MSC Cruises

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Civitavecchia, Rome

   Depart 19:00

   Italy

   

   Rome's ancient maritime gateway since the Emperor Trajan commissioned its harbour in 106 AD, Civitavecchia is the natural prologue to the Eternal City — just seventy minutes southeast by express rail. The port's Renaissance fortress, designed in part by Michelangelo, anchors a working waterfront that has welcomed travellers for millennia. Beyond Rome's unmissable monuments, consider an afternoon in the Civitavecchia thermal baths, drawing on mineral waters prized since antiquity. Spring and autumn offer the ideal balance of mild weather and manageable crowds for exploring the capital's layered history.

2. Day 2

   Genoa, Italy

   Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

   Italy

   

   La Superba — 'the Proud' — earned its epithet as one of the four great maritime republics of medieval Italy, and Genoa's UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, some of the finest Renaissance and Baroque palaces in Europe, still announce the city's historic ambitions with magnificent authority. Renzo Piano's revitalised old port introduces a modern chapter alongside the medieval carruggi, the labyrinthine alleys where the city's true character breathes: Ligurian focaccia straight from the wood oven, pesto ground to ancient recipes, and farinata — chickpea flatbread — served on marble counters since the twelfth century. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring this underestimated city.

3. Day 3

   Livorno

   Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

   Italy

   

   Purpose-built as a Medici utopia in the late sixteenth century, Livorno was conceived from the outset as a city without discrimination — its founding Leggi Livornine granted equal rights to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and merchants of every nation, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Renaissance Europe. Today, the Venetian-style canals of the Venezia Nuova quarter reflect colourful palazzi with a distinctly faded glamour, while the Mercato Centrale's fish counters display the cacciucco ingredients — a robust Livornese brodetto of five sea creatures — that make this port city a pilgrimage for serious eaters. Day trips to Pisa and Lucca are effortless from here. The season runs April through October.

4. Day 4

   Marseille

   Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

   France

   

   Founded by Greek sailors in 600 BC, Marseille is France's oldest and most viscerally alive city — a Mediterranean port where the catch is still sold from fishing boat decks at the Vieux-Port each morning beneath the golden Madonna of Notre-Dame de la Garde, gleaming on her basilica above the city. The bouillabaisse served at harbourside institutions such as Chez Fonfon is not merely a dish but a rite, its saffron-stained broth tying Marseille to its Hellenic roots. Explore the dramatic Calanques national park, a coastal labyrinth of turquoise coves just south of the city. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons.

5. Day 5

   Barcelona

   Arrive 07:00Depart 16:00

   Spain

   

   Barcelona is the city where Roman history, Gothic grandeur, and Gaudí's delirious Modernisme collide in a Mediterranean coastal capital of astonishing energy and beauty. The Sagrada Família — still under construction after 140 years — continues its audacious ascent toward completion, while the Gothic Quarter's Roman-era foundations and the Passeig de Gràcia's extraordinary concentration of Modernisme masterpieces reward days of exploration. For a complete sensory experience, lose an afternoon in the covered labyrinth of La Boqueria market before descending to the waterfront for Catalan seafood at its finest. May through June and September through October offer the most pleasant weather; the city connects directly to Paris by overnight train.

6. Day 6

   At Sea

   

7. Day 7

   Tangier

   Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00

   Morocco

   

   Tangier is Morocco's storied gateway between Africa and Europe, a city of Phoenician origins where a whitewashed medina, vibrant souks, and a cosmopolitan waterfront converge at the Strait of Gibraltar. Visitors should not miss savouring traditional pastilla in a rooftop riad and exploring the Kasbah's amber-lit ramparts at sunset. The ideal season to arrive is April through June or September through October, when mild Mediterranean temperatures and fewer crowds allow the city's layered beauty to reveal itself at an unhurried, luxurious pace.

8. Day 8

   At Sea

   

9. Day 9

   At Sea

   

10. Day 10

    At Sea

    

11. Day 11

    At Sea

    

12. Day 12

    At Sea

    

13. Day 13

    At Sea

    

14. Day 14

    At Sea

    

15. Day 15

    St. John's, Antigua

    Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

    Antigua and Barbuda

    

    St. John's, Antigua's storied capital, anchors a natural harbor that has drawn seafarers since the seventeenth century, its Georgian cathedral and pastel-painted market hall bearing quiet witness to a complex colonial past. The crown jewel lies an hour's drive away at Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour — the world's only still-functioning Georgian naval dockyard, set against the turquoise waters of one of the Caribbean's finest anchorages. Antigua's warm, dry climate makes it a year-round destination, though the exhilarating Sailing Week regatta in late April draws the most glamorous international crowd.

16. Day 16

    Philipsburg, St. Maarten

    Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

    Sint Maarten

    

    Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, packs extraordinary energy onto a narrow sand spit between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond — two parallel streets of duty-free boutiques, creole restaurants, and rum bars backed by a beach where cruise ships anchor so close that their hulls seem to dominate the shoreline. The island's most celebrated spectacle is entirely involuntary: Princess Juliana International Airport, where landing aircraft pass at rooftop height over Maho Beach, drawing crowds of thrill-seekers every day. The 1648 Mount Concordia Treaty, dividing this sliver of land between France and the Netherlands, created the world's smallest territory shared by two nations. The dry season from December to April is optimal.

17. Day 17

    Basseterre

    Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    

    Basseterre, capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis — the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas — is the gateway to an island whose volcanic drama and layered colonial history distinguish it from every other Caribbean port. Mount Liamuiga's cloud-capped summit and its rainforest-filled crater lake await hikers, while the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress, one of the finest surviving examples of British colonial military architecture, commands sweeping views across neighboring islands. The surrounding plantation inns — sugar estates converted into intimate boutique hotels — offer the most atmospheric accommodation in the Eastern Caribbean. Visit November through April for the driest, sunniest weather.

