacation.

2. Multiple countries and destinations

Another major benefit of a Mediterranean cruise vacation is the variety of destinations, countries, and cultures you can experience in just one week. It’s never dull, unlike staying in one place for an entire week, which can feel repetitive for many. If you’re traveling with kids, visiting different countries along the way is a fantastic way to broaden their horizons. They’ll be exposed to new languages, cultures, and architectural wonders across Europe every day, making it a truly unique experience for the little ones.

3. Social life

Going out, dressing up, sipping cocktails, enjoying sunsets, meeting new people, and making friends – social life possibilities are endless on any Mediterranean cruise vacation. This is true even for those traveling with kids. Firstly, you can always leave them at the Kids’ Club to enjoy a quiet, child-free dinner. Secondly, you can meet other families with kids and share a few child-friendly activities together. Thirdly, your kids might make new friends from other countries and have their own social experiences. With a wide range of activities and events organized on board, even solo travelers can meet like-minded people.

4. The Kids Club

IIf you plan to use the Kids Club frequently, it’s important to do your research, as this could be a key factor in choosing one cruise ship over another. Some Mediterranean cruises even offer nanny services and clubs for babies on board. During our second Mediterranean cruise vacation, this would have been a game-changer. Our ship had several playgrounds, but no clubs or activities for babies. With both of my girls under 3, I became completely burned out after 11 days of chasing them around. Even just 20 minutes of personal time each day would have made things so much easier.

It also helps if you’re traveling with parents or friends, as having a few hours of rest can be a lifesaver if your baby keeps you up all night. But if it’s just you and your partner traveling with small kids, having the option to leave your child in a supervised playground with other kids could be a huge relief for the whole family. Even as babies, our children always seek the company of other kids their age, wherever they go.

5. Entertainment

While you’ll probably find me in a quiet spot with a view, reading a wanderlust book or a romance novel, most people choose a Mediterranean cruise vacation for the non-stop entertainment. The day before, you usually receive the schedule of events for the next day, which typically includes theater shows, music concerts, parties, dance classes, yoga, sales events, and much more, all day long. It’s simply impossible to get bored on board, as there’s something for everyone, no matter your tastes or preferences. It’s also a great experience for kids – my girls have enjoyed musicals, various dance and magic shows, and even a circus – all in one week.

6. Food

The food on a cruise is a controversial topic for me. On one hand, you have a wide variety of food and cuisines available on board 24/7. Most cruise ships also offer additional restaurants that you can visit for an extra charge. The first 2-3 days, I really enjoyed trying everything, but by the last few days, it all started to taste the same to me. But maybe that’s just me. Many people, however, claim that the food is one of the biggest perks of a Mediterranean cruise vacation.

7. Service

The staff is generally friendly and eager to help. Many tourists mention feeling pampered during their cruises. Personally, I especially appreciated the room service, which included cleaning twice a day. When traveling with kids, a great cleaning service is one of those small details that makes a big difference. For example, if my kids spilled something on the sofa, I could simply press the cleaning button, go out for dinner, and by the time I returned, everything would be taken care of.

Cons of cruising the Mediterranean

1. Overcrowding

This might not be a disadvantage for people who love the buzz and are looking for a busy social life, but for me personally, it feels like one of the biggest downsides of a Mediterranean cruise vacation. Even a room with a balcony doesn’t guarantee the privacy needed to enjoy a cozy book with a view. With so many neighbors around, someone is always making noise. Additionally, most Mediterranean cruises include one or two days of navigation within the itinerary, meaning every guest will spend these days on board. On these days, the pool is almost impossible to access, and the buffet becomes a nightmare as well.

2. Limited time at any destination

Having limited time at each destination isn’t for everyone. In larger cities, you often only have a chance to see a few local sights, constantly checking your watch to make sure you return on time. Additionally, getting out of the dock area can be more time-consuming than expected. In some cases, the whole experience of disembarking can even feel stressful.

