Top 11 Mediterranean Cruise Tips

Discover the 11 secrets and tips on having an incredible Mediterranean Cruise. Drawing on my experiences from cruising the Mediterranean, these are the 11 essential and important things you need to know before you book and go. I explore topics like best time to go, main itineraries, best ports to sail in and out of, cruises lines and ships to consider, excursions, currency and getting the most of your time in the Mediterranean region. It is a gorgeous and interesting part of the world and the second biggest cruising destination in the world (after the Caribbean).
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Every week Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers Channel posts a video to help you make the most of your precious travel time and money on both land and at sea. First-hand travel inspiration, advice and tips based on the over 20 years I have been travelling every month.
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Пікірлер: 108

  • @genestone5432
    @genestone54322 жыл бұрын

    Gary is probably the best at giving you the real information you need for cruising. No funny stuff, garbage, or BS. Thank you Gary!

  • @curetiamhices289
    @curetiamhices2893 жыл бұрын

    We took a Viking cruise in spring of 2019. Their ships carry only 930 passengers. Started in Venice and ended in Barcelona. Great cruise and Viking is fantastic. They do not have a casino or disco, and no kids. This was exactly what we wanted. We’re scheduled for a Viking cruise in December 2021 to New Zealand and Australia. Fingers crossed.

  • @DNHarris
    @DNHarris3 жыл бұрын

    Just have to say, I love your content Gary. All the videos you have published speak right to the level of thinking I am at. Not too superficial nor too mundane, just right!

  • @stevethomas760
    @stevethomas7603 жыл бұрын

    Joined a good friend sailing in Mediterranean two times, Greek Isles & Sicily. Looking forward to going back on a cruise. Thanks for the tips

  • @smadden3933
    @smadden39336 жыл бұрын

    Omg! I just found your channel few weeks ago and have been watching all of your past videos recently! And i really enjoy them they are very informational. YESTERDAY I booked a Mediterranean cruise through Norwegian and now you have a video out about it today lol that’s crazy!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thanks for watching my videos, appreciate you taking time to comment! Have a fab cruise!!!!! (and keep watching :-) )

  • @meenaaanandi2205
    @meenaaanandi2205 Жыл бұрын

    I love your no nonsense information with the right amount of visuals and information.

  • @tixximmi1
    @tixximmi15 жыл бұрын

    Great Info. You brought up a lot of good points.

  • @kimberleybornschein
    @kimberleybornschein5 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoy your videos. I love the fact that you go through the information quickly and stay very focused. The information is very interesting and very helpful. Thank you!

  • @panedole

    @panedole

    4 жыл бұрын

    This was great, thanks, I been tryin to find out about "single cruises reviews" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Kenandon Studify Sechenov - (search on google )? It is a great one off guide for discovering how to have a magnetic hold over women minus the headache. Ive heard some super things about it and my colleague got excellent results with it.

  • @skirtedfancy
    @skirtedfancy6 жыл бұрын

    Your videos are so helpful, thank you for the information! I'm taking my first cruise in October around the Mediterranean & Adriatic area and I'm soaking up as much information as possible!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome. Great to hear you finding them helpful. Hope you have a wonderful first cruise!

  • @Viperbob
    @Viperbob6 жыл бұрын

    Typically a great video, thanks, a ton of info to take in. Keep up this great work, wife an I have seen almost all of yours. Thank you sir.

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome thanks. Much appreciate the kind comments and keep watching :-) !!

  • @maryelizabeth6082
    @maryelizabeth60826 жыл бұрын

    Nice video Gary. Great tips to keep in mind.

  • @JayBVideos
    @JayBVideos5 жыл бұрын

    Excellent details... thank you sir!!

  • @judylaska5669
    @judylaska56694 жыл бұрын

    We go to Italy in the fall. We will be on HAL for 12 days!! Can’t wait👍🏻😊 loved listening to your helpful information

  • @sweetypatnett6123
    @sweetypatnett61232 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Gary! I'm taking notes. Planning to go on a Mediterranean cruise one day.😊🙏😊

  • @robertbarnier45
    @robertbarnier456 жыл бұрын

    Always the best advice

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks 😀😀😀

  • @maryelizabeth6082
    @maryelizabeth60826 жыл бұрын

    Nice video once again Gary. You have such great tips to share. I really enjoy your videos.

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much. Really appreciate you taking time to leave a comment. Great to hear you enjoying them still!

