MS Oosterdam
September 1, 2024

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.

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.

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 3 above for port info.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sarande, Albania, offers docking at Sarande Port. Travelers explore Butrint’s UNESCO ruins and Blue Eye Spring. Excursions visit Gjirokaster’s old town. Local markets sell byrek. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient theaters and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes tave kosi, an Albanian favorite. Souvenirs, like filigree crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Illyrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Sarande’s historic charm offers a vibrant Albanian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and coastal beauty, making Sarande an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Valletta — see Day 3 above for port info.

Taormina, Sicily, Italy, offers docking at Giardini Naxos Port. Travelers explore Greek Theatre and Corso Umberto. Excursions visit Mount Etna’s craters. Local markets sell cannoli. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Greek history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance Etna hikes. Taormina’s historic charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and scenic cliffs, making Taormina 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 1 above for port info.

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.

Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, offers docking at Villefranche Port. Travelers explore Citadelle Saint-Elme and Villa Ephrussi. Excursions visit Nice’s Promenade des Anglais. Local markets sell socca. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colorful villas and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes salade niçoise, a French favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Provençal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance seaside walks. Villefranche’s coastal charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic Riviera, making Villefranche an engaging destination.

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.