Mediterranean Gems – Marseille & Valletta

About this cruise

You sail from Barcelona on June 28, 2026 and spend 7 nights visiting Marseille, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Cagliari, Palermo and Valletta. 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 Malta. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 8 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Splendida takes the food seriously, with 6 restaurants to choose from. 2 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Barcelona has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. It's peak season, so the weather is at its best and the ship will be full. That's part of the fun. Good route, good ship, good timing. It all lines up.