The 100-cabin World Traveller The vessel was designed to traverse the Southern Ocean ice, but I boarded it last September. Atlas Ocean Voyages The ship docked in Nice, France. I wasn’t planning to go ashore on a Zodiac—and I certainly didn’t expect to see penguins. The seven-night sailing would stop at smaller ports that are less frequented by cruise ships, such as St.-Raphaël, on the Côte d’Azur, before ending in Palma, on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Along the way I would experience a culinary journey: The Atlas team would organize market tours and tastings as well as meals at sea that would highlight the cuisine of French Riviera.
In summertime when Antarctica is experiencing winter, an increasing number of expedition vessels head to the Mediterranean. These trips may not be centered around wildlife or icebergs, but they do have an immersive and educational feel, thanks to the smaller size of many expedition ships.
“It’s a new and fascinating way to discover this region,” says Julie JonesTopFlight Travels is the founder and member of T+L A-List.
The Expedition Ships Making Waves on the Mediterranean
Food
Atlas Ocean Voyages Epicurean Expeditions are offered by the company, and they are hosted by rotating chefs, winemakers, and culinary experts. Gourmet experiences fill the agenda and range from paella-making workshops in Barcelona and wine tastings in Kotor, Montenegro, to reality-TV-inspired cooking competitions on board. James Rodriguez, CEO of the company, says that people experience the Mediterranean by tasting it.
French Flair
Based in Marseille, France Ponant Seven different ships will be in the Mediterranean for the next two-years. Highlights of the trip include a seven night music-themed Aegean cruise in partnership France’s Radio Classique. Samuel Chamberlain is the CEO Americas of the company. He says that “our enrichment” makes us unique. It’s an extremely curated and educational approach. To that end, Ponant also partners with both Smithsonian Journeys and Abercrombie & Kent on specialty trips, like a history-focused itinerary that visits Malta, Sicily, and Sardinia, and an eclipse-spotting sail to Spain in August 2026.
Next-level ports
This August, the 96 cabin Diana The 11-night cruise from Portugal to Italy will include stops in Algeria and Tunisia. Mario Bounas is an executive with Swan HellenicIt is a company that operates Diana. The UNESCO-listed ruins from ancient Carthage will be a major focus of the tour. They are located in Tunis today.
For Serendipity
The 53-stateroom hotel National Geographic Orion This small ship allows you to see Greek islands other cruise ships can’t reach: Naxos or Sifnos. You can even visit the once-inhabited Despotiko and its beautiful ancient sites. Because the ports are so close, you can visit them all in one day. Lindblad Expeditions Ships can take time for spontaneous adventures rather than following a strict schedule. “We have the flexibility to stop to watch a group of dolphins—or to see a perfect sunset behind the ruins at Cape Sounion,” explains Trey Byus, the line’s chief expedition officer.
Access the best of the best
Due to their smaller size, expedition ships often lack amenities. You’ll also find Seabourn Venture, which offers the same perks—such as spacious suites and caviar on demand—that you’ll find on Seabourn’s bigger vessels. The 132-stateroom vessel debuted in the Mediterranean last spring and will run a similar season in 2026 in the region. “These voyages include access to exclusive events,” says Mike Fulkerson, a Seabourn executive, who cites admission to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell tennis tournaments as two examples.
New for 2026
Its distinctive inverted bow improves fuel efficiency. Douglas Mawson The following is a list of the most recent and relevant articles. Aurora Expeditions The 86-cabin vessel is set to make a splash when it arrives at the Mediterranean. The 86-cabin ship will make its debut in Antarctica late in 2025. Mawson We will spend the summer in Greece, Turkey, and the Dalmatian Coast.
A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure The theme of the event is “A Taste of Adventure.”
