Riviera
May 14, 2024

Dubai, UAE, offers docking at Port Rashid. Travelers explore Burj Khalifa and Dubai Souk. Excursions visit Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Local markets sell shawarma. The peak season, November to March, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Persian Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes kabsa, an Emirati favorite. Souvenirs, like gold crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bedouin history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Dubai’s modern charm offers a vibrant UAE stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of futuristic landmarks and cultural markets, making Dubai an engaging destination for exploration.

Fujairah, U.A.E., has docking at Fujairah Port. Travelers explore Al-Bidyah Mosque, the UAE’s oldest. Excursions visit Wadi Wurayah’s waterfalls and wildlife. Local markets sell dates. The peak season, November to April, avoids summer heat. Photography captures desert mountains and Gulf of Oman shores. Dining onboard includes machboos, a spiced rice dish. Souvenirs, like oud perfumes, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover Emirati culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the warm climate. Binoculars enhance coastal views. Fujairah’s blend of historic sites and natural beauty offers a serene UAE stop, inviting travelers to immerse in its cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.

Suez Canal Transit, Egypt, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view canal locks and desert landscapes from the ship. Excursions include onboard lectures. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for canal cruising. Photography captures engineering marvels and Suez vistas. Dining onboard includes koshari, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like canal replicas, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover canal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while binoculars enhance scenery viewing. Suez Canal’s historic allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of engineering feats and desert vistas, making the Suez Canal an engaging destination for exploration.

Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece, offers docking at Argostoli Port. Travelers explore Melissani Cave and Myrtos Beach. Excursions include wine-tasting at Robola vineyards. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures turquoise caves and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes kleftiko, a Greek 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. Argostoli’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic beaches, making Argostoli an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

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.

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.

Split, Croatia, offers docking at Split Port. Travelers explore Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Hill. Excursions visit Trogir’s historic center. Local markets sell soparnik. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman ruins and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance palace walks. Split’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic hills, making Split an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Trieste, Italy, offers docking at Trieste Port. Travelers explore Piazza Unità d’Italia and Miramare Castle. Excursions visit Postojna Cave in Slovenia. Local markets sell gnocchi. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Habsburg architecture and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes jota, a Triestine favorite. Souvenirs, like glass crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Austro-Hungarian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Trieste’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic plazas and scenic coasts, making Trieste an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Adriatic hub.

Zadar, Croatia, offers docking at Zadar Port. Travelers explore Sea Organ and St. Donatus Church. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes. Local markets sell maraschino liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures acoustic art 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 lake hikes. Zadar’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique installations and scenic lakes, making Zadar an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Returning to Dubrovnik — see Day 14 above for port info.

Returning to Kotor — see Day 13 above for port info.

Returning to Corfu — see Day 12 above for port info.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

St. Tropez, France, offers docking at St. Tropez Port. Travelers explore Vieux Port and Citadelle de Saint-Tropez. Excursions visit Gassin’s vineyards. Local markets sell tarte tropézienne. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures yacht-filled harbors and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes bouillabaisse, a Provençal favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender 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. St. Tropez’s glamorous charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of chic harbors and scenic beauty, making St. Tropez 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.