In case you didn’t know, I’ve just come back from a week-long cruise around the Mediterranean aboard Royal Caribbean‘s Oasis of the Seas. If you’re interested in a full price breakdown, then check out my other blog. And if you want to know what I think about the mega-ship, I have a blog on that too!
This post is going to cover all the ports I visited—what I loved, what I disliked, and tips and tricks for your next Med cruise.
Palma de Mallorca: A Gem of the Mediterranean
During our Mediterranean cruise, the first port of call was Palma de Mallorca, a charming and surprisingly luxe city on the Balearic Islands. We were thrilled with how easy it was to explore and how much there was to enjoy, even without booking any shore excursions.
Check out my new Instagram reel on Palma: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbNAyMo-tx/
What We Loved
One of the first things we noticed upon arrival was how simple it was to get from the port into the city. For just €10, we grabbed a return shuttle/coach ticket right off the ship, making the journey into Palma a breeze. We were dropped off just by the Mallorca Cathedral. Once in the city, we were struck by how walkable and accessible everything felt.
Palma is a city full of gorgeous architecture, and the buildings are stunning, especially around the city centre. We also stumbled upon a lovely market outside the cathedral, offering a mix of handmade goods and silver jewellery. While some of the items could be mass-produced, the market still retained a sense of authenticity that made for a pleasant experience.
What really stood out was how easy it was to walk from the city centre to the Platja de Can Pere Antoni. The beach itself is gorgeous—clean, picturesque, and not overly crowded. The city as a whole felt very clean and, despite being a popular destination, didn’t seem overly touristy, which was refreshing. Palma had a subtle sense of luxury, with its well-maintained streets and beautiful buildings giving the city an unexpectedly upscale vibe.
What We Didn’t Love
Of course, no place is perfect, and there were a couple of downsides to our time in Palma. Right by the beach, we stopped at Anima Beach Palma, the only nearby bar/restaurant. While it’s a convenient spot to grab a drink, the prices were steep—€7 for a bottle of water felt excessive.
Another minor drawback was the pushy vendors on the beach. While we were trying to relax, several people approached us, persistently trying to sell beach blankets. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it did get a bit annoying after a while.
What We Didn’t Do
We decided to skip the shore excursions in Palma, which worked out well since the city is so easy to explore on foot. We also didn’t venture out to some of the more popular spots like Palma Nova or Palmanova Beach. While those are probably great, we were perfectly content enjoying the city’s main attractions and gorgeous beach on our own time.
Tips for your time in Palma
- Pack a towel if you’re heading to the beach (may sound obvious but we forgot)
- Bring comfortable walking shoes / sneakers / trainers
- If you used the shuttle bus, keep your ticket!
La Spezia: Our Gateway to Cinque Terre
La Spezia is a popular port on many Mediterranean cruise itineraries, serving as a convenient gateway to iconic destinations like Pisa and Florence. However, we chose to use La Spezia as a jumping-off point for something a bit more unique: the stunning villages of Cinque Terre. After watching countless YouTube videos, we were excited to explore this beautiful stretch of Italy’s coast.
To make the most of our visit, we purchased the Cinque Terre Card, which gave us access to the local trains and hiking trails between the five villages. The ticket cost €32.50, which seemed like good value for what we expected to be an unforgettable experience.
The trains were very easy to understand, and each village is just the following stop on the same train. The times of the train were a little unreliable. At one point we were waiting for over 30 minutes – even though the announcement said one was due within a minute.
Unfortunately, all five villages were extremely crowded, which really took away from the charm. We had hoped for a quieter, more peaceful experience in the middle of September, but instead found ourselves navigating through bustling crowds at every stop.
The weather was another letdown. Cinque Terre is known for its lush, vibrant architecture and breathtaking coastal views, but everything looked dull and grey under the blanket of cold, cloudy skies. It wasn’t the picture-perfect scene we’d been hoping for. I guess that’s the downside of cruising the Mediterranean in mid-September. But, thank the heavens for Photoshop eh?! Atleast I can retouch the clouds in favour of a sunny skies.
Despite these setbacks, we’d absolutely return to Cinque Terre—if the weather cooperates next time! It’s clear there’s so much beauty to be experienced here, and we’re hopeful that a future visit could live up to the idyllic images we’ve seen.
Tips for your time in La Spezia
- Prepare for how busy it’s going to be!
