Mediterranean Cruises in 2028

What Makes Mediterranean Cruises in 2028 Worth Planning Now?

The Mediterranean remains the world’s most popular cruising region, and 2028 is shaping up to be a strong year for it. Sailings span the full calendar, with itineraries ranging from short 4-night breaks to 22-night voyages, and a median length of 7 nights — enough time to take in several ports without feeling rushed. The mix runs from large, feature-packed ships to intimate vessels carrying fewer than 700 guests, with luxury, premium and contemporary lines all well represented. Prices start from £333 pp*, making the Med accessible at a range of budgets. Whether you have a cruise line in mind or are still weighing your options, we can help you narrow it down.

Where Do Mediterranean Cruises in 2028 Go?

The Mediterranean is a broad cruising ground, and 2028 sailings cover its full sweep — from the sun-baked coastlines of the west to the ancient ports of the east. Here is where these itineraries are concentrated.

Western Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean is the most heavily sailed part of the region in 2028 and rightly gets the most attention here. Departures from Marseille, France offer a gateway to the French Riviera and the western coast, while embarkations from Barcelona make it easy to combine a city break with the start of your cruise — and sailings from Barcelona in 2028 are well stocked. Itineraries in this part of the Med typically thread together a mix of Spanish, French and Italian ports, with voyages of 7 nights giving a solid introduction to the region.

Eastern Mediterranean

The Eastern Mediterranean rewards those who want deeper history and a different pace. Piraeus (Athens), Greece is the main hub, and many of these sailings head further into the Aegean and beyond. Istanbul, Turkey features on a number of itineraries, adding an unmistakable city to the route. Valletta, Malta also sits at the crossroads of Eastern and Central Mediterranean routes, and its compact, fortified harbour is one of the more distinctive ports of call in the region. For a broader look at the wider destination, our Mediterranean cruises hub covers the full range of years and options.

Embarkation Ports

The main embarkation ports for 2028 Mediterranean sailings are Barcelona, Piraeus (Athens) and Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by Valletta, Lisbon and Istanbul. For sailings leaving from Rome (Civitavecchia), we can arrange flights from UK airports, hotel stays in Rome the night before and private transfers to the port — so you arrive relaxed rather than rushed. Naples, Italy and Genoa, Italy also feature across a number of itineraries.

A small number of sailings — roughly 4 in every 100 — depart from UK ports, meaning no flight is required at all. Southampton is reachable by road or rail from most of Britain, and we can arrange transfers or parking as part of your booking. If you are specifically looking for Mediterranean cruises from Southampton in 2028, that page brings together all the no-fly options.

Which Cruise Lines Sail the Mediterranean in 2028?

The range of cruise lines operating in the Mediterranean in 2028 is wide, covering everything from large contemporary ships to small luxury vessels. Here is a guide to who is sailing and what each line brings.

MSC Cruises leads by volume in 2028, making it the most popular line among Mediterranean sailings this year. If you are interested in a fly-cruise with MSC, our MSC fly-cruise holidays in 2028 page pulls together the full picture. Seabourn and Azamara each bring a small-ship approach with long port stays and included shore events. Costa Cruises and Explora Journeys round out a strong mid-market and luxury tier, while Oceania Cruises offers a food-focused premium experience. Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises all have sailings here too, giving a genuinely broad spread of styles and price points.

Ships to Sail the Mediterranean in 2028

Several notable ships are operating in the Mediterranean in 2028, spanning luxury yachts to large resort vessels. Below are the ships with the strongest presence among 2028 sailings.

Seabourn Ovation — Seabourn

The latest addition to the Seabourn fleet, Seabourn Ovation is a small luxury ship built around an all-suite experience. On board, the spa is a genuine draw — thermal suites and exquisite wellness treatments are a particular strength. Dining covers 5 different venues, with the standout being the Earth & Ocean al fresco experience on deck. Seabourn Ovation carries relatively few guests, which means longer port stays and more personal service than larger ships can offer. For a closer look at accommodation, the Seabourn Ovation cabins and deck plans page covers the full layout.

The Grand Wintergarden Suite (grade GR) is the flagship cabin: approximately 115 m², with a separate bedroom, generous living area, full kitchen, bar and a private hot tub on the terrace.

Sun Princess — Princess Cruises

The ship’s signature space is The Dome — a multi-level glass-enclosed deck inspired by Santorini terraces, with an indoor/outdoor pool that shifts into an evening entertainment venue after dark. Across the ship, 29 dining and bar options are available — the most on any Princess ship — including the three-storey Horizons Dining Room. Cabin and deck details are on the Sun Princess cabins and deck plans page.

Azamara Journey — Azamara

With just 694 guests, Azamara Journey is built for destinations that larger ships simply cannot access. The ship lingers longer in port, giving you proper time ashore rather than a rushed few hours. Specialty restaurants Prime C and Aqualina are included in the fare, as is a Caviar and Champagne Bar on board. Azamara also lays on exclusive private cultural events ashore — vineyard dinners, private concert performances — at no extra charge as part of the AzAmazing Evenings programme. Deck and cabin layouts are on the Azamara Journey cabins and deck plans page. Azamara Onward also sails the Med in 2028 — you can find full details on the Azamara Onward ship page, with Azamara Onward cabin and deck plans available too.

Allura — Oceania Cruises (Launched 2025)

Allura joined the Oceania Cruises fleet in 2025, bringing a small-ship feel with every cabin and suite featuring a private balcony — so no guest misses out on the view. The ship is particularly strong on wellness, with menus designed around it at several of the new on-board eateries. Oceania’s food focus is well known, and Allura carries it through to every meal.

