Golden Italian Odyssey – Florence, Rome & Marseille

About this cruise

You sail from Barcelona on January 9, 2028 and spend 7 nights visiting Marseille, Genoa, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome) and Valencia. It's a well-tested route and there's a reason people keep booking it. 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: France, Italy and Spain. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 12 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Lirica takes the food seriously, with 5 restaurants to choose from. 4 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. The sweet spot for most travellers: you get to know the ship, see the ports, and come home before the laundry piles up. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Barcelona has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. The timing adds to it: swapping cold weather for sunshine and sea air is the whole pitch for a winter cruise. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 7-night sailing is a strong place to start.