Top cruise deals to the Med

We Brits just love cruising in the Mediterranean. It’s so easy to get to, sailing direct from the UK, or by brief flight to ports in Spain or Italy.
Until recently, it has been a summer-only destination, and the ships plying European waters have headed off around the world, or to the warm waters of the Caribbean during winter.
But more cruise ships are remaining in the Med year-round, and there are some great deals to be found. You won’t find searing summer temperatures, but you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds as well.
Sail from Southampton on board Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, and there’s an ice rink, a surf simulator, a rock climbing wall and a miniature golf course among the activities to keep you entertained on the voyage to Lisbon. Further ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Livorno (for excursions to Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Cagliari, Gibraltar and Cadiz. Fares for an 18-night cruise departing on January 8 start at £980 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin). Go to www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or call 0844 493 2061.
A 14-night cruise on the same ship, sailing on September 25 from Southampton to Gibraltar, Villefranche, Livorno, Cagliari, Seville, Lisbon and Vigo is available from £929. Go to www.iglucruise.com or call 020 8544 6447.
Fred Olsen’s Balmoral sails from Dover on October 26 on a 23-night Mysteries of the Ancients odyssey. Ports of call are Gibraltar, Cagliari, Kalamata, Athens, Volos, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya, Rhodes, Valletta, Cadiz, Lisbon, and returning to Dover on November 18. Fares from £1,399 per person. Go to www.fredolsencruises.co.uk or call 01473 742424.
Adults-only ship Marco Polo sails from London’s Tilbury docks on September 20 for a 14-night cruise taking in Gijon on the north coast of Spain, Portimao on the Algarve, Gibraltar, Port Mahon, Menorca; Palma, Mallorca; Ibiza and Lisbon. Fares from £849 for an inside cabin and £999 for an ocean view. Go to www.cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0845 833 9798.
Away from the Med, how about a luxury river cruise with two passengers travelling for the price of one? Sail between Budapest and Nuremburg and visit Vienna, Bratislava, Passau and Regensburg with AMAWaterways for £785 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, daily excursions, free bicycle hire and wi-fi internet. Departures on November 1 and 22. Go to www.amawaterways.co.uk or call 0808 223 5009.
New to cruising? Get advice on ships and destinations at www.discovercruises.co.uk.