Discover the Mediterranean in style aboard the finest small ships. From sleek, French-flagged yachts to graceful sailing vessels, our curated collection of luxury Mediterranean cruise ships offers a refined way to experience this iconic region. With fewer guests aboard and a deep attention to detail—from gastronomy to guiding—each ship brings its own version of luxury to the table. Let our team match you with your ideal vessel and itinerary.
Explore our featured fleet below and let our experts help you find the best fit for your Mediterranean dream vacation.
ON THIS PAGE – Booking a Luxury Mediterranean Cruise:
What to Expect Aboard Luxury Cruises to Mediterranean
The Top Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Ships
What’s Included & How You Explore
The AdventureSmith Advantage
Reviews from Our Travelers
View All Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Ships
What to Expect Aboard Luxury Cruises to the Mediterranean
Luxury Med cruise ships feel like 5-star boutique hotels at sea—newly built or elegantly refurbished, with elevated design, service, gastronomy and amenities. Expect full-board dining, the finest staterooms, more inclusions, and a seamless, high-touch experience from ship to shore.
Some luxury Mediterranean cruises lean into onboard indulgence and entertainment with spas, salons, heated pools, 24-hour room service, wine and caviar tastings and professional dance ensembles. Others focus on enrichment with onboard guides and lecturers who bring the region’s history, archaeology and culture to life.
OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
You have questions.
We have answers.
The Top Luxury Mediterranean Cruise Ships
More important than route for most luxury Mediterranean trip seekers is the ship. Your experience will be profoundly influenced by the ship you choose, and each has its own amenities and personality distinctive styles.
Historic Tall Ships with Expedition Focus
When operated in partnership with Lindblad Expeditions the 58-guest Sea Cloud and 94-guest Sea Cloud II offer an adventurous style of luxury, combining the elegance of a bygone era with expert-guided discovery.
- Meticulously restored tall ships, and the historic Marjorie Merriweather Post sailing yacht.
- Summer 2025 is your last chance to get aboard Sea Cloud.
- Relaxed yet elegant atmosphere with laid-back dress.
- Daily excursions led by onboard National Geographic guides and expert field staff like historians and certified photo instructors.
Intimate & Elegant French Sailing Ship
32-guest Le Ponant offers a uniquely exclusive voyage and the feel of a private yacht.
- The world’s first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht (2023).
- High crew-to-guest ratio; serene atmosphere focused on service and exclusivity.
- Michelin-level meals, tranquil days under sail, plus a swim platform, water toys and seawater pool for swim stops.
Modern French Yachts
The 265-guest sister-ships—L’Austral, Le Soleal, Le Lyrial and Le Boreal—along with the 184-guest sister ships Le Bougainville, Le Dumont D’Urville, and Le Jacques Cartier, make up a very modern and luxury fleet in the Mediterranean. Sleek and stylish, these state-of-the-art vessels deliver an upscale cruise experience with French flair. On select ships, every cabin category, even the most entry-level, features a private balcony.
- French gastronomy at its finest: wine pairings, fresh pastries, and multicourse menus
- Elegant onboard atmosphere with refined service.
- Onboard entertainment includes live music, dance performances, enrichment lectures and theatrical shows
- Amenities like spas, heated outdoor pools and underwater lounges on select ships
- English-language programming offered on select departures; French/English is standard on most sailings
- Read our expert’s review of this fleet.
BROWSE BY LUXURY SHIP
Compare amenities aboard our curated list of the highest-end Mediterranean luxury cruise ships.
What’s Included & How You Explore
Shore excursions vary greatly across our Mediterranean luxury cruise offerings. Some ships sail with a dedicated team of National Geographic experts who will guide daily excursions and enrich your understanding throughout the voyage. With these cruises, shore excursions are included and seamlessly integrated for a more active, expedition-style experience.
Other cruises take a more traditional approach, offering a menu of optional excursions like museum visits, guided walks operated by local providers available at an additional cost.
Select sailings in the PONANT collection are in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, with programming designed for English-speaking travelers, and feature onboard experts from art historians to regional scholars and a more inclusive excursion package.
Not sure which style suits you? Our team can help match your interests and travel style with the right onboard experience.
The Benefits of AdventureSmith
Planning a luxury Mediterranean cruise? We offer something the big guys can’t: one-on-one, attentive service from a dedicated expert who knows the region inside and out. From your first inquiry to embarkation, you’ll work directly with an Adventure Specialist—no call centers, no bouncing around.
We help you find the best trip and the best deal, then guide you through every step, including flights, packing and prep. Our exclusive pre-cruise planner includes trusted flight resources, packing lists, reading lists and expert tips, to help you feel ready for the adventure ahead.
CONCIERGE SERVICE
Skip the call center.
Work 1:1 with us.
Luxury Mediterranean Cruises in 2025 & 2026
Whether you’re planning ahead for a special milestone trip or jumping on a last-minute deal, our luxury Mediterranean cruises span a wide range of regions, ships and styles. From elegant yachts to refined expedition vessels, these small ship itineraries offer a more personal, immersive way to explore the Med—with comfort and service to match.
You’ll find a handpicked selection of our top luxury Med cruise ships, but it’s just the beginning. Explore our full suite of Mediterranean resources below, from destination guides and yacht charters to expert tips on how to choose the right cruise for you.
MORE MEDITERRANEAN RESOURCES:
Small Ship Mediterranean Cruises
Mediterranean Small Ship Cruise Deals
Mediterranean Yacht Charters
How to Choose the Best Mediterranean Cruise
Small Ship Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
Italy Small Ship Cruises
Greece Small Ship Cruises
Croatia Small Ship Cruises
View All Luxury Mediterranean Cruises
Find and filter luxury Mediterranean cruise ships here. Links to various itineraries can be found on each ship page, or see a few of our luxury favorites below. These options are curated by our experts to represent the best in luxury today in the Med. But to truly find the best, call us for a free consultation on which ship would best fit your particular needs.