  • @jayjordan9275
    @jayjordan92752 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video. Thanks for the tips

  • @allthingsiro
    @allthingsiro2 жыл бұрын

    Headed to the Mediterranean in June and this video was very helpful.

  • @mobopolo
    @mobopolo6 жыл бұрын

    The tip on the distance from the Port to the actually cities was very helpful. It was something I hadn't taken into consideration. Thanks!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear it helped!!

  • @clement2780

    @clement2780

    4 жыл бұрын

    yeah, wonder why at least transfer from port to main city advertised is not included in cruise fare price. so as to give true price of cruise . the port taxes , tips, gratuities, really add up,... you though this was a 599-600 $ cruise but usually ends up being closer to 3000$ per person once you have the grand total. costa, oceania have been the best, costa has 300-400$ cruises base fare so even with taces, air, excursions , you are still within budget or slightly over, oceania includes airfare , excursions, so sounds initially higher but well worth it, norwegian excursions over priced avoid, princess is middle range price 200-300 top price excursion, excluding specialty performances, .... norwegian 500-600 for a single excursion high demand places like uffizi accademia, vatican, louvre orsay. think about how much you would regret not going too. river cruises, excursions if not included, still usually only take about an hour to get to the town city you really came to see, never three hours one way from warnemünde to berlin, two hours from civitavecchia to rome, or livorno or la spezia to florence, malaga to cordoba or granada, cadiz to seville, genova or portofino to milano, salerno or sorrento or positano etc to paestum pompeii ercolano. le havre to paris , harwich or southampton or dover to london four hours taxi speeding.

  • @singham1708
    @singham17086 ай бұрын

    Wow... Awesome. I couldn't have stumbled upon a better video than this. Planning for a first time Mediterranean Cruise and this seems like a Bible to me.

  • @ahmedsuhail9623
    @ahmedsuhail96234 жыл бұрын

    Hi dear Many thanks for your excellent explanation about these tips which can help the tourist when he decide to travel. My best regards.

  • @elisolomon8741
    @elisolomon87412 жыл бұрын

    I love your content. My wife and I did a back to back med tour in 2019. Saw from the Rock to Montenegro and everything in between. I'm now trying to get her back on a ship after covid. The Greek Isles and Italy beckon. Wish me luck.

  • @reinajackson5552
    @reinajackson55526 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic! We’re leaving in July for two weeks! Great timing!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome ! Have a great time

  • @DanetteSWhite
    @DanetteSWhite11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the information.

  • @MrSivaram07
    @MrSivaram072 жыл бұрын

    Very useful insights 👌🏽👍🏼

  • @jjjgirl3
    @jjjgirl34 жыл бұрын

    excellent, thank you!

  • @yoneekscott3136
    @yoneekscott3136 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome Awesome Awersome, thank you!!!

  • @victorwashington7306
    @victorwashington73066 жыл бұрын

    Very informative The Eastern Mediterranean cruise may be a consideration

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear! Have a great cruise if you do that one !

  • @paulkeay2650
    @paulkeay26506 жыл бұрын

    Another great video. One tip for the Med I would add is consider cruises with Gibraltar, Kotor, Guernsey, or Ceuta as ports of call (or the Canary Islands) these ports are outside the European VAT zone and therefore all your purchases on board the ship FOR THE DURATION OF THE CRUISE will be VAT free (Sometimes only applies whilst at sea). Some of the Central Med Cruises don't ever leave the European VAT Zone and sometimes people are surprised that most of their purchases on board (inc drinks) get about 20% added on at the till throughout the cruise ...ouch

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    nice tip! Thanks !

  • @maryelizabeth6082

    @maryelizabeth6082

    6 жыл бұрын

    What is a VAT zone?

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Where value added tax is added to the price. In the UK it is 20% but the price quoted includes it

  • @paulkeay2650

    @paulkeay2650

    6 жыл бұрын

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_value_added_tax Where a cruise visits a port outside the EU VAT Zone (e.g The Canaries, Gibraltar, Kotor) all purchases on board are Duty Free (usually throughout the cruise, but sometimes the shops have to close whilst in port). If a cruise doesn't leave the EU VAT Zone then purchases on board (which are usually priced Tax Free) have Duty Added at the till - this can apply to Shop and Bar Purchases

  • @bkg1209
    @bkg12094 жыл бұрын

    Extraordinarily helpful! It didn't even occur to me that the attractions that were being presented in the itinerary would be so far away from the actual port. What a great piece of information. Thanks so much. After 8 Caribbean cruises, I am quite well-versed in those, but a complete newb to the Europe/Mediterranean cruises, so this was a very helpful video! Thanks again!

