12 days, round-trip Western Mediterranean from Marseilles

About this cruise

Somewhere around day five the ship stops being transport and starts being home. This 12-night sailing from Marseille on May 3, 2027 visits Savona, Barcelona and Alicante, with additional stops along the Western Mediterranean. There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. Crossing 4 borders through the Western Mediterranean: Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 9 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Costa Serena: 3,014 guests, 13 decks. Entertainment, dining, and enough space that it never feels cramped. By night three you start recognising faces; by night ten you're swapping numbers. That's the magic of a longer sailing. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Marseille has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A spring departure helps too: decent weather and a calmer feel at each port. Good route, good ship, good timing. It all lines up.