The Mediterranean is one of the most popular cruise destinations
for UK holidaymakers thanks to its accessibility and wealth of
fantastic ports of call.
From sun-kissed beaches and historic cities, to first-rate
shopping and elegant cuisine, the Med offers a pleasant climate,
exciting excursions and fantastic attractions for all to enjoy.
Choose a Western Mediterranean cruise to experience the unique
Catalan culture of Barcelona, the Balearics’ unbeatable beaches,
the chic boutiques of the French Riviera, and the famous ruins of
Rome. Or head east to marvel at the timeless beauty of Venice, the
russet roofs of Dubrovnik, the stunning monuments of ancient
Athens, the idyllic Greek Islands, and so much more.
The Med’s close proximity to the UK makes it an ideal choice for
holidaymakers looking for a convenient cruise option that doesn’t
require flights. Multiple cruises sail from Southampton, while
there are plenty of options for fly cruises leaving from Barcelona,
Rome and Malta, among others, for those wanting a shorter or
Eastern Med-only cruise.
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Types of
Mediterranean Cruise
Best Time to
Cruise the Mediterranean
Mediterranean
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Italy, France, Spain, Balearic Islands
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Savona, Italy: Depart 17:00
One of the most celebrated former inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, who farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. 'Columbus's house', a cottage situated in the Savona hills, lay between vegetable crops and fruit trees. It is just one of many residences in Liguria associated with Columbus.
Several cities as well as Savona claim his birth and residency, such as Genoa and Terrarossa di Moconesi. Savona is the most important city on the west coast of Italy, within reach of the seaside resorts of Alassio, Loano and Varazze.
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Marseille, France: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
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Barcelona: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 19:00
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with three million inhabitants, a dominating port in northern Mediterranean with one of the most renowned and important universities in the world. The city is a very rich commercial centre, where industrial operations crucial to the Spanish economy take place.
In fact, Catalans have always considered their region unique compared with the other Spanish regions and we can find its roots in the power exercised by Barcelona for four hundred years at least on Spanish monarchy and on European commercial events.
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Palma de Mallorca: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
Mallorca is the largest and most visited island in the Baleares. It accounts for a little less than half a million inhabitants in a surface of 3,660 square kilometres. The island is approximately 100 km wide from east to west and at least 75 km from north to south. The climate is mild in the winter and pleasantly hot in the summer, mitigated by a wind coming from the Sierra del Norte Mountains, with peaks up to 1,445 metres.
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Civitavecchia, Italy: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 19:00
The first evidence of settlement in the area of Civitavecchia relates to the ancient town of Centocelle, once the port for Ethruria and a rich market centre. Pliny the Younger refers in his writings to Centocelle as the venue of a peace council held by the emperor Trajan.
Centocelle takes its name from the style of village houses, which resembled hives with small cells, and the tiny bays along the coast that enabled ships to come and go. Due to its sheltered surroundings and easy access to the sea, Trajan built his most extravagant villa in the vicinity, mentioned by Pliny. The basic structure of the port first developed by Trajan still remains.
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La Spezia, Italy: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 20:00
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Savona, Italy: Arrive 07:00
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France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Italy
Region: Canaries, Europe, Mediterranean
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Marseille: Depart 17:00
MARSEILLE The second city of France and the capital of the Provence-Costa Azzurra region. Marseille lies on the southeastern coast of France. The strong mistral wind blows away all traces of pollution and thus provides clarity of air so pure that many famous artists have been attracted to the city: Cézanne; Braque; Derain; Dufy and Marquet. Although Marseille is the economic and industrial capital of France, it manages to remain true to its own traditions and culture, reflected in the Marsillian way of life and its numerous museums, theatres and opera houses.
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Barcelona: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 18:00
Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region. It lies along the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Besós and Llobregat. In the Northwest a set of hills run parallel to the coast. In the Southwest the old town lies along the port and is divided by the famous “La Rambla”. Today Barcelona is Spain's second biggest city as far as population is concerned and it is the main industrial centre of the country. Barcelona hosts two universities, several museums and libraries and has been a cultural and artistic centre since the Middle Ages.