Queen Elizabeth — Cunard

Queen Elizabeth brings Cunard’s art deco style to the Mediterranean — glittering chandeliers, sweeping staircases and a grand lobby that evokes the classic age of ocean travel. The Royal Court Theatre stages West End-calibre shows, while Gala evenings in the Queens Room ballroom fill with live orchestral dancing. Dining is tiered: Britannia for all guests, with Princess Grill and Queen’s Grill available at higher grades, plus Cunard’s famous white-gloved afternoon tea served daily. For a closer look at cabin grades, the Queen Elizabeth cabins and deck plans page sets it all out.

Queen Elizabeth cabin grades available on 2028 sailings:

• Britannia Inside cabin Deluxe (GB) — 19.2 m², around 5 m² larger than standard inside cabins on the same ship
• Britannia Ocean-view cabin (EB) — 18.3 m², with natural daylight and sea views through the cabin window
• Britannia Club Balcony cabin (A1) — 24 m², with a private balcony and sea air that inside and ocean-view guests do not get
• Queens Grill Grand Suite (Q1) — 127.7 m² with a private balcony of approximately 90 m² — the most outdoor space of any Queens Grill suite

Azura — P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises’ Azura was refreshed bow-to-stern in 2025 — new restaurants, bars, cabin décor and corridor carpets throughout. Specialty dining includes Sindhu for modern Indian cuisine and the Glass House, curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith. For evening entertainment, the 800-seat Playhouse theatre delivers West End-quality aerial acrobatics and shows, and there is an open-air SeaScreen cinema on deck. Azura cabin grades for 2028 Mediterranean sailings:

• Larger Inside Cabin (OB) — 15 m², located exclusively on Riviera Deck, making it easy to find your bearings on board
• Sea View Cabin (LB) — 15 m², with natural light and an unobstructed sea view over the water
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin (DA) — 29 m², with a private balcony for sea air and open views
• Penthouse Suite (A1) — 69 m², the largest suite on board, with a full separate lounge area

What Do the Fare Types Include?

Fare inclusions vary by cruise line, and knowing what is bundled in can make a real difference to the overall cost of your holiday.

Costa Cruises offers fare types such as All Inclusive (which adds an Italian drinks and dining package to full board), Comfort Plus (full board, unlimited drinks, room service and a reserved table included) and more flexible options for those who prefer to pay as they go. Last-minute fare types are also available for spontaneous bookings.

Explora Journeys offers Sky & Sea fare types that bundle international return flights, private transfers and hotel stays into a single airport-to-airport price — useful if you want everything arranged from the moment you leave home.

Celebrity Cruises offers fare tiers from a straightforward best-rate option (full access to on-board dining and entertainment, with extras chosen separately) through to the All Inclusive tier (classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi included) and The Retreat, which covers premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, suite accommodation and exclusive lounge and sundeck access.

Our team can walk you through which fare type suits your plans before you commit — call us or enquire online.

Fly-Cruise or No-Fly: How Does Getting There Work?

The vast majority of 2028 Mediterranean sailings depart from ports in Italy, Spain, Greece and Malta, so most British travellers will need a flight to reach the embarkation port. That is not a problem — it simply means the cruise is the centrepiece of a slightly longer trip, and we can arrange the full package. Our Mediterranean fly-cruises in 2028 page pulls together the fly-cruise options specifically, and for MSC sailings with flights included, the dedicated MSC fly-cruise 2028 page is the place to start.

A small share of departures leave from UK ports, requiring no flight at all — ideal if you prefer to travel by road or rail and board directly. For those itineraries, see our Mediterranean cruises from Southampton in 2028 and our Mediterranean cruises from the UK in 2028 pages.

If you are considering an all-inclusive fare, our Mediterranean all-inclusive cruises in 2028 page has those sailings gathered in one place.

Why Book Your 2028 Mediterranean Cruise with Cruise1st?

As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, we know these ships and these itineraries in detail — not just the headline price, but which cabin grade makes the most of the ship’s layout, which fare tier suits your plans and what to add to make the whole trip run smoothly. We are not a general travel agent: cruise holidays are what we do.

For most 2028 Mediterranean sailings, we can put together a Cruise1st Package — your cruise, return flights, hotel stays before or after, transfers and insurance, all on one booking. Our expert advisers are on hand by phone if you want to talk it through before you commit. Cruise1st is ABTA and ATOL protected, and is rated 4.5/5 by more than 7,000 reviewers on Trustpilot.

For a broader view of what is available this year, our 2028 cruises hub covers all destinations and all lines departing in 2028 — a useful starting point if you are still deciding on the region.

Exploring Other 2028 Sailing Options

If you want to compare the Mediterranean against other destinations or plan around a different season, there are several closely related pages worth a look. Our Mediterranean cruises in 2027 page covers the year before — helpful if your dates are flexible — and the 2027 Mediterranean sailings from Southampton and 2027 all-inclusive Mediterranean cruises pages offer narrower cuts of that year’s inventory.

If a longer voyage appeals, our 14-day Mediterranean cruises and 14-day Mediterranean cruises from Southampton pages are both worth exploring, as is the 7-day Mediterranean cruises page for a shorter break. And if you are drawn to the idea of a transatlantic crossing as part of your 2028 travel — perhaps repositioning to or from the Med — our transatlantic cruises in 2028 page covers those sailings, including the P&O Cruises transatlantic 2028 options and our broader transatlantic cruises destination page. For UK-based cruising, our main cruises from the UK section and the full cruises listing are good places to browse if you are still deciding.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.