Avoid Crowds: Best Small-Ship Mediterranean Cruises for Couples

Small-ship luxury Mediterranean cruises are the sweet spot for couples seeking intimacy, character-rich ports, and long, lingering evenings ashore—without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Small-ship Mediterranean cruises typically carry fewer than 1,000 passengers for a more intimate experience, which opens access to yacht harbors and storybook towns larger vessels can’t reach, plus faster embarkation and tendering for easier, stress-free days [The Times’ small-ship roundup]. For the quietest vibe and comfortable weather, plan May or September, when crowds thin and the heat eases; book Greek-isles runs early as they sell out fast [Mundy Cruising’s Med guide].