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Casablanca: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
Visit the bustling markets and the secret gardens of
the Royal Palace. African, Arabian and European
cultures merge in this city that is home to artisans
and craftsmen.
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
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Funchal: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 18:00
The great Portuguese poet, playwright and author, Júlio Dinis famously described Funchal as; “The sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and warm, between its parents.” We can’t think of a prettier and more inviting introduction to this beautiful Mediterranean haven. Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the very soul of Portugal. Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered spot, which is set in a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant with flowers, rise above the pretty harbour to almost 1200 metres. The magnificent bay of Funchal, with its glittering blue waters is home to the port, just a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Thanks to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been an important stopping point for ocean-going liners for many years and was an important port of call for the routes on cruise ships between Europe and Africa and America. As part of your Mediterranean cruise vacation with MSC Cruises, your luxury cruise liner will also call in at this exquisite holiday destination. As an Italian company, MSC Cruises is renowned for offering some of the best luxury cruise package deals around. Our shore excursions will take in the best that this cosmopolitan and attractive city has to offer with its lush parks, elegant boutiques shops and hotels. Scenic excursions feature a unique basket ride down the mountainside.
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Malaga: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 18:00
Malaga of course the great beaches of nearby Costa del Sol are what have made Malaga one of the most visited regions of Spain. But this town has more to offer than just seaside and sunshine! It was founded already by Phoenicians, and was of great importance in the Moorish epoch. Highly interesting historical remains are left in the town as well as in the entire province. Add to that beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages, Malaga is not to be missed
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Civitavecchia: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 18:00
Civitavecchia is the port about one hour from the capital of Italy, Rome means history. There are layers of the stuff - Etruscan tombs, republican meeting rooms, imperial temples, early Christian churches, medieval bell towers, renaissance palaces and baroque basilicas. In this city a phenomenal concentration of history, legend and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life. So get your cultural fill but be sure to leave time for more hedonistic concerns: eat till you can eat no more and get drunk on architecture and sunshine.
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Genoa: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
GENOA cradled between land and sea, living and working in the port, breathing its past in her palaces, passionately fond of the terraced hills that embrace the city, Genoa has many different faces. A modern metropolis and a severe custodian of artistic heritage, an industrious marketplace that also has century-old parks to relax in.
Genoa hides her riches in an historical centre that looks traditionally seaward yet at the same time exhibits a new beauty achieved by restoring the splendour of ages past. Youthfulness springs from the new urban fabric that has restored works of arts and architecture.
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Marseille: Arrive 08:00
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Italy, France, Spain, Balearic Islands
Region: Europe, Mediterranean
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Civitavecchia, Italy:
The first evidence of settlement in the area of Civitavecchia relates to the ancient town of Centocelle, once the port for Ethruria and a rich market centre. Pliny the Younger refers in his writings to Centocelle as the venue of a peace council held by the emperor Trajan.
Centocelle takes its name from the style of village houses, which resembled hives with small cells, and the tiny bays along the coast that enabled ships to come and go. Due to its sheltered surroundings and easy access to the sea, Trajan built his most extravagant villa in the vicinity, mentioned by Pliny. The basic structure of the port first developed by Trajan still remains.
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La Spezia, Italy:
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Savona, Italy:
One of the most celebrated former inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, who farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. 'Columbus's house', a cottage situated in the Savona hills, lay between vegetable crops and fruit trees. It is just one of many residences in Liguria associated with Columbus.
Several cities as well as Savona claim his birth and residency, such as Genoa and Terrarossa di Moconesi. Savona is the most important city on the west coast of Italy, within reach of the seaside resorts of Alassio, Loano and Varazze.
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Marseille, France:
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Barcelona:
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with three million inhabitants, a dominating port in northern Mediterranean with one of the most renowned and important universities in the world. The city is a very rich commercial centre, where industrial operations crucial to the Spanish economy take place.
