MS Nieuw Amsterdam
October 22, 2028

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.

Chania, Crete, Greece, docks at Souda Port, 7 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 15-minute rides. The city, population 50,000, features the 16th-century Venetian Harbor. Travelers visit the Archaeological Museum for Minoan artifacts. Local markets sell raki. Excursions to Samaria Gorge, 1 hour south, offer hikes. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes bougatsa at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature olive oil soaps.

Corfu, Greece, offers docking at Corfu Port. Travelers explore Old Fortress and Achilleion Palace. Excursions include Paleokastritsa’s beaches. Local markets sell kumquat liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pastitsada, a Corfiot favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ionian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Corfu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic beaches, making Corfu an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Ionian Islands.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Valletta, Malta, offers docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Baroque architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Valletta’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Valletta an engaging destination.

Returning to Valletta — see Day 8 above for port info.

Messina, Sicily, offers docking at Messina Port. Travelers explore Messina Cathedral and Taormina’s Greek Theatre. Excursions visit Mount Etna. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Messina’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic volcanoes, making Messina an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Stromboli Volcano in Italy’s Aeolian Islands has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to view active eruptions. Travelers observe glowing lava flows at night along Sciara del Fuoco. Lectures onboard cover the volcano’s geological history. No facilities are present; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, May to September, tracks eruption activity. Photography captures steaming vents and lava. Dining onboard includes caponata. Souvenirs, like volcano prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings emphasize eruption safety. Binoculars enhance lava viewing. Light clothing suits the warm climate. Stromboli’s fiery displays offer a thrilling Mediterranean volcanic spectacle.

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.

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.