It’s a classic cruise destination that has wowed guests for decades, offering some of the finest sights and a huge range of experiences. Here Marella Cruises’ head of trading and planning, Neil Duncan, breaks the destination down and explains why it remains a firm favourite.

The western Mediterranean

The western part of the Med is much more established and offers well-known destinations such as Spain, France and Greece, which are all very popular with holidaymakers with relatively short flight times all under three hours.

Destinations that are recognised as hotspots can be incorporated into a seven-night itinerary, so cruisers can visit all their desired locations during one holiday, which is an additional plus.

The Western Med is also a great option for first-time cruisers and families, as there is something on offer for everyone. Marella Cruises offers seven-night cruises from Naples and Palma that cover plenty of the Western Med. There are also flights from more than 20 UK airports.

In addition to the cruising option, Marella has pre and post-cruise hotel stays in TUI resorts in Palma and Naples, giving guests the best of both worlds for those who want to try a cruise but also experience their beach holiday.

The eastern Mediterranean/Adriatic

This area is growing more popular, particularly the Greek Islands and Croatia. The variety of destinations available is huge – Montenegro, Eastern Italy, Turkey and Cyprus, to name just a few.

Offering the Eastern Med is a great opportunity for agents to target regular cruisers who are looking for different or a bit more adventure and culture.

Marella Cruises offers a seven-night Israel cruise from Cyprus, including an overnight stay in Ashdod, Israel, allowing customers to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Dead Sea.

As with the western Med, Marella Cruises also has the option for pre and post-cruise hotel stays in TUI resorts in Paphos, Dubrovnik, Corfu and Naples.

Selling tips:

• Plenty of destinations to visit
• Culture at every corner
• The added benefit of warm sunshine, generally all the way from May-October