Everyone, probably, at least once dreamed to make a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea on a liner. After all, it is so romantic: turquoise water, a snow-white ship, a restaurant, excursions ... But almost all people immediately said such a dream to themselves: it’s not for me, it’s expensive, difficult, dangerous. We will tell you all about cruises on the Mediterranean Sea on a liner, we will answer all exciting questions, dispel myths and prejudices and warn about real dangers.
What is a cruise?
Literally, the word "cruise" means a sea voyage, although today there are river and even railway cruises. But still, when pronouncing this word, everyone first of all imagines a sea surface and a huge white ship. The difference between a cruise and a simple trip by water is that its purpose is not delivery to the destination, but rest, entertainment and excursions during the trip. And the route in this case is often circular, that is, the port of departure and arrival is the same. Today, many travel companies offer holidays on a cruise ship on the Mediterranean Sea. This implies that tourists are loaded on a liner and sent on a tour to visit different places, and during a walk on a ship an assortment of entertainment and activities is offered.
Cruise Story
The first real cruises began to be made in the second half of the 20th century. And the Americans began to master them. Wealthy citizens were offered comfortable steamboats that took them to Europe and Palestine. In 1881, the first special ship was created, intended exclusively for pleasure trips, called the ship "Ceylon". However, most trips were made on ordinary passenger ships. Therefore, for example, traveling on the Titanic was not a cruise, but was a sea trip. The fashion for traveling on a cruise ship across the Mediterranean appeared in Europe in the 80s, when people became wealthier and began to become more interested in travel. Until that time, cruises were mostly destined for the American continent. The history of the cruise industry is associated with the creation of more sophisticated ships and the provision of more and more diverse services on board. The last 40 years there has been a constant struggle between shipping companies for the possession of the largest ship. A giant such as the Symphony of the Seas walks through the Mediterranean Sea, capable of transporting about 10 thousand people, including a crew, in one flight.
Misconceptions and Prejudices
Many travelers have persistent negative stereotypes regarding cruise vacations. Let's see which of this is true.
The very first myth: cruises are very expensive. Indeed, there is a luxury segment in which the price starts at 10 thousand dollars for two. But there are proposals for 1.5-2 thousand. According to experienced travelers, the normal cost is $ 100 per day per cabin. This price includes service, a variety of entertainment and food. In addition, cruise companies often announce discounts, so if you wish, you can find a very budget offer.
Another stereotype is related to pitching. Many people think that moving along the waves causes a "seasickness." However, liners plying the Mediterranean Sea, photos of which can be viewed in any catalog of agencies specializing in such services, are huge, stable vessels. Their movement is so smooth and stable that even water in glasses on the restaurant tables only sometimes trembles slightly. And stories about motion sickness remained in the time of Agatha Christie.
The third myth of sea cruises: it is dangerous. In fact, liners are the safest mode of transport. Over the 150 years of the existence of large sea vessels, only 3 major wrecks have occurred, and security systems are constantly being improved. Even traveling by plane is a little risky, not to mention cars and buses.
And the last misconception is connected with the opinion that cruises are a retirement vacation, it is very boring. But a trip along the Mediterranean Sea on a liner involves a considerable amount of interesting activities during long hauls. In addition to the traditional pastime by the pool, you can sit in a restaurant, wander around duty free shops, and also take part in contests, parties, discos, concerts that are held for travelers. Special events are held for children during cruises, and there are game rooms with animators at their service. You also need to remember that the cruise program is built in such a way that during the day tourists go ashore with an excursion program, and the liner makes the main transitions at night.
Advantages and disadvantages
The first indisputable advantage of a cruise vacation is the opportunity to see several cities and countries, without worrying about moving, excursions, tickets, hotels. Cruises are built in such a way that in one trip you can visit several interesting places. Buses are taken from the ramp of the liner and taken on an excursion. Tourists can only enjoy the beauties and take photos as a keepsake. If you don’t want to go on excursions with the group, you can explore the city in its own mode, you can indulge in shopping or just take a walk through the streets and parks. Another advantage of the cruise is that a trip on a liner through the Mediterranean Sea allows you to combine an excursion program with a beach and a fun holiday. The ships have pools and decks with sun loungers, so during the trip you can plenty of fun and sunbathing.
The main drawback of the cruise is that it ends. Travelers who at least once experienced this pleasure dream of repeating it again. Also disadvantages include the need to periodically encounter queues: in the dining room, when going ashore, when landing. And one more minor minus can be called a fairly strict daily routine. Breakfast and dinner times are strictly scheduled, ashore and return to the ship are also regulated, but this applies to all organized tours.
What to do on the go
Today, liners plying the Mediterranean Sea are almost entire cities, so there is no need to be bored here. Passengers are in a classy hotel with a large leisure program. The price of the tour usually includes meals, a set of entertainment programs and use of all public areas: the beach, swimming pool, entertainment complexes, gyms, a library, a theater, where a show is shown every evening. But besides this, numerous additional services are available to travelers, from shops and bars to spa salons, cosmetology and massage rooms. Also at the services of travelers are bowling, cinemas, casinos.
An entertainment program is provided for each evening during the cruise. It can be a captain’s evening, disco, carnival, cooking shows, karaoke. For shopaholics on liners, this is a real paradise: prices at Duty-free shops are significantly lower than, for example, at airports. In addition, cruisers are often offered to take advantage of special promotions and discounts.
