Civitavecchia
Cruising At Sea
Marseille
Taormina
Barcelona
Genoa
Rome
Giardini Naxos
Taormina
Cruising At Sea
Overview
Cruise Itinerary
The port city of Genoa is the gateway to Italy’s glamorous riviera. Delight in a shore excursion to picturesque Portofino, starting with a boat cruise from Santa Margherita Ligure. Admire sea views and a yacht-filled harbor. Stroll along the harbor, enjoy the colorful houses, or relax in a waterfront café.
Portofino, surrounded by verdant hills, is a playground for celebrities and VIPs.Explore Genoa on foot with MSC Cruises. Wander narrow streets to Piazza de Ferrari, visit Palazzo Ducale, and admire UNESCO sites like Palazzo Bianco. Enjoy Ligurian cuisine and see the Cathedral of San Lorenzo before returning to the ship.
The ancient capital of the Western World and the centre of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast of historical and cultural landmarks to explore. Visit the ruins of the Forum and the Colosseum, view the splendours of the Sistine Chapel, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter.
Don't forget to treat your taste buds to the delights of authentic Roman cuisine, which is as captivating as the city's ancient wonders. Indulge in creamy gelato, savour the perfection of al dente pasta, and relish the thin, crispy crust of Roman-style pizza. Buon Appetito!
Serving as Rome’s seaport since the 13th century, Civitavecchia is located about an hour (80km/50mi) from the centre of Rome. For guests arriving and departing from the airport in Rome, a transfer to Civitavecchia port should be organised ahead of time with your cruise line. Details will be provided in your travel documentation after booking. The port area itself offers diverse dining options, and inside, facilities include accessible bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a spacious waiting area. The port also offers complimentary shuttle buses to transfer guests between the ship and the port terminal.
Taormina, perched on a hillside in Sicily, offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Begin your visit with a leisurely walk along Corso Umberto, the main street lined with charming shops, cafes, and historic buildings. The ancient Greek Theatre is a must-see, providing a spectacular backdrop for photos and a glimpse into the town's rich history.
Venture to the beautiful public gardens of Villa Comunale for a relaxing stroll among exotic plants and stunning vistas. For a taste of local culture, visit the Piazza IX Aprile, a lively square perfect for people-watching and enjoying a gelato.
Giardini Naxos is a picturesque port town on the east coast of Sicily, nestled at the foot of Taormina and home to stunning beaches and ancient sites. Tender boats usually transport visitors from ships anchored in the bay directly to the heart of town, with the tender drop-off point a stone's throw away from main attractions. Once ashore, visitors can relish the town's beautiful beaches, archaeological sites, and tantalising Sicilian cuisine. Giardini Naxos also serves as an excellent base for excursions to the iconic Mount Etna, approximately 45 km (about 28 miles) away, or the historic town of Taormina, just a 20-minute drive up the coast.
The entire city of Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cited as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, it’s a cultural hub for Baroque art, museums, and historic sites. Ships will dock at the cruise port.
Top Things to Do in Valletta:
- tour the ornate St. John’s Co-Cathedral
- explore the island of Gozo
- take in the view at Dingli Cliffs
- visit the Grand Master's Palace
- explore Malta’s ancient capital, Mdina
- stroll along the Valletta waterfront
Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Barcelona, a captivating city on Spain's northeastern coast, is renowned for its unique architecture and vibrant culture. Start your exploration at the Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, where intricate designs and towering spires captivate visitors. Stroll down Las Ramblas, a lively street filled with street performers, shops, and cafes, leading to the historic Gothic Quarter.
In the afternoon, visit Park Güell, another Gaudí marvel, featuring colorful mosaics and stunning city views. For a taste of local life, explore the bustling La Boqueria market, offering a variety of fresh produce and local delicacies. Before leaving, take a leisurely walk along the beachfront promenade, enjoying the Mediterranean breeze and scenic views.
Several thousand years of activity, both human and natural, have helped shape Marseille, France, into the city it is today. Marseille’s terracotta rooftops, turquoise sea, limestone rocks and vivid street art form a landscape like no other in France.
