Mediterranean Cruise on Celebrity Reflection – Exploring Iconic Ports with Friends
- Kerry Graham
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 18
After travelling from France into Italy and enjoying a short stay in Rome, my husband Murray, our friends, and I boarded Celebrity Reflection in Civitavecchia, ready for our Mediterranean cruise adventure.
Our first port of call was La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. From here, we took a boat to Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost of the five villages. The ride was beautiful, with stops at several other villages along the way. Even early in the season, the Cinque Terre was buzzing with visitors.
We set off on a two-hour, rather strenuous walk to Vernazza, rewarded with a delicious lunch on arrival. Time ran out before we could walk further, so we caught the train back to La Spezia to rejoin Celebrity Reflection. If you’re not visiting as part of a cruise, I’d highly recommend staying in the Cinque Terre for a few nights to explore the higher trails, avoid the daytime crowds, and enjoy the peaceful evenings when the day-trippers have gone.
Our next stop was the lovely Villefranche-sur-Mer, a perfect gateway to the South of France. Having previously explored Monaco and Nice, we headed instead to Èze and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat—home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. Yachts and helicopters are common here, but personally, I’d still choose a château in the Loire!
From Málaga, we joined a ship excursion to the stunning Alhambra in Granada. This palace and fortress complex, originally established by the Romans in AD 889, was rebuilt in the 13th century by the Emirate of Granada. Although damaged during the Napoleonic Wars, much of its Moorish architecture and Christian additions remain intact. The Sultan’s gardens were designed as a peaceful escape from the pressures of ruling (and from his four wives and 40+ concubines!), with shimmering pools and intricate water features that are said to have inspired the Taj Mahal’s reflecting pools.
Ship excursions like this are well organised, but they can be pricey. In many ports, arranging your own small-group tour—especially with 4 to 6 people—can be more cost-effective. Just remember, if you’re on a ship excursion, the ship will wait for you; if you’re on your own and running late, you may be waving it goodbye from the dock!
Next, we visited Gibraltar—famous for the Rock and its cheeky Barbary macaques. The town feels very English, with pubs and fish and chips aplenty. The Rock itself is dramatic, guarding the narrow gateway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. It’s steeped in history, from Neanderthal habitation to its role as one of the legendary Pillars of Hercules. St. Michael’s Cave, once prepared as a World War II hospital, is now an atmospheric concert venue with outstanding natural acoustics. And here’s a quirky fact: one of the main roads into Spain crosses Gibraltar’s airport runway, meaning traffic is halted for every landing and takeoff—a commuter’s nightmare!
Fun times at sea rounded out our Celebrity Reflection Mediterranean cruise. We travelled with four first-time cruisers, all now completely converted. Celebrity’s ships are large enough to offer plenty of activities, yet spacious enough for quiet corners to relax with a book or soak up the sun.
Highlights included a silent disco (hilarious to watch when you can’t hear the music), movie night on the real-grass Lawn Club with food matching the film (The Chef), The Petite Chef dining experience where a tiny animated chef “cooks” on your table, and a vibrant International Gay Pride Night pool party.
Cruising is such a wonderful way to see the Mediterranean—unpacking just once while waking up somewhere new each day. With so many ships, itineraries, and styles of cruising, there’s something for everyone. As a cruise specialist, I’m always happy to share my knowledge and help you find the voyage that’s just right for you.
Warm wishes,
Kerry
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