https://my.pocruises.com/api-mc/mc-getCruiseSummary/v1

OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

Please correct the errors below and try again.

You’ll shortly receive an email from us to confirm your sign up. Please click on the link contained within this email to start hearing more from us. If you are unable to find this email in your inbox, please check your junk mailbox.

Enjoy a holiday that’s smooth sailing from start to finish with a long Mediterranean cruise from Southampton

A long Mediterranean cruise from Southampton typically takes around three to four weeks. These itineraries sail in both directions; however, shorter Mediterranean cruises are available if you’re prepared to fly. If you sail on a 4-week Mediterranean cruise or a 3-week Mediterranean cruise, your holiday will start and end in Southampton. If you book a Mediterranean fly-cruise, you’ll fly to meet your ship directly in the Mediterranean.&nbsp;

How long is a Mediterranean cruise?

While not as fast as flying, cruising to the Mediterranean only takes a couple of days on average. You’ll spend the first night and day of your cruise crossing the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, then it’s just a case of sailing between ports once you arrive in the Mediterranean, which mostly happens overnight while you’re asleep! 
 
This is the case for our month long Mediterranean cruises, which sail roundtrip from Southampton, but we do also offer Mediterranean cruises where you can fly directly to your ship in the Mediterranean, cutting out the sail from Southampton entirely.

How long to cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean?

The best months to cruise the Mediterranean are May to October. 
 
If you like the weather to be warm (but not too hot) than May-June or September-October are the best months to visit. As these months fall outside of the school holidays, you’ll also find fewer tourists around. 
 
If taking a swim in the sea is something you’d like to do in the Mediterranean, then you’d be better off visiting in September or October when sea temperatures are warmer – especially in destinations like Greece and Italy. 
 
If you’re looking for the most sunshine and the hottest temperatures, the best time to visit the Mediterranean would be July and August. As these months coincide with the school holidays, however, you will encounter higher tourist numbers.

What are the best months to cruise the Mediterranean?

Packing for a Mediterranean cruise is all about balancing comfort, style and convenience.
If you’re planning on exploring off your ship, you’ll need footwear you can easily walk around in. As many Mediterranean streets are cobbled, we recommend supportive flats with a thick sole or trainers with a good grip.
Cotton is a good fabric for daywear as it regulates temperature and can help to keep you cool. As its likely to be sunny on your visit, we also recommend packing sun lotion and after sun, a sunhat and sunglasses.
Swimwear is a must if you’re planning on taking a dip in the sea or swimming in your ship’s pools. As your ship is also equipped with a gym and sports courts you may want to bring a little workout wear so you can use these facilities – or take part in an activity like table tennis or a dance class. You should also pack some eveningwear options if you’d like to dress up on your ship’s Celebration Nights on board.
Other than this, it’s essential to bring any medications you need for your time away, as well as everyday items like toothpaste, a toothbrush, and chargers for your electrical devices. You may also want to pack some Euros to use on the days you go ashore and – most important of all – you’ll need to pack your boarding passes and your passport!

What to pack for a Mediterranean cruise?

Frequently asked questions about long Mediterranean cruises

Explore the Med like never before with our unforgettable shore experiences. Climb to the Acropolis and marvel at the Parthenon in Athens, or kayak along the stunning Adriatic coast in Croatia. For food lovers, prepare your palate to explore the rich local cuisine, savouring authentic dishes like a classic pizza in Naples.

Destinations

Lots of colourful buildings infront of a castle on a hill

{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Island of Procida, Naples, Italy"}}

Step on in Southampton and step off in Italy

Making pesto - basil cheese, nuts, and olive oil in mortar; Shutterstock ID 232400197; Invoice Number: -

The flavours of the Mediterranean are famous throughout the world. Greek salads and Spanish tapas. Italian antipasti and Turkish mezze. Every port on a long Mediterranean cruise is a chance to treat your taste buds. Try authentic pizza in Naples or patatas bravas in Barcelona. No matter where you step ashore, you’ll be swimming in temptation.

