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Exciting adventures and a collection of rich histories await you on your first Mediterranean cruise holiday.

There's plenty to do, whether you decide to explore ashore by yourself or pay a little extra for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/shore-excursions">shore experience</a>.

Choose from our flagship favourite, Britannia, or the fleet's newest Excel class star, Arvia. Both ships encompass a friendly atmosphere matching those of the ports you'll visit. And, with so much to do on board too, these ships are sure to complement your holiday to the Med perfectly.

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<h3>Explore, dine, snap pictures and find an adventure around every corner</h3>

Our Mediterranean holidays can take you to Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Jet straight to the sun and join your ship on a fly-cruise holiday or sail straight from Southampton.

View of the Old Walled City of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea, Croatia
Dubrovnik, located on the Adriatic Sea, is a city in southern Croatia. The city is famous for its walls and fortifications. This popular tourist destination was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.


Our Mediterranean cruise holidays range from 7-17+ nights.

Our Mediterranean cruise holidays are between March and November.

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Rich history, delectable cuisine, turquoise waters and exploring.

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This medieval city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an enticing mixture of old and new. As you walk through this city's streets, marvel at the 14th-century stone walls, domed cathedrals and Renaissance masterpieces that lurk around every corner. You can even watch live performances from the walls of Dubrovnik's grand, medieval fortresses or join a guided tour for a comprehensive introduction to the most historic sights.

Wander the cobbled alleys of Dubrovnik's old town

Rugged yet charming, Naples offers an authentic Italian experience like no other. From ancient ruins to Baroque masterpieces, Naples offers a whole world of culture. And let's not forget about the yummy cuisine... Ever wondered how the Italians make the best pizzas? Well, you can find out their home secrets as you watch the experts at work crafting their finest homemade pizzas. And the best part? You get to taste the delicious end products!

Valletta may be Europe's smallest capital but it sure does pack a punch in terms of culture and history. This distinctive waterfront is lined with colourful, shuttered buildings, restaurants and bars, so you're sure to have a place to sit and relax after you've finished exploring this quaint city.

Shore experiences cost a little bit extra, but they're worth it. Either log in to&nbsp;<a href="https://my.pocruises.com/mycruise/login">My P&amp;O Cruises</a>&nbsp;and book and pay for your shore experience there, or you can do so once you're on board at the shore experience desk or by using the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-holiday">My Holiday</a>. Please note, shore experiences are popular and tend to be booked in advance.&nbsp;You can book shore experiences up until 3 days before your cruise departs.

An overnight stay in port means that the ship will dock and you can explore the destination in the evening, getting the most out of your holiday.

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With evening and overnight stays in port, you can make the most of wherever you are on your Mediterranean holiday. Watch the sunset on Valletta's coastline, enjoy a tasty meal by the sea in Barcelona's harbour or stargaze from Lisbon's cobbled streets.

Soak up the local nightlife with evenings and overnight stays in port

Step aboard a traditional wooden Caique motor boat and discover the beautiful shores of Mykonos. Mykonos is an island with an air of glamour and an idyllic coastline, both of which are reminiscent of the French Riviera or Amalfi Coast, as well as a nightlife scene to rival any party island destination. Trendy clothes, jewellery, crafts and souvenirs can be purchased in the lovely boutique shops of Mykonos.

Enjoy a coastal cruise and swim in Mykonos

Let Athens sweep you off your feet and wrap you up in it's colourful culture. Why not start at the Acropolis, meaning 'High City'. Step into the Acropolis through the Propylaea gateway, stroll among the ruins and soak in your surroundings. If you love your history, you can learn all about this historic landmark in the Acropolis Museum. After you've had a look around, you can take the marble path up Filopappou Hill for sweeping views of the 'High City' with the iconic Parthenon perched on top.

Corfu isn't known just for its battle-filled history and picture-perfect coastline... It also has heavenly cuisine to be savoured, plus all types of wine to be tried. On this 4.5-hour shore experience, you can not only take in the beautiful scenery of this Greek island but also take part in some local wine tasting, treating your taste buds to whatever you fancy! The question is, red or white?

For a little bit extra, you can take part in a range of fun activities with experienced and informative guides by your side.

With Fly-cruises, you fly from your choice of regional airport to a holiday destination and are transferred to the departure port of your cruise ship. After a relaxing holiday, you are transferred back to the airport for your flight home.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/fly-cruises">Click here to find out more.</a>

Arvia altitude sports arena on board Arvia

Serenity sunbeds and chairs on board P&O Cruises ships

Croatia, Dalmatia, Brac island, Bol, Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach

Tempted to discover all that Spain and Portugal has to offer? Take your pick and find your perfect holiday today.

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There are refreshments available at the Southampton cruise terminal and plenty of seating to make you comfortable.

Are there refreshments available at the Southampton cruise terminal?

Depending on which cruise you choose, you usually have at least one day at sea before you get to the first port. That means you have at least a full day at sea to get used to your ship and have as much fun as you can squeeze in.

How long does it take to get from Southampton to the first destination? 

Southampton welcomes more than four million visitors each year and is easily accessible from major UK cities by rail, road and air. It’s entirely up to you. You might prefer to drive and park at or near the cruise terminal. Parking at the terminal needs to be pre-booked. Alternatively, why not hop on a coach or train and let someone else do the driving while you relax. And if you live further away, you could always fly into Southampton airport and grab a taxi to the terminal.

What are the transfer options to get to Southampton docks?

There are no size limits for liquid toiletries on P&amp;O Cruises holidays from Southampton. This means you can bring all of your favourite full size toiletries. We allow guests to bring 1 litre of wine or champagne, per person, on board.

What is the liquid allowance on a P&O Cruises holiday departing from Southampton? 

Great news! You’ll be pleased to know that Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona and Ventura sail from Southampton to wonderful destinations all over the world. So take your pick of our Southampton cruises and set sail.

Which ships sail from Southampton docks?

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Mediterranean holidays

Where can you travel to?

The endless magic of the Med is waiting...

What can you get up to in the Mediterranean?

Enjoy a coastal cruise and swim in Mykonos

Marvel at the Acropolis in Athens

Savour the local wine in Corfu

Explore, dine, snap pictures and find an adventure around every corner

Wander the cobbled alleys of Dubrovnik's old town

Bite into a Neapolitan pizza in Naples

Explore the Valletta waterfront in Malta

Good to know

Fly-cruise or sail from Southampton

Duration

Time of year

Best for...

Shore experiences

There's a whole world of colourful culture to be explored.

Soak up the local nightlife with evenings and overnight stays in port

Recommended ships for the Mediterranean

How about a holiday to Spain & Portugal?