Island Princess
August 5, 2024

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.

Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain, has docking at Ibiza Port. Travelers explore Dalt Vila’s UNESCO-listed old town. Excursions visit Es Vedrà’s mystical rock. Local markets sell hierbas liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures whitewashed streets and turquoise seas. Dining onboard includes paella, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like espadrilles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Balearic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance old town walks. Ibiza’s vibrant culture offers a lively Spanish stop, blending history with island allure.

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.

Málaga, Spain, offers docking at Málaga Port. Travelers explore Alcazaba Fortress and Picasso Museum. Excursions visit Ronda’s deep gorges. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes paella, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Málaga’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic coasts, making Málaga an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Marseille (Provence), France, offers docking at Marseille Port. Travelers explore Notre-Dame de la Garde and Vieux-Port. Excursions visit Aix-en-Provence’s lavender fields. Local markets sell bouillabaisse. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures basilicas and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes ratatouille, 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 city walks. Marseille’s cultural charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ports and scenic fields, making Marseille an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Portofino, Italy, provides docking at Portofino Port. Travelers explore the colorful harbor and Castello Brown. Excursions visit Cinque Terre’s cliffside villages. Local markets sell focaccia. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pastel facades and Ligurian Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes trofie al pesto, a Ligurian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Riviera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance harbor walks. Portofino’s picturesque allure offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic harbors, historic castles, and coastal beauty, making Portofino an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Ligurian Riviera and charm.

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.

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.

Cagliari, Sardinia, offers docking at Cagliari Port. Travelers explore Poetto Beach and Castello district. Excursions visit Nora’s ancient ruins. Local markets sell malloreddus. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval towers and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes fregola con frutti di mare, a Sardinian favorite. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nuragic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cagliari’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins and scenic beaches, making Cagliari an engaging destination for exploration.

Palermo, Sicily, offers docking at Palermo Port. Travelers explore Palermo Cathedral and Norman Palace. Excursions visit Monreale’s mosaics. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Arab-Norman architecture and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes caponata, 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 comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Palermo’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Palermo an engaging destination for exploring Sicily’s capital.

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.

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.

Salerno (Naples), Italy, offers docking at Salerno Port with excursions to Naples. Travelers explore Pompeii’s ruins and Amalfi Coast villages. Excursions visit Capri’s Blue Grotto. Local markets sell limoncello. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes pizza margherita, a Neapolitan favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Salerno’s historic allure offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and coastal beauty, making Salerno an engaging gateway to Naples.

Returning to Civitavecchia (Rome) — see Day 11 above for port info.