Mediterranean Splendor – Rome, Malta & Barcelona

About this cruise

You sail from Civitavecchia (Rome) on December 21, 2026 and spend 7 nights visiting Messina, Valletta, Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa. 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 4 borders through the Western Mediterranean: Italy, Malta, Spain and France. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 9 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC World Asia launched in 2026, so everything on board is still new. You can tell. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Civitavecchia (Rome) 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. You start in Civitavecchia (Rome) and come back with stories from Italy, Malta, Spain and France.