Cruise · 21 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean
A 21-night cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, tracing Mediterranean cities from Málaga to Valletta via Istanbul and Rhodes, with a slow pace that fits winter travel and plenty of historical sights along the way.
- Duration
- 21 nights
- Departs
- 3 Jan 2028
- Sails from
- Málaga
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,899
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Ancient city of Siracusa’s archaeological sites
Two days in IstanbulWith visits to Blue Mosque and markets
Views from Piraeus of Athens’ Acropolis
Harbours of Valletta, Malta
Alexandria’s blend of historic and modern Egypt
About the trip
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets sail from Málaga for three weeks, weaving a course through the Mediterranean’s Mediterranean urban highlights. After Malaga and Cartagena, the ship calls at Siracusa, where the layers of Greek, Roman and Baroque history meet in streets you can still wander at your own pace.
It heads on to Alexandria, with its blend of ancient and modern Egypt and a harbour lined with fishing boats. Rhodes and Limassol show a quieter side of the eastern Mediterranean, before a two-day visit to Istanbul, split between the minarets of the Blue Mosque and the spice markets, with an unmistakable whiff of history. Piraeus opens access to Athens’ Acropolis, while Valletta in Malta invites strolling around grand harbours and narrow streets.
This isn’t a cruise rushing from one highlight to the next, but a slow unfolding of some of the Mediterranean’s commonly sailed places, with enough time to look around and places to remind you why those seaside cities hold on to their allure. The return is a late arrival in Málaga, back to the southern Spanish coast where the itinerary began.
- 1 Málaga
- 2 Cartagena
- 3 Siracusa
- 4 Alexandria
- 5 Limassol
- 6 Rhodes
- 7 Istanbul
- 8 Piraeus
- 9 Valletta
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Málaga, Spain
Day 2
Cartagena, Spain
Day 3
Siracusa, Italy
Day 4
Alexandria, Egypt
Day 5
Limassol, Cyprus
Day 6
Rhodes, Greece
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Málaga
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean is a 21 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean depart from?
- Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean departs from Málaga.
- Who operates Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean?
- Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean cost?
- Prices for Iconic Cities of the Mediterranean start from £1,899, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to Spain? Our Spain guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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