Colossus & Canal – Venice, Heraklion & Port Said

About this cruise

Block out 13 nights from March 13, 2027 and let this sailing from Bari do its thing. The route covers Split, Venice and Katakolon, with additional stops along the Eastern Mediterranean and there's plenty of room to breathe between each stop. The sailing ends in Venice. Expect a run of consecutive ports, 8 stops total, with the busiest days packed close together. The sea days around them feel earned. The Eastern Mediterranean route takes in Croatia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, 5 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. People come back from this cruise talking about Heraklion: Minoan legends on a Cretan shore. Roughly 10 hours ashore per stop. No need to rush. MSC Lirica keeps you well fed. 5 places to eat, with 4 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. With more nights comes more time for the ship's rhythm to kick in: morning coffee in the same spot, evening shows, late-night conversations on deck. If you've done the short cruises and want more, this is the upgrade. Longer, deeper, and more relaxed. If you can, add a night in Bari before boarding. It's a good city to wander. And March is a good time to go. Mild weather, things starting to bloom, and fewer people than summer. 8 ports, 5 countries, one suitcase. That's the appeal.