In fact, Catalans have always considered their region unique compared with the other Spanish regions and we can find its roots in the power exercised by Barcelona for four hundred years at least on Spanish monarchy and on European commercial events.
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Palma de Mallorca:
Mallorca is the largest and most visited island in the Baleares. It accounts for a little less than half a million inhabitants in a surface of 3,660 square kilometres. The island is approximately 100 km wide from east to west and at least 75 km from north to south. The climate is mild in the winter and pleasantly hot in the summer, mitigated by a wind coming from the Sierra del Norte Mountains, with peaks up to 1,445 metres.
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Civitavecchia, Italy:
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Hong Kong to Dubai
Region: Asia & Indian Ocean, Dubai & Emirates, Mediterranean
- Duration: 17 Nights
- Cruise Ship: Arcadia
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Hong Kong:
A city of great contrasts, Hong Kong presents a vivid and vibrant feast for the senses. You will find mirrored skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and colourful markets vying for your attention. Take a cruise in a Chinese junk for a unique insight into this city's lifeblood – its bustling harbour. Head to Victoria Peak for unforgettable views of the city. Visit Aberdeen Fishing Village to learn more about one of Hong Kong's thriving communities, its boat people. Admire elaborate temples and stroll serene Chinese-style gardens. Or simply indulge in some serious retail therapy!
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Hoi An:
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Singapore:
The ‘Lion City', Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You'll find evidence of the city's oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you'll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!
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Singapore:
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Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur combines cutting edge architecture with the charm of another era. Home to a efficient monorail system and the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings at the time of their construction, this appears a very modern capital. But there is also another side. Colonial mansions, Moorish architecture and mosques present a more established image of the city. Take a trip to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower for fantastic views. Explore the manicured spaces of Lake Gardens and take in Chinatown's street vendors, bright lights and fragrant cuisine.
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Langkawi:
Magnificent beaches, mystical folklore and majestic jungle covered hills make Langkawi one of Malaysia’s most popular tropical destinations.
Made up of a cluster of around 99 islands separated from the mainland by the Straits of Malacca this attractive archipelago was once a sanctuary for pirates. Today its hidden coves and deserted beaches remain beautifully unspoilt.
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Colombo:
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Mumbai:
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is the wealthiest, most cosmopolitan and diverse city on the sub-continent. Victorian administrative buildings and memorials like the Gateway to India provide magnificent reminders of the Raj. With more bazaars than you could ever manage, selling everything from trinkets to fresh produce, you're bound to pick up a bargain. Visit Chowpatty Beach for a vigorous massage or visit the fascinating Prince of Wales Museum.
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Dubai:
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates. With a mix of traditional architecture and glittering modern buildings, Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts that can best be described as the ‘Middle East meets Hong Kong with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style’. It is also the home of sand, sea and sun.
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Hong Kong to Southampton
Region: Asia & Indian Ocean, Dubai & Emirates, Mediterranean
- Duration: 35 Nights
- Cruise Ship: Arcadia
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Hong Kong:
A city of great contrasts, Hong Kong presents a vivid and vibrant feast for the senses. You will find mirrored skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and colourful markets vying for your attention. Take a cruise in a Chinese junk for a unique insight into this city's lifeblood – its bustling harbour. Head to Victoria Peak for unforgettable views of the city. Visit Aberdeen Fishing Village to learn more about one of Hong Kong's thriving communities, its boat people. Admire elaborate temples and stroll serene Chinese-style gardens. Or simply indulge in some serious retail therapy!
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Hoi An:
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Singapore:
The ‘Lion City', Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You'll find evidence of the city's oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you'll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!
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Singapore:
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Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur combines cutting edge architecture with the charm of another era. Home to a efficient monorail system and the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings at the time of their construction, this appears a very modern capital. But there is also another side. Colonial mansions, Moorish architecture and mosques present a more established image of the city. Take a trip to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower for fantastic views. Explore the manicured spaces of Lake Gardens and take in Chinatown's street vendors, bright lights and fragrant cuisine.
