The 5 best destinations you can visit on an Oceania Cruises ship

Gene Sloan

Among major cruise lines, Oceania Cruises is particularly known for its diverse array of itineraries.

Despite operating just seven ships, the upscale brand offers voyages in every corner of the world, from North America and Europe to Africa, Asia and Australia. Its vessels visit more than 450 different ports.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Oceania has a particularly large footprint when it comes to Europe itineraries, with five or six of its seven ships spending at least parts of their spring, summer and fall in Europe in a typical year.

Oceania also typically deploys at least one of its vessels to Alaska in the summer.

In the winter, Oceania moves at least two of its vessels to the Caribbean (sometimes more) while basing one ship in Asia and one ship in South America. Yet another vessel will be sent on an around-the-world voyage during winter.

The line typically also offers one or two sailings each year out of Cape Town.

Among the line's voyages, there's everything from seven-night cruises in the Caribbean to 200-day globe-circling voyages. The company generally doesn't do very short sailings of just three or four nights, unlike mass-market lines.

Overwhelmed with the choices? Here are our picks for the five best Oceania cruise destinations.

Northern Europe

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Some of Oceania's most interesting itineraries are around the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

Each year from April through as late as October, the line sends at least two ships to the region (sometimes more) and offers itineraries ranging from just nine nights to a whopping 51 nights.

The voyages will take you to such Northern European countries as Germany, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, all in a single 10-night vacation. Or you could spend 10 nights visiting multiple ports in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Other voyages focus on Scotland and England.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise line for you

Note that Oceania voyages in the Baltic traditionally have included a multinight stay in St. Petersburg, Russia, considered the highlight of any Baltic cruise. But in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Oceania pulled all St. Petersburg stops indefinitely. Whether St. Petersburg will return as a call on Baltic sailings in coming years will depend on whether there is a resolution to the conflict.

In the meantime, Oceania has cut back on Baltic sailings and changed up its port list for the Baltic sailings it has kept.

In Northern Europe, Oceania ships mostly sail out of Southampton, England; Amsterdam; Hamburg, Germany; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Copenhagen; and Oslo.

The Mediterranean

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Many of Oceania's most popular itineraries are in the Mediterranean, where it sometimes deploys as many as five ships during parts of the summer.

The Mediterranean trips typically range from about 10 nights to as many as 22 nights, though there occasionally are Mediterranean voyages as short as seven nights. They include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line's 12-day "Mediterranean Splendors" routing, a one-way trip between Istanbul and Lisbon, Portugal, that brings stops in Turkey, Greece, Malta, Spain and Portugal.

More focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line's nine-day "Cultural Crossroads" voyages between Athens, Greece, and Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome), which mostly concentrate on stops along the west coast of Turkey and the west coast of Italy.

In the Mediterranean, the line's main hubs are Barcelona; Monaco; Valletta, Malta; Civitavecchia and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The best Mediterranean cruise for every type of traveler

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Oceania typically sends one of its seven ships to Asia every winter for Asia-focused sailings out of such cities as Bangkok, Singapore and Tokyo.

The line also typically sends a second ship on an around-the-world cruise that includes multiple segments in Asia, resulting in two of the line's ships sailing in Asia during the winter.

The vessels typically offer a relatively wide mix of itineraries, never staying in the same part of Asia for too many voyages in a row.

Asia itineraries that Oceania offers include 10-night voyages between Bangkok and Singapore with stops at Ko Samui, Thailand; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; and Nha Trang, Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.

Related: The best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

The line also typically offers several 10-night "Japanese Immersion" sailings each winter out of Yokohama, Japan (the port for Tokyo), with stops at Nagoya, Kobe (for Kyoto), Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kochi and Shimizu in Japan, as well as Busan, South Korea.

Longer Asia itineraries include 18-night "Spiritual Shrines" sailings from Bangkok to Tokyo that include calls in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Oceania isn't a huge player in Caribbean cruises, unlike its sister company Norwegian Cruise Line . But it typically sends two vessels to Miami every winter to operate warm weather-focused getaways to well-known Caribbean ports. It also offers some Caribbean sailings from other regional ports, including Panama City, Panama.

Typically, Oceania's Caribbean sailings are either 10 or 12 nights, with a typical 10-night voyage featuring stops in St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Barts, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

A few shorter, seven-night Caribbean itineraries are also available, with routings generally focusing on the Western Caribbean and bringing stops in Mexico, Belize and Honduras.

Among the line's most far-flung Caribbean itineraries for the coming year is a 12-night voyage out of Miami that brings visits to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and Antigua.

South America

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Oceania typically bases just one ship in South America each year and only for about five months in the winter. However, it also often has a second ship visiting the region briefly as part of an around-the-world cruise.

As a result, the line typically offers around a dozen South America cruise departures in any given year out of such cities as Rio de Janeiro; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires; Lima, Peru; and Miami.

Many of Oceania's South America sailings are lengthy, with some extending for as many as 24 to 30 nights.

Among these longer sailings are 24-night trips between Lima and Buenos Aires that include a visit to Antarctica, as well as stops in Chile (including in the Chilean fjords), Argentina and Uruguay.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • 15 ways cruisers waste money
  • 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
  • What to pack for your first cruise

Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona, Spain, admiring the whitewashed villages of Santorini,

Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona, Spain, admiring the whitewashed villages of Santorini, Greece, or immersing yourself in Istanbul's historic sites, the Mediterranean region offers unlimited adventures. And what better way to see it all than on board a cruise ship? To help determine which cruise lines offer the best Mediterranean experience, U.S. News used a methodology factoring in the number and variety of itineraries in the region, and the line's approval rating among experts and travelers. And considering the Mediterranean's immense popularity as a cruise destination, you'll likely find cruise deals to the region year-round. Keep in mind, you may want to consider international travel insurance to protect your trip.

