MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE: Sailing the Flavors of Great Cuisine

Make the most of your first day in Barcelona by booking the Skip the Line: Best of Barcelona Tour. Half- or full-day tours are available. The full-day tour includes lunch in Barcelona’s stylish and trendy El Born district (home of the best restaurants and bars in town), a curated tour of the famous city garden, Park Güell, home to Gaudí’s most bizarre creations, as well as a jump to the head of the line at Gaudí’s La Pedrera for an an exclusive tour. If you want to take it easy during the day, book the three-hour Tapas Evening Walking Tour instead. It’s a great introduction to tapas (bar snacks) that ambles through La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter, a visit to La Boqueria Food Market, and stops in three Barcelona bars for tapas and drinks.

Last night, if you booked the Tapas Evening Walking Tour, you undoubtedly learned a lot about Spanish cuisine. Today, we recommend you put your knowledge to work with some paella, the Spanish national dish. You can either strike out on your own (El Born is worth revisiting, as well as the Barceloneta neighborhood for the best fish) or book the Andalusian Dinner and Flamenco Show—a three-course meal complete with paella (vegetarian options available), Spanish wines, a glass of cava—and a stunning display of 15 artists, dancers, singers, and musicians.

Your cruise departs at 6 PM, still leaving you with enough time to take in the city one last time. If you haven’t already, head into the Old Town to see some of the greatest concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe. The contrast between the Old Town and the many examples of Modernisme surrounding it throughout the rest of the city is part of what makes Barcelona such an enchanting city.

Today, discover what’s on board the Norwegian Epic as you sail towards your first destination: Naples, Italy. With a casino, spa, fitness center, rock climbing and rappelling walls—as well as excellent on board entertainment—you’re certain to find something to suit your mood.

You have an entire day to discover Naples today at your leisure. This charming city offers some of Italy’s best shopping and dining, including the original Neapolitan pizza. Nearby is Mt. Vesuvius, the Isle of Capri, and Pompeii. A number of shore excursions are available today, but we like the foodie’s tour called the Flavors of Sorrento and Pompeii. Not only do you get to see the main tourist attractions in these two cities, but you’ll get to tour a family farm and its old wine cantina, learn how olive oil is produced, see mozzarella being made, and enjoy lunch in the midst of a lemon and olive grove. Your cruise sets sail for Rome at 7 PM.

Today gives you the opportunity to bask in the glory of the city that once was the capital of the world’s most powerful empire. No visit to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican in the Vatican City. Two available shore excursions can help you see these amazing attractions. Both tours cover a lot of ground, so proper walking attire is highly recommended. Florence is your next port of call, with departure at 7 PM today.

What makes Florence so great for a day trip is that the city’s main attractions are all centrally located, including Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David. Guided tours are available, should you not wish to strike out on your own. The ship departs at 7 PM today for Cannes, France.

Spend the day in Cannes soaking up the best of the French Riviera. Home to the Cannes International Film Festival, this city is also home to many of France’s rich and famous. See how many celebrities you can spot as you walk the palm-lined promenade. For a terrific view of the city, head up Suguet Hill. The ship departs at 7 PM today for Marseille, France.

Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille is the oldest city in France and was founded in 600 BC. Among the many terracotta-roofed buildings lie such intriguing sites as the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde. The nearby city of Avignon and the quaint villages of Le Baux and Aix-en-Provence are also worth a visit. The cruise departs earlier today – at 4 PM – to head back to Barcelona.

Your cruise of the Mediterranean ends today upon arrival/disembarkation in Barcelona.