The gems not to be missed on a Mediterranean cruise

Image: Ángeles Antolín via Getty

Ah the Mediterranean. What a lifestyle. Imagine sitting by the sea watching the ships come in and out, snacking on seafood and drinking limoncello until the sun goes down. Bliss. That’s what many of us think of when we think of a Mediterranean holiday, but there’s actually a lot of opportunities to discover the culture and history of the region. To ensure you get the absolute most out of your Mediterranean cruise, we asked the experts at Royal Caribbean Cruises what the must see and do’s are for travellers over 60 in this stunning part of the world.

Santorini is of course at the top of the list. Royal Caribbean’s managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Adam Armstrong, says it’s the island jewel of Greece. “With its iconic whitewashed houses accented with cascading pink bougainvillea, [it] offers that quintessential Mediterranean experience,” Armstrong said.

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As for the quieter destinations in the Mediterranean, Armstrong recommends Seville, Spain. “Seville is famous for Flamenco dancing and is an exuberant, fascinating city, perfect for history buffs,” he said. Only smaller cruise liners can travel here, so keep that in mind when booking.

Read more: 5 Mediterranean towns that aren’t full of tourists

The island of Hydra in the Greek Islands is another gem that only the smaller liners can travel to. “It’s a quaint, quiet, charming little island with no cars – with the exception of a handful utility trucks … it has beautiful narrow streets with outdoor tavernas and restaurants, as well as friendly, welcoming locals.”

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Celebrity Reflection cruise ship captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis says Mykonos, Greece is his favourite European port for its gorgeous scenery, beaches and history.

“Mykonos is a medley of modernity and tradition and its allure is hard to resist” he said. “I love the blue skies, the vibrant fishing boats peppering its shores, the bursting purple bougainvilleas and whitewashed cube houses and the white-sand beaches – combined, they all create a picture of enormous beauty.”

As for activities for travellers in Mykonos, Skylogiannis says he loves going to the beach but for first timers here, he says you can’t miss a trip to the small island of Delos to discover its rich history. The island features prominently in Greek mythology.

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Read more: A day trip to Delos – an island of great history

While you’re in Mykonos, eat as much seafood as humanely possible because it doesn’t get much fresher than in the local restaurants dotting the shoreline. Enjoy fresh calamari with a squeeze of lemon and grilled sea bass.

Cruise ships will often have great organised excursions offered for travellers and Skylogiannis recommends discovery tours of ancient Delos, where you’ll enjoy incredible views of the Cyclades Archipelago during a scenic boat ride. You’ll see spectacular floor and wall mosaics at the Hellenistic mansions of Delos as well as ancient Greek ruins.

If you love cooking, don’t miss some of the unique on-shore cooking tours on offer. Celebrity Cruises for example offer a Chef’s Market Discovery in Chania, Crete tour that starts in a botanical park to learn all about medicinal plants, herbs and fruit trees from around the world. Then, you’ll visit the local market to source fresh fish and meat, before being shown how to cook Cretan dishes.

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Sue Fleiter, a traveller who has recently returned from a cruise holiday to the Greek Islands said it was a wonderful mix of relaxation and adventure.

“We didn’t have to keep unpacking and packing to see different locations, plus we had two days at sea to relax,” Sue said. “I enjoyed taking photos of all of the beautiful colours [on the islands].”