Mediterranean from Rome

Touch down in Rome and settle into your hotel for two nights in the Eternal City. However you spend the rest of the day is up to you: a walk past the Trevi Fountain, an aperitivo near the Pantheon, or simply resting up before a few days of sightseeing.

A full day to explore Rome at your own pace. The Colosseum and Roman Forum sit within walking distance of each other, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are worth the queue, and the Trastevere neighbourhood is the pick for dinner once the day tours have cleared out.

Your private transfer takes you from Rome to the port of Civitavecchia, where MSC Divina awaits. Settle into your stateroom and get your first taste of life on board before the ship sets sail this evening.

During the 18th-century, Mykonos’ maze of tangled lanes would confuse even the most well-travelled pirates. Nowadays pretending to get lost in these winding alleys makes for a day of entertainment! This MSC Mediterranean Cruises destination is known for its romantic Greek Island glamour. See brilliant beaches, turquoise waters, and picturesque whitewashed villages.

Kuşadası sits on Turkey’s western Aegean coast, a resort town that’s spent decades getting good at looking after cruise passengers. The seafront promenade and marina are the pick for a coffee before you head out, and Pigeon Island’s walled Byzantine castle is close enough to walk to, connected to the mainland by a short causeway.

The real drawcard is inland. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world, with the Library of Celsus and the old Roman theatre giving a proper sense of scale most ruins can’t match. It’s the reason most people stop in Kusadasi at all, and it earns the reputation.

Marmaris sits on Turkey’s southwest coast in the Mugla province, backed by pine-covered hills and looking out over one of the busiest marinas on this stretch of the Mediterranean. The old town keeps its character close to the water, with a stone castle built by Suleiman the Magnificent watching over the harbour.

Sailing is what Marmaris does best. Two major marinas and several smaller ones keep the bay full of boats year-round, and it’s a popular stop for anyone cruising the Turquoise Coast. Ferries run regularly to the Greek island of Rhodes for those short on time and wanting to tick off two countries in one day.

Naples rewards a proper wander. The historic centre sits between Piazza Garibaldi and Via Toledo, laid out along roads the Romans first paved. Via dei Tribunali and Via San Biagio dei Librai cut through the middle of it all, lined with pizzerias, market stalls and centuries of noise and colour. The Duomo anchors the old quarter, a Gothic build from the 1200s with a Neo-Gothic facade added later, dedicated to the city’s patron saint San Gennaro.

From Naples you’re close to two of Italy’s biggest drawcards. Pompeii sits less than an hour away, frozen since Vesuvius buried it in AD 79. Capri is a short hop by boat, once a retreat for Roman emperors and now known for its blue grotto and cliffside views over the bay.

Discover the culture and colour of Civitavecchia, an MSC Mediterranean Cruises destination. This Italian gem is an enjoyable flight from many European and non-European cities. Celebrated for its 16th-century Michelangelo Fort, ancient Taurine Baths, and marble Vanvitelli fountain, the port is a convenient starting point for visiting Rome, Italy’s regal and romantic capital.