If you're thinking about taking your first cruise and don't know where to start, the answer is almost always the same: the Mediterranean. And it's not a coincidence — there are very specific reasons it remains the perfect entry point, both for Europeans and for travelers from Latin America taking their first cruise here.

Because in a single trip you can see some of the most historic cities in the world. The Mediterranean is one of the cradles of civilization — not the only one, but one of the best connected by cruise. In one itinerary you can string together Barcelona, Valencia, Rome, or Naples with Pompeii, or if you head to the eastern Mediterranean, Venice, Athens, or Istanbul. Few cruise destinations pack so many must-see cities into so little time.

But there's a lesser-known reason that, to me, matters just as much: the Mediterranean isn't an ocean. It's a much calmer sea, and because it also has significant depth, the ships that sail here tend to be among the largest in the world — which also makes them among the most stable. The combination of calm water and a massive ship means that most of the time you won't even notice you're sailing. If you've never been on a cruise, I recommend your first experience be exactly this: the Mediterranean on a large ship. You'll enjoy it far more.

My own first cruise was exactly that — on the MSC Grandiosa, a ship with a water park, a ropes course, several bars, a gym, and pools and jacuzzis everywhere. I remember the first day feeling like Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone," running from one end to the other, unable to believe what I was seeing. The ship shaped that first experience enormously, and the itinerary — Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Marseille — didn't fall short either.

Start with the western Mediterranean: Spain, Italy, and France. It's the area where the largest — and therefore most stable — ships sail, exactly what you want for a first cruise. And it has everything: Barcelona, Rome, Marseille, Naples, Florence, Palermo, Malta... cities I'd recommend one hundred percent.

Even though everyone thinks of summer, for me the best time is spring and fall — especially mid-March through mid-May, and September through early November. The Mediterranean is warm, so you'll get good weather (with a chance of rain) without the stifling heat of Rome or Barcelona in the middle of July or August. On top of that, you avoid peak season: the ship is well equipped to handle a lot of people without it showing, but at the destinations you definitely notice it — Rome in August isn't just full of cruise passengers, it's full of everyone. And as a bonus, prices also drop outside of peak season.

For me, Rome is a mandatory stop. I know plenty of people say you can't see Rome in a day — and they're right, I've been twelve times and still haven't run out of things to see — but it's still worth going down and taking it in, even just a glimpse. (By the way, I've put together a free guide for making the most of a single day in Rome on a cruise stop — I'll link it at the end of the post.)

Naples, with Pompeii, is also a must: it really shows you what the Roman Empire managed to build, and you get to eat a Neapolitan pizza in its city of origin. Marseille has a beautiful old town and an interesting history both in antiquity and in World War II. Barcelona and Valencia are equally essential — either one, and you'll come away with two very different impressions of Spain.

Then there are lesser-known stops that I think are well worth it: Palermo, for its history (beyond the mafia reputation, it's worth understanding how many cultures have passed through Sicily), and Malta, a country conquered by countless civilizations that barely gets talked about. And one almost nobody mentions: La Spezia. Most people get off here to go to Florence, but if you have the option, go to Cinque Terre instead — the villages that inspired Pixar's "Luca." It's an incredible experience, and you don't even need to book an organized excursion.

Overrated, in my opinion? Genoa, and maybe Sardinia — I love the island, but it's more about the beaches than anything else. I'd also put Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca here, even though I really like both — I think they're a bit overhyped by their reputation. Though this comes down to my own taste: what draws me most is history and culture, even more than nature.

Mainly three things. First, not paying close enough attention to the ports on the itinerary. Second, choosing summer out of habit, when spring and fall actually give you a better experience. And the most important one for first-time cruisers: not choosing the ship carefully. A lot of people think a cruise is a cruise, no matter the line or the ship — and that couldn't be further from the truth. The itinerary matters, the cruise line matters, and the ship matters a lot. That said, I've also traveled with people on a ship over twenty years old who had a spectacular experience — every ship has its own charm, and older, smaller ships (compared to today's) have something nice going for them: closer contact with the crew, fewer people to share space with. But when it comes to decor, amenities, and facilities, nothing beats a newer ship.

One that departs from Barcelona or Rome and combines those two cities with Marseille, Malta or Naples, Palermo, and maybe Genoa or La Spezia. These are the ports that handle the most cruise traffic and are the best equipped to receive passengers. One last tip: choose a ship that's five years old or newer — you'll enjoy it far more.

Before your next stop in Rome, download my free guide to making the most of a single day there on a cruise. Download the guide here.

Do you already know which Mediterranean city you'd start with? Subscribe and get every new post straight to your inbox.