Read Best Cruises Methodology

Find Cruises

Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732

with a cruise advisor

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking offers ample Mediterranean sailings to a variety of ports. With destination-focused itineraries and a free shore excursion in each port, you'll learn more about places like Rome and Florence, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens, Greece; and Monte Carlo during your trip. Viking also dishes out delectable food on board in dining venues that embrace many Mediterranean cuisines.

  • 4.57 Overall Rating
  • 9 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Seabourn Cruise Line

Well-heeled travelers love the luxury and ample onboard amenities (including fine dining, foodie experiences, chic pools and live music venues) on Seabourn's ships as they cruise to ports in Malta, Italy, Greece and the South of France. The line's ships carry no more than 600 guests, so you won't have to worry about overcrowding. Plus, all onboard meals and drinks are complimentary.

  • 4.39 Overall Rating
  • 5 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises receives high praise for its affordable prices and wealth of onboard activities. The fleet's Mediterranean ships carry around 3,000 passengers or fewer, offering travelers amenities like kids clubs, food and wine workshops, captivating musical productions, interactive game shows and more. Itineraries may include stops in Portofino, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Mykonos, Greece.

  • 4.36 Overall Rating
  • 13 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises focuses on individualized service with a high attention to detail and specialized dining venues. It's also typically a child-free crowd, with no programming for younger cruisers. The line offers Mediterranean sailings to many popular ports like Corfu, Greece; Porto, Portugal; and Palermo, Italy, as well as plenty of shore excursions to satisfy curious minds and adventurous travelers.

  • 4.30 Overall Rating
  • 7 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Royal Caribbean International

Some of Royal Caribbean's ships are massive, which makes it tough for them to navigate the Mediterranean. As such, cruises to this region are offered on the brand's smaller vessels. Available itineraries include stops in cities like Split, Croatia; Chania, Crete; Cannes, France; and Limassol, Cyprus. Plus, fun onboard activities range from rock climbing walls to game shows.

  • 4.17 Overall Rating
  • 25 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

With itineraries across numerous Mediterranean countries, Azamara stands out for catering to travelers interested in exploring less-frequented ports of call, including Rhodes, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; and Koper, Slovenia. Passengers on select voyages can also participate in the line's AzAmazing Celebrations program, which arranges culturally immersive experiences.

  • 4.05 Overall Rating
  • 4 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

MSC Cruises

Catering mostly to Europeans, MSC Cruises offers plenty of Mediterranean sailings, with ports of call ranging from Cannes, France, to Naples, Italy, to Tangier, Morocco. The fleet's ships carry between roughly 2,500 and 6,700 cruisers and feature a wealth of onboard amenities, including pools, spas, kids clubs and ample dining options.

  • 3.79 Overall Rating
  • 22 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Costa Cruises

It's no surprise that Carnival-owned, Europe-based Costa Cruises boasts a bevy of Mediterranean itineraries at affordable prices. All sorts of Mediterranean cruises are available, with sailings to destinations like the Balearic Islands in Spain; Alexandria, Egypt; and several Greek islands. Costa's ships also provide kids programming, evening entertainment and numerous restaurants and bars.

  • 3.50 Overall Rating
  • 8 Ships in Fleet

oceania cruises to mediterranean

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't tout as many Mediterranean itineraries as some competitors. However, the line stops in spots like Venice, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Barcelona, Spain. Norwegian also boasts a wide range of shore excursions, from food tours to scenic drives. And the frequent Free at Sea promo allows cruisers to buy a package to enjoy free Wi-Fi, drinks and specialty dining.

  • 3.97 Overall Rating
  • 19 Ships in Fleet

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

IMAGES

  1. Oceania Cruises Mediterranean Cruises 2024/25

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

  2. Oceania Cruises Releases New Mediterranean Itineraries For 2024

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

  3. THE BEST Oceania Cruises to the Middle East (with Prices) 2022 & 2023

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

  4. Best Mediterranean Cruise Ships

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

  5. Oceania Cruises Review: What It’s Like To Vacation on Nautica

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

  6. Oceania Marina Mediterranean cruise review

    oceania cruises to mediterranean

COMMENTS

  1. Oceania Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

    4. 5. ... 52. Oceania Mediterranean Cruises: Read 988 Oceania Mediterranean cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.

  2. Oceania Cruises destinations guide: The line's best itineraries -

    In the Mediterranean, the line's main hubs are Barcelona; Monaco; Valletta, Malta; Civitavecchia and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul. Related: The best Mediterranean cruise for every type of traveler.

  3. Oceania Cruises to the Mediterranean

    Find and plan your next Oceania cruise to the Mediterranean on Cruise Critic. Check out the latest deals and itineraries for the Mediterranean Oceania cruises.

  4. A Look Inside Oceania Cruises' New 2024 Mediterranean Itineraries

    Oceania Cruises has revamped its Mediterranean itineraries for the 2024 sailing season to offer travelers a new and elevated experience. The cruise line updated 42 itineraries to replace ports of call in Israel, Egypt, and Jordan with beloved destinations throughout the Mediterranean.

  5. 9 Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

    Affordable. Family. Couples. Caribbean. Mediterranean. Luxury. Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732. with a cruise advisor. Viking Ocean Cruises. #1 in Best Cruise Lines in the...