Top Small Ship Adventures in the Mediterranean

Corsica - Ponant

The 64-passenger Le Ponant, the flagship vessel of the French cruise line Ponant, frequently calls at this island influenced by French, Italian, and North African cultures. Along the southeastern coast, you can admire the limestone cliffs of the Gulf of Santa Manza before heading north to Cargèse, renowned for its historic churches. (Seven-night voyages starting at $4,970 per person, all-inclusive.)

Tuscan Islands - Sailing Collective

Based in Brooklyn, Sailing Collective is a charter company offering cruises for groups of eight to ten passengers, exploring this region of Italy. Their itinerary includes the pine-covered Isola del Giglio, which features three quaint villages, and volcanic Capraia, a part of the Arcipelago Toscano national park. (Seven-night journeys start at $3,200 for a single cabin, all-inclusive.)

Spain - SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club operates two 112-passenger vessels and now offers Wine Voyages, highlighting the Mediterranean's finest producers. The seven-night itinerary from Barcelona to Málaga, departing on Oct. 12, 2019, will feature a sherry-pairing dinner in Puerto Banús with Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla and a visit to Anima Negra, a renowned winery in Mallorca. (Prices start at $4,726 per person, all-inclusive.)

French and Italian Riviera - Silversea

While most Mediterranean cruises last a week or more, if you’re pressed for time or wish to combine sailing with land exploration, Silversea offers a perfect solution with a 5-day voyage on the Silver Shadow, departing May 22, 2019. This trip includes visits to the iconic hotels in Cannes, the exciting casinos, and the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, along with the stunning architecture of Italy’s Cinque Terre. (Starting from $4,770 per person, all-inclusive.)

Spain and Morocco - Scenic

Featuring 10 dining options and bars for just 228 guests, along with a heated indoor pool and a Pilates studio, the Scenic Eclipse is set to transform the luxury cruise experience. In April, during its inaugural Mediterranean season, it will launch a cruise from Tenerife to Barcelona, stopping at the Moroccan cities of Essaouira and Casablanca. (Starting at $7,795.)

French and Italian Riviera - Windstar Cruises

Readers of T+L have a special affection for the 310-passenger Wind Surf — a genuine sailing ship and the flagship of Windstar Cruises — which earned the title of No. 1 Midsize-Ship Cruise Line in the 2018 World’s Best Awards. The ship is set to embark on several seven-day voyages titled “Yachtman’s Harbors of the Riviera” next year, visiting glamorous destinations like Portofino, Monte Carlo, Cannes, and Sanary-Sur-Mer. (Starting from $3,199 per person.)