Queen Elizabeth
May 18, 2028

Southampton (London), England, offers docking at Southampton Port with excursions to London. Travelers explore Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Excursions visit Stonehenge. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures historic landmarks and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Anglo-Saxon history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Southampton’s urban gateway offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and historic sites, making Southampton an engaging destination.

Cádiz (Seville), Spain, offers docking at Cádiz Port with excursions to Seville. Travelers explore Seville’s Alcázar and Cádiz’s old town. Excursions visit Jerez’s sherry bodegas. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish palaces and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes jamón ibérico, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like fan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cádiz’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Cádiz an engaging destination.

Cartagena, Spain, offers docking at Cartagena Port. Travelers explore Roman Theatre and Naval Museum. Excursions visit Murcia’s cathedral. Local markets sell caldero. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes zarangollo, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carthaginian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cartagena’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of Roman landmarks and scenic harbors, making Cartagena an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Murcia region.

Ajaccio, Corsica, offers docking at Ajaccio Port. Travelers explore Napoleon’s Birthplace and Fesch Museum. Excursions visit Calanques de Piana. Local markets sell brocciu cheese. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic streets and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes civet de sanglier, a Corsican favorite. Souvenirs, like olive wood crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Corsican history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance coastal hikes. Ajaccio’s cultural charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic cliffs, making Ajaccio an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

The Strait of Messina, with no docking, sees ships sailing between Sicily and mainland Italy. Travelers observe swordfish leaping in narrow waters. Lectures onboard cover Greek mythology like Scylla and Charybdis. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to September, faces strong currents. Photography captures Messina’s cliffs. Dining onboard includes arancini. Souvenirs, such as ceramic tiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings discuss navigational challenges. Binoculars enhance coastal views. Light clothing suits the warm Mediterranean climate. The strait’s dramatic passage offers a scenic Mediterranean crossing.

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, offers docking at Katakolon Port with excursions to Olympia. Travelers explore Ancient Olympia and Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Kourouta Beach. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient stadiums and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peloponnesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Katakolon’s historic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic beaches, making Katakolon an engaging destination.

Rhodes, Greece, offers docking at Rhodes Port. Travelers explore Medieval City and Lindos Acropolis. Excursions include snorkeling at Kallithea Springs. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Knights’ Street and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dodecanese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Rhodes’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic beaches, making Rhodes an engaging destination for exploration.

Cruise Dardanelles, no docking; ships cruise Turkey's strait. Travelers spot dolphins. Lectures cover Trojan War. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season May to September; ferries 10-20 TRY. Photography captures Gallipoli shores. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include amphora replicas.

Istanbul, Turkey, offers docking at Istanbul Port. Travelers explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Excursions visit Blue Mosque. Local markets sell simit. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Ottoman domes and Bosphorus vistas. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Istanbul’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Istanbul an engaging destination for exploring Turkey’s cultural hub.

Returning to Istanbul — see Day 15 above for port info.

Returning to Cruise Dardanelles — see Day 14 above for port info.

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, offers docking at Kusadasi Port with excursions to Ephesus. Travelers explore Ephesus ruins and Artemis Temple. Excursions visit Virgin Mary’s House. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes kebabs, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenistic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Kusadasi’s historic charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and scenic coasts, making Kusadasi an engaging destination.

Mykonos, Greece, offers docking at Mykonos Port. Travelers explore Little Venice and Mykonos Windmills. Excursions include Delos Island ruins. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures whitewashed streets and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cycladic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance island walks. Mykonos’ picturesque charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ruins and scenic beaches, making Mykonos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Cyclades.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.

Naples, Italy, offers docking at Naples Port. Travelers explore Pompeii ruins and Royal Palace. Excursions visit Capri’s Blue Grotto. Local markets sell margherita pizza. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes spaghetti alle vongole, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like cameo crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Naples’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and scenic islands, making Naples an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Civitavecchia (Rome) — see Day 9 above for port info.