How to Plan a Mediterranean Cruise

Planning a Mediterranean cruise offers the opportunity to prepare for an experience on a ship that you want to appreciate and be excited about as you travel through history, celebrate like the Romans and worship the sun. Ports of call in the Mediterranean are numerous. Follow these steps when planning such a trip to make sure all goes well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find a cruise line that suits your needs. Book the cruise early. You need lots of time to plan and research for excursions at your ports of call. If you are taking your family, choose a cruise line for families. If you are going on a romantic getaway, chose a cruise line that is strictly for couples or adults with no children or doesn't encourage children.

2. Work closely with the cruise line or travel agent to schedule your ideal Mediterranean cruise. Tell her what you want, make her work for you. After all, she is earning a commission.

3. List what you need to pack for the cruise. Most travel or cruise agencies hand out standard "What to bring?" lists. Request this from your agent and expand on it.

4. Start packing a couple days before you leave so you will have time for last minute shopping sprees to fill in those little missing items.

5. Check everything twice or three times to be certain that you have covered everything.

6. Check the weather conditions of where you are going in the Mediterranean. Most likely, you will dress for summer weather. Warm summery days call for sandals and sleeveless dresses, cotton and loose fitting clothes and possibly, for cool nights, a sweater or light pull over is ideal, but check with your agent about what to bring.

Tips & Warnings

• The Mediterranean is vast with "must sees" like the French Rivera, Italy's coastline and the Greek Islands. Pick and choose wisely. Make it your cruise.
• An important factor in planning your trip is deciding if you want to see as much as possible or do you want to take your time and linger, experiencing the culture. Each cruise has its own style and pace. Pick the one that suits you best. The travel agent should help you decide what is best.
• Peak season is June 1 to October 31, and realize you pay more than other times that are not peak season.
• If you book your cruise early enough, you might get a cabin upgrade.
• Bring essential items with you or you will pay probably double the price for them on the ship.