Sapphire Princess
February 11, 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina, offers docking at Buenos Aires Port. Travelers explore La Boca and Recoleta Cemetery. Excursions visit Tigre Delta. Local markets sell empanadas. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures colorful barrios and Río de la Plata vistas. Dining onboard includes asado, an Argentine favorite. Souvenirs, like tango crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peronist history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Buenos Aires’ vibrant charm offers a lively Argentine stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Buenos Aires an engaging destination.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, offers docking at Porto Maravilha. Travelers explore Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach. Excursions visit Sugarloaf Mountain’s cable car. Local markets sell feijoada. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures iconic statues and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes pão de queijo, a Brazilian favorite. Souvenirs, like samba crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carioca history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Rio’s vibrant energy offers a dynamic Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks, scenic beaches, and samba culture, making Rio de Janeiro an engaging destination for exploration.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, offers docking at Santa Cruz Port. Travelers explore Auditorio de Tenerife and Anaga Mountains. Excursions visit Teide National Park. Local markets sell mojo potatoes. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes ropa vieja, a Canarian favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Guanche history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance mountain hikes. Santa Cruz’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and scenic volcanoes, making Santa Cruz an engaging destination.

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, docks at Puerto de Naos, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 60,000, features the San Gabriel Castle, now a history museum. Charco de San Ginés, a lagoon, hosts fishing boats. Excursions to Timanfaya National Park, 30 minutes west, explore volcanic craters. Local markets sell mojo sauce. Peak season November to April; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes papas arrugadas at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature lava jewelry.

Casablanca, Morocco, docks at Port de Casablanca, 3 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 15-minute rides. The city, population 3.5 million, features the Hassan II Mosque with a 210-meter minaret. Travelers stroll the Corniche for Atlantic views. Local markets sell tagines. Excursions to Rabat, 1 hour north, visit the Royal Palace. Peak season April to October; taxis 20-50 MAD. Dining includes couscous at medina cafes. Souvenirs feature leather slippers.

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.

Returning to Gibraltar — see Day 17 above for port info.

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.

Genoa, Italy, offers docking at Genoa Port. Travelers explore Palazzo Ducale and Via Garibaldi. Excursions visit Portofino’s colorful harbor. Local markets sell focaccia. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Renaissance palaces and Ligurian vistas. Dining onboard includes pesto pasta, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Genoese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Genoa’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Genoa an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Liguria region.

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.