MSC shore excursions let you discover tucked-away treasures like the model boats that hang from the ceiling of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Snap photos of the Cathedral of Marseille that sits overlooking the ocean. Amble around Le Vieux-Port, admiring the sea views and lingering over a drink at a cafe terrace. Behold the Palais Longchamp, built to commemorate the arrival of water to Marseille. View the limestone cliffs that beckon nature-lovers to Calanques National Park. On your Marseille holiday, MSC make it easy to experience Provence heritage. Marvel at medieval ramparts in Avignon. Plunge into the port of Cassis. Admire the honey-coloured stone facades in Aix-en-Provence.
Discover the history and beautiful architecture of this ancient seaport in the lovely pink stone Palazzo Tursi where letters of Christopher Columbus and Paganini's famed Guarnieri violin are on display. Visit the magnificent Palazzo Bianco and stroll past old master paintings.
For a taste of the surrounding beauty, Genoa offers easy access to nearby gems. Marvel at Milan’s iconic Duomo and high-end shops. Discover Cinque Terre’s colorful cliffside villages, perfect for breathtaking photos. Or, enjoy the upscale charm of Portofino, with its picturesque harbor and boutique-lined streets. Each nearby locale enhances your Genoa visit with distinctive experiences.
Life Onboard MSC World Europa
A new cruising experience, with a partially open promenade, themed districts for all ages, and 2 new dining venues Read more
Savour specialty dining and exciting gourmet experiences in stylish restaurants. Read more
MSC Yacht Club unlocks a world of luxury, privileged access and choice onboard. Read more
Enjoy world class entertainment with original shows and almost every kind of music in lively bars. Read more
MSC's largest water park, bumper cars, Kid's Club, video arcade, MSC Sportplex and much more. Read more
Revitalise yourself in the world class MSC Aurea Spa with beauty treatments, massages and more. Read more
MSC World Europa Reviews (2) Most Recent 'MSC World Europa' Reviews
1. We didn't know that we could ...read more have arranged a shuttle pickup at the airport to the ship. We would have preferred this to trying to find a taxi and explaining our destination.
2. The cruise package included 4 complimentary restaurants, which we assumed we could choose as we like. But what we didn't know is that we were allocated a dedicated table to a specific restaurant each night for dinner.
3. To provide something different we asked to move restaurants, which was allowed, but then discovered that each complimentary restaurant had exactly the same menu each night, although it changed daily.
4. The quality of the food at the complimentary restaurants was only fair and on one night poor. In the end we upgraded to some of the speciality restaurants to provide something different and better. This was a much better option.
5. For us, the ship was too big and it took at least 4 days to be confident about where you were going and where our cabin was.
6. In light of the ship being too big, there were simply too many people (6,500 guests and 2,500 staff) and most areas were crowded from early morning. Booking a show or a speciality restaurant had to be done very early else they were full.
7. The breakfast buffet was pretty unpleasant with people jostling all over the place. But, in the end we found an alternative menu driven, table service breakfast venue, which was much nicer.
8. The cabin (1408) was very good. Spacious with most facilities we needed.
9. Cabin housekeeping was excellent. In fact all the ship staff were extremely helpful.
10. Ship logistics in coordinating dining; excursions; theatre shows etc was also excellent. Anyone not phone literate would be completely lost as everything was phone based, even the dining menus.
11. The ships wifi was excellent, but in hindsight we should have upgraded our internet package to include more than 1 device.
12. The excursions (we did one at every port) were pretty good offering a good tase of the cities we visited.
The ship itself was mind blowing, with multiple choices for shops; fast food; adult entertainment; kids entertainment and swimming pools. We would recommend the “back of ship tour” as this provided a real insight into how a ship of this size operates. Finally, whilst we might choose MSC again, it certainly would not be on the World Europa.
Brochure
MSC Mediterranean & Northern Europe (2025-26)
Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by MSC Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from MSC Cruises. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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