Houses and boats in the harbour in Sibenik, Croatia

With blue seas and golden sands, cruising the Mediterranean is like sailing in a postcard. Home to some of the world’s oldest cities, a holiday here is sure to give your eyes a treat. Admire blue-domed cathedrals in Santorini, explore Moorish palaces in Malaga and lose yourself in a labyrinth of narrow streets in Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed old town.

The sunsetting at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

If you’re into art or architecture, there’s nowhere better than the Mediterranean. From Rome’s Colosseum (from Civitavecchia) to Athens' Acropolis (from Piraeus), every destination is iconic. Step inside Spain’s famous Sagrada Família or see the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel (from Civitavecchia) in Italy. Gaudí and Picasso. Miró and Michelangelo. Artistic masterpieces are as common as buses in this part of the world.

Choose your ship

P&O Cruises Ship, Arcadia, at sea. Arcadia is an Adult Only Cruise Ship

{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Britannia at sea"},"metadata_en_AU":{"alt-text":"Britannia at sea"}}

Reasons to book

From entertainment and food to activities and swimming pools, so much is included in the price you pay for your P&amp;O Cruises holiday. Each of our ships is like a floating resort, with everything that’s great about a holiday available at your fingertips.

{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Couple enjoying cocktails at a bar on P&O Cruises ship Iona"}}

Sailing to and from the Caribbean means your holiday starts the moment you board and continues until you’re back in Southampton. With more days to enjoy the sunshine on your ship, the sail home is a holiday in itself.

Whether you prefer not to fly or just like the convenience of sailing from the UK, cruising to the Mediterranean means never having to set foot in an airport. On Select Price holidays we even offer you a choice of free parking (subject to availability) or coach transfers to help you get to and from the cruise terminal.

Why waste time and money flying back and forward when you can explore multiple destinations in just one trip? Our Mediterranean long cruises don’t trap you in one place. You’ll visit a variety of ports across the region, all promising new experiences.

We have four incredible drinks packages to choose from. Enjoy an extensive range of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and Costa Coffee for a fixed daily cost.

{"metadata_en_GB":{"alt-text":"Photography for P&O Cruises by Alun Callender"}}

On our holidays we offer a huge range of shore experiences to help you explore every destination. We look past the typical tourist trail, providing you with authentic and unique adventures ashore.

Say hi to My Wi-Fi. Then say hello to family and friends wherever you are in the world with us. Choose the Wi-Fi package that’s right for you and stay connected while you’re away.

What's included

Our dining options range from casual buffets to fine dining experiences. With a diverse menu offering across the fleet, you'll be spoilt for choice.

With all-inclusive shows, live music, comedy and so much more, fill your sea days with exciting activities and entertainment.

Across the fleet, we have a range of accommodation to suit your needs, whether you're travelling on your own, as a couple, with friends or family.

Theatre shows, silent discos, aerial acts, cinema... We have an incredible array of entertainment options available for you on your cruise.

What's included in your P&O Cruises holiday?

Shore experiences

A taster of the shore experiences we offer

Sign up to hear from us

Yes, guests can take alcohol on a mini cruise from southampton.
What drinks can you take on P&amp;O Cruises short breaks?
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion, which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account.&nbsp;
Other alcohol types such as spirits are considered restricted items and guests are prohibited from bringing them on board when they first embark the ship.
*prices subject to change

Can I take alcohol on a Short Break cruise holiday?

Amsterdam is famous for its art galleries and museums (from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank house), beautiful canals, interesting architecture and lively nightlife. You’ll also find a deliciously innovative food scene and, in the spring, thousands upon thousands of tulips covering the city in a kaleidoscope of colours.

What is Amsterdam known for?

