Cruises from Barcelona make for some of the most unforgettable vacations you can imagine. Barcelona looks like a city that should be known for its architecture… and, naturally, it is. From monuments in Romanesque and Renaissance styles to Gothic spires and contemporary curves, there’s little surprise Barcelona was the creative playground of acclaimed architect Antoni Gaudí. But that’s just one reason why cruises out of Barcelona are so seductive. Barcelona’s a feast for the eyes and the palate, alike, and be sure not to miss the chance to try tapas as and visit spots like the La Rambla, Port Vell and especially Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

Marseille is a city where history meets the sea. As France’s oldest city, its past is layered into ancient ports, hilltop fortresses, and winding streets, yet its beauty feels completely alive. The sun glints off the Old Port, colorful boats bob along the waterfront, and limestone cliffs frame impossibly blue Mediterranean water. It’s gritty and graceful at the same time—a place shaped by centuries of trade, culture, and salt air, and still one of the most visually stunning stops along the French coast.

The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but that might not even be one of the most interesting things about Genoa! You can't miss the local flavor — this region being the birthplace of pesto, why pass up a chance to try it from the source? Dining and shopping are two great pastimes here, but a house that's said to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus may compete for your attention, while spectacular cathedrals and palaces pack plenty of medieval appeal. 

Plenty of Day Trip Options - Portofino Anyone?

Salerno is an Italian city that’s old to the tune of 2,000 years, and blends ancient and modern — not to mention a healthy dose of medieval — together in a package that features enough sights to definitely make Carnival cruises to Salerno worthwhile. Topping the ‘worth seeing’ list you’ll find Villa Comunale, a very, very green public garden located outside of the old city hall, and definitely don’t miss a waterside stroll along Lungomare Trieste during your cruise. If you’re looking to venture out of Salerno on this leg of your vacation — and you should — you’re not far at all from the culture-packed Naples, the incomparably beautiful Amalfi Coast and the buried historical city of Pompeii.

The Fortress City of Valletta, Malta's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the perfect place to start your Malta adventure. Verdant gardens overlook an island topped with medieval castles, forts, the Grand Harbor, minarets and Baroque churches. Many tours visit the Grandmaster's Palace, home to the country's government since it was built in 1571, as well as the must-see St. John's Co-Cathedral and Museum, which displays two of Caravaggio's masterpieces. Various outings stop in the walled town of Mdina (the former capital), where you can shop and dine along quaint streets and tour a hand-blown glass factory for up-close looks into the production of the island specialty. The clear-blue Mediterranean waters welcome divers for excursions among artificial reefs, WWII military wreckage and-most famously-underwater caves.

There’s a famous centuries-old quote about how important Sicily is — basically, if you skip it when visiting Italy, you might as well have just stayed home. We don’t exactly agree, but we know where the guy was coming from. Catania is the island’s second-largest city and an excellent place to kick off an exploration of Sicily. There’s no missing the gigantic Mt. Etna volcano — really, it’s impossible since it literally overshadows much of the island’s eastern region, and Catania puts you right in a primo position to see it. Compared to Etna, historical sites from Greek and Roman times are only a couple-thousand years old, but you can see them all — and some are even still in use today, like the amphitheater in Siracusa. Piazza Armerina features a villa once home to a Roman emperor, and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one that’s still decked out in well-preserved mosaics.

Many of Tunisia's imports arrive at La Goulette, and so will you! Once a popular Tunisian vacation destination, La Goulette's seaside vibe earned it the nickname "Little Sicily." Today the historic kasbah shouldn't be overlooked, and the beaches are still beautiful, but La Goulette is also your gateway to Tunis, Tunisia's can't-miss capital and largest city.

Watching a total solar eclipse from a cruise ship isn’t just checking off a bucket-list event—it’s a rare way to experience something extraordinary. While crowds on land sit in traffic hoping the clouds behave, you’re at sea with a captain whose mission is to chase clearer skies (though nature always has the final say). The open horizon offers uninterrupted views in every direction, photographers enjoy cleaner, more dramatic shots, and everyone benefits from expert guidance on the best places onboard to witness totality—conditions permitting. No parking, no crowds, no stress—just the hush of the ocean, the moon slipping into place, and a moment where science, nature, and calm may align beautifully.

In ancient times it was said that all roads lead to Rome… but in your case, the seaport of Civitavecchia is your road to Rome. Get there and you’ll find out what made the place so popular. The Vatican's Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Colosseum with its lurid history, and the Trevi Fountain — where a tossed coin promises your return — are not to be missed on any visit to the so-called “Eternal City,” one of the cradles of civilization. Take a walking tour of Rome’s many historical landmarks and enjoy the lively sidewalk cafés, ending the day alla romana strolling through the atmospheric Centro Storico.