There's no vacation like a cruise around the Mediterranean. From crystal clear water, to amazing Italian food, to exploring the local customs, a vacation to Italy is one that will likely never be forgotten. If you're interested in taking a once in a lifetime vacation, consider learning more about cruises around the Mediterranean and the cities you can visit during your time off the ship.

What To Do On The Ship

Cruises are famous for their accommodations. Take a swim on one of the many different pools or exercise in a fitness room that's suspended over the water for an experience you'll never replicate. If relaxation is what you're looking for, take advantage of the sauna, whirlpool or the massage therapists that are right on the ship.

When meal times come around, some cruises allow you to eat under the stars in a Skydome. This gives you an amazing view of the vast sky while you dine on some of the world's most exquisite cuisine. A cruise ship is luxury at it's finest so make sure to take advantage of everything the ship has to offer.

Exploring Naples

As you sail around the Mediterranean, you'll probably get the opportunity to spend a day off the ship and visit Naples. If you're wondering what to do while in the city, you have a lot of choices. Naples has an amazing underground history and visitors can find Green and Roman ruins that actually run underneath the city. You can see the ovens of an old bakery and even where ancient Romans washed their clothes. However, bring a sweater because it can be a little chilly when you're far underground.

Another must-not miss Naples attraction is the National Archaeological Museum. Here you'll be able to see an amazing gathering of Roman art and artifacts. The museum is home to mosaics and sculptures that were found in nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Visit Venice

Many Mediterranean cruises will take you through Venice and you must not miss the chance to explore this historic city. St. Mark's Square, or Piazza San Marco to the Italians, is one of the most famous. There you can visit St. Mark's Basilica or just observe the hundreds of pigeons that make the piazza their home. However, the locals dissuade visitors from feeding the pigeons as this can encourage them to stay, which could damage the ancient buildings.

If you're interested in ancient artwork, visit St. Mary of the Friars, or Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Although this was originally a church, the site now houses a number of priceless pieces of artwork including 'Madonna de Ca Pesaro' and 'Madonna and Child with Saints.'

Cruises can be some of the most amazing vacations, especially if you're sailing around Italy and the Mediterranean. No matter which cities you choose to visit in Italy, make sure to take some time to eat some of the country's most famous foods: gelato, pasta and pizza. From visiting the cities around Italy to relaxing on the ship, you'll never run out of things to do on your Italian cruise.