Cruise · 17 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores
Seventeen days aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, weaving through the Mediterranean islands and Spanish coast from Athens to Cádiz, with long stays and gentle strolls on Sicily, Sardinia and Malta’s historic shores.
- Duration
- 17 nights
- Departs
- 5 Dec 2027
- Sails from
- Piraeus (for Athens)
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,299
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Historic harbour of Valletta, Malta
Coastal walks near Trapani and Cagliari
Mahón port on Menorca, Spain
Ceuta, Spanish exclave in North Africa
Stopping in Cádiz, facing the Atlantic
About the trip
This cruise begins and ends in Piraeus, the port for Athens, setting off east to west around the Mediterranean’s southern edge. Early calls include Valletta, Malta, whose fortified harbour and baroque streets provide a quieter counterpoint to the Greek capital. Next come Trapani and Cagliari, gateways to Sicily and Sardinia’s coasts, where the ship stays long enough for coastal walks past Castello views and to savour local flavours.
From there, the route turns to Spain, touching Mahón’s port on Menorca and Málaga on the mainland, both known for historic harbours and the odd museum or two. Calling at Ceuta is a reminder this is Europe’s interface with Africa, before a steady run along Spain’s Mediterranean coast, with stops at Motril, Cartagena and Valencia. A final turn west brings Cádiz into view, a tidy old city whose watchtowers look out over the Atlantic.
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral is a ship small enough to slip into ports larger vessels avoid and large enough for comfortable travel across this diverse route. The pace encourages long hours on deck watching coastal towns slip past rather than a rush from one experience to the next, making for a quietly measured cruise through a well-travelled part of the world.
- 1 Athens
- 2 Valletta
- 3 Trapani
- 4 Cagliari
- 5 Mahon
- 6 Málaga
- 7 Ceuta
- 8 Motril
- 9 Cartagena
- 10 Valencia
- 11 Cádiz
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Day 2
Valletta, Malta
Day 3
Trapani, Italy
Day 4
Cagliari, Italy
Day 5
Mahon, Spain
Day 6
Málaga, Spain
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 Piraeus (for Athens)
- 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 Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores?
- Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores is a 17 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores depart from?
- Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores departs from Piraeus (for Athens).
- Who operates Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores?
- Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores cost?
- Prices for Mediterranean Islands & Spanish Shores start from £1,299, 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 Greece? Our Greece guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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