General information

Below you can find some essential cruise information. This is only a general summary of helpful information. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for complete details.

Once you've decided on the cruise and the cabin type right for you, booking is easy. Simply book online. After receiving your booking request through our website, we will check availability and email you the booking confirmation along with payment instructions. Bookings will be considered as finally confirmed only after we receive your deposit payment. The deposit must be paid at least 3 days after receiving an email with the booking confirmation and payment instructions. Upon receipt of the deposit payment, depending on the chosen method of payment, you will be sent a confirmation of income and an invoice, and the remaining amount to be paid before departure. Final payment terms depend on the cruise operator's policy and may vary between 90 and 30 days before departure. After payment of the remaining or total amount, you will receive an updated invoice and a cruise letter with boarding instructions, rules of conduct on board, and optional services.

We require a deposit of at least 300 EUR per person to confirm any reservation. This amount forms part of your final payment, which is usually due at least 60 to 30 days before departure, depending on the operator. Any reservation made within 60 days of departure must be paid in full at the time of booking and is subject to our Cancellation Terms. Payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer. All our rates are charged in Euro. Please note that some cruise lines may apply different deposit amounts or payment schedules. In such cases, the specific payment terms (including deposit amount and due dates) will be clearly presented to you before you make a binding reservation.

All deposits are non-refundable. Different cancellation policies may apply to each reservation, and for each reservation, the guest needs to agree with the specific booking conditions provided by the cruise line. You will be informed of the exact cancellation terms for your selected cruise before making a binding reservation. The reason for your cancellation may be covered under the terms of your travel insurance, so it is essential to check your policy, as you may be able to reclaim applicable charges through your provider. We strongly recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance when you confirm your booking to ensure you are protected from all eventualities.

If you're a citizen of the United States, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom, you currently do not need a visa to enter most Mediterranean countries, including those in the Schengen Zone such as Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Croatia, for short-term stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A valid passport is required, and it should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. From mid-2026, citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK, will be required to obtain ETIAS, a mandatory electronic travel authorization, before entering any of the 30 Schengen countries. ETIAS is not a visa, but a simple pre-travel clearance similar to the U.S. ESTA system. The application will be quick, low-cost, and valid for three years or until your passport expires, allowing for multiple short stays within the Schengen area. Travelers holding passports from other countries should check with the appropriate authorities or embassies in their home country to verify current visa requirements for entering the Schengen Zone and other countries which are included in the cruise itinerary.

Please note that ground transportation services are available for purchase to and from the pier. If you choose to use our transfer service to arrive at the ship on embarkation day, we require your flight arrival information prior to your trip to ensure timely transportation directly to the ship. We also offer transfers from the pier to the airport on debarkation day, as well as pre- and post-hotel stays and hotel transfers between the hotel and port. For some cruises, arrival and departure transfers from the airport or hotel to the port are already included in the price. When this is the case, it will be clearly indicated in the particular cruise description on our website and in your travel documentation.

When packing for a Mediterranean cruise, think light, comfortable, and practical. Bring swimwear and relaxed clothes for the beach or pool, and don't forget comfortable shoes for walking, especially in towns with cobblestone streets or uneven paths. A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves during the warmer months. If you plan to visit churches or other religious sites, bring long trousers or a skirt, and a light scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders. At the beginning or end of the season, the weather can be cooler or unpredictable, so it's a good idea to pack a few warmer layers and a light rain jacket. Onboard, casual wear is appropriate throughout the day, think sundresses, linen trousers, shorts, polos or button-down shirts, paired with sandals, loafers or low heels. Swimwear and pool attire are best kept for the sun deck and spa areas. In the main dining room and specialty restaurants, guests are kindly asked to avoid wearing swimwear, bathrobes, sheer cover-ups, T-shirts, tank tops, flip-flops, or baseball caps. On certain premium or luxury cruises, Smart Casual dress may be required in the evenings. This typically includes a dress, skirt, or trousers with a stylish top or collared shirt. Jeans are generally acceptable if clean and well-fitted, while shorts and flip-flops are not considered suitable for evening dining.

The Mediterranean cruise season runs from April to November, with the busiest months being July to September, when many Europeans take their summer holidays. If you prefer warm weather and lively seaside towns, summer is a great time to travel. However, the spring and early autumn months, such as April, May, June, and September to October, are also excellent choices. The weather remains pleasant, but the ports are generally less crowded, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and exploration. Cruises often run right up until the end of October, which is a lovely time to enjoy the region with a bit more space and a relaxed atmosphere.

The Mediterranean is a region rich in languages and cultures, where you can expect to hear everything from Italian and Greek to Spanish, French, Croatian, and Turkish. Luckily, in most tourist areas and ports, especially in restaurants, shops, and hotels, English is widely understood, particularly by those working in hospitality. On board cruise ships, English is the main language used for announcements, daily programs, and services. On some ships, especially on luxury lines like Ponant, you may also hear French spoken regularly, as they cater to a bilingual (French–English) audience. Occasionally, other languages may also be used if there's a larger group of guests from a specific country. So even if you don't speak the local languages, you'll have no trouble getting around or enjoying your cruise.

Most countries around the Mediterranean use the Euro as their currency, including Croatia, Greece, Italy, France, Malta, and Spain. Others, such as Turkey, have their own currency, like the Turkish lira. You can easily withdraw local currency from ATMs that accept MasterCard or Visa. Debit, credit, and travel cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels, although smaller local businesses may prefer cash. Please note that most cruise ships, especially luxury ones, also accept credit card payments for onboard expenses. However, not all ships offer this option, so it's always a good idea to check that in advance.

Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult aged 21 or older, who must be staying in the same cabin or a connecting cabin. Infants under 6 months are not permitted on board, and some ships may have additional age restrictions for guests under 1, 3, or 5 years old, depending on the vessel and itinerary. Please note that childcare and supervised youth programs are not available on board. Young guests under 8 may participate in shore excursions only if suitable child safety seats or harnesses are available or provided by the accompanying adults. Expedition boats (such as Zodiacs) generally do not accommodate guests under the age of 5. Since babysitting services are not available, an adult must remain with any young guest who is unable to join an excursion.

If you have any dietary preferences or restrictions—such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, diabetic, or others—please let us know as early as possible, ideally at least 60 days before departure. The cruise team will do their best to accommodate your needs. While every effort will be made to meet special dietary requirements, cruise operations can be busy and dynamic. We recommend checking with the chef or dining staff before each meal to ensure your needs have been communicated.

All cruise ships offer Wi-Fi access on board, usually available in common areas such as the salon or rear lounge. The internet connection is based on cellular networks and can be unreliable or slow, especially while the ship is sailing or in remote areas. Please note that on some ships Wi-Fi is included in the cruise fare, while on others, it may come at an additional cost. This information is clearly indicated in the description of each individual cruise. The quality and speed of the connection depend on the ship's location, as well as the onboard equipment used to receive the signal; some vessels are better equipped than others.