Mediterranean cruises take passengers to a rich mosaic of sights, from the sun-washed beaches of the Riviera to the magnificent antiquities of Rome, Athens and Ephesus. On a Mediterranean cruise, you may stroll the broad boulevards of Barcelona and Nice or view works of the masters in the museums of Florence. Cruises are a wonderful, worry-free way to explore the great cities of Europe. About three-quarters of all European cruises are Mediterranean cruises, and the other one-fourth is cruises of the British Isles and Northern Europe. The Mediterranean cruise season is from late April to October, although a few ships cruise this region year-round.