  • @ryanwallace4204
    @ryanwallace42045 жыл бұрын

    Great tips

  • @adventuresinmarriagewithja3832
    @adventuresinmarriagewithja3832 Жыл бұрын

    Great video! It was helpful

  • @dxxldiva
    @dxxldiva2 жыл бұрын

    Love your short videos! I wish more KZreadrs would go back to under 10 min. videos.😄

  • @ausiegrl
    @ausiegrl5 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoy all your videos . What cruise line do you prefer to cruise the MED? Thank you!

  • @yvetcronin6628
    @yvetcronin66285 жыл бұрын

    Great! Information 👍thank you

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    Pleasure. Glad you found it helpful

  • @annemarieduggan6333
    @annemarieduggan63336 жыл бұрын

    Great video thank you

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, great to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment!

  • @chrismcdonnell1695
    @chrismcdonnell16956 жыл бұрын

    Hi Gary, another great and informative vid. Can I ask that you put up some posts on Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. If you have experience in those regions.

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks ! Good to hear! Thanks also for the suggestions ! I will plan to do as can (except for South Pacific that only going to early next year!)

  • @pamelahaukaas964
    @pamelahaukaas9646 жыл бұрын

    Love your information. Could you please expand on the key differences between the Mediterranean cruise lines?

  • @neilmckay8649
    @neilmckay86493 жыл бұрын

    Thoroughly appreciating the quality and style of your videos. A question: re Mediterranean cruises, my wife holds a non-European passport, would a cruise organization facilitate a Schengen visa?

  • @Exploratorium360
    @Exploratorium3603 жыл бұрын

    Good job ! I 👍 just subscribed

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great! Thanks!

  • @nicolesamazingvacations5064
    @nicolesamazingvacations50644 жыл бұрын

    I will be doing a seven day on a small Greek cruise line.celystial cruises is the one I’m doing.

  • @philiplee1803
    @philiplee18035 жыл бұрын

    I really am lucky that i came across your video.Totally helped me in planning on which land tours to take. Will be going on a 14day Princess Cruise in late May...visiting Italy.and Greece and finally Barcelona. Can i ask you for your advice on places like Crete,Corfu and Montenegro as they have very limited tours.Should i just go on our own in these places?We dont mind just walking around the town area. Any help and info on these places would be greatly appreciated!!Thanks again....and great informative videos!!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yes I would. Based on where you dock there will either be the choice to use a shuttle into town or (what I like to do and they have them in the others but not sure about Montenegro) use the hop on hop off bus which is at or close to those ports. Inexpensive and gets you to main sights . We did that

  • @GlobalAdventurer
    @GlobalAdventurer4 жыл бұрын

    I've booked two repositioning cruises from and to the Mediterranean. Both during shoulder season. Should be a small amount of kids.

  • @donnamanitu8372
    @donnamanitu83726 жыл бұрын

    Great tip about picking the right cruise line. We left out of Barcelona on the Harmony of the Seas for a 7 day cruise. Just about at every stop people were also starting and ending their cruise. Other people had signed on for a 3 or 4 day cruise which means almost the entire cruise had luggage in the hallways and people crowding to settle their accounts with the front desk. I also agree on doing your research on the ports and how far the towns are from where the boats dock. On two of our stops we planned out our own day and had a relaxing time just exploring.

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching and really appreciate you adding these additional tips and suggestions

  • @ritafreeman3252
    @ritafreeman32526 жыл бұрын

    To Peter Frisian about Malta, the cruise port is very close to the beautiful city of Valletta its a short walk to the Barrakka lift and bang you are right in the middle of a beautiful historic city you will not be disappointed if you get tired take the lift back down to go back to the ship

  • @creativecreationsbycrt5454
    @creativecreationsbycrt54545 жыл бұрын

    So excited about our upcoming 9 day Greek RC cruise. Have so enjoyed your tips. Could you plz tell us about currency needs. We start from Cevitcci (sp) Rome and continue to Greece isles. Will we need Euros or can we get away with US dollars, US ATM cards and Credit Cards .thanks for your advice. PS. On this cruise can you lay out at ship pool And get tan at this time of year.?

