Awesome cruise destinations in the Mediterranean Sea right now: What’s more romantic than cruising from Venice? This dreamy eight-night trip visits eight ports around Greece, Italy, and Croatia, promising couples plenty of turquoise oceans, quaint seaside villages, and to-die-for Mediterranean food. Before you depart on one of the best cruises for couples in Europe, spend a day in Venice discovering its labyrinth of canals aboard a cozy gondola for two. Walk around La Serenissima’s cobblestone streets and picturesque bridges. Don’t forget to snap a photo at the iconic St. Mark’s Square while eating gelatos to cool down if you’re visiting Italy in the summer. Then you’re off to Rijeka, Croatia, where you’ll want to dive into the water once you catch a glimpse of the deep blue hue of the Adriatic Ocean. Stay in Rijeka and visit its many landmarks including its own Leaning Tower, the Cathedral of Saint Vitus, and a busy green market. Discover extra details at find a cruise.

The Panama Canal is a must-see for many travelers. A number of lines offer the 40-mile journey linking the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Consider UnCruise Adventures’ Costa Rica and Panama itineraries, which typically run in the winter months. Tim Jacox, president and chief operating officer of the line, says this cruise includes a full Panama Canal crossing. “Panama is not just the canal by any means. We exclusively tie in adventurous exploration on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the canal with native culture. Kayaking, hiking, snorkeling and paddleboarding lead into uplifting visits with Embera native villagers in the Darien jungle and Guna Yala natives in the former San Blas Islands,” he adds. Larger cruise lines that traverse the Panama Canal include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and more.

Take a trans-Atlantic crossing. Step back in time and embrace the grandeur of a trans-Atlantic crossing aboard the luxurious Queen Mary 2. This flagship of the savvy British Cunard Line carries roughly 2,700 guests and maintains a strict dress code, with several formal nights during the sailing. You can savor decadent cocktails and enjoy nightly entertainment, educational lectures and fine dining on board as you sail to destinations across Europe, Asia and Australia. You can even bring your pup along, thanks to the line’s at-sea kennel – the only cruise ship pet facility of its kind.

Here are some of the top cruising destinations around Europe that you should definitely consider experiencing. When it comes to European yacht holidays, destinations don’t get much better than Greece. This country is known for its magnificent Mediterranean coastline, stunning islands, and historic port towns. You can explore beautiful blue coves, dock at private white beaches, and hop between the many different islands. Discover the Mallorca’s Balearic Islands and swim in their crystal-clear waters or book an Ibiza yacht charter cruise to discover sheltered, hidden coves and enjoy the best sunsets you’ll ever see. With more than 6,000 islands, Greece is an ideal destination for sailing. From ancient ruins and breathtaking culture to incredible cuisine, idyllic villages, endless olive groves, and turquoise waters, Greece offers countless opportunities for fun and relaxation.

Honeymooners and couples can relax in Ibiza’s crystal-clear waters, enjoy unforgettable sunsets, explore its natural beauty spots, taste local renowned cuisine and have fun in an evening out at one of the famous nightclubs and bars. During the day, try one of the diverse leisure activities: visit a hippie market, book a day boat tour to famous Formentera, go on-board and try a diving experience, join a tour and discover the island by Vespa bike, visit a farm-house and learn how to produce traditional herb liquor and artisan soap … Consistently rated as one of the world’s most attractive beaches, Ses Salines (also referred to as Las Salinas) is usually the first stop for sun-seekers visiting Ibiza. Part of a natural park bearing the same name, this idyllic stretch of fine sand offers beautiful views of the inland countryside as well as the typically relaxing Ibiza bathing experience (there are no waves here). A scattering of cool beach bars offers all the extras that you need for a perfect day at the beach: good food – including wonderfully fresh fish – cold beers, tasty cocktails and decent tunes. Why the Mediterranean? The Mediterranean Sea separates Europe from Africa, and it is almost entirely surrounded by the land of the Mediterranean Basin. The Mediterranean is known as one of the world’s finest travel destinations, that invites you to set on an unforgettable journey and sail the coastlines of some of the twenty-one Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean is home to some of the world’s most popular summer destinations and hot spots for sailing due to its pleasant climate, turquoise sea, ancient ruins, famous Mediterranean food, and stunning architecture.

Those who start from the east and sail to the northern coast, or who want to sail to the Aeolian Archipelago should not underestimate the Strait of Messina. This sea area is difficult to navigate, primarily because of strong, constantly changing currents. In addition, the frequent ferry and ship traffic demands a lot of attention. The Strait of Messina is not suitable for beginners and could be problematic for less experienced crews. The most important ports in the area are: Trapani, Marsala, Marina di Ragusa, Marzamemi, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Milazzo, Porto Rosa, Sant Agata, Cefalu, Palermo, Lipari, Salina and Riposto.

With over 200 beaches, chic coastal resorts and fine weather, Corsica is one of the best-kept secrets of the Western Mediterranean. It’s a fairly isolated spot that has kept the tourist masses away so expect a more traditional way of life and plenty of peace and quiet. The coastline is also pretty special with unspoilt beaches, hidden coves and secluded bays which are best appreciated from the deck of a yacht. Highlights include the beautiful town of Ajaccio which is encircled by mountains and Bonifacio, a major port with a restaurant-lined harbour.

Carrefour operates several supermarkets near Sitimar Marina. Find every essential from Sicilian olive oil to chilled Moretti beer. Palermo’s trio of street markets – Ballaró, Vucciria and Capo – are alive with snails, octopus, rising bread and rapidly diminishing piles of tomatoes. It’s where locals do their weekly shop, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to join them. The Palermo-Montecarlo is an 804km (500mi) sprint from Sicily to Monaco, with breathtaking views over Sardinia and Corsica en route. The 50-plus sailboats that set sail from Mondello in Sicily in late August are big and beautiful. The offshore regatta also serves as a training ground for Olympians and America’s Cup sailors. Find more info on https://www.cruisebooking.com/.

Iceland is the perfect playground for those who love nature and wildlife. This island country is famed for its dramatic natural landscapes with towering mountains, magnificent fjords, geothermal springs, and volcanoes to discover. There’s also a wonderful array of wildlife to be found here. Humpback whales can often be spotted breaching in icy waters, and native birds soar in the skies overhead. An adventure cruise is a great way to see the mesmerising landscapes of Iceland, and a wonderful two-week trip in September 2023 will take you to many highlights of this magical country. Making the trip extra special is the chance to meet weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who will join you on an excursion and give an insightful talk and Q&A in Reykjavik.

Know what you want: Experienced cruisers have a bit of an advantage when it comes to booking a cruise online since they’re likely already familiar with cruise lines, ships, cabins, onboard features, etc., so making selections could be as simple as clicking a button. But if you’re new to cruising or you’re looking to try a new cruise line, destination or cabin type, you’ll want to make sure to do plenty of research before fiddling with an online booking site, or you could wind up confused and overwhelmed by a process that should simplify the travel booking experience.