Mediterranean Gems – Marseille & Valletta

About this cruise

You sail from Barcelona on October 11, 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. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. You start in Barcelona and come back with stories from France, Italy and Malta.