Issue price
An average Mediterranean cruise on a liner costs about $ 2,000 (about 134,000 rubles). However, this is a very approximate amount. The fact is that cruise prices vary greatly. The cost depends on the type of cabin chosen, the type of food, packages of drinks and excursions. All this allows you to either reduce the price or increase it. Bonuses for families will be free travel for children. Almost all carrier companies offer children accommodation for free, with only fuel surcharge. At the same time, children will receive service in special children's areas for free.
Routes
All tours on the liner in the Mediterranean Sea are built in such a way as to cover the most interesting places. Duration of tours can vary from one to four weeks. Routes are usually divided into western and eastern trips. There are also mixed tours with calls to the Black Sea, coverage of northern European countries, visits to the Canary Islands. Western routes include countries such as Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, as well as the islands of Sicily, Mallorca, Sardinia. Each specific tour may include its own set of visited countries. The eastern routes include Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Russia, Israel, Egypt, as well as the islands of Rhodes, Santorini, Lesbos, Mykonos and others.
Top destinations
Choosing the best route for walking and relaxing on a liner in the Mediterranean Sea is not an easy task. After all, this is the most interesting and sated part of the globe. In addition, the traveler’s goals and his experience of visiting Europe are of great importance here. The most popular cruise ship tour in the Mediterranean Sea includes Venice, Athens, Dubrovnik, Izmir. The coast of Europe, called the Mediterranean, is very long, so you can gradually master the entire coastline, starting, for example, in Portugal and ending in Istanbul.
Major carriers
Due to the high popularity of sea travel, the number of companies offering such tours is also large. In total, there are several dozen companies in the world that own cruise ships. Such large companies specialize in the Mediterranean Sea:
1. Italian Costa Cruises. It offers five-star hotel service. The fleet has 13 ships. Costa Cruises has been operating cruises since 1948 and is one of the most famous carriers. For Russians, the company has special programs and ships with Russian-language services.
2. Another Italian company MSC Cruises owns 15 liners, has been operating in the industry since 1970. Also offers packages with Russian-language service.
3. SilverSea offers only an elite service, positioned as a six-star. The company’s fleet has 9 medium-sized boutique liners.
4. A relatively young player in the Mediterranean market is Princess Cruises. For this direction, the company offers one ship of a five-star service.
There are still small companies engaged in transportation on sailing ships and small-capacity ships, but they cannot offer a decent level of service and are not able to travel long distances.
Liners
The cruise fleet of sea carriers is classified in the same way as hotels are in the stars. All carriers across the Mediterranean use 5 * class vessels. These indicators are related to the maintenance and infrastructure of the vessel. But besides this, tours can be evaluated by the so-called lifestyle, i.e., by living conditions. And in this case, the standard, premium, luxury and exclusive types stand out. All massive tours of the Mediterranean Sea are carried out under the standard category. All cruise ships are arranged on the same principle. There is a hold on the ship — these are purely technical spaces. There are also walking and living decks - these are, in fact, the floors of the ship. They can be from 3 to 20. But for cruises in the Mediterranean Sea, only multi-deck vessels from 10 floors are used.
Features of accommodation
An important issue when making a sea voyage is the choice of cabin, because the whole impression of the trip depends on this. And although passengers usually only spend the night in a cabin, you need to weigh the pros and cons. When choosing a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea on a liner, you need to understand that there are three main types of cabins, each of which belongs to its price category. Moreover, all of them suggest double occupancy, an extra bed can be added for children. Each cabin has its own sanitary facilities, wardrobe, TV, safe.
The most economical options - no windows. Their size is approximately 18 square meters. m. Instead of a porthole, a large mirror hangs on the wall. Since these rooms are located in the middle of the vessel, it shakes the least.
A cabin with a window is located on the outside of the ship and allows you to observe the scenery. The size of these cabins ranges from 18 to 20 square meters. m
Cabins with a balcony are located on the upper decks. The size of such premises is usually about 22-25 square meters. m. On the balcony there is a table and chairs, here you can admire the scenery and have breakfast or a snack. Since these cabins are upstairs, sometimes a slight pitching can be felt here.
How to choose a tour
Traveling always requires thought and a competent choice, especially if this is not the cheapest type of vacation, like a cruise on a liner across the Mediterranean Sea. Reviews of tourists allow you to highlight the following options for choosing a cruise:
- Budget. It must be remembered that, in addition to paying for accommodation, you will have to spend money on port charges, tips, excursions. Therefore, you need to evaluate your capabilities soundly.
- Time travel. Traditionally, the high season for sea travel is the time from April to October. At this time, prices will be higher. Therefore, with the goal of saving money, you can take a closer look at trips in the offseason.
- Duration The most popular tours are from 7 to 14 days. During this time, you can relax and not get bored from the same people.
- Shipping company. Usually they differ in price, so making a choice is simple, remembering about your budget.
- Route. It all depends on personal preferences.
Tourists reviews
Traveling never leaves a person indifferent, especially if it is a cruise on a liner in the Mediterranean Sea. Reviews of tourists who have made a sea voyage abound with the most enthusiastic epithets. Such tours leave almost no one unhappy or indifferent. This is explained by the fact that the carrier companies diligently prepare travel options, improve service during travels and satisfy almost any request. Cruisers say that sea tourism is a special pleasure, because it combines many types of recreation.