- Consider booking an excursion if you want to avoid busy public transport
Civitavecchia – Not So Rome Adjacent
Civitavecchia, often known as the gateway to Rome, is a regular stop on Mediterranean cruise itineraries. While many cruisers opt for excursions to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain, Civitavecchia itself offers a charming seaside escape, especially for those who want to take a break from busy sightseeing.
If you’re visiting Civitavecchia on a Med cruise, it’s worth noting that it can take up to 90 minutes to get to Rome, depending on how you travel.
For us, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, with crystal blue skies and warm temperatures. Having experienced the chaos of Cinque Terre just a few days before, we decided to skip Rome this time around in favor of a more relaxed day. Living in Edinburgh, with only a two-hour flight to Rome, we figured we’d have plenty of future opportunities to explore the city at a more leisurely pace.
Instead, we opted for a peaceful walk along the beachfront of Civitavecchia. It was the perfect way to unwind, taking in the fresh sea air and enjoying the calm atmosphere. We popped into a few souvenir shops and, of course, picked up our traditional magnet – a small reminder of every place we visit. One highlight of the day was indulging in a McFlurry from McDonald’s, because why not? When in Rome (or close enough), right?
After soaking in the local vibe, we headed back to the ship and enjoyed the rest of the day as a Sea Day. Sometimes, the best travel days are the ones where you allow yourself to slow down, recharge, and savor the simplicity of the moment.
Tips for your time in Civitavecchia
- If you’re going into Rome, go ahead of time to beat the crowds
- An excursion may be your best bet!
- There’s not much to do in Civitavecchia, so it can be quite quiet
Our Love Affair with Naples
We absolutely loved, loved, loved Naples! From the moment we stepped off the ship, we felt the city’s vibrant energy calling to us. One of the best things about Naples is how easy it is to explore; you can simply disembark and start walking to discover its treasures.
We got off the ship bright and early at 8 AM, eager to make the most of our last port of call. Our first adventure was climbing up to Naples Vomero Hill that led us to a stunning overlook of the city and the iconic Mount Vesuvius in the background. The panoramic views were breathtaking and provided the perfect backdrop for memorable photos. A complete postcard view of the Mediterranean.
By the time we descended, it was only 11 AM, and our stomachs were calling for a taste of the local cuisine. We headed to a pizzeria called Franco Gallifuoco, which we had discovered through a Reddit recommendation. The pizza was every bit as delicious as we had hoped, with fresh ingredients and that famous Neapolitan crust that melts in your mouth.
After satisfying our cravings, we thought it would be exciting to see if we could visit Capri via ferry. We learned that the trip would take about 50 minutes, giving us 3-4 hours to explore the stunning island. However, the process of purchasing ferry tickets turned out to be a bit chaotic. We quickly realized that you can only buy certain routes from specific vendors, and trying to buy tickets online was near impossible for us.
Despite the hiccup with the ferry, we left Naples with a newfound love for the city and a desire to return. If we do get the chance to visit again, we’ll make it a point to head straight to the ferry terminal at 8 AM to secure our tickets to Capri for later in the day. After all, some adventures are too good to pass up!
Tips for your time in Naples
- Prepare for lots and lots of walking. We did 26,000 steps before 12pm
- If you’re wanting to do Capri or Pompeii – book an excursion
Sea Days in the Mediterranean
During our cruise on the Oasis of the Seas, we experienced two sea days—one following our stop in Palma and the other after Naples. The first sea day was quite stormy, highlighting the ship’s limitations when the sun wasn’t shining. In contrast, the second sea day was bustling with activity, as every sunbed was taken and long queues formed for various onboard events, showcasing just how popular the ship can get when the weather is nice.
My Week-Long Mediterranean Adventure: An Overview
I genuinely had an amazing time onboard my week-long Mediterranean cruise! The experience was absolutely wonderful, filled with breathtaking views and delightful moments. While I would have loved to bask in a few more days of sunny skies, and perhaps a bit more preparation before embarking, I can’t help but cherish every moment. You’d think I would have learned my lesson from my last cruise, but the truth is, I’m not someone who thrives on meticulous planning. I find joy in making spontaneous decisions about what I want to do in the moment. Maybe that’s why I don’t get too bummed out about missing out on certain activities; I simply roll with the flow!
I truly hope this blog has been helpful to you. If you found it useful or have any thoughts to share, please let me know! Your feedback means a lot to me!