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Langkawi:
Magnificent beaches, mystical folklore and majestic jungle covered hills make Langkawi one of Malaysia’s most popular tropical destinations.
Made up of a cluster of around 99 islands separated from the mainland by the Straits of Malacca this attractive archipelago was once a sanctuary for pirates. Today its hidden coves and deserted beaches remain beautifully unspoilt.
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Colombo:
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Mumbai:
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is the wealthiest, most cosmopolitan and diverse city on the sub-continent. Victorian administrative buildings and memorials like the Gateway to India provide magnificent reminders of the Raj. With more bazaars than you could ever manage, selling everything from trinkets to fresh produce, you're bound to pick up a bargain. Visit Chowpatty Beach for a vigorous massage or visit the fascinating Prince of Wales Museum.
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Dubai:
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates. With a mix of traditional architecture and glittering modern buildings, Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts that can best be described as the ‘Middle East meets Hong Kong with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style’. It is also the home of sand, sea and sun.
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Dubai:
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Muscat:
The Sultanate of Oman's capital, Muscat, has a magical feel. It is a combination of stunning deserts, mountains and beaches with all the comforts of a bustling, modern metropolis. It's also the meeting point of Asian, African and Arabic civilizations and this unique blend of cultures makes Oman a special place to visit and explore.
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Suez Canal:
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Limassol:
Across the island, there is plenty of rugged coastline and mountain scenery to explore and enjoy along with a variety of archaeological sites. Limassol is a working town as well as a holiday resort but it has been attractively landscaped and its centre is easily walkable. Make sure you visit the 12th century fort where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria and which now houses an excellent medieval museum.
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Haifa:
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Cadiz:
Capital of the province of the same name, Cadiz is not only one of the largest ports on the Atlantic coast of Spain, it is also the oldest inhabited town in the western world with 3,000 years of history.
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Southampton:
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United States,Bermuda,Portugal,Spain,France,Italy
Region: Bermuda, Mediterranean, North America, Transatlantic
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Miami: Depart 20:00
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New York: Arrive 08:00
New York City is the most populous city in the United States, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. It has been the largest city in the United States since 1790. For more than a century, it has been one of the world's major centers of commerce and finance. New York City is rated as an alpha world city for its global influences in media, politics, education, entertainment, arts and fashion. The city is also a major center for foreign affairs, hosting the headquarters of the United Nations.New York City comprises five boroughs, each of which is coextensive with a county: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. With over 8.2 million residents within an area of 322 square miles (830 km²), New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States. Many of the city's neighborhoods and landmarks are known around the world. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at Ellis Island, a small part of which lies within the city. Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan, has been a dominant global financial center since World War II and is home to the New York Stock Exchange. The city has been home to several of the tallest buildings in the world, including the Empire State Building and the twin towers of the World Trade Center, which were destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.New York is the birthplace of many American cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art, abstract expressionism (also known as the New York School) in painting, and hip hop, punk, salsa, and Tin Pan Alley in music. In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36% of its population was born outside the United States. With its 24-hour subway and constant bustling of traffic and people, New York is known as \"The City That Never Sleeps;\" it was first linked with \"Gotham\" by Washington Irving in 1807
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New York: Depart 18:00
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King's Wharf: Arrive 09:00
Bermuda (officially, The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, it is situated around 1770 km (1,100 mi) northeast of Miami, Florida, and 1350 km (840 mi) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 1030 km (640 mi) west-northwest. It is the oldest and most populous remaining British overseas territory, settled by England a century before the Acts of Union created the United Kingdom.Although commonly referred to in the singular, the territory consists of approximately 138 islands, with a total area of 53.3 km² (20.6 sq. mi.). Compiling a list of these islands is often complicated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire archipelago, which, in addition to its two official names, has historically been known as \"La Garza\", \"Virgineola\", and the \"Isle of Devils\"). Despite the limited land mass, there has also been a tendency for place names to be repeated; there are, for instance, two islands named \"Long Island\", three bays known as \"Long Bay\", and \"St. George's Town\" is located on \"St. George's Island\" within \"St. George's Parish\" (each known as St. George's), whereas Bermuda's capital, the \"City of Hamilton\", lies in Pembroke Parish, not in \"Hamilton Parish\", on the largest island, \"Main Island\", which itself is sometimes called \"Bermuda\".Bermuda has a highly affluent economy, with a large financial sector and tourism industry giving it the world's highest GDP per capita in 2005. It has a subtropical climate, beaches with pink sand, and cerulean blue oceans.