  • @royknight5107
    @royknight51073 ай бұрын

    We're going on the Viking SEA in May of this year

  • @ibislife
    @ibislife6 жыл бұрын

    Hi, thanks for your video, I´m going on a Mediterranean cruise in Sept. this year, and I'm wondering if shore excursions are worth it, for example Santorini, where does the ship (RCCL Rhapsody) anchor up? Is it close to the picturesque city of Oia? Is it worth spending around $100 per person on a shore excursion here, or can one do this town on our own?

  • @gloriakoch4242
    @gloriakoch42425 жыл бұрын

    Gary, I am disabled and use a 3-wheel electric scooter. How hard is it going to be for me to get around Barcelona, Rome, etc?

  • @shawnwert4397
    @shawnwert43973 жыл бұрын

    What is your recommendation between a Royal Caribbean 7 Night Greek Isles Cruise or a 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise? Thank you!

  • @chandrakantkhandare7573
    @chandrakantkhandare75736 жыл бұрын

    👌👌👌

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks 😀😀

  • @Jacobo1O1O1O
    @Jacobo1O1O1O4 жыл бұрын

    I love your videos, we have a cruise on Explorer of the seas October 6 through the 10th of 2020... first time overseas would you pls help us out with recommendation ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY SICILY (MESSINA), ITALY VALLETTA, MALTA CRUISING MYKONOS, GREECE EPHESUS (KUSADASI), TURKEY SANTORINI, GREECE ATHENS (PIRAEUS), GREECE CRUISING NAPLES, ITALY ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITAL

  • @petrfrizen6078
    @petrfrizen60786 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for the info, Gary! Which amongst the Mediterranean cruise ports have the shortest and most trouble free distances to the major sightseeing attraction? Genoa? Athens?.. My impression from the views of the cruise ships in Malta and Venice was that they are not too far away, but not very close either to the main historic attractions… it would be quite problematic to walk back to the ship. What is the most visitors friendly port in the Med from this travelling pedestrian viewpoint? …Yalta and Sevastopol are wonderful in this respect, but they are not in the Mediterranean, alas.

  • @francinenizienski2760
    @francinenizienski27605 жыл бұрын

    Gary, we are doing an Eastern Mediterranean cruise in May, staying in Rome before and after. Should we tip extra in US currency on the boat or hotels or in other currency

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    Depends on which line. If any of the USA owned lines then yes. Tip in the currency used on the ship is usually best. So lines like P&O use British Pound, MSC and Costa Euro but mostly US $. Tips in hotels etc should be Euros

  • @tinahitrec9405
    @tinahitrec94056 жыл бұрын

    I'm going on a mediterranean cruise in about 10 days and I'm really excited. we are visiting Barcelona as well as many other cities. But we are in Barcelona for only 5 hours :( Do you know how can we make the most of it, what to visit?

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    6 жыл бұрын

    If you have time do the hop-on hop-off bus as that will get you around all the sites and should do all well within that then ideally stop off at the Familia Church - that is the most significant sight in the city. I have a video of the Barcelona highlights

  • @tinahitrec9405

    @tinahitrec9405

    6 жыл бұрын

    Tips For Travellers thanks! I'm gonna check that video now!

  • @frankde58
    @frankde585 жыл бұрын

    Hello we are plaing a med cruse 14days or more Wifes retirement trip but my wife uses a HD scotter we like Princess very much which ports are scotter friendly it would be very helpful we plain to sail from the stats cruse the med and sail back to fl any ideas ? thanks

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    The good news is that all the ports lines like Princess call in will have some options. I would recommend though look for itineraries that do not include tender ports as getting on and off the tender boats can be an issue and you usually cannot take scooters

  • @susieq9369
    @susieq93695 жыл бұрын

    Hey Gary! Tha't very helpful. I'm thinking about taking my parents to europe.They never been to europe before. Do you think Mediterranean Cruise is a better way to travel for us? Thank you a lot!

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yes it’s a great way of seeing the region . Other option is a river cruise on Rhine or Danube too

  • @susieq9369

    @susieq9369

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@tipsfortravellers Thank you Gary!

  • @clement2780

    @clement2780

    4 жыл бұрын

    land, bus, train, river cruises are better than mediterranean cruises. scandinavia, much better for distance from ports to actual advertised cities. scotland, ireland wales also easy. why waste three four hours one way, so six to nine hours just getting from port to just get a short fleeting glimpse of that dream city?

