Source : the age
First up, let me say you could hardly get tired of cruising the Mediterranean. You could sail into Athens or Barcelona or anywhere in between a dozen times, and always find something different to see and do.
What is true however is that most cruise lines offer similar itineraries that take you to all the same ports in one half of the Mediterranean or the other – or regional parts of it, such as the Greek Islands, or French and Italian Rivieras.
Is that changing? I think so. While big ships continue on the same merry-go-round, smaller companies have started eyeing up alternative destinations that go beyond the standard circuits and get you away from the worst crowds.
Seek them out and you’ll be well rewarded. Two of my most memorable Mediterranean port calls were to cliff-clinging Bonifacio on the French island of Corsica, and Portoferraio on the scenic Italian island of Elba – most associated with Napoleon’s exile.
Because of those good experiences, I get excited when I hear about other unfamiliar ports: Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sifnos in the Greek islands, or Collioure close to the Spanish border in France, in sight of the Pyrenees.
New company Four Seasons Yachts’ first Mediterranean season this year featured French ports Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Port-Vendres and, instead of the more predictable Capri or Sorrento, the Italian island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples.
Its second Mediterranean season between March and November 2027 comprises 33 itineraries that take in some more unusual destinations such as the Greek islands of Antiparos and Zakynthos, and an overnight stay in Porto Cervo in Sardinia.
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ 2027 season also has its eye on boutique ports, such as Greek islands Amorgos, Chios, Symi and Lefkada, Collioure and Calvi (Corsica) in France, and Porto Empedocle in Sicily, which provides access to the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento.
And the maiden season of Emerald Cruises’ new yacht Emerald Raiya in 2027 sails an interesting range of unexpected Mediterranean ports in Greece (Lesvos, Skiathos, Samos, Gythio and Katakolo) and Italy (Pantelleria, Trapani, Arbatax, Sanremo and Ischia). Kepez in Turkey allows guests to access the ancient ruins of Troy and the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The under-sail cruise company Star Clipper, a stalwart of the Mediterranean, this year introduced new ports such as Ouranoupolis in Greece and Barletta, Monopoli, Crotone and Pesaro in Italy. It was the only cruise line to visit Pesaro, which, among other places, allows shore excursions to mini-state San Marino.
It isn’t only the smallest ships making the move. Luxury Italian company Explora Journeys has a new Mediterranean’s Quiet Season beginning in December 2027 visiting ports such as Cagliari in Sardinia, Salerno on the Amalfi Coast and Kepez in Turkey.
Its regular Mediterranean cruises take in Mahon on Menorca, Alghero in Sardinia and Calvi in Corsica for the chance to take in some alternative Mediterranean islands.
Brian Johnston seemed destined to become a travel writer: he is an Irishman born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland, who has lived in Britain and China and now calls Australia home.