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King's Wharf: Depart 18:00
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Ponta Delgada: Arrive 08:00
Largest place in the Azores and capital of São Miguel since 1522, Ponta Delgada is a flat town that stretches along a bay on the island's south coast. Boasting many impressive churches, convents and majestic white houses, visitors are constantly reminded of its wealthy and illustrious past, when the port was a crucial staging post between Europe and the New World during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. Ponta Delgada is a good base from which to make day tours of the volcanic crater lakes and thermal springs in the centre of the island. A short drive north-west of the city is the spectacular setting of Caldeira das Sete Cidades, an extinct volcano which holds two adjoining lakes, one emerald-green and the other sapphire-blue. On the east side of the island and within easy driving distance from the capital lies the spa resort of Furnas. Alive with steam vents, thermal pools, hot springs and boiling mud, Furnas is the best place to witness the geothermal activity taking place beneath the surface of the Azores.
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Ponta Delgada: Depart 13:30
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Lisbon: Arrive 09:00
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is a beautiful vibrant city. Visit the Royal carriage museum, the Belem tower or the monastery of St. Geronimo and the monument of Discoveries are only some of the many treasures of Lisbon.
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Lisbon: Depart 06:00
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Malaga: Arrive 07:00 - Depart 14:00
Malaga of course the great beaches of nearby Costa del Sol are what have made Malaga one of the most visited regions of Spain. But this town has more to offer than just seaside and sunshine! It was founded already by Phoenicians, and was of great importance in the Moorish epoch. Highly interesting historical remains are left in the town as well as in the entire province. Add to that beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages, Malaga is not to be missed
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Valencia: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 15:00
VALENCIA the country's third biggest city and although it boasts many great historic, cultural and modern visitor attractions this is one of the least tourist-orientated cities to be found in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. The outskirts consist of an unimpressive collection of modern, sprawling and industrialised areas but the historic heart of Valencia is very beautiful and still very Spanish, almost untouched by mass tourism. This is the home of paella, one of the most spectacular fiestas in Spain and (reputedly) the Holy Grail from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the City itself and the warm, inviting character of its inhabitants.
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Marseille: Arrive 12:30 - Depart 18:00
MARSEILLE The second city of France and the capital of the Provence-Costa Azzurra region. Marseille lies on the southeastern coast of France. The strong mistral wind blows away all traces of pollution and thus provides clarity of air so pure that many famous artists have been attracted to the city: Cézanne; Braque; Derain; Dufy and Marquet. Although Marseille is the economic and industrial capital of France, it manages to remain true to its own traditions and culture, reflected in the Marsillian way of life and its numerous museums, theatres and opera houses.
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Genoa: Arrive 09:00
GENOA cradled between land and sea, living and working in the port, breathing its past in her palaces, passionately fond of the terraced hills that embrace the city, Genoa has many different faces. A modern metropolis and a severe custodian of artistic heritage, an industrious marketplace that also has century-old parks to relax in.
Genoa hides her riches in an historical centre that looks traditionally seaward yet at the same time exhibits a new beauty achieved by restoring the splendour of ages past. Youthfulness springs from the new urban fabric that has restored works of arts and architecture.
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Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Oman, Jordan, Isra
Region: Asia & Indian Ocean, Egypt & Red Sea, Europe, Mediterranean
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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St. Denis:
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Port Louis (Mauritius):
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Port Louis (Mauritius):
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Port Louis (Mauritius):
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Victoria (Seychelles):
Set against a backdrop of green hills that are reflected in the impossibly turquoise sea, the capital of the Seychelles is undoubtedly worth a visit with its colourful colonial buildings and its market. It's absolutely the best place to call at if you still need to buy presents for people back home!
