From world-renowned cuisine to glittering gold artifacts, the Eastern Mediterranean has an exotic allure with an authentic feel. Whether you’re visiting the Eastern Mediterranean for the first time, or you’re returning to your favorite city, 2022-2023 Mediterranean cruises will feature new and exciting changes for the upcoming season.
Black Sea
For seasoned Mediterranean cruisers, the Black Sea is an enigmatic and intriguing destination. Off the beaten path and in the far-reaches of Eastern Europe, a Black Sea cruise will take you through the Bosphorus Strait to explore the best of Turkey, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
More than ever before, Black Sea cruises are in high demand—and the cruise lines are listening. Azamara announced their 2022 lineup of Mediterranean itineraries which include more cruises to the Black Sea than ever before with five different sail dates for guests to choose from.
In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line announced their new season of sailings for summer 2023 which include a few “season firsts” such as their first visits to Nessebar, Bulgaria, Bodrum, Turkey and Paros, Greece on Norwegian Jade. These new itineraries also mark Norwegian’s return to sailing the Black Sea for the first time in over a decade.
Holy Land
Home to the most revered destinations on Earth, including Jerusalem, Nazareth, Mount Carmel, Temple Mount and more, a cruise to the Holy Land opens a gateway of discovery into some of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Mediterranean cruises to the Holy Land are available across almost all cruise lines and are a popular choice among guests. In previous years, the selection of itineraries and sail dates were somewhat limited. However, with the recent rise in guests looking to return to travel, the cruise lines have released more sail dates and more variety of itineraries than ever before.
Avid Cruiser Tip: Holy Land itineraries can easily be paired with Black Sea itineraries because of the similar embark and debark ports they share. To experience this epic exploration of the Eastern Mediterranean, browse Norwegian Cruise Line’s sail dates and book back-to-back cruises.
Similarly, Holy Land itineraries can be paired with Egypt itineraries on Azamara, since their Holy Land itineraries often include ports of call in Egypt. Let our Personal Vacation Managers help guide you!
Egypt
The sheer age of Egypt’s cities mesmerizes. Its monuments have stood the test of time for over 5,000 years and its striking antiquities tell a story of opulence and prosperity. Cairo is known as the gateway to the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. However, once there, you’ll find that this bustling ancient city boasts modern, expansive shopping malls, mosques that are architectural masterpieces, one of the world’s largest bazaars, and, of course, the mighty Nile River.
Building on their commitment to Egypt, Viking River Cruises announced an expansion of its Egypt fleet with their newest longship vessel, Viking Aton. The ship was built specifically to navigate the Nile River and is scheduled to debut in September 2022, joining Viking’s existing Nile River fleet which includes Viking Osiris and Viking Ra.
“Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “The addition of Viking Aton is a reflection of our continued investment in Egypt; we look forward to introducing the country’s cultural treasures to even more Viking guests in the future.”
Read more: Viking Announces New Nile River Ship for 2022
In addition, Azamara’s newest collection of Holy Land itineraries now include ports of call in Egypt! Stop in Port Said to visit a fresh seafood market, watch huge ships enter the Suez Canal or go on a desert safari. On an overnight stay in Alexandra, you will have time to venture inland and ride a camel around the Pyramids, admire Egypt’s thought-provoking architecture, and even take a felucca dinner cruise along the Nile River (which we highly recommend to get a true taste of Egypt’s lavish hospitality).
Greek Isles
The Greek Isles is a destination in and of itself with many enchanting islands offering everything from history, to romance, to nightlife, to unique beaches and more. Cruises to the Greek Isles are the most popular choice right now, by new and season travelers alike. This is especially true with Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean itineraries. As a matter of fact, many cruises to the Black Sea, Holy Land and Egypt often include ports of call in the Greek Isles as well. In these cases, you’ll get to visit some of the spectacular destinations in these far-flung Eastern Mediterranean regions, while also visiting picturesque cities like Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Ephesus and more. A 2-for-1 on a Greek Isles cruise—sweet deal!
Planning Your Mediterranean Cruise
When you’re ready to explore some of these new additions to the 2022-2023 Mediterranean cruise season, give us a call! Our friendly and knowledgeable Personal Vacation Managers can answer any of your questions, review some of the newest options in the Eastern Mediterranean and discuss your personal travel preferences. Whether you’re looking for a standalone cruise, or package with airfare, hotels—or even tours—we are best-equipped to guide you through the process.
Call a Personal Vacation Manager at 800-709-9507 to plan your Mediterranean cruise today!
