SeaDream II
June 16, 2024

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 1 above for port info.

Gozo Island, Malta, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to Mgarr Harbour. Travelers explore Ggantija’s prehistoric temples, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit the Azure Window’s coastal cliffs. Local markets sell lace crafts. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures ancient ruins and Mediterranean seas. Dining onboard includes pastizzi, a Maltese pastry. Souvenirs, like ceramic tiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maltese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Sturdy shoes enhance temple walks. Gozo’s ancient heritage and scenic beauty offer a tranquil Maltese stop, blending history with coastal charm.

Trapani, Sicily, offers docking at Trapani Port. Travelers explore Salt Pans and Erice’s medieval village. Excursions visit Segesta’s ancient temple. Local markets sell couscous al pesce. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures windmills and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta con le sarde, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like coral crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Phoenician history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance village hikes. Trapani’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic coasts, making Trapani an engaging destination for exploration.

Lipari, Italy, has docking at Lipari Port. Travelers explore Lipari Castle and Aeolian Museum. Excursions visit Vulcano’s hot springs. Local markets sell capers. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Tyrrhenian seas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian dish. Souvenirs, like obsidian crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Aeolian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance castle tours. Lipari’s volcanic charm offers a serene Italian stop, blending heritage with island beauty.

Capri (Isola di Capri), Italy, anchors offshore with tenders to Marina Grande, a 10-minute ride to Capri Town, population 7,000. Travelers visit the Blue Grotto by rowboat. Villa San Michele offers Anacapri views. Local markets sell limoncello. Excursions to Monte Solaro, 15 minutes by chairlift, provide vistas. Peak season May to September; taxis 10-20 EUR. Dining includes insalata caprese at cliffside cafes. Souvenirs feature coral jewelry.

Amalfi, Italy, anchors offshore with tenders to Porto Amalfi, a 5-minute ride to the town center on the Sorrento Peninsula. The village, population 5,000, centers on Piazza Duomo, where the 9th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew houses bronze doors from 1066. Travelers stroll Via Lorenzo for ceramics shops and lemon groves. Excursions to Ravello, 15 minutes uphill, visit Villa Rufolo’s 13th-century gardens. Positano, 30 minutes by boat, offers pebbly beaches and pastel houses. Local boats access Emerald Grotto, a sea cave with stalactites, 20 minutes away. Markets sell limoncello and sfogliatella pastries. Peak season May to September; taxis 10-20 EUR. Dining includes scialatielli (seafood pasta) at harborside trattorias. Souvenirs feature hand-painted ceramics. Coastal paths suit short hikes.

Returning to Amalfi — see Day 5 above for port info.

Ponza, Italy, offers docking at Ponza Port. Travelers explore Chiaia di Luna beach and colorful fishing villages. Excursions include boat tours to Palmarola’s caves. Local markets sell lenticchie di Ponza. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cliffside villages and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes spaghetti alle vongole, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like coral crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ponza’s history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Ponza’s island allure offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches, charming villages, and marine adventures, making Ponza an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Pontine Islands and coastal beauty.

Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, provides docking at Porto Santo Stefano Port. Travelers explore Monte Argentario’s waterfront and Forte Spagnolo. Excursions visit Orbetello’s lagoon trails. Local markets sell cacciucco. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Tuscan hills and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes tortelli maremmani, a Tuscan favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Maremma history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fort walks. Porto Santo Stefano’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterfronts, historic forts, and Tuscan culture, making Porto Santo Stefano an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s coast.

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.

Antibes, France, docks at Port Vauban, a 10-minute walk to the old town, population 75,000. Travelers visit the Picasso Museum in the 14th-century Grimaldi Castle, showcasing 245 works. The ramparts offer Mediterranean views. Excursions to Cannes, 20 minutes west, explore La Croisette. Local markets sell herbes de Provence. Peak season June to September; taxis 10-20 EUR. Dining includes bouillabaisse at marina bistros. Souvenirs feature lavender sachets.

Nice, France, provides docking at Nice Port. Travelers explore the Promenade des Anglais and Old Town’s colorful markets. Excursions visit Eze’s medieval village. Local markets sell socca. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for Riviera tours. Photography captures Mediterranean coastlines and pastel facades. Dining onboard includes ratatouille, a Provençal favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender sachets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Riviera history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Nice’s vibrant Riviera charm offers a dynamic French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterfronts, historic villages, and cultural richness, making Nice an engaging destination for exploring the French Riviera’s elegance and Mediterranean beauty.