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Victoria (Seychelles):
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Salalah:
Salalah is the country’s second largest city, the administrative capital of the region of Dhofar and lies over 1,000 km from the capital Muscat. Its climate is temperate all year round thanks to the influence of monsoons making Salalah a tropical city with lush vegetation: agriculture provides plenty of fresh fruit and coconuts.
However there is much more to the economy of the region than agriculture: fabric and leather production, handicrafts, fishing and also shipyards and especially tourism are the main resources of a growing economy. In spite of the rather closed character typical of the era prior to Qaboos Bin Said’s government, the town has a multicultural side: the largest immigrant community is Indian with its own private school, “Indian School Salalah”. Indians make up 14% of the population today, followed by Pakistanis (8%) and by other ethnic immigrant groups
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Aqaba:
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Eilat, Israel:
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Eilat, Israel:
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Crete:
Much of the doubtless charm of Crete comes from the legend of the Minotaur of Knossos. The capital of the island, Heraklion, is in the heart of the north coast and was founded by the Saracens in the 9th Century AD.
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Kalamata:
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Katakolon:
Small and picturesque, the port of Katakolon was built in the second half of the last century and is linked to nearby Olympia, one of the most important mythological sites of Ancient Greece.
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Reggio Calabria:
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Civitavecchia, Italy:
The first evidence of settlement in the area of Civitavecchia relates to the ancient town of Centocelle, once the port for Ethruria and a rich market centre. Pliny the Younger refers in his writings to Centocelle as the venue of a peace council held by the emperor Trajan.
Centocelle takes its name from the style of village houses, which resembled hives with small cells, and the tiny bays along the coast that enabled ships to come and go. Due to its sheltered surroundings and easy access to the sea, Trajan built his most extravagant villa in the vicinity, mentioned by Pliny. The basic structure of the port first developed by Trajan still remains.
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La Spezia, Italy:
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Savona, Italy:
One of the most celebrated former inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, who farmed land in the area while chronicling his journeys. 'Columbus's house', a cottage situated in the Savona hills, lay between vegetable crops and fruit trees. It is just one of many residences in Liguria associated with Columbus.
Several cities as well as Savona claim his birth and residency, such as Genoa and Terrarossa di Moconesi. Savona is the most important city on the west coast of Italy, within reach of the seaside resorts of Alassio, Loano and Varazze.
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Spain, Malta, Greece, Italy, France
Region: Europe, Mediterranean
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Barcelona: Depart 17:00
Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region. It lies along the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Besós and Llobregat. In the Northwest a set of hills run parallel to the coast. In the Southwest the old town lies along the port and is divided by the famous “La Rambla”. Today Barcelona is Spain's second biggest city as far as population is concerned and it is the main industrial centre of the country. Barcelona hosts two universities, several museums and libraries and has been a cultural and artistic centre since the Middle Ages.
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Malta (La Valletta): Arrive 08:00 - Depart 16:00
Malta, an island 60 miles south of Sicily, you'll explore 7000 years of history living passionately in the present. You will span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to discover. And wherever you go, the islands' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colours are striking. Honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.
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Corfu: Arrive 14:00 - Depart 20:00
CORFU is the most northernmost and second largest after Cephalonia of the Ionian islands. It is the Island of endless natural beauty. The island of song and music, of unending inspiration, a combination of the cosmopolitan and the traditional. The island will leave the visitor with unforgettable memories, excite him with unparalleled images and touch chords in his soul as he pays homage to the culture of the seven islands. How can we put in few words all the elements which make up this earthly paradise, this place which has been so generously blessed by God and which has been written about by so many illustrious writers and poets.
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Katakolon: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
Venture to the birthplace of the Olympic Games with the stadium, the temples of Hera and Apollo. Visit the Olympic museum, whose most popular attractions include Painios famous Victory and Praxiteles Hermes.
