Itinerary

Day 1: Civitavecchia (Rome)
Departs at 6:30 PM

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.

  • Look up at Michelangelo’s frescos on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.

  • Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica dome for panoramic views of Rome. 

  • Have your picture taken on the flowery Spanish Steps.

Day 2: Salerno (Amalfi/Pompeii)
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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.

Day 3: Fun Day at Sea

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

Day 4: Katakolon (Olympia)
7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

A short distance from the fishing village and seaport of Katakolon you’ll find Olympia, where lies arguably the most important location in all of sports. It’s the site of the original Olympic Games, which went on for nearly 1,200 years, every four years, until a Roman emperor banned them in A.D. 393. The discarded ruins were uncovered only about 150 years ago — and today, Olympia’s importance is much better understood. It’s actually been declared a national park! There’s so much history on display in Olympia at the original sites, such as the Temple of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium and the Olympia Archaeological Museum, which features fine sculptures such as the “Winged Victory” statue of Nike. (Did you know she was the Greek goddess of victory?)

Day 5: Piraeus (Athens)
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Cruise to Athens, Greece and fall in love with the city’s unique claims to fame. This one-of-a-kind, history-rich destination can boast to not only be the home to the Olympic games throughout the ages… but also the birthplace of democracy. Talk about competitive team sports! To this day, Athens is a city as rich in history as it is immersed in mythology. On cruises from Athens, you’ll see ancient feats of architecture like the Acropolis, Parthenon and Temple of Olympian Zeus mingling with modern museums, cafes and shops across the Athenian landscape. It’s a one-of-a-kind destination, and a must-see stop on any Greek Isles cruise.

  • Visit the Parthenon and you’re in Athena’s house. This temple, built to worship her, today welcomes all.

  • Get it together and visit the Temple of Hephaestus — perhaps the best-preserved ancient temple.

  • Pláka, a neighborhood located just a stone’s throw from major historical sites, is an historical destination, itself.

Day 6: Izmir (Ephesus)
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, this booming Turkish city is located on a gulf fed by several streams. Evidence of the city’s rich culture includes the ancient fortress Kadifekale, the fountain-fitted Saat Kulesi clock tower, the ruins of the ancient downtown Agora… and, of course, the eclectic Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar. Izmir is also the gateway to Ephesus, the ancient Greek city built in the 10th century B.C. — home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

  • Experience ancient Ephesus, considered to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

  • Visit the House where the Blessed Virgin is said to have spent her last years.

  • See the terrace houses, which remained buried from the 7th century until the 1980s.

Day 7: Mykonos
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

How’d you get so perfect, Mykonos? Check out some pics of the town and you might wonder why the buildings are so perfectly white. Or maybe you won’t wonder, since it’s easy to just get lost in awe of the island’s picturesque beauty, of how perfect it all just happens to be, from the Cycladic architecture with brilliant blue accents to the stoic windmills. Just why Mykonos became one of Greece’s most iconic international travel destinations, a nightlife capital for the rich in the ’60s and ’70s — and today continues to attract seekers of great shopping, dining and strolling — all becomes evident when you visit. Also, don’t miss Mykonos’s neighboring island, Delos, for another side of Greece, the side with archaeological ruins of temples and sanctuaries from ancient times.

Day 8: Fun Day at Sea

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

Day 9: Malta
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Malta’s the big sister, the largest island in a seven-strong archipelago just a stone’s throw from Europe… and not far at all from Africa. The island’s history began with the megalithic stone temples at Gozo, which may just be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. Valletta is Malta’s capital, and its bustling streets are lined with superb Baroque buildings, palaces, gardens and churches. The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its nickname is Superbissima (“most proud”). Malta has two official languages: Maltese, the national language, and English. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004, and four years later became part of the Eurozone.

  • Stroll the Old Cathedral and Ramparts of the so-called Silent City.

  • See the Palazzo Parisio, a 19th century palace whose gardens have earned it the nickname “the miniature Versailles.”

  • Stop in to Casa Rocca Piccola, whose 50 rooms housed Maltese nobility for over 400 years.

Day 10: Fun Day at Sea

No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.

Day 11: Barcelona
Arrives at 6:00 AM

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. Fun beach bars overlooking the Mediterranean, sleek Spanish designer stores, and Gaudí’s surreal buildings make Barcelona, Spain a whimsical and unique place to visit. For a Mediterranean cruise, Spain is a great place to start — sample the good stuff on one of Carnival’s cruises from Barcelona.

  • Cruise to Barcelona to photograph Gaudí’s otherworldly sculptures in Park Güell. 

  • Ascend Montjuïc Hill for stunning city views. 

  • Enter the 14th-century Catedral’s vaulted galleries and listen for its 13 resident geese.