  • @steveee2511
    @steveee25115 жыл бұрын

    i booked a 7 night greek island and craotia cruise with the norwegian star departing venice,kotor,corfu,santorini,mykonos,kefalonia and dubrovich. is that a great route.

  • @GlobalAdventurer

    @GlobalAdventurer

    4 жыл бұрын

    Dubrovnik is beautiful. However, if there's a lot of other cruise ships there when you arrive, it will be a madhouse in the old city.

  • @Dawho99
    @Dawho994 ай бұрын

    hey gary, your vids always seem to have lower volume than other youtube videos, have any idea why?

  • @thefreshvince879
    @thefreshvince8793 жыл бұрын

    MSC has some 7 day cruises from 280 -380 depending on ship right now, worth it?

  • @ton_of_youtube1831
    @ton_of_youtube18312 жыл бұрын

    What about Viking Cruises in the Medditerean?

  • @glgardener4972
    @glgardener4972 Жыл бұрын

    Is it safe to use my US credit card in the shops?

  • @Jonnisftw
    @Jonnisftw3 жыл бұрын

    What is a good choice if you would prefer to stay on the cruise rather then spending your time in each port?

  • @steffonlambert6328
    @steffonlambert63284 жыл бұрын

    What's the price for a 14 days European Cruise

  • @mysticsoul6536
    @mysticsoul65365 жыл бұрын

    Great video, I'm thinking to go in September this year. I want to go on a 7-9 day cruise however I am not sure which cruise line to choose? I want one that is fun, great for young people and affordable. Any suggestions?

  • @tipsfortravellers

    @tipsfortravellers

    5 жыл бұрын

    Take a look at Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean . They should be great for that

  • @ADRXTRM
    @ADRXTRM3 жыл бұрын

    Well... I always notice when, talking about the mediterranean ocean, people always talk about spain, france, italy, greece and other country's. Makes kind of sense i guess. But litterly NO ONE talks about African country's like morocco, Algeria, Tunesia, Egypt and others. Why is that? I mean... There are cruise lines combining north and south mediterranean.

  • @clement2780
    @clement27804 жыл бұрын

    how about calling on milano, paestum, ercolano, figueres cadaques, seville, cordoba, granada, as well as florence uffizi accademia, rome vatican, ravenna, padova scrovegni chapel.... northern cruises, also how about west france, north spain, british isles, particularly ireland scotland wales.... also distance from ports to cities towns. yes pre, post stay. how do we get from savona, marseilles, etc... yes paris, london, florence, rome, berlin, cordoba, granada alhambra, seville, are so far from ports. are there places you would reccommend full escorted excursion, transport only excursion, public transport self guided, .... i find if the attractions are high demand and the destinations are far away from port definitely book excursions. provence, definitely relax, croatia, relax.... turkey and russia full excursion to avoid visas.

  • @samundrapantha9558
    @samundrapantha95582 жыл бұрын

    How can i work in ship??

  • @clement2780
    @clement27804 жыл бұрын

    also black sea ocean or river cruises are neglected....

  • @IrishInsomniac76
    @IrishInsomniac762 жыл бұрын

    I find it quite misleading by then cruise lines to say you are sailing from Venice when the port is in Ravenna 150kms south. Nowhere near Venice. At least with Royal Caribbean

  • @chizomni
    @chizomni4 жыл бұрын

    “Near Rome” still an hour and a half away

  • @DNHarris

    @DNHarris

    3 жыл бұрын

    I think it is awesome he thinks of distance like someone from Michigan, though clearly he is from the UK. We Michiganders are famous for citing distance based on how much time it'll take you to walk (in town), drive (across the state or neighboring states), or bike (Mackinac Island) to your destination, rather than give a distance in miles.

  • @77Treasurehunter77
    @77Treasurehunter774 жыл бұрын

    Use maps next time to show where you are talking about.....it's just more cohesive.

  • @PipinhoSnow
    @PipinhoSnow4 жыл бұрын

    ok

  • @cosmic4037
    @cosmic40373 жыл бұрын

    TOP TIP you will need a small fortune to go on a cruise and pay for it.

  • @muhammadshafiquedaiwliqadr3208
    @muhammadshafiquedaiwliqadr32082 жыл бұрын

    ALLAH ALMIGHTY says in HOLY GUIDE BOOK QURAN.... Visit Earth visit World visit universe... Lot of Love & Respect from LAHORE city PAKISTAN 💛💙💜💚❤💗💓💕💖💞