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Heraklion: Arrive 07:00 - Depart 17:00
For 4,000 years, civilization has graced this island of
Zeus, Zorba and its native son, the painter El Greco.
A highlight of a visit to Heraklion is the tour of the
ruins of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, believed to
contain the original Labyrinth of the Minotaur.
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Piraeus: Arrive 07:00 - Depart 17:00
PIRAEUS is the port of Athens, capital of Greece and the country's largest city. Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis site of the Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world.
The centre of modern Athens, most notably the chic area of Kolonaki, has many designer boutiques, smart restaurants and international-class hotels. Athens has always exuded a unique charm, its lively character winning over tens of thousands of visitors every year. Street markets, vine-covered taverns, souvenir stalls and ancient monuments are all part of Athens.
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Civitavecchia: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
Civitavecchia is the port about one hour from the capital of Italy, Rome means history. There are layers of the stuff - Etruscan tombs, republican meeting rooms, imperial temples, early Christian churches, medieval bell towers, renaissance palaces and baroque basilicas. In this city a phenomenal concentration of history, legend and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life. So get your cultural fill but be sure to leave time for more hedonistic concerns: eat till you can eat no more and get drunk on architecture and sunshine.
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Genoa: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
GENOA cradled between land and sea, living and working in the port, breathing its past in her palaces, passionately fond of the terraced hills that embrace the city, Genoa has many different faces. A modern metropolis and a severe custodian of artistic heritage, an industrious marketplace that also has century-old parks to relax in.
Genoa hides her riches in an historical centre that looks traditionally seaward yet at the same time exhibits a new beauty achieved by restoring the splendour of ages past. Youthfulness springs from the new urban fabric that has restored works of arts and architecture.
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Marseille: Arrive 08:00 - Depart 17:00
MARSEILLE The second city of France and the capital of the Provence-Costa Azzurra region. Marseille lies on the southeastern coast of France. The strong mistral wind blows away all traces of pollution and thus provides clarity of air so pure that many famous artists have been attracted to the city: Cézanne; Braque; Derain; Dufy and Marquet. Although Marseille is the economic and industrial capital of France, it manages to remain true to its own traditions and culture, reflected in the Marsillian way of life and its numerous museums, theatres and opera houses.
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Barcelona: Arrive 08:00
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Singapore to Southampton
Region: Asia & Indian Ocean, Dubai & Emirates, Mediterranean
- Duration: 29 Nights
- Cruise Ship: Arcadia
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Singapore:
The ‘Lion City', Singapore, offers visitors a colourful colonial history, beautiful gardens, and a dazzling array of shops and markets. You'll find evidence of the city's oriental origins in Chinatown, home to a number of splendidly restored ancient temples and in the crowded streets, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. On Orchard Road you'll find shops brimming with desirables, perfect for picking up the odd souvenir or two!
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Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur combines cutting edge architecture with the charm of another era. Home to a efficient monorail system and the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings at the time of their construction, this appears a very modern capital. But there is also another side. Colonial mansions, Moorish architecture and mosques present a more established image of the city. Take a trip to the top of Kuala Lumpur Tower for fantastic views. Explore the manicured spaces of Lake Gardens and take in Chinatown's street vendors, bright lights and fragrant cuisine.
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Langkawi:
Magnificent beaches, mystical folklore and majestic jungle covered hills make Langkawi one of Malaysia’s most popular tropical destinations.
Made up of a cluster of around 99 islands separated from the mainland by the Straits of Malacca this attractive archipelago was once a sanctuary for pirates. Today its hidden coves and deserted beaches remain beautifully unspoilt.
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Colombo:
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Mumbai:
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is the wealthiest, most cosmopolitan and diverse city on the sub-continent. Victorian administrative buildings and memorials like the Gateway to India provide magnificent reminders of the Raj. With more bazaars than you could ever manage, selling everything from trinkets to fresh produce, you're bound to pick up a bargain. Visit Chowpatty Beach for a vigorous massage or visit the fascinating Prince of Wales Museum.
