Azamara Quest
September 30, 2028

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.

Geographic Harbour, Katmai National Park, Alaska, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to volcanic shores. Travelers spot brown bears fishing for salmon. Excursions explore tidal flats and rugged coasts. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures bears and volcanic landscapes. Dining onboard includes salmon chowder. Souvenirs, like bear prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover park ecology. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Geographic Harbour’s wild beauty offers a thrilling Alaskan stop, immersing travelers in its pristine wilderness.

Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, offers docking at Santa Margherita Port. Travelers explore Portofino’s harbor and San Fruttuoso Abbey. Excursions visit Cinque Terre villages. Local markets sell focaccia. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colorful villas and Ligurian vistas. Dining onboard includes trofie al pesto, a Ligurian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Riviera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance village walks. Santa Margherita’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic harbors and Ligurian culture, making Santa Margherita an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

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 5 above for port info.

Portoferraio, Elba, Italy, offers docking at Portoferraio Port. Travelers explore Napoleon’s Villa dei Mulini and old town’s fortifications. Excursions visit Biodola Beach for swimming. Local markets sell cantuccini. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Tuscan architecture and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes cacciucco, an Elban favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Napoleon’s exile history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Portoferraio’s historic charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of Napoleonic history, scenic beaches, and island culture, making Portoferraio an engaging destination for exploring Elba’s Tuscan heritage.

Olbia, Sardinia, Italy, provides docking at Olbia Port. Travelers explore the Basilica of San Simplicio and Nuragic ruins. Excursions visit Porto Cervo’s glamorous coast. Local markets sell pecorino cheese. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval architecture and Emerald Coast vistas. Dining onboard includes culurgiones, a Sardinian pasta. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sardinia’s history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Olbia’s historic and coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient sites, scenic beaches, and Sardinian culture, making Olbia an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s island heritage.

Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, provides docking at Porto Santo Stefano Port. Travelers explore Monte Argentario’s waterfront and Forte Spagnolo. Excursions visit Orbetello’s lagoon trails. Local markets sell cacciucco. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Tuscan hills and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes tortelli maremmani, a Tuscan favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maremma history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fort walks. Porto Santo Stefano’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterfronts, historic forts, and Tuscan culture, making Porto Santo Stefano an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s coast.

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.

Sorrento, Italy, offers docking at Sorrento Port. Travelers explore Piazza Tasso and Pompeii’s ruins. Excursions visit Capri’s Blue Grotto. Local markets sell limoncello. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cliffside towns and Amalfi vistas. Dining onboard includes gnocchi alla sorrentina, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Sorrento’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic cliffs, making Sorrento an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi, Italy, anchors offshore with tenders to Porto Amalfi, a 5-minute ride to the town center on the Sorrento Peninsula. The village, population 5,000, centers on Piazza Duomo, where the 9th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew houses bronze doors from 1066. Travelers stroll Via Lorenzo for ceramics shops and lemon groves. Excursions to Ravello, 15 minutes uphill, visit Villa Rufolo’s 13th-century gardens. Positano, 30 minutes by boat, offers pebbly beaches and pastel houses. Local boats access Emerald Grotto, a sea cave with stalactites, 20 minutes away. Markets sell limoncello and sfogliatella pastries. Peak season May to September; taxis 10-20 EUR. Dining includes scialatielli (seafood pasta) at harborside trattorias. Souvenirs feature hand-painted ceramics. Coastal paths suit short hikes.

Catania, Sicily, Italy, docks at Porto di Catania, 1 kilometer from downtown, with taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 310,000, features the 11th-century Catania Cathedral. Travelers visit Piazza del Duomo for the Elephant Fountain. Local markets sell pistachio pastries. Excursions to Mount Etna, 1 hour north, offer crater hikes. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes pasta alla Norma at trattorias. Souvenirs feature lava stone crafts.

Crotone, Italy, docks at Porto di Crotone, a 10-minute walk to the old town, population 60,000. Travelers visit the 9th-century Castello di Carlo V for coastal views. Capo Colonna, 15 minutes south, features a 6th-century BC Greek temple. Local markets sell ‘nduja sausage. Excursions to Santa Severina, 30 minutes inland, explore Norman castles. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes sardella at harbor trattorias. Souvenirs feature terracotta pottery.

Kotor, Montenegro, offers docking at Kotor Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and St. Tryphon Cathedral. Excursions include hiking Lovćen National Park. Local markets sell njeguški pršut. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval alleys and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes cicvara, a Montenegrin favorite. Souvenirs, like olive wood crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Illyrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fortress hikes. Kotor’s historic charm offers a vibrant Montenegrin stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic bays, making Kotor an engaging destination.

Venice, Italy, offers docking at Venice Port. Travelers explore St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace. Excursions visit Murano’s glass factories. Local markets sell tiramisu. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for canal tours. Photography captures grand canals and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes risotto, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like Murano glass, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Venetian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance canal walks. Venice’s iconic charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Venice an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s lagoon city.

Returning to Venice — see Day 17 above for port info.