7 days, round-trip Western Mediterranean from Palermo

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 7 nights from Palermo on October 8, 2026, visiting Civitavecchia (Rome), Savona, Marseille, Barcelona and Cagliari. 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 3 borders through the Western Mediterranean: Italy, France and Spain. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Costa Smeralda: 5,224 guests, 20 decks. Entertainment, dining, and enough space that it never feels cramped. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Palermo has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 7-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.