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Dubai:
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprises the United Arab Emirates. With a mix of traditional architecture and glittering modern buildings, Dubai is a place of fascinating contrasts that can best be described as the ‘Middle East meets Hong Kong with a little Las Vegas thrown in for style’. It is also the home of sand, sea and sun.
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Dubai:
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Muscat:
The Sultanate of Oman's capital, Muscat, has a magical feel. It is a combination of stunning deserts, mountains and beaches with all the comforts of a bustling, modern metropolis. It's also the meeting point of Asian, African and Arabic civilizations and this unique blend of cultures makes Oman a special place to visit and explore.
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Suez Canal:
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Limassol:
Across the island, there is plenty of rugged coastline and mountain scenery to explore and enjoy along with a variety of archaeological sites. Limassol is a working town as well as a holiday resort but it has been attractively landscaped and its centre is easily walkable. Make sure you visit the 12th century fort where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria and which now houses an excellent medieval museum.
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Haifa:
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Cadiz:
Capital of the province of the same name, Cadiz is not only one of the largest ports on the Atlantic coast of Spain, it is also the oldest inhabited town in the western world with 3,000 years of history.
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Southampton:
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Cuba,Jamaica,Curacao,Aruba,Barbados,Spain,Portugal
Region: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Transatlantic
Itinerary/Ports Show/Hide
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Havana:
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Havana:
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Havana:
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Montego Bay: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 20:00
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Willemstad: Arrive 12:30 - Depart 23:00
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Oranjestad: Arrive 09:00 - Depart 18:00
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Bridgetown:
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Santa Cruz de La Palma: Arrive 13:00 - Depart 18:00
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Funchal: Arrive 10:00 - Depart 18:00
The great Portuguese poet, playwright and author, Júlio Dinis famously described Funchal as; “The sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and warm, between its parents.” We can’t think of a prettier and more inviting introduction to this beautiful Mediterranean haven. Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the very soul of Portugal. Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered spot, which is set in a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant with flowers, rise above the pretty harbour to almost 1200 metres. The magnificent bay of Funchal, with its glittering blue waters is home to the port, just a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Thanks to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been an important stopping point for ocean-going liners for many years and was an important port of call for the routes on cruise ships between Europe and Africa and America. As part of your Mediterranean cruise vacation with MSC Cruises, your luxury cruise liner will also call in at this exquisite holiday destination. As an Italian company, MSC Cruises is renowned for offering some of the best luxury cruise package deals around. Our shore excursions will take in the best that this cosmopolitan and attractive city has to offer with its lush parks, elegant boutiques shops and hotels. Scenic excursions feature a unique basket ride down the mountainside.
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Malaga: Arrive 07:00 - Depart 19:00
Malaga of course the great beaches of nearby Costa del Sol are what have made Malaga one of the most visited regions of Spain. But this town has more to offer than just seaside and sunshine! It was founded already by Phoenicians, and was of great importance in the Moorish epoch. Highly interesting historical remains are left in the town as well as in the entire province. Add to that beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages, Malaga is not to be missed
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Barcelona: Arrive 07:00 - Depart 13:30
Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region. It lies along the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Besós and Llobregat. In the Northwest a set of hills run parallel to the coast. In the Southwest the old town lies along the port and is divided by the famous “La Rambla”. Today Barcelona is Spain's second biggest city as far as population is concerned and it is the main industrial centre of the country. Barcelona hosts two universities, several museums and libraries and has been a cultural and artistic centre since the Middle Ages.
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Genoa: Arrive 10:00
GENOA cradled between land and sea, living and working in the port, breathing its past in her palaces, passionately fond of the terraced hills that embrace the city, Genoa has many different faces. A modern metropolis and a severe custodian of artistic heritage, an industrious marketplace that also has century-old parks to relax in.
Genoa hides her riches in an historical centre that looks traditionally seaward yet at the same time exhibits a new beauty achieved by restoring the splendour of ages past. Youthfulness springs from the new urban fabric that has restored works of arts and architecture.