Western Mediterranean Cruise

Day 1 - Southampton

Arrive: Tue 12 April 2022 / Depart: Tue 12 April 2022

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Cadiz

Arrive: Fri 15 April 2022 / Depart: Fri 15 April 2022

You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. From there, it is easy to find your own way around this compact city. Behind is the 18th century cathedral (El Nueva) and the view from the top is worth the long climb up its internal stairs. The narrow streets of the old town below are lined by tall Moorish-style houses with flower-decked balconies mixed in amongst some small shops and tapas bars. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour. La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Sevilles historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city.

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Cartagena, Spain

Arrive: Sun 17 April 2022 / Depart: Sun 17 April 2022

An ancient city with a name to match - it was founded more than 2,200 years ago by Carthaginian leader Hasdrubal - Cartagena is now one of Spains busiest commercial centres. Step ashore here, though, and you are immediately aware of its rich history. In fact, you see it even as you cruise towards the harbour as this is flanked by towering fortresses. Then, in the centre of the old town, you will find the original Carthaginian castle and sections of the old city walls. But Cartagena is also a city which moves with the times hence the new harbourfront development which includes the unique National Museum of Underwater Archaeology. As part of Murcia province, Cartagena cruise port is also an excellent base for visiting the city of Murcia itself and its distinctive Baroque cathedral; the 17th century religious sanctuary of Fuensanta; the Fortress at Lorca Taller del Tiempo; the spa resort of Balneario de Archena; and for touring into the mountainous interior or along the Costa Blanca to Alicante.

Day 7 - Valencia

Arrive: Mon 18 April 2022 / Depart: Mon 18 April 2022

Vibrant Valencia, Spain's third-largest city is a popular and picturesque resort known for its pavement cafes, parties (Las Fallas) and paella. Amongst art and architecture you can see plazas, palaces, churches and cathedrals, before heading to one of the city's white sandy beaches to cool off.

Day 8 - Barcelona

Arrive: Tue 19 April 2022 / Depart: Tue 19 April 2022

Explore Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, and you'll discover the ornately wrought works of Antonio Gaudi. A local architect, whose works culminate in the surrealistic spires of the yet to be finished Sagrada Familia. Take a stroll down the colourful Ramblas. Explore the Gothic Quarter. Ride a cable car to the summit of Montjuic. Or sample local wines and authentic tapas as you watch the hustle and bustle of daily life pass you by.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Monte Carlo

Arrive: Thu 21 April 2022 / Depart: Thu 21 April 2022

Monte Carlo is famous for the four 'G's': the Grimaldi monarchy as well as its Grand Prix, Glamour and Gambling. The famous Grand Casino is only one of several but, if you are feeling lucky, note that it operates a strict dress code and requires all players to show passports. The first thing you notice when you arrive is how pristine the mega-yachts look in the harbour. This only fuels the suspicion that their owners - rather than risk going to sea - actually prefer to tie-up permanently at one of the worlds most fashionable addresses. Monacos three main districts are all walkable from the harbour: Monaco Ville (the intriguing old town), La Condamine (business centre), and Monte Carlo (the glitzy new town). Grimaldi Prince Rainier III put Monaco on the map by marrying film star Grace Kelly in 1955 and he is now buried alongside Princess Grace in St Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco Ville.

Day 11 - Genoa, Italy

Arrive: Fri 22 April 2022 / Depart: Fri 22 April 2022

Genoa is a real Italian gem. A marvellously eclectic city, it has a secret beauty that can be found in its daring architecture, traces of splendid frescoes and imposing, noble palaces. Here you can see the house where Christopher Columbus was allegedly born and sample some of its delicious pesto, which originated from this region.

Day 12 - Rome

Arrive: Sat 23 April 2022 / Depart: Sat 23 April 2022

Standing in the Colosseum, visiting Vatican City and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain are all unique experiences of a lifetime to be had in the Eternal City of Rome, reached from your Italian cruise port Civitavecchia.

Day 13 - Ajaccio

Arrive: Sun 24 April 2022 / Depart: Sun 24 April 2022

Even on the beautiful island of Corsica, towns don't come much prettier than Ajaccio, Napoleon's birthplace, where the warmth of Italian Dolce Vita and the style and cuisine of France combine to create an atmosphere that's quite unique.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - Gibraltar

Arrive: Wed 27 April 2022 / Depart: Wed 27 April 2022

Britons love cruising to 'home from home' Mediterranean cruise port Gibraltar - and not just because it has some excellent pubs and tax free shops (good buys include glassware, china, leather goods, alcohol, perfume, silk and cashmere garments). Gibraltar also offers wonderful views of the Bay of Gibraltar and the Moroccan mountains from the Rock Restaurant, served by cable car from the Grand Parade. Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails you can follow to discover the country's flora and fauna. The most famous 'fauna' of course, are Gibraltar's Barbary apes - get off the cable car at the halfway station to see these, then proceed to the top and hire an audio tape charting the Rock's fascinating history. Alternatively spend a day at the beach - Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with its colourful fishing boats and excellent seafood restaurants.

Day 17 - Lisbon

Arrive: Thu 28 April 2022 / Depart: Thu 28 April 2022

Some of the best views of the Portuguese capital come as your ship cruises along the Tagus River. You pass the Belem Tower and the impressive Monument to the Discoveries with its statue of Henry the Navigator before arriving at the Lisbon cruise terminal. Although small for a European capital, this city does sprawl a little so you would do best to concentrate on three districts - Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama, each with its own distinctive style, making Lisbon cruises a must see. Baixa has busy streets of inviting shops, cafes and restaurants while Alfama is the atmospheric old town with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and Moorish-style buildings, wrought-iron balconies with trailing flowers and a mix of small shops and bars. Bairro Alto is another historic district with narrow streets and is a steep climb from Baixa so look out for the 100-year-old lift (Elevador do Carmo) near Rossio Square. With such a variety of destinations to explore, cruises to Lisbon bring to your holiday a balance of both modern and historical grounds.

Day 18 - At Sea

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Southampton

Arrive: Sun 01 May 2022 / Depart: Sun 01 May 2022

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.