For example, on our last Mediterranean cruise, the ship made a stop at Civitavecchia, which is only 86 km from Rome. While that distance might seem close enough to make the most of your day, in reality, it takes much longer than an hour to reach Italy’s capital – unless you rent a car or take an organized tour. The organization at this port was probably my worst cruise experience so far. The bus inside the port took us to another bus stop, where we had to catch a second bus to the train station. To make matters worse, the line to buy train tickets was massive. So, while the actual train ride from Civitavecchia to Rome took 1 hour and 15 minutes, the two buses and ticket-buying process added another 1 hour and 40 minutes. In the end, we only had a few hours in Rome and spent most of the day on the road.

3. Internet

Staying connected is rarely a priority on a Mediterranean cruise vacation. Internet onboard is slow and expensive. While most European carriers provide cell service at ports, you are mostly disconnected from the rest of the world while navigating at sea. On our third Mediterranean cruise, the cruise line offered an app for the agenda and internal communications, but it didn’t work well. After constantly switching my phone on and off and trying to locate each other via texts in the app, we quickly reverted to the old days when people had to organize themselves without cell phones.

4. Extra charges and prices on board

Excursions, dining, spa services, photos, and almost everything you try to buy on board can be overpriced. Make sure to get a drinks package before your trip, as you might end up spending a lot more otherwise. Overall, it’s important to constantly monitor your ship account to keep track of charges. On our last cruise, we put 150 euros on our account before the trip, but for some reason, they weren’t activated. At the reception desk, they resolved the issue (after a 40-minute wait in line), but if we hadn’t checked, there could have been problems and delays when disembarking. Another small issue I didn’t like on our last MSC Mediterranean cruise was that they automatically charged 1 euro per guest for their charity foundation. While you could claim the money back at the reception desk, waiting in line to get back just one euro didn’t seem worth the time. So, even with reputable cruise companies, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on your spending and bills throughout the trip.

5. Food

As I’ve mentioned before, this one is quite controversial for me. The first 2-3 days, I really enjoyed trying everything, but by the last few days, it all started to taste the same. On the other hand, even if you enjoy the food, having so much good food available 24/7 might also be a challenge for those trying to stay in shape.

6. Small cabins

Cruise ship accommodations are designed to maximize space, so those accustomed to larger areas might not feel entirely comfortable inside. During our last Mediterranean cruise vacation, we had a balcony, which made things a bit better. However, your personal space will still be quite limited.

7. Environment

Large cruise ships still produce significant emissions, even though some invest in upgrading their fleets. This is an important factor to consider, as the future of travel increasingly depends on sustainable choices.

Is a Mediterranean cruise worth it?

In our case, the Mediterranean cruise turned out to be absolutely worth it, even though I was skeptical at first. The truth is, the pros outweigh the cons, especially when traveling with small children. Living on a massive cruise ship for a week, watching the horizon in the middle of the sea, experiencing the shows, and meeting other kids from all over the world is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the little ones. I feel like they’ve grown so much from our Mediterranean cruise vacations, trying tons of new things in just one week. Our three Mediterranean cruises will stay in our family’s memory box forever as some of the coolest experiences we’ve ever shared. While a Mediterranean cruise might not be my personal all-time favorite, my kids feel differently. So, it might end up being one of your top travel experiences as well. Just make sure to consider all the pros and cons of a Mediterranean cruise before deciding if it’s the right holiday choice for you.

Which cruise line is best for the Mediterranean?

From the cruises I’ve experienced, I personally enjoyed MSC for its good price-to-quality ratio. However, I would like to try Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, which are known for their elegant ships, exceptional service, and diverse itineraries. Additionally, Oceania Cruises is a popular choice for refined experiences, as are Viking Ocean Cruises.

Are the waters rough on a Mediterranean cruise?

The waters on a Mediterranean cruise are generally calm compared to other parts of the world. Out of all three of my cruises, there was only one time I recall people feeling dizzy, though I didn’t experience it myself. The boat felt a bit shakier, but I guess, I’m not too prone to seasickness. Additionally, all three of my Mediterranean cruises took place between June and September, which is considered a calmer season.

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