MS Rotterdam
October 31, 2028

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.

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.

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.

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.

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain, offers docking at Palma Port. Travelers explore La Seu Cathedral and Bellver Castle. Excursions visit Valldemossa’s monastery. Local markets sell ensaimada. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Gothic spires and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes sobrasada, a Mallorcan favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Balearic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Palma’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Palma 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 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.

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.