Name: 12 Night Italy Sailing including Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete, Alexandria and Katakolon
Brand: MSC Cruises
Rating: 3.4 (5 reviews)

Overview

Discover the beauty of Mediterranean on this 21-night voyage with MSC Cruises, setting sail from Venice aboard the MSC Lirica. You'll step ashore at 3 ports across Mediterranean, with standout stops at Civitavecchia and Santa Cruz de Tenerife along the way. Whether you're relaxing on deck on a sea day or exploring ashore, this MSC Cruises journey offers something for everyone. At £1,444 per person, this is a compelling way to explore Mediterranean with MSC Cruises.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises may be headquartered in Switzerland, but the ambience onboard its 23 ships is very much Italian owing to its owners, the Aponte family.

Ships feature a two-storey Mediterranean-style promenade and Instagram-worthy glass staircases filled with Swarovski crystals.

The line’s flagship is the 6,327 passenger MSC Euribia, which is MSC's second ship to run on liquefied natural gas.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Venice

Venice, a city born of resilience and innovation, captivates with its labyrinth of canals and timeless beauty. Its storied past, intertwined with the Venetian Republic's grandeur, evokes a sense of wanderlust in travelers. The gentle lapping of water against ancient palazzi, paired with the soft glow of Venetian lanterns, creates an enchanting atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon, the city boasts a temperate climate, offering mild winters and balmy summers, ideal for leisurely strolls through its narrow alleyways. Cruise lines gracefully navigate the Grand Canal, providing a glimpse into Venice's illustrious past and vibrant present.

Days 2-3

At sea

Day 4

Civitavecchia

Perched on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Civitavecchia boasts a storied past intertwined with maritime adventures. As the gateway to Rome, its harbor has welcomed seafarers for centuries, echoing with tales of ancient civilizations and grand conquests. The Mediterranean climate blesses visitors with balmy breezes and sun-drenched days, creating an idyllic atmosphere for exploration. Away from the bustling metropolis, Civitavecchia offers an authentic Italian experience, where cobblestone streets wind through charming piazzas and trattorias serve up delectable seafood caught fresh from the sea. Don't miss the chance to stroll along the historic harbor walls, built to protect against marauding pirates centuries ago.

Day 5

At sea

Day 6

Barcelona

Barcelona, a city defined by its innovative spirit from the architectural wonders of Gaudto the bustling medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter, offers a vivid window into Spains artistic soul. The city benefits from a Mediterranean climate, ensuring pleasant weather perfect for leisurely explorations of its many districts. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian utilize Barcelona as a key port, giving travelers the chance to immerse themselves in a blend of modernist architecture and vibrant local life. An intriguing fact about Barcelona is its beach was artificially created in preparation for the 1992 Olympics, showcasing the city's ability to ingeniously reinvent itself while maintaining its historical roots.

Day 7

At sea

Day 8

Málaga

Day 9

Tangier

James Bond's explosive Tanjawi antics may evoke excitement, but a visit to Tangier promises a more tranquil adventure. This Moroccan city's history is steeped in intrigue, with its strategic location attracting Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs over the centuries. Tangier's allure as a cinematic backdrop has captured the imagination of filmmakers, showcasing its labyrinthine streets and stunning vistas. From the bustling Grand Socco square to the iconic Kasbah, Tangier's blend of cultures and influences offers a captivating journey through time. Embodying the spirit of adventure, Tangier invites travelers to explore its storied past and vibrant present with curiosity and wonder.

Day 10

At sea

Day 11

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Days 12-17

At sea

Day 18

Salvador de Bahia

Salvador de Bahia, where the echoes of samba rhythms and colonial footprints lead you through cobblestone streets, offers a gateway to Brazil's soulful depths. With a climate that blesses it with sunny days and balmy nights almost year-round, Salvador invites you to immerse in a setting that's decidedly more authentic and untouched by the typical tourist overlays. Cruise lines often highlight Salvador as a living exhibit of Brazil itself, celebrating its vibrant Afro-Brazilian traditions and colonial architecture. A unique draw is the Elevador Lacerda, a historic art deco elevator that connects the city's upper and lower towns, providing stunning views of the bay.

