Gondola for Two? Why a Mediterranean Cruise Might Be Your Dream Honeymoon

You've just gotten married to the love of your life. Congratulations! Now it's time to plan the honeymoon of your dreams. While tropical beach resorts and countryside villas are popular options, a Mediterranean cruise offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

You can sail from Southampton and wake up each morning in a new romantic destination, visit historic cities, lounge on pristine beaches, explore ancient ruins, and savor delicious regional cuisine — all from the comfort of a luxurious floating hotel.

Your Mediterranean Itinerary

An Italian Adventure

Picture yourself starting your married life together in Venice, the City of Canals. You could ride an iconic gondola through the narrow waterways as gondoliers provide a musical serenade. After docking in Venice, you’ll stroll through a maze of alleyways and plazas, stopping for rich Italian coffee or gelato along the way, then marvel at St. Mark's Basilica and the Rialto Bridge.

The next day, you could wake up in Florence or Rome where you’ll see Michelangelo's masterpiece David up close. Be sure to toss a coin and make a wish in the legendary Trevi Fountain. You’ll stand in awe before the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum ruins, and savor authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples before continuing onto the sunny Greek Isles.

The Hellenic World

One of the highlights of your trip will be relaxing and recharging on the stunning black-sand beaches of Santorini. You can hike up to the picturesque village of Oia and watch one of the island's famous sunsets while sipping some crisp Greek wine. Then the next morning, you’ll tour the birthplace of democracy in Athens and see prestigious sites like the iconic Parthenon and the ancient Acropolis.

Sea Day Bliss

The days you spend at sea provide plenty of time to simply unwind together without any obligations. You can sleep in and then spend leisurely hours lounging by the pool or on your private deck or indulge in pampering spa treatments like massages and beauty services. In the evenings, you can attend engaging shows or seminars on board, and then dance the night away. The luxurious staterooms and suites are designed to be perfect romantic retreats, with high-end amenities and special touches ideal for newlyweds.

Say Goodbye to Luggage Woes

One really nice advantage of cruising is that you only have to unpack one time. Instead of living out of a suitcase in every new city, you can visit multiple countries without that hassle. You simply bring one reasonable set of bags for the whole trip and your room travels with you. It makes everything so much more relaxing when you don't have to worry about repacking and dealing with your luggage over and over.

Speaking of packing, let's discuss a packing list for your Mediterranean cruise vacation. In addition to typical clothing and toiletries, be sure to bring:

- Breathable clothing in lighter fabrics for warm summer weather

- Comfortable walking shoes

- Dressier outfits for formal cruise nights

- Swimsuits and coverups

- Sun protection like hats, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen

- Debit/credit cards and cash in euros and local currencies

- Electricity adapters and power converters

- Medications and first aid essentials

- Underrated items like portable chargers, travel towels, and dry bags

Here’s to a Lifetime of Romantic Memories

Going on a Mediterranean cruise for your honeymoon can really take away a lot of the typical travel stresses. You don't have to worry about changing hotels, arranging transportation in each new place, or even translating languages. You can just relax and get whisked away to one amazing destination after another on your floating resort.

Every day brings new adventures for you and your new spouse to experience together. One day you might be in awe at famous art museums, and the next you're lounging seaside, sipping local wines and trying delicious Mediterranean foods like fresh seafood, Greek salads, olive tapas, and more.

When you finally head home after the cruise, you'll have built up this whole lifetime of romantic honeymoon memories in just a short span of time. What could be better than that?