It’s always worth checking the local weather before you head off on a Short Break, but in the summer you’ll generally need to dress for the heat (think dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals – and don’t forget your swimming costume) while the winter usually calls for layers and thick coats.
During your days on board, you can dress in whatever you like. However, on all our ships, we have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For nights when the dress code is Evening Casual, you can bring out your best shirt, dress and smart, dark denim. For nights where the dress code is Black Tie, make sure you pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure you check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship. For those travelling on family-friendly ships, dress codes also don’t apply to children aged 17 and under.

What should I pack for a Short Break cruise holiday? 

The best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam depends on what you’d like out of your holiday. Do you prefer the sun or a winter chill? Do you want to see the Light Festival and wander Christmas markets? Or would you rather see the world’s largest flower garden (think miles of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) in bloom in the spring? How about cruising the canals in the heat of the summer sun, cocktail in hand? We visit Amsterdam almost year-round so that no matter your holiday style, you’ll find a Short Break cruise holiday to suit you.

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam?

The best time of year to go on a mini cruise to Bruges is up to you – what do you want from the weather? What activities do you fancy doing? We’ve got Short Break cruise holidays that visit Bruges (from Zeebrugge) almost year-round. If you’re dreaming of walking around a chilly Christmas market with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine) in hand, December is the month for you. Or, if you’d rather be a bit warmer as you cycle through the countryside or wander medieval streets, April or May might be a better choice. A visit in October will add autumnal magic to a stroll along the canals as the leaves fall around you.&nbsp;

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Bruges (from Zeebrugge)?

Summer brings warmth and sunshine to Amsterdam (with an average temperature of around 23°C) while winters are cold and bring a likely chance of snow. Amsterdam’s spring is fairly mild, heating up and drying out as it gets closer to summer, while autumn brings a good chance of rain as it cools down towards the end of the year.

What's the weather like in Amsterdam?

We tend to visit Hamburg in December on our Short Break holidays when it’s fairly frosty. Hamburg usually has highs of 5˚C and lows of 1˚C in December, with an average of 12 days of rain – but you might be lucky enough to be there when it snows.

What’s the weather like in Hamburg?

On our Short Break holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Bruges (from Zeebrugge) in Belgium
Cherbourg in France
Hamburg in Germany
Le Havre in France
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
St Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands

Which countries does P&O Cruises visit on Short Break cruise holidays?

On our mini cruise holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam
Bruges (from Zeebrugge)
Cherbourg
Hamburg
Le Havre
Rotterdam
St Peter Port, Guernsey

Which ports does P&O Cruises visit on mini cruise holidays?

Get to know us

https://www.pocruises.com/frequently-asked-questions

https://www.pocruises.com/request-a-brochure

Support

https://www.pocruises.com/manage-my-booking

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/promotion-terms-and-conditions

https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-destinations

https://www.pocruises.com/new-to-cruising/whats-included

Useful links

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/privacy/cookies

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy

https://www.pocruises.com/company-information

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/consumer-protection

https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/safety-and-security

https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions

Footer Bottom

Stay connected

sm-Facebook

sm-Instagram

sm-Youtube

sm-Pinterest

AbtaLogo

AtolLogo

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-details

https://www.pocruises.com/account/my-preferences

https://www.pocruises.com/login/pay-balance

https://www.pocruises.com/my-account/brochures/request-a-brochure

Avatar menu

On board

Discover cruising

Help

https://www.pocruises.com/deals/cruise-deals

Long Mediterranean cruises

Reasons to book a long cruise to the Mediterranean

So much included

A longer lasting holiday

No need to fly

See more places

Step on in Southampton and step off in Italy

Where can you go on a long Mediterranean cruise?

Naples

Naples

What might you discover in the Med?

Food and drink

Sunshine and scenery

Art and architecture

What's included in your P&O Cruises holiday?

Incredible dining

A taster of the shore experiences we offer

Shore experiences

Cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean on board your favourite ship

Discover more from P&O Cruises

Drinks packages