Day 19

Ilheus

Day 20

At sea

Day 21

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, the heart of Brazil's carnival fervor, offers a gateway into its celebrated past where the rhythm of samba was born and the streets tell tales of vivid festivities. The city's tropical climate invites travelers year-round, providing a warm welcome with its sun-drenched beaches and lush mountainous backdrops, setting it apart from conventional tourist destinations. It's here that visitors truly experience the vibrancy of Brazil, beyond the postcards, immersing in a locality vibrant with genuine interactions and community celebrations. Intriguingly, Rio is the only city in the world where the urban forest is denser than its urban sprawl, offering an unexpected green retreat amidst the city buzz.

Day 22

Santos

Day 1

Venice

Days 2-3

At sea

Day 4

Civitavecchia

Day 5

At sea

Day 6

Barcelona

Day 7

At sea

Day 8

Málaga

Day 9

Tangier

Day 10

At sea

Day 11

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Days 12-17 At sea

At sea

Day 18

Salvador de Bahia

Day 19

Ilheus

Day 20

At sea

Day 21

Rio de Janeiro

Day 22

Santos

2648

Passengers

721

Crew

2003

Launched

65591t

Tonnage

275m

Length

29m

Width

22kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

MSC Lirica

MSC Lirica brings you a distinctive cruise experience centred on elegance, comfort and hospitality in the finest MSC Cruises tradition. Magnificent internal vistas from the foyer and unimpeded ocean views from the lounges’ floor-to-ceiling windows contribute to a sense of relaxed spaciousness, which is complemented by a variety of intimate lounges.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Making memories

Took my wonderful elderly parents on this 5 night cruise , knowing this would probably be our last holiday together. Having to use wheelchairs/ walking aids and managing the effects of memory loss meant that a cruise on board a beautiful ship was the best choice to make some lovely memories. Watching my dad's face during the theatre shows and watching him tuck into what seemed like a mountain of his favourite food in the buffets made us all smile. The practicality of always having bathrooms at hand and having designated areas in theatres for those with mobility difficulties made it all very easy. We all loved the opulence of the ship, and enjoyed sitting at different bars listening to music. We also watched a stunning sunset from the sky bar one evening as we left Rotterdam. Wonderful memories which I will always treasure x

MSC Cruises MSC Virtuosa

Reviews

Fantastic ship

Fabulous service, fantastic food and amenities. Great destinations and an unbelievable experience.

MSC Cruises MSC World America

Reviews

Not my cup of tea !

I’m sure loads of people love this ship , I went with 5 girlfriends for our yearly short break ! It’s glitzy It’s big , very big! and was also very busy. The various standard entertainment areas not very big and not enough seating anywhere. Cabins were fine Staff were kept constantly busy . Food was not great - not enough menus to go around Veggie options in main dining room were poor. Buffet was total mayhem . The cleaning staff tried their best. We used the spa facilities, they were fine . The last night we were at the very small disco . Full glasses were taken on the dance floor. Spills and the inevitable broken glass! The DJ simply said if you are dancing bare foot be careful as there is broken glass on the floor.! No please clear the floor as we need to clean . Seemingly no health and safety. We left ! On the plus side disembarkation the following morning was really easy and speedy. Hooray! We had fun, we are not old stuffy grannies but all agreed not to use such a big ship for what appeared to be a short booze cruise again!

MSC Cruises MSC Virtuosa

Reviews

It was great holiday

I took 64 people on this cruse It was a wonderful experience for everyone The ship was great and very clean Food was excellent and chose was enormous All my group enjoyed them self and not single person had a bad word about all all seven days Room was thoroughly cleaned every single day Sheets and towels changed everyday Great experience Staff very friendly and service in restaurants was excellent Thank you to all the staff and hope to have a another holiday with MSC very soon

MSC Cruises MSC Poesia

Reviews

Happy days

Good food and entertainment.

MSC Cruises MSC Fantasia

Reviews

Great Cruise

MSC Cruises offers a stylish and affordable way to explore Northern Europe, with itineraries that blend cultural capitals, scenic coastlines, and historic towns. The cruise is ideal for travellers who want a taste of multiple countries in one trip, with the comfort of returning to a floating resort each night

MSC Cruises MSC Virtuosa

Reviews

This ship has everything

A lovely moder ship that would suit old and young alike

MSC Cruises MSC World Europa

Reviews

Amazing in every way

My most recent cruise was on MSC Virtuosa, this ship is amazing in every way. From the minute you board you are enveloped in the most stylish Italian luxury, the Swarovski staircases are absolutely stunning and every corner of the ship has been lovingly thought out. But, what makes this ship even more special to sail on is it's friendly, professional crew members who go out of their way to make your cruise experience one to remember.

MSC Cruises MSC Virtuosa