Adriatic Cruises

An Adriatic Sea cruise will vary in length depending on the itinerary you select, but most of our cruises in this region last between seven and 12 nights. This includes seven-night trips through literal Mediterranean hotspots like Kotor in Montenegro, Dubrovnik in Croatia and various Greek Islands, such as Santorini and Corfu. 

If you’re short on time, there are also Mediterranean-focused Adriatic cruises lasting five or six nights, and even a three-night itinerary that begins in Trieste and visits several stops on the Croatian coast before ending in Bari. And if you only have two nights to spare, one of our routes begins in Venice before visiting Zadar and then ending in Bari, just two nights later. 

At the other end of the scale are our cruises lasting 11 and 12 nights, which explore the Mediterranean in depth. These itineraries cover a wide range of bases on their stops, calling at multiple ports across Italy, Croatia, Greece and Cyprus. 

This range of options allows you to find an Adriatic cruise length that suits your schedule and budget. 

It’s always useful to know what time zones will be used in the countries visited on your Adriatic Sea cruise. Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro all use Central European Time (CET), which is two hours ahead of the UK when the UK uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and one hour ahead of the UK during summer, when British Summer Time (BST) is used in the UK (from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October). 

Greece uses Eastern European Time (EET), which follows a similar structure in that it’s two hours ahead of GMT, but one hour ahead of BST. 

MSC Cruises’ Adriatic cruises are available between the months of May and November, allowing guests to experience this hallowed region at its best. During this time, you’re likely to encounter some very favourable weather (depending a little on your cruise route), particularly during summer months. This means that outdoor activities, such as hiking around Barbati Beach in Corfu or sea kayaking around the Bay of Kotor, will be even more enjoyable. 

But as appealing as good weather is, this time of year offers many more reasons to set off on an Adriatic Coast cruise. Festivals, events and activities take place across Adriatic countries during this time, allowing visitors a glimpse of local cultural life. 

However, there are more reasons than just good weather to make this time of year an appealing prospect for an Adriatic Coast cruise, as these months see an enlightening choice of events and festivals taking place across Adriatic countries, all supplying visitors with an insight into local cultures and communities. This might be done through local cuisine, traditional folk music and even theatre performance.  

Put simply, this timeframe is an opportunity to see the Adriatic at its finest. 

Depending a little on which countries feature on your itinerary and what month(s) you visit in, taking an Adriatic Sea cruise between May and November will likely provide visitors with some great weather. Summer months (especially the peak summer months of July and August) in Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia should see a Mediterranean-style climate with plenty of sunshine and high temperatures. 

Montenegro and Croatia are likely to experience the most sun and hottest temperatures during this time, as the two countries share similar climates around their coastal regions. 

From September, things begin to slowly cool down across the Adriatic as autumn sets in. Temperatures drop a little further in October and November, although still remaining warm and pleasant – some visitors prefer to cruise during this time, as outdoor activities can take place without peak summer heat. 

In late autumn you may see some rain, particularly in Italy and Slovenia, and these countries will also experience cooler temperatures than Croatia and Montenegro. 

Adriatic cruise holidays depart from a range of locations, meaning it’s easy to find one that suits you. Fly & Cruise packages provide a stress-free travel option by letting you fly directly to Venice, where you’ll transfer to the Port of Marghera and sail off on one of our Eastern Mediterranean Adriatic routes.  

Alternatively, begin your Adriatic adventure by starting at another atmospheric Italian city, such as Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Trieste. You can also set off from Croatia's historical marvel, Split. 

Once you begin your journey, settle in and prepare to experience the very best of the Adriatic. Get to know Slovenia by stopping at Koper or explore Croatia’s enchanting Dubrovnik – then go deeper into the country by visiting Zadar, Rijeka and Šibenik. Alternatively, go further east and lose yourself in two of Montenegro’s lauded cities, Kotor and Bar.   

Then there’s Greece and its endless charms, from the history-filled capital, Athens, to its magical islands, which offer sublime beaches and traditional tavernas. 

Whatever method and departure point you choose, rest assured that your Adriatic odyssey will be one to remember. 

When packing for Adriatic cruises, variety is key. Consider what month(s) you’re travelling in, and your destinations, as these will both inform what to pack. If you’re travelling in peak summer months – July and August – to any Adriatic destinations, pack for hot weather, including a sun hat, light layers, sunglasses, swimwear and sandals or similar footwear.  

For cruises in autumn, bring a few more layers and some warmer clothing, including a jacket and/or rain jacket, as you may encounter cooler temperatures and showers. But pack some items for warmer weather in these months, too, especially if you’re heading to Croatia and Montenegro.  

Whatever month you’re travelling in, make sure to pack essentials, such as comfortable footwear (especially for any shore excursions) sun lotion and comfortable clothing for relaxing onboard your ship. If you want to attend onboard gala nights or formal evening dinners and events during your cruise, also pack some smarter clothing to dazzle.  

Cruises to the Adriatic let you experience a range of bucket list countries, covering some of the best sites and attractions in each place. Come face-to-face with Italy’s historical marvels in cities like Venice and Trieste, or sample Italian coastal life in Ancona.  

Croatia provides outstanding beaches, a globally acclaimed Old Town in Dubrovnik and an architectural wonder in Split via the incredible Diocletian's Palace. Montenegro, meanwhile, houses an atmospheric medieval city in Kotor, surrounded by towering mountains. 

Slovenia, though perhaps not as immediately famous as its Adriatic counterparts, is a beautiful and rewarding place to visit. Its landscapes are varied and gorgeous – encompassing anything from thick woodlands to shimmering lakes and snow-capped mountains – and its Adriatic coastal stretch of a little over 45 kilometres is a vibrant area to spend time in. 

Many Adriatic cruise itineraries also include stops in Greece and at some of its many islands. This adds yet another dimension to these routes, allowing guests to delve into the ancient historical sites of Athens or soak up island life on spots like Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu.