Azamara Journey
May 20, 2025

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, offers docking at Civitavecchia Port with excursions to Rome. Travelers explore Colosseum and Pantheon. Excursions visit Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel. Local markets sell gelato. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes carbonara, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like Murano glass, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Civitavecchia’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making Civitavecchia an engaging destination.

Livorno, Florence, Italy, offers docking at Livorno Port with excursions to Florence. Travelers explore Florence’s Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. Excursions visit Pisa’s Leaning Tower. Local markets sell ribollita. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Renaissance art and Tuscan vistas. Dining onboard includes bistecca alla fiorentina, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like leather crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Medici history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Livorno’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic art and scenic hills, making Livorno an engaging destination.

Returning to Livorno — see Day 2 above for port info.

Portovenere, Italy, offers docking at Portovenere Port. Travelers explore the Doria Castle and San Pietro Church. Excursions visit Cinque Terre’s colorful villages. Local markets sell sciacchetrà wine. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cliffside churches and Ligurian vistas. Dining onboard includes anchovy pasta, a local favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ligurian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance village walks. Portovenere’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, scenic coastlines, and Ligurian culture, making Portovenere an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Riviera and UNESCO heritage.

Bastia, Corsica, docks at Port de Commerce, a 10-minute walk to the old town, population 45,000. Travelers visit the 15th-century Citadel with Genoese towers. Place St-Nicolas offers cafe-lined squares. Excursions to Cap Corse, 30 minutes north, explore fishing villages. Local markets sell clementines. Peak season June to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes aziminu (fish soup) at harbor trattorias. Souvenirs feature olive oil.

Nice, France, provides docking at Nice Port. Travelers explore the Promenade des Anglais and Old Town’s colorful markets. Excursions visit Eze’s medieval village. Local markets sell socca. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for Riviera tours. Photography captures Mediterranean coastlines and pastel facades. Dining onboard includes ratatouille, a Provençal favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender sachets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Riviera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Nice’s vibrant Riviera charm offers a dynamic French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterfronts, historic villages, and cultural richness, making Nice an engaging destination for exploring the French Riviera’s elegance and Mediterranean beauty.

Barcelona, Spain, offers docking at Barcelona Port. Travelers explore Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Excursions visit Montserrat Monastery. Local markets sell paella. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Gaudí architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes tapas, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Catalan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Barcelona’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modernist landmarks and scenic coasts, making Barcelona an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Catalan region.

Returning to Barcelona — see Day 7 above for port info.

Málaga, Spain, offers docking at Málaga Port. Travelers explore Alcazaba Fortress and Picasso Museum. Excursions visit Ronda’s deep gorges. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes paella, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Málaga’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic coasts, making Málaga an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Gibraltar, U.K., offers docking at Gibraltar Port. Travelers explore Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. Excursions include dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, a British favorite. Souvenirs, like monkey-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Barbary history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rock hikes. Gibraltar’s unique charm offers a vibrant British stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic straits, making Gibraltar an engaging destination for exploration.

Portimao, Portugal, provides docking at Portimao Port. Travelers explore Praia da Rocha and the old town’s sardine museum. Excursions visit Silves’ Moorish castle. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Algarve beaches and historic forts. Dining onboard includes cataplana, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Algarve history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance beach walks. Portimao’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches, historic sites, and Algarve culture, making Portimao an engaging destination for exploring Portugal’s southern coast.

Lisbon, Portugal, offers docking at Lisbon Port. Travelers explore Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Excursions visit Sintra’s Pena Palace. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Manueline architecture and Tagus River vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like azulejo crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Age of Exploration history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Lisbon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic rivers, making Lisbon an engaging destination.