18. Day 18

    At Sea

    

19. Day 19

    La Romana

    Arrive 07:00Depart 23:30

    Dominican Republic

    

    La Romana is a vibrant port in the Dominican Republic, known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage. Must-do experiences include savoring La Bandera, the local culinary staple, and exploring nearby attractions like Catalina Island and Cayo Levantado. The best season to visit is from December to April, when the weather is pleasantly warm and dry.

20. Day 20

    Catalina Island

    Arrive 07:00Depart 17:00

    Dominican Republic

    

    Catalina Island, or La Isla Catalina, is a captivating port in the Dominican Republic known for its historical charm and stunning landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes such as "pescado frito" and exploring nearby attractions like Amber Cove and Cayo Levantado. The best time to visit is during the winter months, when the weather is delightful and the island is bustling with activity.

21. Day 21

    At Sea

    

22. Day 22

    Bridgetown, Barbados

    Arrive 09:00Depart 19:00

    Barbados

    

    Bridgetown, Barbados's compact and convivial capital, carries three centuries of uninterrupted British colonial heritage — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgian townhouses, coral-stone churches, and the Garrison Savannah, whose racecourse is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere — all infused with the irresistible rhythms of a proud Caribbean nation. The island's culinary scene has matured into one of the Caribbean's most sophisticated, with flying fish cutter sandwiches from roadside stalls competing for devotion with the elegant seafood preparations of the Platinum Coast's celebrated restaurants. Visit December through May for the driest season; the island's sheltered west coast offers superlative year-round sailing conditions.

23. Day 23

    Fort de France

    Arrive 08:00Depart 19:00

    Martinique

    

    Fort-de-France, Martinique's gracious capital, blends French metropolitan sophistication with deep Caribbean soul in a way that no other island quite replicates. The Bibliothèque Schoelcher, a beautiful Art Nouveau building transported piece by piece from Paris for the 1889 World's Fair, anchors a downtown of wrought-iron balconies and aromatic spice markets. The surrounding countryside offers rum distilleries — some of the finest aged agricole rums in the world — dramatic rainforest hikes, and the haunting ruins of Saint-Pierre, destroyed by Mont Pelée's catastrophic 1902 eruption. December through May brings the driest, sunniest weather on this endlessly captivating island.

24. Day 24

    Pointe-à-Pitre

    Arrive 07:00Depart 16:00

    Guadeloupe

    

    Pointe-à-Pitre is the bustling capital of Guadeloupe, offering a vibrant mix of Creole culture, historical significance, and stunning natural beauty. Must-do experiences include sampling the local delicacies like “colombo de poulet” and exploring the nearby Îles des Saintes for their breathtaking beaches. The best season to visit is from mid-December to mid-April, when the weather is pleasantly warm and dry.

25. Day 25

    Road Town

    Arrive 07:30Depart 15:30

    British Virgin Islands

    

    Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, is a vibrant port known for its colonial charm and rich history. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like fungi and callaloo, and exploring the stunning Baths on Virgin Gorda. The best season to visit is during the dry winter months, from December to April, when the weather is most pleasant for outdoor adventures.

26. Day 26

    La Romana

    Arrive 09:00

    Dominican Republic

    

    La Romana is a vibrant port in the Dominican Republic, known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage. Must-do experiences include savoring La Bandera, the local culinary staple, and exploring nearby attractions like Catalina Island and Cayo Levantado. The best season to visit is from December to April, when the weather is pleasantly warm and dry.

Cabin Categories

BALCONY AUREA

Balcony

172 sq ftMax 2BA

Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer Comfortable double or single beds (on request) TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

SafeHair DryerDeskDouble or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaVanity Area+5

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BALCONY BELLA GUARANTEED

Balcony

172 sq ftMax 2BB

Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer Comfortable double or single beds (on request) TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR BALCONY FANTASTICA

Balcony

172 sq ftMax 2BM1

Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer Comfortable double or single beds (on request) TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

BathQueen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerRoom Service AvailableTV+5

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INTERIOR BELLA GUARANTEED

Inside

140 sq ftMax 2IB

Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR INTERIOR FANTASTICA

Inside

140 sq ftMax 2IM2

Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR INTERIOR FANTASTICA

Inside

140 sq ftMax 2IM1

Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR OCEAN VIEW FANTASTICA

Outside

140 sq ftMax 2OM1

Window with sea view Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR OCEAN VIEW FANTASTICA

Outside

140 sq ftMax 2OM2

Window with sea view Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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JUNIOR OCEAN VIEW WITH OBSTRUCTED VIEW FANTASTICA

Outside

140 sq ftMax 2OO

Window with sea view Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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OCEAN VIEW BELLA GUARANTEED

Outside

140 sq ftMax 2OB

Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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PREMIUM OCEAN VIEW FANTASTICA

Outside

236 sq ftMax 2OL1

Window with sea view Relaxing armchair Spacious closet Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer TV, telephone, safe and minibar Wi-Fi access available

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerRoom Service AvailableTVWi-Fi (Additional Cost)Safe+3

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DELUXE SUITE AUREA

Suite

301 sq ftMax 2SR1

Balcony Sitting area with sofa Spacious closet Bathroom with bathtub, vanity area and hairdryer Interactive TV, telephone, save and minibar Wi-Fi access available

King or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerBathToiletries ProvidedRoom Service Available+5

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